Photos

Meeting Children

Harmony School - Lifesong Canada

Yes, he was that close

Hippos - Very dangerous

A Tower of Giraffes

Elephants walking by

Victoria Falls - Water is low this year

Croc on the shore

The Remains of the Team

Elephant Crossing

Stripped Donkey

White Rhino

Farewell Africa

Wednesday & Thursday - Return to Canada

Bill and Nancy are still in Africa for a couple of days. They were to leave Bushbuck lodge on Thursday.

Tamara and Melissa traveled back via Nairobi, Paris, and Toronto. Tamara's Facebook says she is home.

Doug went through Johannesburg, and Paris. Johannesburg airport is quite nice and modern. It even has a Haagen Das ice cream shop. No troubles on the flight, and I got an aisle seat, so I had shoulder room and could get up to stretch whenever needed. It was about 10 hours to Paris, and we arrived around 6 a.m. I had about 8 hours to wait and had made plans to go downtown and see Notre Dame cathedral. Walking through the airport to get to the exit & customs seemed to go on for a long time. Walking, walking, walking, just following the signs for exit with no end in sight. Finally a shuttle train to take people to the next terminal. Since the exit sign said to get on the train, I did. Finally out and through customs, which was also just a rubber stamp. More walking to find the 'trains to Paris' signs. Quickly purchased a return ticket and was off, arriving downtown about an hour later, just before 8:00 a.m. The St Michael/Notre Dame station is pretty big, and I came out at the wrong exit. Quickly found a tourist map (vous etes ici) and headed the couple of blocks to the cathedral. Not too many people around at 8:00. I expected more, but perhaps there aren't many businesses there, just tourists. The cathedral is impressive, though I'm not sure it is more or less so than others I have seen in the UK, France and Germany. The arched colonnades are high and impressive. The stained glass windows large (10 metres across for the rose windows) and impressive. Lots of stone carvings, side chapels, plaques, burial tombs for bishops, and lots of tourists.  I walked around the outside of the building, and it is in some ways more impressive. The line up for going up the tower was long, stretching down the street at 10 a.m. I had tea and croissant at a nearby cafe, and browsed the tourist shops. The train back was no problem, and the return journey to the departure lounges didn't seem quite as long. A visit to the duty free shop and then settled in at the gate to wait for boarding. Melissa and Tamara arrived about an hour before boarding, and they had made there way to see the Eifel Tower, though didn't go up, and had some coffee in a shop as well. We all were feeling a bit worn down and not looking forward to the 8 hour flight ahead. There was some issue and our departure was delayed by 2 hours. We did get aisle seats adjacent to each other, but I resisted the temptation to kick Tamara's seat in front of me the whole way back.  Eventually we made it to Toronto and said our goodbyes, the girls heading home and me to visit friends, heading home on Sunday.

This brings the 2015 team adventure to an end. I will add some photos when I get back to Thunder Bay and can access my own computer. Thanks for watching, good night. :)

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday - Zambia & Departures

This is being written on Friday after long flights. Details may be off.

The team enjoyed the hospitality and activities in and around Bushbuck lodge and Livingston. Power shedding continues, but the staff at Bushbuck lodge did an awesome job looking after us, with excellent food and warm hospitality. We were also able to see a group of elephants on the other side of the river, about 10 of them. Heard hippos during the night, and some said they heard lions as well. Cape buffalo were also seen on the property (thee are the most dangerous as they give no warning before charging!).

Nancy, Bill, Tamara and Melissa went walking with the lion cubs Monday morning. Rumour is that this program will be shut down, (they raise cubs then put them into a protected area. Their offspring have no human contact). In the afternoon Melissa and Tamara rode an elephant. They were very happy with the ride.

Tuesday Nancy, Bill, Tamara and Melissa went to Livingston Island. They stood on the edge of the fall and looked down, 100 metres, and the girls got into a pool at the edge of the falls where a rainbow obliged by coming out for the photos. Doug went into Livingston and visited the museum, which has a good section on Dr Livingston and also another on Zambian independence (50 years last year, big celebration). We all met up at the Cafe Zambezi and did a little shopping. The temps are cold here particularly in the morning, and Bill & Nancy wanted long sleeve shirts as they will be continuing on after the others head home. Lunch at the Cafe Zambezi where they have croc on the menu was very nice. A little confusion as we got ken the taxi driver who had been taking us around to pick us up, but he didn't know where we were going in the afternoon (we assumed he did). He took us back and the pickup for the Rhino walk was there waiting for us. So the afternoon was spent at Mosi-a-Tunya (this is the local name for Victoria Falls) national park walking with a guide and park ranger (who carried a gun) to find Rhinos.  We were successful, standing about 60' away (you can't do that with black rhinos apparently). We saw the alpha male who was off on his own, and 5 of the 7 cows and calves. There are only 8 white rhinos here, but 5 were born in the park. The current alpha male is not related to any of the females, so it is hoped the girls will like him and make more rhinos. There hasn't been a poaching incident since 2007 at this park. They would like to bring more in from South Africa where poaching is a big problem, but it costs too much. Dinner that evening was great, and just the five of us as the other guests all had other plans. A great way to end our time in Africa together.

Wednesday morning the girls went to visit a nearby school which is supported by Bushbuck lodge. Bill stayed back and Doug headed off to the airport for 10:30 to start his homeward journey. Tamara and Melissa will leave later in the afternoon. Just before I left, elephants showed up in the back, and I was able to see them from very close by. They were beside the road as we pulled out, a great way to end the time there.

Sunday - Botswana to Zambia

Up early for another morning game drive at 6:00. There was a mix up with the booking, so even though we had a voucher for the drive, we were not on any list. We got in with our driver eventually, I suspect he was the stand by just in case of situations like this. It was very cold, and blankets were provided. Because we were later getting to the park, all the permits for the river road were taken, so we got an inland (Upper Route) permit. We could see our guide was not happy.

The countryside was quite different, rolling hills, but few animals. We saw a couple of elephants, some lying down. Apparently they like to lie on a slope so it is easier to get up again. A sable antelope, and a few birds. At a water hole there were kudu (a very large antelope with white vertical stripes on their sides) and baboons playing. Later we saw a giraffe up close, a couple of jackals in the distance and some water buffalo. These last are very dangerous as they give no warning before charging. Although the animals were fewer, it was nice to see a different route. It was cold though, and very cold in the valleys. I expected to be able to see my breath. Yes, Canadians in Africa were cold. It wasn't until we got back to the lodge I realized how chilled I was, as I started to shiver while eating my hot breakfast.

On the road at 10:00 to get to the ferry. We passed through Botswana customs with no issue. Transports were again lined up down the road waiting for their turn on the ferry. We got on a small passenger boat and were quickly taken across. On the Zambian side we were immediately surrounded by 5 or 6 men selling wood carvings of hippos, elephants etc. Very persistent, and trying all the tricks like looking pitifully at us making eating motions, claiming they knew us from before, and banging on the windows of our taxi van. One fellow had a nice crisp Canadian 5 dollar bill that he kept asking for us to exchange for him. A casual glance at it through the window, I saw it had the clear plastic security strip on it, but it just looked too new, too perfect.

About an hour ride to Bushbuck lodge where we will be staying for the next few days. The 2011 and 2013 Nu Vision teams stayed here as well, and the welcome was warm. Back to power outages though, as we are in Zambia! A nice lunch then off to Victoria Falls. Interesting price for admission - Zambians 7 kwacha ($1 US) others 140 kwacha ($20 US). The water is quite low, but the falls are still quite something to see, and there was a rainbow in the 100 metre gorge.

Melissa did some shopping in the market at the falls and bargained like a boss. She demanded the 'real' price, and snorted disdainfully when given a high price. She told them she could get it for less than half in Kitwe. It was interesting, as many shopkeepers claimed the items were made by their grandfather or some such, but the stuff for sale was 80% identical in each shop.

On the way back we were stopped by elephants crossing the road. It was a herd of about 25, and they seemed to just keep coming. The driver opened the sun roof on the van so we could stand up and take photos. It was just dusk and amazing to see them walking by. A short distance later we were stopped again by 2 others crossing the road. I think that seeing a moose and calf beside the highway at home won't be quite as exciting anymore...

A lovely dinner at Bushbuck with the other guests here. One couple from Spain, another from South Africa, and a family form the U.K. Good food and good conversation. A bonfire was lit a bit later, but most had gone off to bed.

Saturday - Botswana

Up early today for our first game drive. When I checked on the times at the desk last night, the receptionist So strange that I forgot we are in a 5 star hotel and things like a wake up call are available.

The drive started at 6:00 with a short trip to the Chobe National Park gate about 10 minutes away. It is cool in the morning and we were glad of the blankets offered as driving in an open vehicle gets cold quick. We saw lions, elephants, hippos, birds, impala and giraffes. The highlight was when a male lion crossed the road not 15 feet from us. King of the jungle indeed. There were many vehicles racing around, and it seemed at time there was a herd of tourists roaming the parks. The guides talk to each other to say where they saw what. A tea & biscuit stop was a nice chance to get out and stretch our legs. Back at the lodge for 9:00

Breakfast after the drive was plentiful and delicious. Again nice to have piping hot food with great variety. We have confirmed our afternoon game drive at 3:00, then went our separate ways. There was talk of massages, pool side sitting, and walking to see the shops in the nearby town. Some even wanted to get on the Internet to type up blogs...

The evening game drive was just as good, with giraffes running by and elephants up close and personal. We even saw a couple of zebra which was unexpected as the main herds have migrated to another part of the park.

Supper was delicious, and there was a dance group dressed in traditional outfits for a short entertainment. So much good food, and some Famous Grouse scotch as well. :) We settled our bar bill before heading off for bed as the lineups in the morning are long. The cost was very low, and made us realize how much tax we pay on alcohol at home.

Friday - Travel Day

Up early for a 5:30 departure to Ndola airport. We were able to use the Lifesong bus and driver to take the seven of us and our bags on the 1+hour journey. The roads are pretty empty that early in the morning, so we made good time. Ted and Jean are heading home, while the rest are going to be tourists.

A short flight to the capital Lusaka, then another to Livingstone where we were picked up by Frank, who drove us to the ferry crossing on the Botswana/Zambia border. The road was quite good and the drive straight forward. The transport trucks are lined up on both sides to wait for the ferry, and can wait for two or more days. Charcoal is for sale along the road so the drivers can cook their food while they wait. Lots of 'ladies' seem to be around as well. Perhaps they help with the cooking... A bridge has been started for this road, but will take an estimated 5 years to complete.

The customs on the Zambian side was literally a rubber stamp. Then a crossing in a private boat to the Botswana side. We saw elephants on the side of the river. We were picked up by a van from the lodge and taken through customs, again a rubber stamp. The Chobe Safari Lodge is big and beautiful, 5 stars. We arrived about 2:15 and were booked on a 3:00 river cruise so we rushed to confirm our place on the boat, and dropped our things at our rooms, which are large and luxurious. On the cruise we saw many birds, crocodiles, hippos, impala,  giraffes (in the distance) and elephants. A highlight was watching a herd of 20 or so cross the river, then roll in the mud to coat their skin for protection from insects. The sunset was spectacular and we were taking photos constantly it seemed.

Supper was at 7:30 and since we missed lunch, were all hungry. Wildebeest stew was good and there was great variety of food. Monkeys are around in the nearby trees, and jump down to take food left on plates. There is a guard with a sling shot to discourage them.

It seems so strange to have the comforts of home again. Reliable electricity, plenty of hot water, lots of food variety. We are thinking of the malnourished children we saw in the compound next to Harmony school, and the heaps of food here that they will never see. It is the contrast that is so striking, and we are not the first to notice it, nor the last.

Thursday - Last Day

Again, being written on Saturday, so some things have escaped me.

Moring was attempts at work at St Francis school. Again, difficulties with not being able to pin down teachers and students. Some more photos were taken and Brother Tony was given a stick with the best ones selected by Bill. Doug double checked the 11 old computers at the St Francis lab, and set one up with a printer.

We met Pascal and Steve (?) from a Franciscan volunteer group. They are young Austrians volunteering in Zambia for a year rather than do compulsory military service. They are computer guys, and are trying to help Brother Tony and St Francis setup more newer computers, and a library checkout computer. I showed them what was in place, and we discussed with Br. Tony and headmaster Barry what might be done in the short and long term. They hope to bring a computer for checking in/out library books. They have had some experience with Zambian school libraries, and the differences in the point of view on how libraries are to be used, so hopefully they will meet the school's needs.

Evening brought our last supper, and it was a big gang around the tables. We got the two priest students from Ghana to eat with us, as well as the visiting Father Werner and the Austrians. After supper we had discussions and good byes which was nice but bitter-sweet.