Labor Day, part 1

It's Labor Day back home. I can't think of a better way to spend a holiday than by going on a safari all day!

Itinerary

5:00AM - Wake up to the sound of hippos munching on grass outside my door. Think it's the wake-up call. go back to sleep.

5:30 - Guard knocks on my door, "wake up, madame!"

5:45  - Breakfast. Just enough time in between to put in my contacts and suit up in layers. These mornings are chilly, but by noon it will be 80 outside.

6:15 - Morning Drive

9:00 - Midmorning coffee break

10:30 - Brunch

Noon-3:30 - Pool Time

3:30 - Tea Time (not to be confused with "tee time")

4-6 - Evening drive

6:15 - "Sundowners," on Chichili (Salt Springs), site of many hotsprings

6:45-8  - Night drive

8-9 - Dinner

September 3 was a perfect day. There was excitement, relaxation, great people, and perfect weather. The whole time we were in Zambia it was in the 50s and 60s at night, and sunny, dry and 85-90 during the day. 

After a breakfast of fresh fruit, granola and freshly baked bread (which the Aussie keeps calling a "light breakfast"), we got back into the rover for another drive! We went a different route this time, using the main bridge to the park instead of using our hand-drawn ferry. It was a beautiful, elephant-filled morning. 

We also saw a rare--and dangerous--sight: a lone male buffalo. Usually they are only alone when they've been booted from their herd. Needless to say, they're pretty angry (and extremely aggressive) in that state. 

Andrew, our guide, also gave Vicky, Dan, Amanda, Jason, MaryAnne and I a very important lesson on puku warning calls, which came in handy on the night drive.

We saw storks eating fish in the river, saw our first buchbuck, and were treated to a small group of Zebras.

Family of giraffes

      On our way back we saw a family of giraffes. I don't think I'll ever get over how beautiful they are. 

Vervet monkey leaping up into a tree

Mama is helping baby out of the mud

Hot-spring fed stone tub, overlooking the plain.

Lunch was great. They served eggplant chips, baked squash and more hearty bread. Then we all lounged by the pool and natural hot tub...which was glorious.

I shot an email to my family, and one to Drew. My family was up at Wabedo Lake with the whole Lempke side for the long weekend - I missed them dearly! It was great to be able to connect. A quick little lizard stared at me from the wall while I typed...

No, it's fine. Come swim with us....

I came back to the pool, and while we were lounging a couple critters decided to hang out with us. ...two huge lizards, to be exact. I was glad they weren't anything dangerous. They were actually pretty cool. But HUGE.

I got dressed before tea time and, lo and behold, I had a new friend in my chalet! This day was FULL of critters. Below, you can see the giant spider that was having a grand old time on my curtain. He didn't seem to mind that I was there. ... I took the photo of him next to my water bottle for a size reference.

During tea time I had a lengthy conversation with Andrew and Mario about which spiders, snakes and lizards were and weren't poisonous. They both reassured me that the one above 

1) couldn't jump

2) didn't WANT to bite me

3) wasn't poisonous (I told them I'd believe them when I woke up the next day!)

Yes, but would it be gone when I got back? I'd have to find out. They also said that most of the snakes around here aren't poisonous. And you really never see snakes anyway unless you're walking in the grass (duly noted). 

Poolside lounge chairs, the view of the riverbed

 Now that I've given you the creepy-crawlies, it's time for me to go to bed. Tomorrow I'll write about the most exciting evening and night drive ever.

For now, I'll just keep wishing I was back in Africa :]