February 4, Ghanzi, Bushman hut, Botswana

Up at 5.30 and back in boats by 7 am for trip back. Tired but feeling good after a great sleep.
In the dugouts for 1 1/2 hours then on the bus for 1 1/2 hours . Picked up luggage and then off.
Short stop at grocery store then on the highway. Arrived about 4 pm at the Bushman huts. Here we stay in huts used by the Sand Bushmen. These are huts about8 to 10 feet in diameter and completely thatched. Only a door, not window, and the door is made out of reeds. No hinges. These are a bit of luxury as the floor is concrete and there are metal beds with mattresses and mosquito net.

Just had coffee in afternoon and of course a shower. Everything is outdoors and pretty open. It was hilarious as while in shower had a chat with the 3 others having showers in the next stalls . That is a first. But felt great.
Dinner and then had a bushman dance and song show. Very interesting. These people are small in stature but can they sing and move.


February 3, Camping on island in Okavango Delta, Botswana

Out of hotel by 8.30 and on the road. Asphalt for 45 minutes and then a sand road for another 45 minutes to the launching place on the river.

In dugouts, morcano (?), which are poled through grasses, reeds, cat tails and very tall bamboo like grass. Amazing place with lots of water lilies in purple and white. How these people handle the boat is amazing.

They are the local community that provides the transport and helps out in camp.
We tented on an island. We even had to clear the campground of grass before we could set up the tents. That done they told us about the poisonous snakes and scorpions that are in the area!

Oh well all is good. Several went for a swim even though the water is very warm and not that deep. I got a lesson on how to pole from one of the ladies. Very tough to steer, and balance the boat! one other guy ended up off the end of the boat in the water. Too funny! Everyone is having lots of laughs.

Then at 4.30 we headed off for a 2 1/2 hour bush walk. The ground is covered in short grass and lots of thorny pushes. There were hundreds of aardvark holes where they were digging for ants but we did not see any as they are nocturnal. Saw some buffalo, giraffe, hippo, and lots of tracks along the watering hole.
Happy hour went we got back and then dinner. We had bought some wine.

After dinner the people that poled us out did a song and dance demonstration. Excellent. Amazing voices and moves but most important, they seem to be enjoying themselves. Especially after cleaning up all the wine! 4 litres gone in no time.... but they did have some help, I had to taste just to make sure it was good! A very nice South African Merlot.


February 2, Maun, Botswana

Just a day of travel but did arrive in Maun fairly early in afternoon.
Nice to arrive early and not have anything planned, So sat and had real coffee and used internet. It had been 2 or 3 days without. Everyone sitting around catching up on internet, myself included.