Before I continue with the story, there are few items I left out. The village that most of the employees of Ngepi are from are members of the Hambukushu tribe. Christopher, the guide is the most vocal in his feelings about living in the village. He would much rather live in the quiet and peacefulness of the village as compared to the city. He did his training to be a guide in Windhoek and guess he did not like the busy, busy bustle there. He also said, "You pay for your water, I get mine free from the river. You pay for your house, I live free."
Also, because the dates on our pictures and stories do not reflect real time--
We were at Nkwazi from September 1-5
Ngepi from September 6-20
Katima Mulilo September 21
Kasane/Chobe Botswana September 22--------------
As I mentioned, we left Ngepi camp in hopes of getting a early ride to Katima Mulilo. Of course it did not pan out. Robert went in the store and bought a nice piece of fish we shared for breakfast. We also mixed ourselves a potion of instant coffee and milk and asked them to heat up in microwave for us. Not the best, but oh well. By about 9:30 we were beginning to get a little worried--Bassie showed back up and talked to man in charge and he said, maybe 10:00? Thanked Bassie and continued to wait. A car drives up, man gets out and begins to fill up. In the meantime, a local -doesn't look all there-starts coming closer to us. The guy in the car comes over and starts talking to us about where we have been, going, etc. Robert tells him we have been there since 5:00, trying to travel by public transport, heading to Katima Mulilo to go to Chobe, dadada. The guy is in Development Work in Katima Mulilo looking specifically at this time at poverty. He then says, "Would I qualify as public transport, I am going to Katima Mulilo and would be glad to give you a lift" We gladly hopped in. The 250km between Divundu and Katima Mulilo is the Caprivi Strip. Up until about two years ago, it was dangerous to travel except in convoys with military at front and back because of problems between Angola and Namibia. Part of the area is a national park and part is villages out in the bush. On the road instead of warnings for deer etc., there are elephant warning signs. Johann said he had almost hit one coming back and so as a result only travels during the day. There is a barrier at the beginning and end of the Caprivi. We had quite an interesting ride, discussing his work--living out in the bush with people he is studying, problem with HIV/Aids,. plight of the Bushmen--evidently during the war with South Africa, they worked as trackers for the South African military and after the war was over and the South Africans gone, they are treated as traitors. Got to Katima Mulilo, and were very glad for ride. We probably only passed 10 cars the entire trip so the minibus might have been a iffy thing. Johann took us to his house, we met wife Dorette and went to lunch. After lunch it was decided we would spend the night with them and sleep in a real bed! Had and braii and discussed more of the world's problems and this is when we discovered the Rita was out there in the gulf. He also showed us a web site that we were able to show him satellite images of Smith Point!
Next morning get up and have a cup of coffee and off to the minibus station to get our ride into Botswana. We had gone there the day before so knew where to look. We have learned it is best to be there early and try to get on the first full bus because then it slows way down. The minibus was full about 9:00 and off we went. We were quite lucky and got to sit in the front seat with the driver so there were only three of us in the seat! Got to the border and problems begin. Our drivers documents were all expired and he would not be able to take us any further. Robert asked what about the poor stupid Americans with too much luggage and we could not walk the distance across the bridge to the next border crossing. The border security said our driver could take us to the next post but no further. We cleared customs from Namibia and got back in to go into Botswana. This is where you must walk your shoes through this disinfectant to stop spread of Hoof and Mouth disease. Evidently it is not necessary anymore but part of the story. Cleared the Botswana border and the driver took us to the entrance to the Chobe National Park where we all had to get out. Now we started looking for likely people to give us a ride. Robert had asked the guard at the entrance if we could sleep in his station if we didn't get ride. Told us no. One of the guys that had been on the minibus was a young professional who had worked in the hospitality business. He was quite interesting to talk to and he wasn't too worried because he had people behind him who would give him a ride if they could find him. After about an hour wait a car drives up and a woman gets out. Robert and I go to approach her explaining our predictament. She says, "Yes I know you. You were with Johann and Dorette yesterday in the Bistro." Lucky break. She took us and John, the young professional and one other guy stuffed in the back to the Chobe Safari Lodge. She was on her way to the airport to pick up her husband. Who says Divine Order doesn't work? Chobe Safari Lodge is right up against the Chobe National Park. We got to the campsite the people who were helping us recommended. It was in the shade--but by afternoon not and in the morning direct sun so we were not real enthusiastic about it after a few hours but when we first arrived was great.
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