An Interlude from my African Adventures for a more serious topic: ALS

My brother Christopher and I being silly...

In a couple of days I fly off for yet another mini – adventure – Cape Town. It’s supposed to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world! One where two oceans meet, where you can climb a mountain, go paragliding, shark diving, wine tasting, see penguins and eat amazing food all in a day…ok, maybe not in one day but in a few days! And here I am thinking, I am too lucky. How is it that I get to do all this, and my brother is at home suffering from a horrible disease.

My brother Christopher suffers from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In short, the disease affects you in such as way that your muscles stop working, from your largest to your smallest.

Now I don’t want to speak out of turn, my brother may actually be having a really good day – one in which he was able to sleep all night, enjoy time with his friends and my puppy, have lots of energy and eat well. There is also the possibility that Christopher didn’t have a good day… But the reality is, he’s at home and I’m in Africa.

What made me think of this now?

Well – there’s this awesome little article in McLean’s onALS.

I found it on my Facebook page.

ALS Canada posted it and if you’re my FB friend, you’ve seen that I shared it as well.

Here’s the crazy thing about this disease.

They have no idea what causes it.

And I suppose you can figure out the corollary here, if they don’t know what causes it, then they CANNOT cure it.

It is a horrible thing to live with, and I don’t even have the disease.

Imagine your entire body breaking down right in front of your eyes and you can’t do anything about it.

Remember, your brain is not a muscle – so it’s not affected.

You know everything that is happening to you.

I’m telling you all this because  -

A.      It sucks.

B.    We need help to put an end to this illness. 

C.      I can only think positively about improving my brother’s life and the lives of the 3000 Canadians who currently live with ALS and the thousands others around the world.

Please take the five minutes out of your day it took me to read this short article in Mclean’s. CLICK ME

I would also love it you could share it with those you know. 

And finally, as a family, we 

Janice Robertson and her amazing team
(and me too)

participate in the ALS Canada walk in Toronto. If you would like to find out how to participate or donate, please let me know. ANYTHING helps. 

But just so you know, I’m thinking about doing something BIGGER to help put an end to ALS. I'm going to ask ALL of YOU to help me.

In the article you will hear from, this amazing woman, Janice Robertson –  She and her team (who I’ve also been lucky enough to meet) are making some great inroads in the research of ALS.  Also mentioned in the article is my brother’s doctor, Lorne Zinman.

Thanks for listening.

And perhaps I’ve even incited you to take some action yourself.

Til next time…

Real World Gaborone - Episode 4

Outside of the government building where you
apply for passport

This is the true story of five strangers, picked to live in a house, work together and have their lives taped, to find out what happens when people stop being polite... and start getting real. This is The Real World, Gaborone.

“Sometimes you just have to come up with a list of what to do when the power goes out,” I say.

“Now you’re sounding like actuary Tina,” Jenny says.

“But my point is that we should be prepared…this power thing sounds like it’s going to be a long-term issue,” I explain.

“Ok, what should be on the list?”

“Read a book?” I say tentatively…

“Yeah – we need to be FAR less plugged in!” Jenny says.

And this is what it’s been like – Power and water are a serious issue these days in Botswana.

When we first arrived here, it was water.

We had 3 days a week where there was no water available during the day.

Now that it’s finally raining, the power is the issue.

The rain is hampering coal production in South Africa where Botswana imports 85% of their power.

Botswana is in the midst of building their own power station but has had issues with it.

They are trying to rectify the issue, obviously, but apparently it could mean that we are without power up to six hours a day, every day, until the end of April.

In Casa Maria that means, no water.

I think that’s what makes us most cranky.

That, and no internet.

The other night Tina and I sat in the car another half hour after we got home, just listening to the radio, trying to feel connected to the outside world after a full day without power.

Random Conversations with locals

Some of my friends have been asking what life is REALLY like here in Botswana.

The following are a few conversations with local Batswana.

Please note, I don't want to generalize that this is what it's like all over Botswana - 

These are simply short interactions with the Batswana we know.

**

A street musician in Main Mall

“I don’t know about women working.” Kopano says.

“What do you mean?” Jenny asks.

“Well…look at your shoes!” Kopano points to Jenny’s heels, “How are you supposed to carry food back to your home in those?”

*****

“Ummmm…I just got offered the tea lady’s baby,” I say as I walk into our office.

“What?” Tina asks.

“Yeah, I was talking to Belé and the coffee lady* and she showed me a picture of her 7 month old son and asked if I would take him home.”

“That is so weird,” Jenny says.

“Yeah, but maybe they think you would give him a better life.” Tina adds.

“He is kinda cute…” I say, “But Jenny, aren’t you the one who wanted to adopt a little African baby? Here’s your chance!”

*coffee lady – we have a woman in the office who brings us coffee, tea, and sometimes cookies each morning.

Belé is the “office boy” – less of a “boy”, more of a 40-something man, he runs errands for the directors, washes our car from time to time (with only a bucket of water in the office car park), and happens to like me J

*****

Perhaps the man who fixed my shoes?
Main Mall

This morning, we arrive to the office and pull in to the parking garage. We empty the contents of the truck and head to the elevator.

“Good morning Belé!” I say with a smile.

“Dumela Mma,” he returns as he takes my bags from me.

We exchange pleasantries when I show him the one plastic bag I’m carrying this morning.

“Belé, can you help me today?”

“Yes Mma.”

“I need my shoes re-soled and re-heeled.”

“No problem Mma. No problem,” Belé smiles, “I will take them for you today.”

It is as simple as that! I go about my day’s meetings and Belé takes my shoes to get fixed. Before lunch, they’re back in my hands and I’m only $8 lighter, and that includes a tip for Belé! Things like this could get me used to life in Africa…

****************

Jr. – a mid-20’s Toronto boy, born and bred. Accountant by trade. On this project to travel and try something different. Nurse/student girlfriend at home.

Trevor – an early 30’s guy from the Caribbean. Completed a number of these types of projects before in different countries. Single

Tina – a late 30’s/early 40’s Caribbean woman who has lived and worked with Trevor on projects in different countries. Single

Jenny – an early 30’s woman from Vancouver. Common-law Life partner at home.

And me. LuckyCdnGirl. Accustomed to travel but never been to Africa

Safari Time in the Okavango Delta!

The rain stopped and I was actually able to connect through the net and call my mom.

She told me my brother asked just how many safaris I needed to go on…

The answer?

As many as I can.

I have just returned from the Okavango Delta in north-west Botswana.

One word cannot describe my time there.

It was…incredible, beautiful, relaxing, educational, amazing, SO worth a trip to Africa!

But for now let me tell you a bit about my weekend in the “bush” (with no cellular service and no internet for four days!).

Quick highlights -

Tiny, sweet little lion cubs

A one week old giraffe!

Hippos!

Lions with a kill…

And finally, a leopard!

The night we saw the leopard, we had already returned to camp from our evening game drive. 

The little plane that flew me from Maun to my camp

We had just had some pre-dinner drinks poured when we heard a leopard had been spotted nearby. We all hopped back into our truck and were off. We met up with two other trucks and briefly spotted the beautiful young leopard sitting on the road. But just as fast as we found it, it disappeared back into the grass.

The other two trucks went back to their camp. We were relentless.

Unfortunately our spotlight was broken and we were only using a flashlight.

Our guide radio-ed back to the camp and, very quickly we were back in business.

The firepit area in camp with a couple
Impala just grazing...

Our tracker and guide traced the leopard’s paw prints and anticipated where it might be.

We found him.

He was beautiful.

We lost him again briefly in the grass…

Then, to our surprise, out came a hyena.

EEEEWWW – those things, I’m sorry to say, are NOT at all pretty.

Before long, we tracked down the leopard again.

He was long, lean and on a hunt.

We spotted antelope nearby.

The leopard was hungry.

We found the right spot, turned off our light and listened.

Only the sounds of crickets, frogs, and other “critters” were heard in the night.

Only light came from the amazing number of stars in the sky.

(I had NO idea how many stars were actually in amongst the stars that made the Orion constellation!)

We probably sat for a good 45 minutes when finally we heard a commotion.

The sweetest little lion cubs!

Then silence again.

We turned the spotlight back on.

The antelope were gone.

The leopard missed.

As much as maybe I wanted to see a “kill”, I was kinda glad we didn’t and we headed back to camp.

The hippos!

I SO much wanted to have a hippo encounter.

You know, me and a hippo face-to-face-ish…

And everyone kept telling me that was a dumb idea.

Afterall, hippos are the number one killers of humans in Africa!

Really!

And I didn’t get it until I had my own close-up, heart-stopping lion encounter.

Worthog
This little "cutie" freaked me out in the camp,
he was just hangin' out on the path to my tent!

It was a rather rainy morning and we had just seen a mama giraffe and her one week old baby!

How cute!

The little male had his umbilical cord still hanging from him – that’s how “fresh” he was!

And yet, he was taller than me!

(They come out head first from their standing mom at 2 metres tall! Literally dropped into the world!)

So there we are – high from this sweet safari experience when we head to see young male lions with their kill. Now this is one of those safari experiences that you either want to see or don’t want to see. I was certain I wanted to see this!

The young male lions were sleeping. Their dinner, a zebra, was just around the other side of a bush.

It was amazing to see how it had been cleaned right out, the whole body was in tact, it was just that it had been opened and emptied.

You could literally count all the ribs…It was empty.

My lovely lovely

Closer to our truck were the zebra’s lungs.

And on the other side of the truck, partially covered was another “innard.”

(They cover up parts they haven’t eaten yet to hide the scent from other predatory scavengers like the jackal, hyena, and vulture.)

One of the lions woke to check on its half-eaten dinner.

We watched and took lots of pictures.

It licked the zebra’s skin (also to mask the scent), then, it came to check on that lung.

When it began eating the lung, I almost lost the muffin I ate at breakfast…

I was recording it (yup – some of you will be lucky to see it if you want!) and thought, someone at home will find this interesting…

Honestly, I get that it’s nature, but it was kinda gross – hearing, seeing, smelling it all…

Anyway – the lion decides he’s had enough and now he’s gone around our truck to check on the other zebra innard he’s left in a pile of grass.

At this point, I’m feeling totally at home with the lion, it’s doing his thing, I’m doing mine…

I start taking selfies with the lion behind me…

When Tuelo (my guide) whispers loud enough for me to hear, “Cherrie! Do NOT move. He sees you.”

"My lion selfie"
Just before I thought I was gonna get pounced on!

WHAT???

I mean, yeah, I saw the lion scrapping the ground, putting more grass on top of his food.

I see him move around a bit.

I see him look up in one of my selfies.

UH DUH.

He sees me.

I am not moving.

I am not breathing.

He approaches the truck.

I swear his paws are right under it, he’s sniffing.

I hear this.

I’m freaking out a little.

I know that all he has to do is jump up and I’m gone.

And of course, as soon as he takes one whiff of the truck, he realizes it’s not new dinner.

Phew!

I’m breathing again.

I’m ready to go.

And a close encounter with a hippo?

Yeah – I no longer want that!

Two young male lions

Tuelo, our guide, and Chester, our tracker are awesome.

They both grew up in the Delta.

They know their stuff.

Seriously – they can make all the bird noises.

They can tell you what something is from miles away.

And then they have the craziest, most detailed info about every creature.

In as much as it was a fun safari, it was totally educational also.

The camp – Little Kwara is so great.

There are only five tents at the camp, which means personal service!

I would say that for most of the time I was there, there were more staff than guests!

The personal attention is amazing.

The food was so delicious.

Home-made bread and muffins in the morning.

Delicious meals.

Totally spoiled.

Also – this camp does not have fences to keep the animals away.

So once it’s dark, you can’t just wander off, your guide has to take you to your tent.

I really wanted to see an elephant in the camp, (which actually happened while I was there, but missed it) but instead I was only momentarily freaked out by a mama warthog and her baby.

Actually, I think I freaked the baby out more than it freaked me out.

Worthogs, now their “ugliness” is debatable. I think they’re cute!

I was also totally ready to hear the animals at night.

Tuelo points out hippo tracks

Turns out I’m a deep sleeper.

Every single night the lions roared.

Every single night, I slept right through it.

The best I heard were the hyenas on my evening walk back to my tent.

Oh and I heard hippos one morning also!

They sound like really big pigs!

There are so many other stories

And so many pictures to share.

My dear brother, I think I will keep going on safaris as long as I can.

Did I tell you I met an 83 year old couple from Connecticut?

Someone told me once that Africa gets into your soul.

They just might be right.

And to borrow Mark  Zuckerberg’s words…

“The journey is only 1% finished.”

…now back to work…I’ve gotta save up for my next adventure!

For a few extra shots via Flipagram, click HERE!

One of a few rickety bridges in the bush

Ostriches

On one of the rivers in the Delta

Mama and baby giraffe

With its kill

Hippo!

Chester (our tracker), Tuelo (our guide) and me!

Real World Gaborone Episode 3 - House Silliness!

This is the true story of five strangers, picked to live in a house, work together and have their lives taped, to find out what happens when people stop being polite... and start getting real. This is The Real World, Gaborone.

I know. I get it. I can get really really silly sometimes. And how did I not think about all the potential critters in Africa before getting here? They are totally a part of life here…and this episode of Real World Gaborone is all about it.

A loud shriek is heard from the upstairs grey bedroom (my bedroom).

Paw Prints in the sidewalk

“HELP!” I scream as I run out of my room and head in search of Trevor. “Uh, Trevor?”

“Yeah? I heard you LuckyCdnGirl, what’s up?”

“A HUGE SPIDER is in my room!”

“Really? A huge spider?”

“YES!” I say, directing him to my room. “Can you PLEASE help me? PLEASE?”

“Okay, show me where it is.”

Pointing, I show Trevor palm-sized, flat, black spider…

“Get out of here if you don’t want to watch,“ he says.

I run to the other side of the house and wait.

Trevor finds me in the office.

“It’s gone.”

“You killed it?” I ask.

“No, I chased him out of your room, using the door to the balcony.”

I breathe a big sigh of relief…thank you.

And that was just night number one at Casa Maria.

Somehow my housemates from the Caribbean hate flies. I don’t know what it is, or where it comes from, but they hate them. Last weekend, Tina, Trevor, Jenny and I were all in the Prado just after having a leisurely breakfast out at Delis in Broadhurst. This is what happens when a fly is found in our vehicle…

Termite Hill on the golf course
(they are found ALL over town)

Trevor is driving. Jenny is in the front passenger seat.

I am behind Trevor and Tina is behind Jenny.

(Note to my North American readers: When you imagine our seating arrangements, don’t forget they drive on the other side of the road here!)

Trevor is telling us a story about his strange encounter at the bathroom where we just had breakfast with this guy who was either trying to pick him up for himself, or his girl friend, or perhaps both?

“…He said ‘We saw you last night.’” Trevor continues.

“What? Who?” I ask.

“Yeah, who? What? Was it the girl…” Jenny asks.

When suddenly!

“AHHH!!! A fly is in the car!”

“What?!” shouts Trevor.

And before we know it, Trevor pulls the car over.

Jenny and I are very confused.

(Wouldn’t you just open the windows? Why are we stopping?)

Tina is screaming little a tiny baby girl.

Trevor has pulled the Prado aside and opened all our windows.

Both Tina and Trevor are trying to shoe the teeny tiny little fly out the window.

Success.

We all die of laughter.

What on earth just happened???

Moral of the story -  Caribbean peeps can handle spiders but not flies.

Okay one more story for good measure –

And just because it JUST happened.

So we get to work this morning at our usual time, around 830am.

We’re just settling in and the power goes out.

Doesn’t come back til about 11:15am-ish.

We’re working away, have lunch, all is good when…

It’s about 2pm and boom. Power goes out.

Sigh…

Big sigh…

No power again.

In fact, the power doesn’t come back before we leave the office at 5:00pm

And it’s a huge power outage.

No traffic lights ALL THE WAY HOME…

You can only imagine the traffic…

The girls (Jenny, Tina) and I had pre-planned dinner out tonight.

We go to our favourite Indian restaurant called Saffron in the Sebele Centre.

Deelish…

But that’s not the story –

It’s back at the house, after dinner –

Where, surprise surprise, no power.

It’s totally dark.

We find candles and head upstairs.

The girls are in my room while I pack for the Delta safari adventure that I’m leaving for in the morning.

“How many pairs of panties for 3 days guys?” I ask just wanting to see what they’d say.

“8,” Tina says.

(Not surprised, we call her Actuary Tina because of her rather risk averse look at life)

“Really Actuary Tina? You’re hilarious!” Jenny laughs.

“Uh yeah, 2 per day, plus 2 extra, just in case,” Tina explains.

“Hey, LuckyCdnGirl, you’ve been taking your malaria pills right?” Jenny asks.

“OH crap!” I say… “Oops!”

“Don’t worry – you can start now.”

I go into the drawer where I’ve stored my miscellaneous medication and find them. After wrestling a little with the packaging I pop one in my mouth. It’s rather minty I think to myself, when I take the package over to a candle so I can see…

“OH man!” I laugh, “That wasn’t for malaria.”

“What did you take?!” Actuary Tina asks.

“Quick dissolve Immodium!” I laugh!

After more laughter, I do find my malaria pills and  finish my packing and the girls head to bed.

It’s only 9pm…after brushing my teeth and using a wash cloth dampened with the last of my water bottle, I think about heading to bed when miraculously the power returns!

AHHH!!!! Just in time to write this and go to bed. Tomorrow I head to the Okavango Delta! 

***************

Jr. – a mid-20’s Toronto boy, born and bred. Accountant by trade. On this project to travel and try something different. Nurse/student girlfriend at home.

Trevor – an early 30’s guy from the Caribbean. Completed a number of these types of projects before in different countries. Single

Tina – a late 30’s/early 40’s Caribbean woman who has lived and worked with Trevor on projects in different countries. Single

Jenny – an early 30’s woman from Vancouver. Common-law Life partner at home.

And me. LuckyCdnGirl. Accustomed to travel but never been to Africa

My Botswana Family...

“I just miss the noise of tv, you know what I mean?”

Enjoyed the African sun this afternoon from the pool.

“Yeah…” I respond to my housemate, “I totally get it.”

It’s Sunday morning. The morning of the big day.

If you are Canadian, you know what I mean.

We are dying here at “Casa Maria”.

The big game is on in 3 hours and the tv’s in our house are NOT working.

Why?

Because, although we were told the cable bill has been paid until the 14 of March, it is not.

We have found a solution.

But unfortunately the solution includes using a vehicle to get to the furthest mall in Gaborone, to pay the bill directly at DSTV so we will immediately be able to watch Team Canada win Gold.

And therein lies the situation.

Our one housemate TOLD us (rather than ask us), that he was taking the car to climb a hill.

The other house, Mecca (named because they have a newer home with working everything AND two lemon trees and an avocado tree), where they are not using the car, has asked that we walk 30 minutes to their house if we want to borrow “their” car. I say “their” because truly, it’s a company vehicle…

WHAT is going on here?

We are supposed to be one team.

We are certainly not feeling like it.

These are daily little frustrations that make living and working a bajillion miles away from the people you care about, difficult.

Because, at least in Casa Maria, everything else is awesome. I mean, just this morning I woke to my housemate sending me a text message that said, “Come downstairs, I will feed you.” How much more lucky can I get?

Yesterday we said goodbye to one of our housemates. He is only going home for 3 weeks, but right now it feels like eons. After only having lived together for 4 weeks, we have become a family in a way. We fell into a routine almost immediately. And while the details of our routine are not sexy, they make us feel good. And even though it sometimes feels like we’re “complaining” about little things here and there, we remember that we have each other. And it feels good to talk to people who know what we are going through.

This in no way means we do not miss our IMPORTANT people at home.

We miss them greatly. And we talk about you ALL THE TIME!

We do share some of our frustrations with you, but you need to know, we censor them a bit.

We don’t want you to be worried about us or become frustrated that you can’t help.

We want you to know that, while there are daily frustrations, we are loving our time in Africa.

And we understand that you too may be censoring things at home.

This is ok, we’ll catch up when we get home.

And all the little things that seemed SO BIG at one point, in fact are not at all.

And all that will matter, is that we are together again.

If you’ve been following along, you know that there are amazing, amazing things we are seeing and experiencing in southern Africa. (In fact, later this week I am venturing out to the Okavango Delta!)

But it wouldn’t be true or real or honest of me, not to say, that life isn’t perfect.

But what I’m getting to do here is truly amazing and as always, I am truly a very lucky lucky girl.

And in case you were wondering…

We DID get the tv working and we watched the GOLD medal game!

And WE ARE SUCH PROUD CANADIANS!

was kinda weird watching the gold medal hockey game
in 30 degree weather but hey! we were victorious!
GO CANADA GO!
WE ARE WINTER!

The Real World Gaborone Episode 2

This is the true story of five strangers, picked to live in a house, work together and have their lives taped, to find out what happens when people stop being polite... and start getting real. This is the Real World, Gaborone.

We’ve got all the right characters (names have been changed to protect their privacy).

Jr. – a mid-20’s Toronto boy, born and bred. Accountant by trade. On this project to travel and try something different. Nurse/student girlfriend at home.

Trevor – an early 30’s guy from the Caribbean. Completed a number of these types of projects before in different countries. Single

Tina – a late 30’s/early 40’s Caribbean woman who has lived and worked with Trevor on projects in different countries. Single

Jenny – an early 30’s woman from Vancouver. Common-law Life partner at home.

And me. LuckyCdnGirl – From the TDot. Sweet dog and loveable fam at home. Accustomed to travel but never been to Africa!

Since episode one: not much has changed. We continue to work long days and play hard when we can… Jr’s girlfriend arrived for a one week visit earlier this week, so Trevor, Tina, Jenny and I have been holding down the fort at Casa Maria.

Walkin' around the neighbourhood

 Thursday night at Casa Maria...

Jenny and I sprawled out on the leather lazy boys in our tv room and watch the rest of the Internship…Jenny sipping on her favourite South African red, me, my new fave, gin and tonic… Finally, a peaceful night at Casa Maria.

We laugh at the easiness of the movie and wonder what Tina is going on about as she walks through the house mumbling things. The ease of our evening suddenly turns when we hear a knock at the door. We look at our phones. It’s just past 9pm. Who on earth is at the door?

An early morning meeting

Jenny heads to the front door and asks, “Hello? Who’s there?”

“It’s me Jeff.”

Our BOSS! WHAT?! WHAT is he doing at our house in the middle of the night…In the middle of OUR peaceful night?!

Tina hears us and heads down to help us out.

“Where’s the key,” Jenny asks.

(Casa Maria has about 5 billion doors, each with keys that unlock them from the INSIDE and out. We have six…YES, six keys to the front door and yet none of them are nearby.)

Tina runs back up to grab her key.

I go upstairs to find Trevor, “Get downstairs with us! It’s Jeff!”

“What the…” Jeff shakes his head and heads downstairs with me…

Finally we get the door open, and Jeff, his wife Cindy and their buddy, Johnny (who is doing creative work on the project) stroll in.

“We brought leftovers!” smiles Cindy…

We are all wondering what on earth is going on…when we realize, it truly isn’t as bad as we thought.

Trevor leaves for his 3 week trip home on Saturday (the girls in the house are devastated as we have NO idea how we’ll cope without our personal chef, driver, bodyguard, and big brother) and Jeff, Cindy and Johnny leave for a weekend trip tomorrow morning. They had just returned from dinner out thought they’d drop in to say their farewells to Trev (and apparently leave us with their butter chicken and naan leftovers).

Cut to later in the evening…

We’re hanging out in our upper lounge area at Casa Maria. There are crazy oversized chairs and a piano. The chairs are referred to as thrones and somehow there is GREAT wifi reception there…If I’m quiet and in the house, you will usually find me on “my throne”.

Tina, Trevor and I are discussing the next morning’s timing. We were pleased we had no 730am meetings and since the boss was going to be away…we were thinking we could have a little more time to sleep in… :)

Celebrating 100 days until the African Youth Games

“Ok Trevor, if we’re not leaving for the gym til 6am, I’ll wake you at 5” Tina says with a smile.

“WHAT? You need an hour before you go to the gym?” I ask.

“No! Tina, you’re nuts!” Trevor replies.

“Ok, 525am, that’s my last offer. Besides you need time to make my smoothie after you shower, “Tina smiles.

“What? You shower before you go the gym?!” I ask.

“Yeah, I do too,” says Tina.

At this point, Jenny, who was in her room, comes to join us, “Let me get this straight Tina. You shower before you go to the gym, when you get home from the gym…”

“Yes,” says Tina, “and when we get home from work and before I go to bed.”

“Four times!” Jenny exclaims… “Full disclosure time. At home I shower every other day!”

My mouth drops.

Trevor laughs and points at me, “Look at LuckyCdnGirl, she cannot believe you!”

Oh what you learn when people stop being nice…and start telling the truth! Haha!

Return to Tau

Panoramic View from the back deck of my hut

Early last week we were looking for a little getaway. Just some place to enjoy the outdoors and maybe see something new. After some consultation with (our new best friend, travel agent) Mandy, we decided we’d return to Madikwe in South Africa and stay again at Tau Lodge. Little did we know just how good a decision that was…

Chocolate lava cake (dessert on last day lunch)

As we pulled up to the Lodge midday on Saturday, our Game Driver Patrick (from two weeks ago) was there to greet us along with cold homemade lemonade and a great big smile. I think we actually “squealed” with delight knowing Patrick would once again be our game driver and take us on our safari adventures! Our room assignments are given to us and we headed to lunch.

Lunch at Tau is bountiful. The buffet greets us with numerous salads and hot dishes. I head for my favourites: chicken pie, spinach and beef salad and a smattering of fruit. Dessert, which must be noted, consisted of a chocolate caramel tarte, passionfruit panacotta and tiramisu. Every bite was heavenly.

Part of what is so incredible about Tau is their spa. Jackie and Evelyn are the sweetest and most talented aestheticians. As I did on our last visit, I opt for a hot stone massage. Evelyn whispers quietly to met\ to ensure I am comfortable. How could I not be? The hot stones are warm and so calming,  I fall into a short  nap…

Afternoon game drive immediately provides one lone and majestic elephant. I have to say, even though I’ve been on four game drives now, it is a new experience every time – even in the same reserve. I will never tire of seeing elephants or the baby lion cubs. Patrick never disappoints. He combines the intel provided by other game drivers (by radio) and tracks animal prints and poops on the roads. I love seeing Patrick slow the truck down, stare at the ground, reverse the vehicle and switch direction – when he does this, you know you’re about to be in for a treat!

For example, we spent a good twenty minutes Saturday afternoon, ohhh-ing and ahhhh-ing at two lion cubs. They were hidden under a cluster of tall bushes; adorable little cubs, probably only four weeks old. One looked at us curiously, while the other slept without notice of us. It was incredible to see…and from time to time, we realized that mama lion, might not be so far away, and that we should watch our backs!

Later that afternoon we came upon 9 female lions of different ages and sizes. Around the same

9 Female Lions

spot, we also spied two large ostriches in the distance…We followed for a while, watching the lions notice the ostriches and start to walk slowly in their direction. We thought, for a moment, that we might get to see a “kill”! Not this time… instead we continued to follow the lions, watching them walk, stop, lie in the tall grass and play with one another.

We had an amazing elephant encounter with the very large grey beast, who came right up beside our truck…we all held our breaths…some caught it on video, almost missing the event in “real life”. Saying it was amazing, does not seem to do the experience justice. But what more can I say? It was amazing…

My Outdoor Shower

While at the lodge, you worry for nothing. Nothing. This time my hut was closer to the watering hole and I spent some time sitting outside, listening to the sounds of birds, the soft trampling of the antelope and the splashes of the alligators. Each hut has a little soaker tub, complete with bath salts and an outdoor shower. Showering bathed in the light of a full moon and a sky full of stars is absolutely unreal. Similarly, showering in the sunshine, with a view of the watering hole is something I will not soon forget.

The lodge’s servers (David), staff (Tumi), front desk staff (Poppy & Rebone), bar man (“President”), spa staff (Evelyn & Jackie) and pastry chef (didn’t catch her name) are all amazing. Everyone remembered us from our previous visit (albeit it was only two weeks ago), and made us feel special.

One absolutely special treat. Rebone, who works at the front, told me she had a special gift for

Patrick gives us a lesson on animal tracks

me. I was told not to open it until we were out of the park. I didn’t open the package until back home in Gabs. It wasn’t from Tau Lodge. The present was from Patrick, our ranger (who is actually sub-contracted, we requested him on our bookings for this trip because we loved him so much two weeks ago). Patrick had given me a wood carving of a giraffe.

He remembered they were my favourite.

Absolute sweetness.

Every meal with a view of the Watering Hole

Relaxing on my deck...

a stop for coffee and rusks (kinda like biscottti)
on morning game drive