Captain's Log

Final Entry:


Our last drive in Chief's island was spectacular. Thanks to our guide's animal calls, he coaxed 3 baby lions out of thier den. Mama had been hunting so they were alone. It was a rare sighting in that they were 3 and they were less than two months old. Two males and a female. One of the males was a tough brave lil s.o.b. As our guide immated lion calls, he came to our truck growling. When mama showed up, she was P.O'd.

She grabbed each one by the neck and hid them in another den (we also found).

The amount of wildlife was incredulous. This is no Zoo nor are there fences or borders.

In the the early morning, wild baboons awoke us as they were on our thatched roof going crazy. We had coffee and goodies delivered around 5:30 and as I had my 'hit' a wild male elephant came to our entrance and starting eating in fron of our door. Barb wasnt too thrilled that I went outside to share my 'hit' with "Tantor".

When we finally departed camp, our old puddlejumper was there taking friends of ours to another camsite. our friends were worried as the pilot was repairing belts and other electrical issues but I assured them, that was "normal".

When OUR puddle jumper arrived I was impressed. A working euro plane. large single engine. I sat upfront and halfway during the trip, Barb got a little nervous when she saw the pilot was not actually doing the flying. She then looked at me and saw I was doing the flying and had a good laugh. Ya, I actually "flew" over the Okavango Delta.

Unfortunately, the rest of the exchange was not as smooth. In Botswana, it was a bit of a nightmare. A plane missing fuel, an unscheduled stop, got "deloused" on a plane for a second time and in Johannesburg, we literally RAN nonstop as agents from two different airlines tried to get us in time to our South African Airlines flt.!!

Our B&B in Capetown was impressive. For a mere ten dollars upgrade, we had the BEST view of Table Mountain.

Unfortunately, our firstday was a total washout. Rain, rain, rain, fog and mist. At least, we had a nice lunch and I walked among slippery boulders on a wet and windy afternoon in a spot where the Indian and the Atlantic met. Waves and sea spray hit you in a roaring welcome.

Whales, penguins and other assorted life was fun to watch.

We did the winelands and stayed in an incredible B&B that was the creme de la creme of our entire trip.

The Sharkcage experience was actually better above the cage. There were four groups of four to each and unless the Shark came directly to the cage, you couldn't see them due to poor visibility.

Still, we had great shots from above. The water was a little cold but wetsuits made it a more comfortable experience.

Oh, and our GPS; a psychotic neurotic female computer that on several times, put us either in the wrong part of town or literally on our last day, with mere hours to go AND while searching for a place for a steak and a beer put us in the Port of Capetown!!!! They actually let us in the port with only a signed paper. When inside, we realized it was identical to the POrt of Miami and no, there was no Steak and Beer joint. We finally were able to get out but believe you me,,,,,,,,,we had an experience.

Many more things to share but for now, I end my blog log with this:
Dulema!!!