Africa: Days 7-8

Day 7: Friday, August 13th

We woke up early today to catch the combi back to Kasane. In Kachikau you wait out by the side of the road next to a big tree. Fortunately, this time we had a back-up plan to ride into town in the back of the ambulance, which is really like the back of a covered pick-up truck. But we didn't need it...we made it onto the combi! And boy, what a ride! There were 32 people crammed into 24 seats. I carried most of my things on my lap and could not move the entire 2-hour drive. And my fold-down seatback was broken, so I got a nice ab workout too.


We all had to get out at the entrance point to Chobe National Park to have our bags inspected. They are trying to stop the spread of hoof-and-mouth disease, so certain things, like meat, plants, grass, etc. are prohibited...like our baskets! They are keeping them there at the gate for Tori to pick up later, but we may try to take them back when we pass through on Sunday. Technically they shouldn't have been taken b/c they were only to confiscate fresh grass products, but they didn't really seem to understand the difference.

When we finally made it back to Kasane, we checked back in at Waterlily Lodge. We got another amazing cheese roll at the bakery to tie us over until our early dinner. We spent the afternoon walking around Kasane and looking in all the different shops. We tried to check our e-mail at the internet cafe, but it was running too slowly to even log on. A man selling crafts is making me a giraffe out of wire and a Fanta can. I will go pick it up tomorrow. I also have a list of things I want to buy when we come back to Kasane before we head home...unless I find them cheaper elsewhere. My parents finally have their bags! They went and picked them up from the airport and are now re-united with their belongings.




We had dinner at Chobe Safari Lodge again (you can't beat the view!), and watched the boat cruises going up and won the river. More elephants spotted across the way, but again too small to really see them. OH! Forgot to mention the animals we saw on the combi...a large herd of elephants including a baby! I started tearing up when I saw them!



Now we're having a chocolate creme muffin (it's like a moist cupcake) and then heading for bed. So glad we make it back relatively easily today.

Day 8: Saturday, August 14th

This morning we got to sleep in...what a treat! We went to the internet cafe and were able to check our e-mail. The internet was not super fast, but it was definitely better than yesterday. We had breakfast a local coffee shop where the coffee was really good. It was warmer this morning and not as windy...what a nice change! We went back to the crafts stall and picked up my custom-made Fanta can giraffe, as well as some other artwork. They had a wood-carved elephant stool that I would love to take home. If only it would fit in my bag!

We had some braised chicken for lunch, which was very spicy, but delicious. We also picked up more goodies from the bakery - another cheese roll and rock buns (scones) for in the morning.

This afternoon was our boat cruise on the Chobe River. The sights were beautifully breath-taking. We saw lots of animals: kudu, impala, crocodiles, hippos, water bucks, cape buffalo, a bunch of different birds, and yes...elephants! And there were several babies, so I guess that means that I'll be able to leave eventually! :)




The birds here are pretty awesome. There are so many different types, and most of them are beautiful, except for the storks...they're just as ugly as vultures!





There were so many crocodiles on land, it's scary to think about how many are in the water.




And hippos are pretty scary and gross in person...not like on the jungle cruise at Disneyland! The fart (loudly) and spray poop everywhere and on each other. And when they open their mouths wide it's pretty scary. They have giant pointy teeth, and our guide told us it's their way of warning off intruders.





As usual, we had another amazing sunset.




We had dinner in our room to finish off our leftover food. We're charging up our camera batteries before we leave on our safari tomorrow. We'll be without power until our next lodge-stay on Friday, so hopefully they'll last! ( It turned out that they had a generator to charge the batteries on while on safari so we lucked out!)