Chobe Elephant Lodge.

On leaving the Sango Lodge in our 4x4 we had to be towed through deep water. Carol let the tyres down, we piled into the lodge vehicle and AJ the camp manager drove our car! What fun. The water sloshed up the sides of the vehicle and at times we felt as though we were on a boat!

The road to Chobe has to be the dustiest, sandiest and bumpiest I have ever known. Despite Mark controlling the steering wheel he manages to spot amazing things. I think he has super vision lenses. From the smallest tortoise, the fastest snake, the racquet tailed roller (Carol's sighting) the two of them make a formidable team!

The Chobe Elephant Lodge is built on a hill overlooking the river and was a unique construction in that to be Eco friendly Sandbags are used instead of bricks and then plastered. The walls are note refectory even but this all adds to the character of the place. No glass is used in the windows but gauze and shutters keep out the minus and cold. All the furniture was designed and built to Mark's standards. This lodge is a real monument to both he and Carol.

The lodge has only been open for four months and during this time the elephants have come down to drink at the guests swimming pool and several of the boards have had to be replaced! The day I walked down the baboons were playing on the deck!

Each day we would set off wrapped up in blankets, beanies, scarves etc to keep the chill factor out. In our cooler box Carol made sure we were well armed with Amarula Coffee and rusks to build up our warmth!

 

The second day we were there we went along the river on the boat and it was an amazing experience. The elephants swim across the river into the islands of grass and just eat and eat and eat! On the banks much frolicking took place as they teased and clambered over each other. Mark pointed out that only mammals play! True. We saw much evidence of this.

While watching the elephants, a second drama was taking place. Two crocs were sunning themselves and an impala, being very daring was getting closer and closer. One watches with a sense of excitement waiting for the inevitable to happen on one hand and hoping the impala will escape on the other! It appears that good sense prevailed and the impala escaped!

Cruising along on the river it was wonderful to see all the animals come down for their sundowner too. This was such a spectacular experience.

 

Another stunning day in Africa. How lucky we are to be able to experience the best of Africa.

Botswana. Maun.

The land of miles and miles of roads, with hours and hours of traveling with very little traffic going either way. As one approaches the villages, cows, goats and donkeys pop out onto the roads.

 

I took a little drive into Maun on my hunt for "interesting" things and along the roads one can buy "batiks" and items made from tin! There were a few wooden items but nothing very exciting.

To round off our visit to Maun we went off to a Fillet Braai at a friend' s home and this friend turned out to be the daughter of my school friend Mary Anne Coppens née Brereton! Tammy,is married to Dan McAllister, a cousin to Kira McAllistair who I taught in Swaziland! Absolutely amazing. Both Tammy and Dan are pilots! I was so hoping to catch up with Mary Anne but she is back in SA. But It was good meeting her lovely daughter and family!

It is time to head off on our Safari. How exciting. We were last in Bots in 2005 and had an amazing time so we were really looking forward to this special time. Carol and Mark had taken a week off their busy schedule to accompany us. We packed up all essentials plus thing needed by the lodges and set off. Mark never misses a turn off and went off on every by road to see what we could see!

We entered the park at the South Gate of the Moremi Game Reserve and headed for Sanjo Camp set on the Kwaai River. This a luxury tented camp with accommodation for twelve guests. The camp is named after the Sanjo Family from whom the land was obtained. The Camp even has a small dip pool and a super look-out deck.

 

Mark and Carol know their birds, their trees, their grasses, their animals....they know the bush.

Our ice box was always well stocked and together with Carol, I got so used to squatting behind the nearest bush!!!

These elephants had hours of fun playing in the mud!

One of the best things about Sango Camp is that Mark can drive off road and my BIG wish was to see Leopard. The vehicles are all in radio contact with each other and soon we were sent to the tree where the much desired leopard were. Mother leopard was sleeping off her lunchtime meal while the little one was climbing up and down the tree which contained the remains of the impala feast! We had such fun watching this little on reverse carefully down the tree.

Aren't we lucky. Of course other vehicles pulled up and eventually we had to move on.

That evening we were told about another amazing sighting...a mother hyaena and her cubs! After all our experiences, not always pleasant, with Buster back at Sabie Park, it was fun just sitting observing the two playful pups tugging on sticks etc.

 

Mother just rolled over and gave her pups the odd little lick!

Sunset in the bush is always breathtaking and from Sango Lodge over the river it did not disappoint!

Madikwe

Tau lodge.

On the way to Botswana from Harties where the wedding was held, it seemed to be the most sensible thing to do and that is stay at Tau Lodge in Madikwe. My nephew Giles has been here for about eighteen months and from Toti I just never imagined we would get to visit this far flung area!! Never, say never! Christopher came up with the suggestion so I contacted Giles and he was delighted to have us stay for two nights. The drive through Hekpoort and Rustenburg was most interesting as we had only been to Rustenburg once before. Despite the mines closing down there is a great deal off development and much made to attract tourists too!

On arrival at the lodge we were greeted by Giles, the welcoming staff, a drink and this beautiful sight!

Our five star room had a little deck over looking the "pan" and the birds had a marvelous time swimming and playing in the water. In fact the first thing we saw when we opened our curtains was a slinky, slithery crocodile swimming past our window. But as it was very early in the morning and the light was not good I did not even try to take a photo.

After a hearty breakfast we set off with our guide Doey who was extremely knowledgable. It was freezing cold and we had to wear lots, use two blankets and cuddle up!

The surrounding hills are fascinating with their crumbling red rock surfaces and sprouts of wild figs every where. Doey gave us the full geographical explanation but my brain was tooooo cold to take it all in! On starting our safari Doey asked if we had any wishes and I piped up and said that I would live to see leopards! She could not find leopards but found us the most beautiful sighting of four stunning cheetahs! They were enjoying lying in the sun under the wild fig. Every now and then one would get up and mark his territory.

 

Being in open vehicle defnagely gives an even mote thrilling perspective when watching these magnificent creatures. We were assured that cheetah are not known to ever attack a human being. Is this true?

Who am I to argue?

On one of the trips we were lucky to see three male lion but unfortunately the light and the camera were not at their best,however, we loved watching the three rolling over each other, licking each other and in fact being quite playful.

Iam glad to say the rhino are well and looking good. We saw the anti rhino poaching force out and very active. Long may these magnificent creatures live.

Doey has her own Favourite spot for morning tea which she took us to. It is the one of the ground squirrel. There were lots of them running around having fun but one in particular came right up to us and begged for a tidbit. Doey says this squirrel was hand reared by one of the guides and then released. The naughty little beast nipped the tourist who did not heed or maybe hear, Doey's warning not to try and feed or touch the squirrel! Does Man ever learn??

Thank you to our host Giles and our guide Doey and all the wonderful staff at Tau. What a special place you have. Weare so privileged to have had a taste of your world!

The last view from our room!

Maun

Here we are in Maun, Botswana staying with Carol and Mark S. The early morning and late evening temps call for a warm top however the days are beautiful. Maun is a dusty touristy/rural town with many landies tearing along the roads which are visited by goats, cows, donkeys and dogs!

 

We popped into Spar yesterday and were surprised to see a Woolies had opened here. I am sure that has improved the lives of the working couples who need instant quality dinners!

Mark and Carol together with two partners have a Safari business....a couple of lodges and lots of other things.

The Safari Business in this part of the world is BIG with tourists visiting from all over the world.

The Safari vehicles are custom built on the premises and all the fittings are made here too. Of course I loved meeting the "seamster."

Mark took us out to the farm he co owns and WOW it was amazing to see the tunnels of beautiful vegetables.


 

Talk about Jack and the Beanstalk this is Mark and the Tomato stalk!

The most welcoming sight was this quilt I mad for Mark and Carol after our last visit seven or eight years ago!

I am so glad we get to sleep under a quilt I made and made with fabrics from our Swazi days. It is filled with memories, as I am sure this visit to Maun will be!

March...my Favourite month.

The month of March is when my birthday happens, my blog's second birthday and the birthday of many members of my family and also my friends! It is my favourite month and makes me feel so happy! Not that I want to record the passing of yet another year but it is fun to have a day dedicated to you and that's what birthdays are all about. A day of total indulgence. Not necessarily material indulgence but a day to do things that make you happy.

When I first got married we lived in a very small home attached to the Boy's hostel which my husband helped run. The master in charge, Mr McCloud and his dear wife lived right next door and Myfanwy, a lovely Welsh women, spent much time popping in and sharing her wisdom. One of the many pearls she passed my way was about birthdays. She too had a March birthday. She advised that for at least a week before your special day you MUST start talking about what you would like to do and how you are going to celebrate your special day. She felt that you only have yourself to blame should your dearly beloved forget your birthday. I liked that advice and put it into practice until the children got old enough to be reminding their Dad! These days I don't feel sensitive about my birthday and my DB always remembers. He just needs a great big HINT about what to get me. This year I wanted a certain perfume which I used to use in my early days so that was easy and I love flowers. To my dearest friends Bridget and Arlene thank you for the lovely flowers.

I treated myself to a new hairdo and walked out the salon feeling great! All the calls, sms's, emails etc just made the day so special. The day before my birthday my hubby and I went off to enjoy a special sushi lunch and on Friday I treated my sister and Arlene, my dear friend, to tea. Arlene is always so inspiring...she has been in a wheelchair for a very long time and has other lesser health issues and you NEVER hear her complain. She is a wonderful quilter, a huge Bridge card player and does beautiful cross stitch. A morning with Arlene, is all I need to feel a new appreciation for all I have!

As I mentioned, it is also my blog's birthday. I started it two years ago and it is still going! I enjoy my blog and make myself angry when I don't write regularly! It's just a matter of a bit more self discipline. I am so grateful to the people who take the time to read my ramblings....thank you. I just wish there were more "comments" which serve as encouragement.

While the month got off to a great start we are now feeling so upset about the news about the Air Malaysia which has disappeared. It is a Favourite airline of ours too. My thoughts and love go to all the friends and family waiting for news! Let's hope things just get better from here.

 

Oscar, Oscar, The Oscars and Oskidu!

It is lovely being home again after an absence of +three months! Fortunately, the weather during the first week was perfect weather for little boys to enjoy the "piggies" . A couple of years back when our dear grandson, Oscar first came to our beach home and Grandpa took him to play in the waves, Grandpa would wait for a wave to come, shouting, 'here comes a "biggee" 'and lift a delighted Oscar as the water broke over them. Nothing has changed and Oscar continues to call the waves "piggies" and still delights in his Grandfather lifting him up as the waves rush in. Oscar loves the water and has gained so much in confidence which we hope will rub off on his swimming lessons! Grandpa's arm muscles are stronger and his back aches like crazy! The joys.....

Then we have the trial of Oscar Pistorius. With the media being aloud to be present in the court it has caused such a frenzy. On one hand it is good to see how our courts operate on the other hand I think it is so intimidating for the witnesses. The whole procedure is being described as a circus. Listening to the cross questioning of some of the witnesses one would think they were the ones on trial. Glad I am not up there...I could not stand the pressure!

What about The Oscars.....oh my, aren't the clothes out of this world! It is such fun seeing the actors and actresses being "themselves" so to speak. I am so fortunate that I managed to seem many of the films that were nominated. Blue Jasmine got my Oscar while Twelve Years of Slavery was just too disturbing for me. Any movie that portrays white on black racism manages to make me feel so uncomfortable that I would rather not watch them. Blue Jasmine, was just up my alley!

I also took a special interest in the Metro Music awards this past Saturday as our Sarah's company was covering the event. Sarah flew down and was backstage Taking pics, tweeting and Facebooking and whatever else social media companies do. There too, the outfits were just lovely! South Africa's who's who looked amazing, and we have much to be proud of! Oskidu, our own music maker was given an award for his contribution to the Music business and I found his acceptance speech a little edgy when he said it was the first time in twenty years that he has been recognized!!

There we have it, little Oscar with the Piggies, Big Oscar in trouble, the Oscars over for 2014 and Oskido

making lots of good music.

A good start to our time at home.