We didn’t have to leave until 8 AM
today so the alarm wasn’t set for 5:30 AM. We left the bush lodge we’ve been at
for the past 2 nights and headed into Maun, Botswana. It was about an hour on
the rough highway, followed by another hour on black top – hurray!
We arrived at our hotel by 10 and
went for a coffee break. Then a group of us went in search of some stores for
Botswana souvenirs. We took a taxi because our hotel was quite a ways out of
town. Although Maun is the country’s 5th largest city with a population of
60,000, there really isn’t much for shopping. When we got back to the hotel we
had lunch in their restaurant.
At 3 PM our guide took us to the
Maun Airport where we got checked in for our scenic 45 minute flight over the
Okavango Delta. It is one of the world’s largest inland deltas and is
considered one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders. They weren’t ready for us
until 4:30 PM.
I was excited when got to sit in
the front seat again! But it really was of no advantage. Unlike a helicopter,
you can’t even see out of the front windshield of a small 6 seater plane
because the dash is so high up. Oh well, it was fun sitting beside the cute
pilot!
I was amazed at the size and scope
of the delta. I am anxious to learn more about it in the days ahead. I was able
to spot elephants, giraffe, kudo or impala perhaps, and several other herds of
I-don’t-know-what.
After the flight we were whisked
off to another activity – a Botswana cultural presentation and dinner. We
learned about the work the director is trying to do with disadvantaged,
unemployed youth, and watched them perform traditional singing, drumming and
dancing.
We learned about their clothing, ceremonies and then had a delicious
traditional meal.
My favorite was the pounded beef, made by boiling the beef
for hours until it is tender, then pounding it as the name suggests. Yum!
Back late; bed late. I hope I can
sleep on the long drive tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment