We rose before dawn for our continental breakfast which at
the camps has consisted or cereals, toast, muffins, sometimes pancakes, yogurt,
and fruit or fruit salad. We gathered
for a group photo but one of us didn’t make it as they were confused and
thought we were heading to the village and school to take our gifts. Colleen had headed back to her tent to gather
these things.
The drive, again as before here, did not reveal much. The guides are knowledgeable and I for sure
know how to tell if dung was made by the male or female elephant. You never know when that might come in handy
back home.
We did drive about two and a half hours across the park to a
beautiful thatched roof stone ‘hide’ overlooking a watering hole filled with
hippos and crocodiles. Lots of birds
were nearby and the comical Wart Hogs are ever present. Nothing but a lion or leopard can kill them.
And even that they usually avoid by backing into their dens so the dusks greet
the predators.
After the Sunrise tea break we drove n to another watering
hole. This time we added a new
animal. The Klipspringer. I think the name must come because they small
antelope can leap onto high rocks or cliffs too escape from threats. They like to stand high up and see what is
coming their way. This pair was no
different. Perched on a large granite
boulder they were practically invisible in the shade of the tall tree.
On the forty-five minute return drive to the hide we stopped
by a small watering hole that was man made and operated with a noisy belt
driven pump. This small camp grounds had bathrooms and after everyone was
finished and in the truck we saw Bud leap out as if stung by a bee and race
around the fence and up the side road.
Mindy had gone to take pictures and bud, who was watching a man cook
near the fence, saw her trip and fall.
Her knee bashed a rock or vice versa.
She said she was okay but when we got back to the hide I told victor
that she might need ice from the lunch cooler and she did say it helped. Too bad when tomorrow starts the part of the
trip that will have plenty of walking in order to enjoy Victoria Falls and then
CapeTown. She and Steve have another
week of a different safari planned after that.
When we got back to the hide there was much more
activity. While we enjoyed our cold
fried chicken and sandwiches Impala seemed to tease crocodiles. The wary antelope edged in groups to the
water not far from where the croc was camouflaged by the shadows. They would
turn, run, and scamper away as though they were laughing out loud and
playing. Hippos yawned and snorted in
the depths of the pool. Elephants
congregated at the back debating whether it was their turn to drink. This is the watering hole experience we were
looking forward to.
About a two hour drive back after lunch had few viewing
stops. Back at camp we were greeted with
cool wash cloths and made our way to our tents.
Nothing on the agenda until gathering at 5:45 for the 6:00 Boma. I laid down for about an hour and read more
of the Orphan Train. I long ago passed
NYPD Red by James Patterson on to Fred.
Susie bought more elephant spoons in the little shop. The men here card soapstone and wood into
delight figurines and utensils. It is nice that the carvers name is on the
bottom of the item. I came back up to
the lodge and poured myself a couple of cold glasses of iced tea and have been
writing to you.
Tomorrow I will let you know if anything unusual happens at
the last night celebration and also about our visit to Victoria Falls.
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