Buses, planes, more buses, and tenders..a day of local travel.
Today we travel to the river boat Zambezi Queen, currently awaiting us the middle of the Chobe River, the border between Namibia and Botswana to the north of South Africa.
“Bags outside your room by 6:15 AM”, was our last admonition . We set the alarm for 5:30, but, little realizing the power of anxiety, we were up at 3:30 am.
We were fully packed at 5:15 and so had time for a cup of coffee in the room and a biscotti.
Our bags are stuffed and I am sure over the Airlink Airlines weight limit (20 kilos-44 pounds-for checked bags and 7 kilograms-15 pounds-for carryons). Two things could happen at the airport: we will be accessed a fee for our excess weight or all bags for our group will be weighted together to see if we are inside the total limit.
Luckily bags were weighted as a group so no excess weight charges (until later- see below).
Breakfast at 6:30, on the bus by 7, on the plane by 9.
Before I forget I wanted to show a photo of a “pofadder” snake one of our group spotted in a walk the first day. They are very venomous but rather lazy, preferring to lie on a warm stone in middle of a walking path. Our guide said once bitten you have but 30 minutes to get help.
Pofadder Snake
And this peacock at the Glenelly Estate who was not in a good mood when he saw his reflection in the glass.
He started fighting himself:
I write this part on the Airlink Airlines plane, flying the 3 hours to Victoria Falls Airport. Despite my earlier trepidation it’s really a rather nice plane even in economy. They’re serving drinks now and followed by meal later. We went for the white wine and sparkling water which is very common here. The boxed lunch ( loved the box)…
was delicious cold sliced chicken, paste salad and corn salad, followed lemon pudding and “gourmet” fudge.
Not as good as bother Steve’s fudge but on the whole quite tasty.
My second gaff of the trip (only 2?) came when passing through airport security in Cape Town.
I knew better but for some reason I packed four bottles of wine in my CARRY- ON bag. Oppps. Throw it away or return to check that bag and pay the excess weight penalty? Come on! It’s wine! I raced back to check the bag and caught up with the group.
They were still busy filling out immigration and health forms for Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
The airport at Victoria Falls has a beautiful waterfall just inside the terminal.
We left the airport with engraved water bottles on the right and a quartet of young men in native costume singing for us (and tips) on the left.
The hour-long bus ride took us through the middle of Zimbabwe. The flat, nearly arid land (we’re still in the dry season) brought some nice unexpected surprises.
Including this video of some disturbed bulls:
Reaching Botswana we not only went through passport control but also walked over a very wet mat designed to kill the source of hoof and mouth disease that can devastate cattle herds. Our other shoes were given their own disinfectant scrubbing and the bus rolled its tires through the same solution.
Arriving at the Chobe River we boarded tender boats…
to take us first to Namibian passport control…
and then to the Zambezi Queen, our home for the next four days. Along the way we spotted an elephant herd in the distance…
a crocodile headed for deeper water
and the heads of some hippos
The Zambezi Queen was a welcome site after a very hot (102 degrees) tender ride and trip through Namibian passport control.
We were exhausted.
Dinner was wonderful. The Chenin Blanc was exquisite, followed by butternut squash soup, grilled brinjal (egg plant and tomato topped with cheese), hale fillet ( flaky white fish), and white chocolate mousse for dessert.
Tomorrow’s schedule calls for a bird (and animal ) watching tender ride at 6:30 am. I may make it.
Our South African Adventure 