STRANDED ON THE LINYANTI RIVER
We boarded our boat for our afternoon cruise about 5:30 in the afternoon. Rogers laughingly announced that we wouldn't see much on the river in reference to my comment that morning. It was beautiful on the river - calm and cool. We boated slowly through marshy areas adding more birds to our list and avoiding the many hippos lounging. We did manage to see one totally out of the water but mostly you can only see their heads. At times they completely submerge themselves. We also saw lots of crocodiles both large and small lolling on the riverbanks. We came to an area where the river widened considerably and stopped the boat to admire our second sighting of a pair of Wattled Cranes, another rare bird. There are only a few thousand left in the wild world-wide. Then Rogers couldn't get the boat started. He radioed for help while we settled down to enjoy our Sundowner drinks and admire the setting sun. Norma was very worried we'd have to spend the night there but Johann, the camp manager arrived, and got the engine going again. Apparently, there is a trick to it. We proceeded on to a spot close to where we saw the lion kill and found one large male near-by. No one is allowed on the river after dark so we literally flew back to make it in time. Then it was time for listing and dinner. This turned out to be one of the best meals we've had on the trip.
Glen mentioned that the camp managers want to arrange a private bush lunch for us as well as a barge lunch on the river. I think we will take them up on it. The service here is top-notch. They will reserve the fire pit deck for us for the rest of our dinners. A tour group of 24 people arrived yesterday so the camp is very busy but we are made to feel as if we are the only ones here. Talk about being pampered. It is going to be hard to tear ourselves away. We are not looking forward to leaving Africa.
By the way, just to show how dedicated I am, it is now 4:00 am as I sit in my bed listening to the frogs and hippos outside my room. But now I am going to turn out the lights and try to catch a few more winks before our 5:30 wake-up call.
We boarded our boat for our afternoon cruise about 5:30 in the afternoon. Rogers laughingly announced that we wouldn't see much on the river in reference to my comment that morning. It was beautiful on the river - calm and cool. We boated slowly through marshy areas adding more birds to our list and avoiding the many hippos lounging. We did manage to see one totally out of the water but mostly you can only see their heads. At times they completely submerge themselves. We also saw lots of crocodiles both large and small lolling on the riverbanks. We came to an area where the river widened considerably and stopped the boat to admire our second sighting of a pair of Wattled Cranes, another rare bird. There are only a few thousand left in the wild world-wide. Then Rogers couldn't get the boat started. He radioed for help while we settled down to enjoy our Sundowner drinks and admire the setting sun. Norma was very worried we'd have to spend the night there but Johann, the camp manager arrived, and got the engine going again. Apparently, there is a trick to it. We proceeded on to a spot close to where we saw the lion kill and found one large male near-by. No one is allowed on the river after dark so we literally flew back to make it in time. Then it was time for listing and dinner. This turned out to be one of the best meals we've had on the trip.
Glen mentioned that the camp managers want to arrange a private bush lunch for us as well as a barge lunch on the river. I think we will take them up on it. The service here is top-notch. They will reserve the fire pit deck for us for the rest of our dinners. A tour group of 24 people arrived yesterday so the camp is very busy but we are made to feel as if we are the only ones here. Talk about being pampered. It is going to be hard to tear ourselves away. We are not looking forward to leaving Africa.
By the way, just to show how dedicated I am, it is now 4:00 am as I sit in my bed listening to the frogs and hippos outside my room. But now I am going to turn out the lights and try to catch a few more winks before our 5:30 wake-up call.
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