The sun came up ever so slightly as we drove to the airport. Decided we needed some US dollars so we took out some rands then exchanged them - got ripped off by probably at least $50 because of airport exchange bureau rates. The price you pay when you don't plan really well. It's part of traveling, I guess.
We got to our gate in plenty of time and ate some brekkie. We flew to Jo-burg with an hour layover then on to Livingstone. We arrived in Livingstone around 12:30 p.m., but had to stand in line for an hour to get our multi-entry visa into Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Our shuttle driver Julius was waiting for us when we emerged. He stowed our luggage, gave me a beer and gave Beth some water before we took off for Waterberry Lodge where we'll be until Thursday.
We drove through Livingstone and the Zambian National Park where I spotted my first giraffe - and he was right next to the road so Julius stopped but I was not prepared. My camera was in the back of the van in my camera bag. By the time I got it, the giraffe had left.
It took about 50 minutes to our lodge, the last 10 minutes on an unpaved road - which Julius referred to as an "African massage." It wasn't bad at all - much better than the road I drove to Joe's village.
We arrived at the lodge, and Hazel, our activity director, greeted us and brought us to the lounge area overlooking the river. She had a refreshing drink and snacks for us as she told us about the lodge, its premises and such.
Then we ate lunch before we told her what activities in which we want to participate during the next two days. Then she showed us our lodge.
Beth went into the pool for a bit - it was too cold for me - then we had a brief nap before we met for a two-hour sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Our guide - we didn't catch his name - took us out on the water and provided a bar and snacks, as well as lots of information and a sharp eye for widlife.
We're being taken care of really well here.
We saw a variety of creatures, many of which you can see in the photos. We saw hippos but all we could see were their ears and eyes. Hoping to possibly see some tomorrow on another sunset cruise.
Got back to the lodge and putzed around looking at my photos before trekking up to the eating area for supper. White linen tablecloths, candles and wine. Yep, it's one of those places where you get spoiled.
We're off to Victoria Falls tomorrow and, hopefully, an afternoon of tracking white rhinos. Julius said there were four in the national park here. I thought I had read that the white rhino now was extinct, the last one having been killed this year.
Stay tuned!
A rare sight, apparently. This is a yellow-billed stork.
A giraffe.
This is a one-year-old crocodile. The mothers stay with their young only two weeks, then they're on their own.
This it the roots of a waterberry tree. It is a a common medicinal plant found in many parts of Africa. The foliage of this tree is eaten by Kudu and birds such as the Crowned Hornbill feed off the large hairy caterpillars that sometimes infest the tree.
This is a giant kingfisher - and it is giant, compared to ours. This bird is as large as a crow, for comparison.
These are two female giraffes. The females are very light-colored, almost white when seen.
This is a woodland kingfisher.
A vervet monkey.
A brown-hooded kingfisher.
The sun setting on the Zambezi River.
This is our mosquito-proof bed at the lodge.
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