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.