11/30/17 - On 11/12, We got up at 6 30 am, breakfast at 7 15am and we boarded the bus for the city tour at 8 00 am.  We took a coastal scenic route and it was beautiful.  We were along the Atlantic Ocean most of the time.  We entered Cape Hope Natural Reserve.  Along the way, we had to stop and let baboons cross the road, then we stopped at the most south western tip of Africa.  We also rode a funicular up to the lighthouse and then some of the group did a bunch of stairs to the top.  We then stopped off for lunch at Blue Marlin Restaurant and it was very good.  Our next stop was to see African Penguins which live in in little mounds made in the sand and dirt although they do swim in the ocean as well.  We could get very close to them.  On our way back to the hotel, we saw some very expensive homes.  When Deborah and I got back,  we walked to St. George's Cathedral for an evensong service.  After the service, we met Paul and Lucille and walked to an ice cream shop.  It was named Cookies and Cream and they baked excellent cookies and then put ice cream between so you could have an ice cream sandwich.  Back to the hotel for the evening.

                                                    Baboon and baby crossing the road

                                               Most South Western Point in Africa

Atlantic coastline

11/29/17 - On 11/11, We got up at 6 15 am, breakfast at 7 00 am and met the group in the lobby at 7 30 am to board a bus for the day.  Our first stop was Table Mountain.  It is a mountain that is kinda flat on the top and one can walk around and see a lot of Capetown from the distance.  We had to take a gondola lift up and it rotated  360 degrees.  It was really interesting as it was going up and going down.  There was a lot of history on the top.  We were very lucky because a lot of the times, the fog comes in and of course then one can not see anything.  Our next stop was the Botanical Gardens.  I learned from Manuel that there was a golf type of cart that takes people on tours.  The cost was 75 rands or just a little over $5.00.  It was great because the driver really became a tour guide of the garden.  We then had the opportunity to be dropped off at the waterfront and there was a food court and some of us got lunch there.  Deborah and I walked around a little, saw the town clock and she checked on our trip to Robben Island.  We then took a cab back to the hotel.  Cab fare was $5.00.  I relaxed at the hotel and Deborah went for a walk and did some shopping.  Because of a big lunch, I just had some hot tea and crackers in the room. 

                                            A view from Table Mountain. Background is fog

                                                         Town Clock on the Waterfront

11/29/17 - On 11/10, We got up at 7 00 am, breakfast at 7 30 am and then we gathered for a talk regarding David Livingston who was very prominent in helping to develop the region.  It was very interesting.  We then gathered for a group picture.  Four of the group were not going on to Capetown but were leaving for home in the afternoon.  On the way to the airport, we stopped and met Manuel's family.  It was so nice to met his family.  Eleven of us left at 11 45 am for Capetown.  We exchanged some money at the airport since South Africa uses rands.  We then checked into the Inn on the Square.  They had some punch for us.  In the evening, we went to a host family in the colored section of town for dinner.  The family consisted of a father, mother, 8 year old and 6 month baby.  In Africa, it is common for towns to be divided into black people, white people and colored people (colored are bi-racial).  The dinner was delicious and had a nice time getting to know the family.  Both mother and father work and grandma does the babysitting.  Back to the hotel for the evening.

                                                                 Group Picture

11/27/17 - Pictures from 11/9

                                             Mom,, Dad and baby rhinoceros

                                                Rhinoceroses and Zebras co-existing

                                                              Male lion and his dinner

                                                            Our beautiful sunset cruise

11/27/17 - On 11/9, We got up at at 5 15 am, breakfast at 5 45 am and then we met some of the others from out group for a game drive to a private reserve where they are working hard to preserve the rhinoceros who are still being poached.  We were very lucky and saw three in one area and two in another area.  We also learned from another driver that there was a lion kill that we could observe from the road.  It was amazing.  The male lion had killed a cape buffalo.  It was very interesting.  The lion actually killed two of them and he shared one with the vultures and then dragged the other one further in the bush and took a rest but guarded it with his life.  After the drive, we went back to the hotel and Deborah left for her swim in the Devil's pool and I got a ride to the border to zip line across the canyon between Zambia and Zimbabwe.  It took them a little bit to get me all hooked up but they were so gracious.  It was a wonderful.  As I met my driver to take me back to the hotel, I saw Chuck and Marilyn and they were getting ready to zip line as well so I and the driver decided to wait for them.  We got back to the hotel and were able to sit for a late lunch.  I had my first hamburger since leaving the States.  I then went back to the room and relaxed until we were to meet in the lobby for our sunset farewell dinner cruise.  We cruised the Zambezi River which feeds into Victoria Falls and the gorge.  We were on the top part of the falls.  Manuel stated we were quite a distance from the falls.  It was a very quiet, smooth sailing and we did see some hippopotamuses and one elephant on the bank of the river.  We had hors d'oeuvres with wine, beer or soft drinks.  We had lots of conversation and after sunset we had a great dinner with decorative lights on the table.  It was a great way to end the trip.  I will put pictures on the next blog.

11/26/17 - On 11/8, We got up 6 00 am, breakfast at 6 30 am and left the camp at 7 00 am for the entrance of the park  where we would then board a bus.  We had a two hour bus ride to Victoria Falls.  We stopped at the Shearwater Explorers Village hotel to pick up Suzanne who had been ill and spent the last three days at the hotel but felt good enough to join us for the tour of Victoria Falls.  I had learned early from the tour guide that the walk around the falls was a little over a mile one way so a total of a little over two miles so it was determined that I would benefit by requesting a wheelchair and hiring a pusher.  We got some orientation at the entrance of the park and on the other side was my chair and pusher.  We met each other and started out although we were going to keep with the rest of my group.  It felt good not to be way behind and be able to stay with the group.  Soon after the entrance, Suzanne passed out and Deborah determined she had a seizure which was caused by the heat and her not feeling well.  I gave up my wheelchair to wheel her back to the bus and back to the hotel.  Soon the wheelchair arrived again and we took off on our journey.  The falls were beautiful even though it was the dry season.  I was told by the pusher that during the wet season, they close some of  the walkway because of all the mist that is created by the falling water.  We even had some mist on several of the walkways.  We went to the bridge that goes over the gorge between Zambia and Zimbabwe.  We then went to an African restaurant and it was a buffet with lots of various types of rice, chicken and fried caterpillars. Deborah decided to taste them but was not really impressed. We then went back to the hotel and checked in and Deborah went on a tour that gave her a ride on an elephant and I stayed in the room and just relaxed.  We then had dinner at the hotel at 7 30 pm.  Pictures of the falls will have to come later since I don't know how to transfer from camera to computer to this web site.

11/25/17 - Pictures from 11/7

                                            School children greeting us with song and dance

                                            School children we sat with for conversation

                                               Making the bricks for the wall

                                                 The cooking stove and kitchen

11/25/17 - On 11/7, We were up at 5 30 am, breakfast at 6 00 am and at 6 30 am we took the game jeep to a location in the wilderness where there was a bus waiting for us to take us to a little town that had a school.  It was St. Mary's Primary School.  When we arrived a group of school kids were singing and dancing for us.  We then went into a room and got some information regarding the school from the principal. After that we had a tour of the school and were able to sit and interact with some 10 to 12 years old. I sat with two 10 year olds and had a great conversation.  One even read a story to me in English and we answered the questions.  We then left for a typical African village or they call it a homestead.  We were met by a young mother who gave some a tour of the area.  We walked a little distance where they go to get the water.  One of the women filled a 5 gallon bucket and put it on her head and carried it back to the middle of the buildings.  We then had a demonstration of how the women build a wall to a building.  They were getting ready to build another building since the family was growing.  The women build the walls, the men build the grass roof.  The men are responsible to keep peace among the family, take care of the garden, fields and the animals.  This homestead had about 6 or 7 goats.  We then sat in a building and were told that was the kitchen where all food was made.  The men eat by themselves and are served by the women.  When served the women have to kneel in front of the man and present the plate of food for the man to accept.  We did have a coffee, tea and cookie break while there.  We also learned how they made flour out of barley and how the got the grass ready to put on a roof. Very interesting but very primitive.  They seem happy but I also realize that is all they know.

We then returned back to the area in the wilderness where we transferred from the bus to the jeeps.  We got back to the camp and were met by the staff with wet washcloths to clean up from the dust.  We then had brunch, a birthday cake for one of the tourist (Bill).  We then had some relaxing time.  Met back at the lodge again for a talk regarding the growing up as an African girl.  Sally was very interesting.  We then went for a late afternoon game drive and it was uneventful.  It was fun because we stopped at a very nice place and had wine, beer or soft drinks and watch the sun go down.  Back to the camp for dinner.  We had dinner around a campfire which was really nice.  They then did some singing and dancing.  We did sing "When the saints go marching in".  We then got escorted back to our tent cabins.  I will have pictures on the next post since this is really long.

11/24/17 - On 11/6, We are up at 5 30 am, breakfast at 6 00 am and left for our all day game drive at 6 30 am.  We saw some routine animals and then went into an area where there was other cabins and found a pavilion where we were able to observe a water hole with lots of elephants and the water hole was shared with lots of other animals. It was so interesting to watch.  Some animals would leave and others would be coming in.  We probably were there for a good hour and half.  We also had our picnic lunch there.  It was scheduled to be outside but the guides changed their minds because of all the baboons that were around the water hole and at times not far from the pavilion.  They set up the table but warns us not to put our plates on the ledge because the baboons were behind us.  One of the girls did not hear the warning and before long here comes a baboon from the back and tried to get the plate to fall down the ledge so they could get the food.  Well, the guide was quick and the baboon only got the edge of the plate so she still had all of her food.  The guide then had his lunch at the doorway to keep the baboons out of our area.  Quite interesting.  We then looked for more animals on our way back to the camp.  We had some leisure time.  We had a talk by one of the girls regarding the African girls.  She told us her own story.  Was very fascinating.  We had dinner and then escorted to our tent cabins.

                                                      The elephants at the water hole

                                                                   The baboons

                                                     Some Giraffes                                         
                                   

11/23/17 - On 11/5,  We were up at 7 00 am, breakfast at 7 30 am and then said our "goodbyes" and departed the camp via jeep for the small airstrip where we boarded the small plane and flew to Livingston.  There we boarded a bus to the border. Went through passport control and then off to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.  We needed to drive to the hotel that we would return to after our trip to the wilderness because we  had a tourist that was too ill to travel to the wilderness and was staying in Victoria Falls to get some medical care. At the hotel, Deborah talked with the concierge desk to schedule a tour to Victoria Falls to swim in the Devil's pool.  A pool on the top of the falls right on the edge and the swimmers can actually pier off the edge!!  We then left for a three hour drive to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.  At the entrance, we met the jeeps to take some us to Kashawe Tented Camp.  We were greeted by the staff with song and dance, a wet towel to clean hands and face.  We had juice and a snack during our orientation to the camp and our tent assignments.  We had a short late game drive and saw some giraffes. Since they were short staff, out tour guide Manuel became one of the drivers and guide.   We got back to the camp and had a very nice dinner. Of course, since it was dark, we got escorted to our cabins.

11/22/17 - On 11/4, Up at 6 30 am, breakfast at 7 00 am and we went on a river cruise (Lufupa River).  We saw lots of hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and birds.  It was a slow cruise and very interesting.   Some of the group elected to fish on the other end of the river and came back to camp with a bucket full of tilapia.   We then went back to camp to pick up a tourist that was not feeling well in the morning but wanted to join us for our lunch in the bush.  We then docked the boat, walked up a little hill and had a very nice lunch right in the bush.  How interesting.  We went back to camp for a little relaxing in the afternoon.  We then rather on the patio and had a lesson regarding the material that we had gotten at the African market.  The material is used for a skirt, a protective head cover to carry supplies and to wrap around the back to carry a baby.  It was very interesting.  We also had a snack, ice tea or juice.  We then took another river cruise on the Kafue River.  We had a beautiful sunset and drinks on the river.  We then went back to camp for dinner.  Sorry, the pictures are out of order.

 

                                          An elephant grazing below the patio of lodge

                                           Our table set for our brunch in the bush

                                                             Our sunset cruise with drinks

Deborah learning to make a skirt

11/21/17 - 11/3, We were up b 5 30 am, breakfast at 6 00 am and 6 30 am off on our morning game drive.  We saw a leopard in the tree and he got down and we followed him a short distance.  We then stopped off by the swamp area for coffee, tea, cookie and bathroom break behind some big rocks.  Back to the camp for brunch and had some rest time.  We then met at the lodge and had a talk on poaching from a gentleman who was a part of the patrol group for poaching.  We then left for an early evening game drive.  We found a lioness and followed her for a while since they thought she might lead us to some more that could have cubs but she decided not to move.  We left and went back to camp for dinner.

                                                                  Leopard in tree

                                                             Leopard on the ground

11/21/17 - On 11/2, we were up at 6 30 am, breakfast at 7 00 am and 7 30 am we departed by jeep for the airstrip to take a flight to Kasana, Botswana.  When arriving to Kasana, we departed by bus for the border to Zambia.  At the border, we got off the bus, walked to the passport control office, then walked to the river that is the border between Botswana and Zambia.  We boarded a small boat to cross the river into Zambia.  They are building a bridge but at this time, it takes a boat or ferry to get across.  In the middle of the river you have Botswana behind you, Zambia in front of you, Namibia on the left and Zimbabwe on the right.  On the other side, we met our new bus driver and are headed for the African flee market where we were given $2 to buy a piece of material to be used later for a learning and discovery time.  We then arrived at Livingston Airport and flew out to a small airstrip in Kafue National Park.  We were then picked up by the camp jeep and headed for Lufupa Tented Camp.  We were welcomed by the staff with music and dance.  Then had a wet towel for us to clean hands and face.  We had a snack and juice, orientation to the camp and our cabin. We went for a short game drive and saw some elephants and pukus.  Back to the camp for a late dinner. 

11/20/17 - On 11/1, up at 6 30 am, breakfast at 7 00 am and 7 30 am, left for our morning game drive which also included a dugout canoe ride on a channel in the delta.  We saw lots of various cranes and birds on this drive because of the water in channel.  We stopped off for a bathroom break, coffee, tea and cookies.  Next was the canoe ride up the channel which had to be cleared from hippopotamuses before we could take off.  Back to the camp for lunch and then we had some time to relax, then we had a talk on the Okavango Delta, coffee, tea and snack before we left at 4 30 pm for a game drive.  There were always two jeeps and we always went different routes to look for animals.  Our drive was uneventful until the guide got a radio notification that in another place of the park, a male lion and his brothers were found.  We had over a half an hour to get to that side of the park and the guide drove like a maniac to try and get us there before dark so we could see them as well.  We bounced up and down like crazy and had to drive through a fairly deep pond but we got there just as it was getting dark. We could see all three of them but was very hard to take pictures because of the darkness.  The huge male lion did get up and walked away until we could not see him any more.  The group was so excited.  We got back to the camp and had dinner set up around an open fire.  After dinner, the staff did some singing and dancing around the fire and we as a group responded back with our own song. We learned there were cape buffalo around the cabin but was OK with our nightly escort to the tented cabin.

11/20/17 - The second picture of the previous post was the elephant that was doing the mud bath but for some reason I could not write the note.

11/20/17 - On 10/31, up at 5 30 am, breakfast at 6 00 am and at 6 30 am off for an all day game drive.  The first time to see wildebeests.  We saw an elephant taking a mud bath to cool down, saw some hippopotamus fight in the water, a hippopotamus out of the water and walking on dry land.  Around 9 00 am, we found a spot for a bathroom break, coffee, tea and a cookie.  Off to look for more animals.  We then stopped for a picnic lunch and off to look for more animals. We got back to the camp and had a snack, juice, coffee and tea. We then had a couple of hours for relaxation before we returned to the lodge for dinner. 

                                                       A little elephant parade with baby

11/19/17 - On 10/30, We were up at 5 00 am, breakfast at 5 30 am and at 6 00 am we said our  good byes and boarded the bus to travel to the airport in Kasane, Botswana to board a small plane for the Okavango Delta. Our plane was a four seater and when we met the pilot he asked me if I wanted to ride in the co-pilot seat.  I was thrilled but getting me up in the plane was a little difficult.  He finally just picked me and put me in the seat!!  It was interesting to watch him get ready for take and the take off.  Since we were headed for a wilderness camp, the runway had gravel and was out in the middle of the bush.  It was amazing.  The terminal consisted of a square area with gravel so we could disembark from the plane.  We were picked up the the jeep driver and found a place to stop for coffee and tea and a cookie.  We then did a small game drive before heading for the Wilderness Tented Camp.  We had lunch and then an orientation to the camp and our cabin assignments.  We had some time to relax, then a talked on African history and dinner.  After dinner, we looked out an there was an elephant within feet of us, casually eating food so we had to wait until he moved out of the way before we were escorted to our cabins.  I should mention that whenever it was dark we were not allowed to walk outside because one never knew how close the wild animals were and all of us were escorted to our cabins.

                                              I was in the plane to the left with pilot

                                                             Our front door to our tent

11/18/17 - 10/29,  We are up by 5 30 am, breakfast at 6 00 am and today is an all day game drive.  We saw hippopotamus in a pond, impalas, warthogs, cape buffalo during the drive.  We stopped around 9 00 am for coffee, tea and cookies.  Some took a bathroom break and as the tour guide calls it they increased the level of the nearby water!!  We then went again in search of animals until time for our picnic lunch.  As the driver and Manuel were setting up the buffet table, we had an audience of monkeys who were watching to see when they could grab some food.  Well, we had to be very careful and two monkeys did grab some food right off one of the plates!!  Back on the jeep to go look for animals.  The afternoon was uneventful.  When we got back to the lodge, we had juice, water, tea or coffee with a snack.  We then had a little time to ourselves before dinner.  At dinner, we experience a typical African dinner and we learned to eat with our hands.  Eventually, some of us had to ask for utensils.  We then had some entertainment from the staff since this was our last night at the Baobab Lodge.  The entertainment was great.  The African people can really sing and dance.  They asked us to portray  our talents and we could not think of anything but then sang "Row, row your boat"!!  A chilly evening and off to bed.

                                                            Anxiously waiting for food

                                                                    Our buffet table

11/17/2017 - On 10/28, we had a wake up call at 5 30 am, with breakfast scheduled at 6 00 am and off at 6 30 am for our first game drive.  We saw lots of impalas, a herd of elephants in the bush walking single file toward the river that is behind the lodge.  There were too many trees in the way to take pictures.  We stopped off at a local village and talked with a gal that owned the little farm and had a little tour.  In a building out back, we found her mother and two sisters sifting maize to get ready to sell.  We then walked a little and got a lesson on how to make baskets and then they had a display of baskets and bracelets for us to buy.  Back to lodge and had a nice snack.  We then had time for a little relaxation before dinner.  Dinner was delicious and a little conversation after dinner and off to bed.  This cabin had a mosquito net over the bed so took a little to get use to it.

                                                       This type of jeep for all game drives
                                                       It holds 10 people but we only had 8

11/17/2017 - On 10/27, We had breakfast at the hotel and then met our traveling group in the lobby at 8 30 am.  After meeting everyone, we got in a bus and headed for the airport.  We left via British Airways for Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.  When we arrived we had to buy a double visa to be able to enter the country twice during our travels.  After buying the visa and getting our luggage we met our tour guide (the travel agency calls them program director) .  Since he had a list of all of us, he called most of us by name.  It was amazing.  His name is Manuel so during the rest of the trip when I talk about Manuel we will know he was the tour guide that is going to be with us all during the trip.  We then boarded a bus for the border.  When we got to the border we learned that we would be changing buses because it saves alot of time to walk across the border to Botswana than to try and get a bus across.  There were alot of trucks waiting to cross as well and we were told sometimes it takes 24 hours to get the paperwork completed so they can cross the border!!  Anyway, we got off the bus, went through passport control and boarded a bus on the other side.  On our way to the Baobab Lodge in Chobe National Park in Botswana, we saw elephants, impalas, zebras, and warthogs.  What an interesting ride.  We arrived at the Baobab Lodge which was located on top of hill with the Chobe River below which divided the two countries (Botswana and Namibia).  We had a wonderful welcome song and dance from the crew when we arrived.  We also got wet washcloths to clean face and hands.  We then had a briefing regarding the lodge rules and given our cabin number.  We then had punch and a snack.  We were than escorted to our cabin and got an orientation regarding the cabin and all the accommodations.  Back to the main lodge area for happy hour and a sit down dinner.  They would serve the soup and then the main course, vegetables and other items on the menu were buffet style.  The chef would also announce the menu and then would serve you behind the buffet table.  Off to bed.

                                                       Our Cabin in Chobe National Park

11/16/17 - On 10/24, at 4 30 pm, Louise stopped by and picked me up to take me to the airport.  We needed to go a little early since she does like to drive at night and it was not a problem for me.  I got some dinner and then left on Jet Blue at 8 40 pm with a non stop to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.  My duffel bag was checked through to Johannesburg.  We arrived at 4 50 am.

10/25 - I had to transfer from the domestic terminal 5 to the international terminal 4.  Since the flight did not leave until 11 15 am, I had plenty of time to get between terminals which was a little of a walk and included taking the train.  When I got to terminal 4, I learned that African Airlines would not be at the desk until for a while so had a little of a wait.  When they did arrived and before they actually opened the ticket counter, I learned that my boarding pass I had gotten in San Diego, had to be re-issued by African Airlines so had to stand  in line for a new boarding pass.  After re-checking in and going through security, I found the gate and waited or my niece Deborah to arrive.  Deborah arrived, we chatted and then left JFK at 11 15 am for Johannesburg.  We were told it would be almost a 14 hour flight.  The plane was not full but by the time we realized that, everyone had already spread out so sleeping was a little difficult but we both managed.

10/26 - We got to Johannesburg at 7 45 am.  We found our duffel bags and then met the O.A.T travel agent outside of baggage.  We were than transported to the O.R. Tambo Protea Hotel and riding with us we learned was a couple (Suzanne and Bill) that would be traveling with us for the next 15 days.  We got to the hotel and were told the rooms were not ready so we spent some time out by the pool waiting for our room.  When we got to the room, we took a nap and were not very hungry because of all the food we got on the plane so we had some snacks with us and just stayed in for the evening.