Thurs., June 21
Yesterday's lovely massage that Gillian gave me has left me so relaxed. I awake early--4:30 or so--and decide to try to record the sounds of early-morning Africa. The crickets are in fine form--a white noise of their vibrations. The hippos don't perform well, so very little of their grunting. Too bad I can't record the gorgeous starry, starry morning and the shining moon. Magical. Then back to bed.
We'd been texting Sue Bolthouse with the possibility of meeting her briefly at the Lusaka airport. Originally we thought 11:45 would be OK (according to tour guide James), but then this morning the story changes--10:45 instead. Emailing Sue of that time change is a problem--wifi down, so Jane texts her, but we have no clue if she's gotten the message.
Below is our charter landing as the last of our group joins us at the landing strip.
The 20 minute flight from the airstrip to the Lusaka airport is uneventful--the beauty of the African plain lies below us. Arriving Lusaka, we a have about a 20 minute window to meet Sue before boarding and...there she is! She'd tackled the Lusaka traffic and flew into the terminal. I get what I really wanted--a Lusaka hug to give to her mom Arlene when we arrive home.
Security checks, immigration (yellow fever certification essential), and a bit of shopping before the 2 hr. trip from Lusaka to Johannisburg.
Another uneventful flight. Cold here (50's?) Hey, it's mid-winter here--the winter solstice. We'll have to drink to that tonight. Have a feeling we'll sleep well. 6:30 wake-up call tomorrow, breakfast, then a trip to Soweto and the Apartheid museum. We'll get to the airport around 4 pm to board for our return trip. Looking forward to my own bed and seeing you all!
Carmen and I have enjoyed this so much, and I have a special rock for my benefactor's head stone. Here's to you, PHK! I've been blessed.
We awake before the alarm--6:30 or so--and since we'd forgotten to drop one of our tent's shades, we enjoy an early morning sunrise--orange in a violet sky--from our mosquito-netted boudior. We pack, set out our luggage for pickup, and take our last stroll to the lodge for a good cup of morning coffee and breakfast.
Below is our charter landing as the last of our group joins us at the landing strip.
The 20 minute flight from the airstrip to the Lusaka airport is uneventful--the beauty of the African plain lies below us. Arriving Lusaka, we a have about a 20 minute window to meet Sue before boarding and...there she is! She'd tackled the Lusaka traffic and flew into the terminal. I get what I really wanted--a Lusaka hug to give to her mom Arlene when we arrive home.
Security checks, immigration (yellow fever certification essential), and a bit of shopping before the 2 hr. trip from Lusaka to Johannisburg.
Another uneventful flight. Cold here (50's?) Hey, it's mid-winter here--the winter solstice. We'll have to drink to that tonight. Have a feeling we'll sleep well. 6:30 wake-up call tomorrow, breakfast, then a trip to Soweto and the Apartheid museum. We'll get to the airport around 4 pm to board for our return trip. Looking forward to my own bed and seeing you all!
Carmen and I have enjoyed this so much, and I have a special rock for my benefactor's head stone. Here's to you, PHK! I've been blessed.