Always decisions, decisions, decisions - especially when more than one family/group are involved. Finally duration and start time were agreed on and BIL and SIS could go and book the boat. We had decided on a motor boat and not a mokora. We wanted to traverse more of the river than we could in a mokora and my going by motor boat we could cruise and stop when there was anything of interest to see.
Loaded with our sun downers and cameras we headed to the jetty to embark on our trip away from dust and mud. Every one was in very high spirits and looked forward to letting someone else do the 'driving"
We were soon on our way and passing the lodges for people who prefr less pimitive accommodation than a tent.
The scenery was fantastic and as always - plenty of bird life around.
Plus the odd elephant thrown into the mix.
All to soon we were homeward bound - and once again the debate started on whether we should extend the trip by an hour or two. As some of us were on a budget we were concerned about the additional cost - the captain - of course- was all too eager to have us on board for an extra hour or so. Finally sanity won and we headed for home.
Safely off the boat the obligatory group photo! With the exception of a few who do not like to be in front of the lens.........
Sometime though they do happen to be at the wrong place at the right time (for other people's cameras)
After a twilight walk to perform the necessary - on my return I think I was asleep even before my head even hit the pillow. From a deep, deep sleep to the sound of a howling gale and what at first sounded like heavy rain beating down on the tent I was up and awake in a flash. Once I gathered my scattered wits about me I realized it was impossible that storm had broken overhead - totally the wrong time of the year. I patted around for some form of light when it dawned on me the shadow over my tent was in the very distinct shape of an elephant.
Now if you have ever tried to open a tent zip silently - you will know it is a physical impossibility. Centimeter by centimeter I slowly pulled the zip for the window before I realized the side of the tent was pushed inwards. Peering through the small opening I had managed to make I came nose to leg with an elephant.
Moving across the tent I again slowly opened the door and poked my head outside. The big grey ambled across the door of the tent and stopped to examine what we had on our table. Hardly daring to breath - I could see the couple opposite trying to signal to me. They could not see my tent - just elephant.
He slowly walked across to my SIS and BIL's tent and examined the rubbish bag that had been put on the top of the vehicle. With an almighty crash he had the bag on the ground and examined everything in the bag. Finding nothing to his taste he delicately examined their table without knocking any item over. By now the people opposite could see I was unharmed and quickly ducked bag into their tent as ellie investigated their table. He then slowly walked back to my tent and every time he flapped his ears he clipped my tent with his ear - it felt as if I was being buffeted by a strong wind. I am not sure how long he stood there before he walked across the camp site - and with a sound like a pistol shot snapped a couple of tonnage strain nylon rope and disappeared towards the next camp site. What was amazing - he had stepped over the rope where my tent was without any damage and proceed to rub his head on the tree behind my tent.
With alarmed calls everyone was calling out to find out if I was now the shape of "road kill" or I was still plump and round and jolly. We laughed about the fact that Newbie, BIL and SiS had slept through it all!
I settled back down into my bed, awed by the experience - but then the reality hit and my heart was pounding like a ten pound hammer. I must admit in retrospect it was a bit of a frightening experience - and the first time I have ever had elephant "ear conditioning" in my tent...............
The first thing I did the following morning was to move my bed to the middle of my tent!
