Okavango Delta to Maun (Botswana)
Such a chilly start to the day - I was content to stay snuggled in bed and to let @Mac manage the pack up. Needed running repairs on my toenail which he completed with a headlamp and a pair of scissors - he looked very professional and "surgical" - I think I would be tempted to trust him with the suture kit ... if we had one.
Did make it to the breakfast call on time and all the luggage was loaded in the monster truck for a quick getaway at 8.45 - got a 305 km return trip and 2 pm lunch date at the Dusty Donkey.
Breakfast rugby conversation was far more relaxed today - the avid fans realised they were a week early and the game tomorrow is clash between Australia and South Africa. Everyone has put in their scores and winning teams - @Mac was more interested in the fact that it is International Rum Day than picking a winner. It's another Friday for him without a form guide.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS:
Esthau 13 (one of the 13 villages established after the Angolan War of the 60s) was the destination of the ladies from the lodge this morning and we shared the truck ride with them through the marshy waterways as they take their children to the clinic once a month for health and growth checks. All were rugged up and warm and bright and happy. These preschool age children stay with their working mums in the Lodge who work a 26-day month. The elder siblings stay in the village and attend school and are all cared for by the extended family of grandparents and aunts and uncles.
Our dining room hostess (proudly wearing @Roz's gifted earrings) was on the ride with us and her husband @Alec also works in the Lodge - he was our driver and guide on the boat on our arrival. They have a worked at the Lodge for 15 years.
Found our "Elephant" just where we left it, loaded the luggage, turned the key and we were on the return trip heading back to Maun via a rough road to start and then a ribbon of bitumen.
Animal sightings definitely around the Domesticated 5 today as we left the electric fences area of the Lodge and moved out into the villages along the highway. Big excitement around the donkey drawn "Kalahari Ferraris" with plenty of cows and goats.
Saw our Heroare ladies again and had plenty of snacks on board to keep us going. Breezed through the first Veterinary Check Point with a smile and a wave - just veered around the roadblock without any movement that they were interested in dipping our shoes.
With about 45 minutes to go we encountered a Highway Patrol stop where they were a little more interested. Stopped behind two other cars who had windows down and the Officers made an inspection of the vehicles. When it was our turn, a friendly nod and wave from @Louis was all that was needed to have us cruising on our way.
The drive seemed to pass quickly and somewhat quietly. Highlights of history, geography and wildlife were shared, conversation rumbled through the bus in bursts, chewy mints and chocolates provided sustenance and some grabbed a little snooze in the comfort and space of this vehicle (no doubt dreaming of the coffee ahead.)
@Louis had quoted a charter flight for us as an alternate in case anyone wanted to skip the drive either ir both ways. At US$270 a head each way, the group opted to enjoy the road trip together rather than take the short cut overhead.
B. Arrived back in Maun close to 1 pm and we were all excited to try @Roz's recommendation of the Dusty Donkey - great food selections and coffee.
Maun was bumper to bumper and as the gateway to the Okavango Delta and game parks - on a Friday afternoon was to be expected. We hit the shops for top-ups for the next three days - only got the essential $$$pula, water, snacks and alcohol (we are going to try an African alternate to Bailey's.)
And by the way - did this trip on just one bushie bushie stop - although some of us declined. I think I have been too smart for my own good - have been very limited on fluid intact in my attempt to control nature stop urges.
The Maun Lodge was just as welcoming the second time around and with bonus of the ground floor rooms this time, we were quick to take to the shower/bath combinations. I was a little dehydrated- and took a wobbly. I realised I hadn't been drinking any water for the last three days and the body protested big time. Thought I was one of those walkers in the marathon who stumble blindly over the finish line. Anyway, consumed half our newly purchased three-day water supply, wallowed in a bath and slept my way to a new clear stream rather than dribbles of amber. Lesson learnt.
(Just by the way - I have 8 photos for the day - do think my brain was on dehydration drain~)
B. Dinner in The Boma was a slow affair but there was plenty of conversation. To fill in service wait time including multiple toasts to @Louis on his success in entering the homeowner's market.
Carnivores delight tonight from the a la cart menu. I am in awe of how much MEAT these men collectively consume and was just a little envious of those who had room for the brandy snap baskets of desert.
Got our briefing for tomorrow - we are heading back to structured tents with ensuites and apparently we are in for two cold nights. Another long drive tomorrow in another new vehicle - and just saying, I will be drinking heaps and leading the bushie bushie charge tomorrow.
Wildlife Spotting
Herberts Monkeys: ruled by a male, monkey sits with blue testical and red penis facing the sun - helps regulate temp, brightness of colour attracts female, black head to heat body in sun; many alarm calls to distinguish particular predators, most shrill is for leopard
Ground squirrel
Slender mongoose
Ostrich
Red Crested Korhaan: Red feathers used to attract female, suicide bird, sometimes called a baby ostrich: can plummet to ground
Long tailed starling (Mebes): green beside road
Crimson breasted shrike: was the national bird of German South West Africa - very red - about the size of a dove
Vulture: circling abattoir
Maiboo stork: with vultures circling the abattoir
Domesticated animals
Donkey
Goat
Cattle
Sheep
Horses
Dogs
Hope the Baileys and Rum went down well 👍👍
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