Native Village/Crocodile Farm/Hwange Park Oct 3, 2012

It's October 3 (Wednesday) and we are up early as it will be a busy day. We decided not to go into Zambia to see the town of Livingston as it would cost us another $150 US to cross the border again. Took Shongololo arranged bus tour to a local village. The chief of the village gave us a very interesting lecture. (All 10 Canadians took this option and several others.) The chief talked about the values of the village and its family structure. He also gave us his philosophy on the government and yet steered clear of politics. He is known as a "healer" and if he lived in Canada he would probably be a university prof. He also answered many questions and helped us to see that more possessions are not necessarily better. We then looked around his family homestead or village including where the boys sleep and where the girls sleep.We saw the chief's hut, a cooking hut and an outside cooking area, chicken coops and the bathrooms. (one for males and one for females). A crafts hut was also included (who would have guessed that?) where we bought carved salad tongs, two hand painted African pictures for a mere $20. US

From there we went by mini bus to a crocodile farm with all kinds of crocks - even albino ones and of course the hand made purses, belts, hats, wallets etc. All of these items were being made on the premises. Shirley looked a several nice purses but concluded they were way too expensive at $295 to $600 US each!
Had lunch at a resort call "Victoria Falls Safari Lodge" where we not only ate but watched the vultures eat as well. It was 'gross'!

Then back to the train to pack an over-night bag as we were off to Hwange Park for our night time safari and a sleep over at the Hwange Safari Lodge. A nice place with a pool, where John had a swim, while I watched the impalas jump over the six foot fence without even batting an eye. Had great BBQ dinner of beef, chicken, kudu, pap (like polenta), other veggies and a wonderful butternut squash soup.

We then headed out on a 4X4 for a two hour evening/night safari. We got stuck with a Portuguese couple who up to this point have not been very friendly. Shirley and I sat at the top in the backseat with the Portuguese man, while Terry & Diane from Australia sat with the woman in the seat in front of us. Our light for searching (think of a search light) was not very bright and didn't really focus all that well. But the 4X4 in front of us had a great light which allowed us to see, albeit through the dust. We saw long tailed rabbits, kudus, guinea hens, lots of water buffaloes, 3 lions off in the distance and hard to see. Our pictures didn't turn out as the flash didn't go far enough to really catch the animals, but we have our memories.

It really gets cold at night, although this afternoon it was 34 degrees C. it now was very cold. The Portuguese couple had taken the two of the three blankets for themselves, which meant that Terry & Dianne had one and we had none! I asked politely if there were any more blankets and when told that there was only one for each seat, Shirley then turned to the Portuguese man and discovered he was a sleep with the blanket wrapped around himself. Shirley then grabbed a corner of it and yanked a section off him and told him "we are going to share now!!"

Went back to lodge and tried to Skype Corynne & Scott and some others but no one at home. Shirley still really sick with sore throat, sore ears and running nose etc. Went to bed about 11:00 pm sleeping under a mosquito netting on our beds. ANOTHER GREAT DAY!