No Internet on Zambezi Queen

We were welcomed back to The Zambezi Queen Wednesday afternoon with the unfortunate news of a broken modem. There will not even be intermittent internet on the boat, which concerns passengers whose loved ones were anticipating their ability to communicate while in Namibia Africa.

To say I feel deep-rooted resentment for our hosts on the Zambezi Queen who advertised WiFi during our cruising experience and failed to provide this amenity may be overly dramatic, but I'm not happy with this irresponsible hospitality and corporate negligence.

I am happy with my zebra photos though.

Voyeuristic Tourism

"Who's exploiting whom?" Mike asked as we were discussing the Thursday morning excursion to tiny Kasenu Village in Namibia; a primitive African community home to approximately 100 natives. It was awkward intruding on the villagers' morning routine by gawking at a lifestyle so foreign to all of us tourists.

The villagers encouraged us to take pictures, including those of small children, while we skulked around their private living spaces. After the tour and a visit to the "magic tree of life," the tribeswomen danced to the music of the tribesmen. Handicrafts were for sale and donations welcomed. We left feeling extremely grateful for winning the birth place lottery.

Chobe National Park

Breakfast was served on the Zambezi Queen earlier on Wednesday to accommodate a morning game drive in Chobe National Park. After another round of immigration checks between bordering countries Namibia and Botswana, we were in our open-air Land Cruisers scouting out creatures large and small.

The day was packed with up close and personal encounters with frighteningly intriguing beasts. After hours of snapping pictures, it was fun to just sit back and observe these magnificent animals in their natural environment. Lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, baboons, impalas, warthogs and a multitude of birds entertained us all afternoon. It was a wonderful safari, with and without binoculars and cameras.

African Elephants

It was a spectacular Tuesday on the Chobe River with plenty of wildlife sightings. We were enamored by the enormous crocs and Cape buffalo, hippos in water and on land, and birds of all colors and sizes. Just when we were least expecting, there was a rustling in the tree tops off on the not-too-distant shore and suddenly, around the bend, appeared the first few beasts in a herd of lovable elephants. What a thrill! And the little babies! Our first two river game viewing excursions were pretty amazing!

Kasane to Botswana

After a lovely breakfast at the Fairlawns Hotel, our group boarded a bus for the airport Monday morning for Kasane. Our short stay in J-burg paved the way for Botswana and then Namibia for a four-night cruise on the Zambezi Queen through Chobe National Park. While on the tender to the floating hotel, we saw hippopotamuses and Cape buffalo among the birds, crocs, impalas, baboons and some other unidentifiable creatures. It was a good first day for viewing game on the Chobe River.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel Johannesburg

After two long flights, hours on a Heathrow layover and many chapters in my book, we finally made it to Johannesburg. At first glance, it could be any city in the world. Upon closer look, it's a hub in South Africa! South Africa! Yay! And Bill's arrival on his seventh continent!

We checked into the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel in the Sandton neighborhood mid-Sunday morning. It's a beautiful, privately owned hotel uniquely curated in African artifacts and curiosities.

After naps, we hired a car and driver to tour the city and get our bearings. Patty and Mike arrived at the hotel around 6pm with other members of our party. We had a nice dinner for six and nightcap at the hotel before zonking out.

Reading List Update

Since losing my website a few months ago, I haven't found a good way to track my library and share book recommendations. Until I figure it out, I'll share some of my recent title here on the blog:

Currently reading: Yemeni American man raised in San Francisco intrigued by coffee, growers and his homeland torn by a Saudi aggression. "The Monk of Mokha" by Dave Eggers. Non-fiction.

Great, quick read. True story and inspirational:
"Beyond the Bear: How I Learned to Live and Love Again after Being Blinded by a Bear" by Dan Bigley, Debra McKinney

Kinda entertaining, kinda tediously underwhelming: "Long Bright River: A Novel" by Liz Moore

Fun and fascinating travel read while on the Peninsula: "Antarctica: An Intimate Portrait of a Mysterious Continent" by Gabrielle Walker

We’rrrrrre Off!

Childhood friends, Maggie and Kevin, arrived in balmy Marco from the cold Midwest and stayed with us a couple nights before we all headed out to Miami International Airport for our flights to South Africa. Our safari adventure is hosted by the Marco Men's Club, so we will also be surrounded by some neighbors on the journey. Patty and Mike, long-time friends from NJ, will be joining the group too. We'll reunite at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel in Johannesburg Sunday night. As if the incredible wilderness in SWFL doesn't count, we're super excited to be getting back in nature again very soon.