I’ve read a few blogs and often find that entries can be long winded, self indulgent and /or written by women who wish they were called Carrie and lived in New York. But there are many benefits to writing a blog; the main and most important one is being able to let those people who care about Martin and I keep up to date with our whereabouts. The second reason is wanting to bottle just a little bit of this once in a life time, 12 month holiday.

So I’ll attempt to refrain from rabbiting on too much and keep it punchy (postcard length) instead.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Poling through paradise

Me, Ken and reeds full of spiders!
The Okovango Delta is the largest inland waterway in the world and being poled down it in a mokoro feels like floating down a passageway to heaven.

We arrived late, but the timing was perfect - the sun was beginning to set and the air was cooler.  We were divided into pairs and introduced to our individual polers who would be transporting us around the giant waterway for the following two days. Martin and I were lucky to have Ken - who was great!

We boarded our dug out canoes and before we knew it, we were gliding through the tranquil waters.  The only slight disturbance to this magical experience was the sheer volume of spiders that lived in the reeds.  Every time we brushed past the tall reeds (which happened a lot), spindly green spiders would fill the mokoro which put me on heightened alert!

We pulled into our 'camp'.  Stop number 9 was a patch of mud on the banks of the delta!  Coming across a huge elephant foot print next to where were pitching our tents did little to reassure me that we were safe camping in the middle of nowhere!
Bush camp no.2!
The next day - Max's birthday - we poled to a stop where we went on a walking safari.  This involves walking through a nature reserve where lions, elephants or other dangerous animals may be lurking and waiting to attack you any moment.  Exciting?  Yes.  Terrifying? Very.

At one point we had to remove our shoes to walk through a swamp. Song was less than impressed by this prospect!

We poled on to stop number 10: a lovely campsite further down the Okavango Delta, complete with A-frame tents (with beds!), hammocks and a bar.  There was also some African dancers - but the most entertaining thing about this, was not the dancers themselves but the audience participation.... Phil got a little too excited and smashed his instrument!
Phil strikes again!
After dinner, we returned to the bar to toast Max's birthday and I took over as ipod DJ. To my surprise, Madonna's 'Like a prayer' was a big hit with the locals and I had them copying my every dance move....hilarious!
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