After returning to Sepupa by boat we crossed back into Namibia and drove along the road through the Caprivi strip - a tongue of territory which sticks into Botswana. It was the scene of fighting during the Angolan conflict. During colonial times (around 1880) the British government agreed to cede this strip of what is now Botswana to German Southwest Africa (now Namibia) in exchange for the island of Zanzibar. This was to allow Namibia some access to the inland rivers (Namibia is a very dry country).
Anyway we stayed at the Rainbow River Lodge which was fine except the staff had no idea how to build stairs.
In the morning we walked to the village where most of the staff lived, escorted by Thomas the barman. He was always immaculately dressed and he proudly showed us the house he had built. They use termite mounds which are crushed and mixed with water and fashioned into 'bricks' and used to fill in between stakes driven into the ground (same technique as 'wattle and daub'). Because of the termite saliva in the mixture it is a waterproof building material. Late in the afternoon we went for a cruise along the river and saw more elephants.
A goat yard outside the village next to our lodge.
My favourite baobab trees. Elephants find them very satisfactory scratching/ rubbing posts.
Another baobab or boab.
It is hard to resist taking yet another elephant photo.
And another!
For a change - a hippo and attending cattle egret. The birds scratch around and disturb insects.
I think this is a sable antelope just relaxing.
One of the homes in the village where most of the lodge staff live. Note the satellite dish.
The outdoor kitchen!
Big sister looking after her siblings.
Children in the village
No roof yet, but the Mercedes is set to go.
Our lodge - Rainbow River Lodge on the Kwando River.
A successful fisherman on the Kwando River.
Sunset along the Quando River.
Loving your photos and blog Kate. Glad to have you back on the internet, must be frustrating.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
ReplyDeleteAt times the landscape looks like this part of the world, but the elephants and hippos make it obvious you are not in AU.
Finally catching up on your blog. Loving the photos and your travels. Fabulous sunset.
ReplyDeleteI loved the outdoor kitchen and the tiny earthern hut with the satellite dish was just ...no words can describe it....I am going to try to copy it and acknowledge it on Facebook as yours. Lets see if I can. Gwen.
ReplyDeleteWell I couldnt do it the easy way. It is a gem of a photo. Gwen.
ReplyDelete