Another hot day, about 36 *C, even with poor air conditioning slept in until 8:00 am had breakfast at poolside then boarded the 4X4's. Shirley suggested that the two Portuguese and their own specific guide sit in the back seat together and that we would split up. This meant that Shirley had to sit up front with the driver. (She is always thinking ahead isn't she.) We saw elephants galore at the mud holes with their babies, trying to cool them down: so cute - we also saw kudus, impalas ( which have a very distinctive M on their rear-ends, for which they have been named the Macdonalds of Africa - this nickname also refers to the fact that they are all over the place and are food for the big five!) We also saw lots of birds of all descriptions, tons of zebras, wildebeests and other smaller animals.
Back to the Lodge for a shower and lunch with the rest of the train group who now had caught up to us. Drove to the "Painted Dog Centre" and the interpretive centre where we discovered these wild animals are very close to extinction.Walked on a board walk to the rescue centre to see three wild dogs (now called painted dogs). Very hard to see them, but did see their big ears.
Went into Dete by mini bus were the train had moved to while we had stayed at the Lodge. On the way back Steve the main man for Shongololo was our mini bus driver, agreed to stop at a local bar to let John buy a jug of "Chibuku" or "Shake Shake", a type of home-made beer that the Blacks were allowed to drink during apartheid. Legally they could not even be seen or have a can or bottle of real beer! Anyway "Shake Shake" is a chewy substitute that you must "shake shake" to drink and that will give you the "shake shake"!
On the train bought some drinks (gin and tonic for Shirley as her throat still hurts & a Famous Grouse for John to fight off Shirley's illness!). Also got a bottle of wine - Shirley's new favourite grape now is Pinotage. While eating dinner the train started moving and did so during the night. Had a great day and a great sleep.
No comments:
Post a Comment