Arrived at the Chobe Safari Lodge with no problems. We had heard that the campground was smaller and found out this is because they are remodeling the dining and bar area for the lodge. They have moved it all over the the campground area. We did not get our same place but did get one next to the fence that still has a small view of the water. Set up our tent and had a rest. Went to the Sedudu Bar and found out that Kafelwe, our favorite bartender, has been moved to the exclusive bar on the other side. We will figure out a way to see him.
Decided to eat the buffet. Here we discovered the problem of time changes. When we arrived in Katima Mulilo we moved our watch ahead one hour and assumed that we were on the correct time. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Kasane is in Botswana and is hour behind so when we arrived to have the 6:30 buffet, it was only 5:30. So we watched people and tried not to sneak in and eat early. The buffet was 110 pula each which is about $18.00 a person. We justified it because we had not eaten anything but snacks all day long! Lots of choices, several types of salads, soups, four meat dishes, four vegetables, stir fry, crocodile stew, breads and desserts and coffee. I must say I did pig out. I tried ostrich in the stir fry-no does not taste like chicken; more of a beef flavor. Called it an early evening because we were tired from our long day.
Next day decided to splurge and let someone do our laundry. Washing pants by hand does not get the dirt out! Went to the coffee shop we had enjoyed the last time we were here. It is a combination gift shop and coffee shop. Had "real coffee"! This has been one of the things missing on this trip. After quiche for breakfast went to the Internet place where we caught up on news from home and started working on catching up on our travel journal.
After spending day doing this, we went down to the Chobe Marina Lodge. They were only serving buffet, no ala carte. We had really been looking forward to having the Chobe bream and Botswana beef. Went to enjoy the sunset at the bar and in walks Thomas and Marika, the honeymooning couple we had met at Ngepi. They had been on boat ride and had actually seen lions! Visited with them for awhile and then walked down to Old House and had dinner. Met Herbie who has some construction projects going on and wanted to show us them tomorrow.
Today is Womans Day--so hats off to all of us!
There is a new store in town - Choppies - so went there and got some meat pies and fruit, coffee from the coffee shop and went and ate down by the river where the Old Bank restaurant had been. There are not many dining options in Kasane. Of course we should be fixing our own meals and not eating out! Spent most of the day at the Internet place and then went down to Chobe Marina Lodge where we had been told they would have ala carte. Not happening. We visited with the girl behind the bar that we had met last time. Up walks a gentleman. Robert asked him if he was the new food and drinks manager. Yes, he was. We explained our sad story of looking forward to the Chobe bream and Botswana beef. He calls up the kitchen and asks if they could do this for us. Yes they can once they get things going for the buffet. He brought William the chef out to meet us. So we got the meal we had been looking forward to and it did not disappoint!
More catching up on pictures and stories. The connection is not real fast and so takes some time. Of course we had most of the vacation to catch up on. Decided at the last minute to go on boat ride. Went to Chobe Marina lodge but their boat had already left so went to place behind Old Bank and found a boat that had some room and so hopped on. The price of the ride and park entrance is about $35.00 each. Saw the usual suspects plus a group of African skimmers with their chicks! Were able to get close to one group of elephants dusting themselves off. Saw a couple of Maribou storks also. Went back to Old House for dinner - Robert Chobe bream again and myself Sizzling Chairman Mau.met Vic who works at another lodge here in town. Quite the character. This seems to be place a lot of the locals come to.
Some of our "wildlife experiences". I had gone to get water and Robert was snacking on ginger cookies in the tent. He looks up and there is a warthog looking in the screen at him! They evidently have a great sense of smell. Fortunately did not come on in.
The next morning Robert had gone on to the Internet place and I was gathering things up in the tent. The vervet monkeys were out in full force and I kept shaking the tent and hissing at them so they would not get to close. When I stepped out to put on my shoes---ooops only one was there. The other was about 15 feet from the tent. Evidently one of the little guys had picked it up and then decided it was not worth keeping!
Last night when we wandered over to the bar we walked over to the edge that looks out to Sedudu Island and the water. Robert says, "Look there is a cat! He called over the bartender who did not know what kind, who called over some guides who confirmed Robert guess that it was a genet cat. We actually got to see it come out of hiding and walk down the branch and off into the bush! Great sighting!
Afterwards we talked to the guides for awhile. One of them told of a lion killing a impala right outside the gate to the Chobe Safari Lodge. We had told them of walking up around the cemetery last time we were here and they said lions come in that area also, but mainly at night!
As we walk through town, you see warthogs roaming about. In fact there is a group that seems to enjoy hanging out on the front lawn of the Chobe Marina Lodge! We also see the vervet monkeys everywhere.
Last night, we feel pretty certain we heard a lion roaring and of course the hippos hollering out!
Not exactly wildlife, but did enjoy the Chobe sunset from our campsite last night. The sky turns a orange red and then is reflected in the water. Beautiful!
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