Mokoro’ing in the Delta
Up at 5am for a 5:30 breakfast & a 6am start.
Over breakfast Lachie taught us how to make t-shirt balaclavas to keep our faces warm in the jeep. Brrrrr during the cold morning ride.
Then we were back in the jeep, tshirt balaclavas on and off! It was a scenic two hour drive to the Moremi Crossing
To get to our mokoro trip (traditional canoe) on the Okavango Delta
(not sure a pod of hippos is the thing you want to see when you are in a small canoe???)
Then a game drive through Moremi NP – elephants giraffes zebras warthogs impalas and more
Picnic lunch watching elephants
More of everything on the way home including this massive pod of hippos
The nearby village of Mababe (with lots and lots of baboons) where most of the lodge staff lived.
A pack of baby hyenas
Sundowners & two elephants and with a crew of impalas on the banks opposite the lodge
Dinner & bed. An amazing amazing day on the delta 🙂 Just incredible. So animals. So many differnt types of animals. All happily doing their thing 🙂 Good night
Fun quotes from the day:
E: I’d rather see a stump than miss a cheetah
[in reference to – point out anything and everything, just in case]
L: there is a baboon in our room jumping on the bed
[it was one of the staff members putting a hot water bottles in our bed]
Can anyone spell Okavango Delta?
Up early to try to eat everything in the fridge (meat pies, blueberries, strawberries, bread, avos) before taking an Uber to airport, We were through immigration in 2 minutes and then had alot of time to spare.
At the airport…
Mum where are we going?
The Okavango Delta.
Where?
Maun is the closest city.
Where?
Botswana.
I give up. It’s too early.
…yes really!
We had a smooth Airlink flight from Cape town to Maun, where they offered us a chicken or beef meal. Not sure what the vegetarians do.
Our airport pickup was a safari jeep. We were off…
2.5 hour drive to lodge with goats & donkeys on the outskirts of town – then impalas … then 2 giraffes, crocodile
and 2 hippos (one who charged!!!) Poor E had been dreading seeing a charging hippo. But luckily we were totally safe in the safari jeep and she managed to face her fear early)
then an elephant – unbelievable!
Finally we drove into the beautiful renovated lodge to find an elephant grazing on the banks opposite! Amazing!!!
Even the loo has an incredible view!!! (of the river bank opposite the lodge)
Our next three nights would be in a safari tent. Yes that is an elephant outside my window!!!
In the evening there was a traditional show & a feast of Botswanian food. Incredible!
After a full day and a super early start planned for tomorrow – we were happily in bed ~8ish!
This is a special magical part of the world.
Headed south
A road trip today down to the southern point of South Africa
It started with a scenic drive along the coast
to Hout Bay for breakfast and the 45 minute boat tour to see the seals on Duiker Island. We were advised that the seas would be very rough. So NE+L smartly opted for a long breakfast and B LOVED the cruise to see the seals. All were happy 🙂 Duiker Isaland…
Breakfast and the seals at the boat dock (everyone got to see seals regardless – one just saw more!)
Then past an Ostrich Farm (mmm fluffy cute dinner!)
Then to Cape Hope at the south west tip of the African continent
To the Cape Point Lighthouse
Mmm South African Kingklip
Boulder Beach to see the penguins!!! (it was totally worth it even though it was raining and we got saturated!)
to gorgeous Muizenberg Surf beach with the cute coloured beach shacks
Back in time for the last tour to Robben Island, but unfortunaely it was also cancelled today. So we had time to pick up Lach’s “hard” negotiated new shoes and some yummy liquid custard (Australian-UK style!)
For our final dinner in Cape Town we went fancy and headed to Kloof House for dinner. After seeing Ostrich (amongst other game meats) on the menus for day, I finally decided to venture in. Yum – it was worth it!
The food in Cape Town has been phenomenal!!! We will certainly miss it when we head to the middle of Botswana tomorrow.
Meanwhile Digby’s boarding house posted a pic from today of him singing with the other doggies. Not sure he is missing us at all…
Rainy Cape Town but still fun!
Up to an alarm as we had a 9am ferry tour to Robben Island booked. We had to walk past the harbour (and saw the harbor seals!!!)
to our first stop, breakfast at Paul’s (a cafe Elimena found and loved when she was on exchange in Lyon)
Then sadly an email notifying us that out Robben island cruise had been canceled.
With the forecast predicting worsening weather as the day progressed, we decided to head to Table Mountain.
(how cute are those dassies at table mountain!)
Next stop the District 6 museum to learn about the Apartheid
Then as we walked back to out hotel we found the shoe mecca!!!
A late lunch a Sushi Box (the other location)
then back to the apartment to chill. Before of course heading back to the V&A Waterfront to shop and have dinner.
With a dessert (milkshake) stop at Gibson’s on the way back
A wet but fun interesting day 🙂
Cape Town Day 1
After a “sleep in” (noting Cape Town is six hours ahead…), we walked into town
Saw the old fort (Castle of Good Hope)
Continued walking around town…
Had a late lunch at Sushi Box (our new favourite place!!!)
then walked back through Bo KAAP
to our apartment to chill (on wifi) for a couple of hours 🙂
In the evening we headed out for dinner again at the V&A Waterfront (which has a great range of restaurants)
A great first full day!
Hello Cape Town
Hello Cape Town! We arrived late Saturday afternoon, checked in and headed to the V&A Waterfront to check it out and to have dinner. First impressions – triple thumbs up!
The dinner of cocktails, shakes and steaks at Gibson’s was a true highlight and a great way to start the trip. (we found that the food is relatively cheap here – this is going to be great!!!)
Schools out
School’s out for the year…what to do for 13 weeks????
School finished at lunchtime and by the evening we were on a plane to Cape Town.
Our new wheely bags fit perfectly in the overhead bin and we settled in for the 14 hour flight with a plethora of downloads
We’re off! Southern Africa here we come! Here is our rough plan:
(ignore the numbers though, the map is copied from a long forgotten site – eek!)
Lachlan’s Middle School Graduation
Tick! Middle school done with the full force that is Lachlan! Smart, passionate, stubborn & kind. Strong authentic fun friendships. Very proud of this kid!
The day started by giving his report on his 8th grade year during the parent-advisor-student meeting
His 8th grade graduation ceremony and reception was in the evening
Onwards and upwards – who knows what this kid will do in his future, be he will do it with the intensity and kindness that is Lachlan! Well done Lach xx
Elimena’s Middle School Graduation
After much fun and hard work Elimena graduated Middle school. She is a fun, thoughtful, smart, caring individual.
(thankfully COVID did not prevent NA from holding the middle school graduation…they just moved it outside)
We are so proud of you and who you have become little bear!
Details
Traditional first day-ish of school ice-cream
Traditional first day-ish of school ice-cream to debrief about the important things 🙂
(it was much easier when the both had the same first day of school – but this works too!)
Wallamble 