Feather Duster

So you know how sometimes life throws a few things at you at once, which makes you feel rather overwhelmed and buried?  Apparently that's been life the past few years!  I just randomly clicked on my Blog link, and was horrified to discover it's been 2 years since my last post.  My Flickr account is just as far behind...  I don't want to give up on these things, but other priorities have taken over.  So, once in a while, I'm sure I'll come and do the odd post, the odd photo upload, the odd oddity.

Since the last post, I've traveled a lot (see: Peru, Bolivia, India, Senegal, France, Italy), gained more experience points at my job, and said "I do" to my sweetheart.  It's hard to describe how a busy life and make time fly, but time has grown wings.   Planning a wedding, at the very least, took a chunk of my time.

So I'm not gone, this isn't forgotten... there are just lots of competing priorities.  More will come. Sometime.   Just need to find that feather duster and brush up my sharing skills.

New Gig

So I got back from my S.E. Asia trip and not 24 hours later was already on a flight out to Washington DC to start my new job... I'll be working from home for the most part, as the company is based in Toronto, but there will be a decent amount of travel to conferences, to the head office, and to meet with companies that we are looking at investing in.  I suspect I'll be racking up some airline points! horrah!

I'm still figuring out what the job is and how it all works, which I guess is the exciting part of a new job? The control freak in me is unhappy as I fee very out of control... but this is an amazing opportunity so I've just got to tuck my chin and get on with things.

The hard part is how I've continued to be MIA in terms of my friends and family.. I miss you all!! Once things settle in I'm hoping to return to 'normal' life and start seeing people again! In a perfect world I'll even start taking exercise classes or something! what the!?

Anyway, this post is to let people know I am alive and hunkered down.

hugs!

Forgot to post!

I have to admit, I forgot about posting here on my trip! I was so busy, and just sending notes home and backup my photos took what little free time I had.

Suffice to say, it's been a great trip. I can't imagine going away to such a different part of the world not being interesting. I am tired of rice and noodles, and of really really hot weather and being gross and sweaty! But I have loved seeing new cultures and ways of life and learning so much!

So here are some pics, and more may come!

Ho Chi Min, Vietnam

Phnom Phen, Cambodia

National Monument, phnom Phen

Royal Palace, Phnom Phen

Silk scarf factory

Angkor Wat!

Bamboo Train, Battambang 

Bangkok, Thailand 

Phuket, Thailand 

Hong Kong!

Next adventure...

It's 1:45 am and I'm at Vancouver airport, waiting for my flight... Which is delayed until 3;30 am... I'm a little tired, and am not looking forward to how tired I'm going to feel by the time I next sleep... But I digress...

So I realize it's been a while since my last post. There have been some pretty big changes my end. If memory serves, last time I posted I had just been laid off... That wasn't a fun time!! I was quite sick shortly after, so took a few weeks to recover. Then it was time to hunt... I sent out many email and letters and started to reconsider my particular career path... Wasn't sure exactly where to look/focus/hunt. But luck was on my side and a few opportunities knocked.

I ended up accepting two positions, one at a law firm and one doing due diligence contract work from home.  Man oh man, am I not cut out for working two jobs... Or at least not two that each actually wanted 3/4 time?? It's hard to describe, but suffice to say I pretty much fell off every map on the planet and was working most waking hours. Not fun, and certainly not sustainable. 

Well, trial by fire has ways of making you shine. I was offered a full time job by the second position- becoming and Investment Manager - so I gave notice to the firm... So now I'm back to one job and I think it's going to be great!!

Anyway, this brings me to why I'm at the airport at 'ungodly-o-clock'... Well I'm on my way to Southeast Asia to meet up with my kiwi friend Kathryn and do a tour of Cambodia and Thailand, and then spend some time with my half-brother in Hong Kong! I think it's going to be a very busy trip, and one that I'll need a vacation after haha!!

So, other than being extremely tired, life is looking up! Day by day, smiling and having fun...

I'm not sure how signal is going to work this trip, but will try post updates as I can. 

Now, how to kill time without sleeping?!

Photo update

The photos of the first week of my 3 week adventure in Africa are finally up on Flickr... the first week was South Africa, and so I've got a 'master' set of the entire trip, but you can see the South Africa ones here.

I'm motivated to get this trip up, so watch for Zambia, Zim and Botswana soon!  Then I'll try get the last 6 months up too!

Update:  Botswana is uploaded!! 

Plot twist!

Weeeellll..... 2014 has already started off with some big changes... unfortunately due to the economic conditions of the mineral exploration industry right now, my employers had to lay me off, along with a few other people. BOOM, wake up call!!

While I instantly jumped straight into self marketing and have been reactivating my network, a horrible chest cold and sinusitis has had me down for the count for some time. I think my body simply hasn't fully recovered from all the illness I suffered in 2013, and that combined with the shock of a lay off, well... I just needed time.

So now I'm back on the hunt, trying to find that illusive perfect job. I'm not sure where I'll end up, but it'll be an interesting hunt.

In other news, the week in Maui was absolutely wonderful, a great trip with the family. Playing on the beach with littles is so fun!!

Later in January Sean and I went to the Okanagan with the intention of picking up some wine and doing some skiing... only the former happened due to some car troubles, but that's ok, we'll save the skiing for another time!!

Another adventure was just this past long weekend in February, wherein Sean and I went to Edmonton to visit and meet with his friends and family! I can say I have my full 'Canadian Winter' card, having now experienced -26 (apparently it was -30 overnight...)... yikes that was cold!!  I'm definitely a West Coast girl!

So... that's a brief update from me... back to the drawing board, but you know me, there will be lots of adventures regardless!!!!

2013 ends, 2014 begins

I've got to say, the last 4 months of 2013 were rather unexpected, as I was sick for a good chunk of it... it started with the Salmonella post-Africa, then general lethargy, which turned into a combo attack of E.Coli, and Glandular Fever (Mono), which had me out for the count for all of November.. I only worked 3 hours a day all December, and even as I write this on January 2nd, I'm still low on energy... the final whammy on this fun time is the iron deficieny I seem to be battling through all this... ugh!

So I can understand why there was a common theme to all the lovely Christmas cards I got this year: may 2014 bring me good health!!   I am really hoping it does!!!

So, as someone who doesn't really make new years resolutions... I guess if I'm to have one, it's to stay healthy this year! With that will come more healthy cooking, exercise, and adventures... but definitely the focus will be health!

Speaking of adventures, my first one of the year begins tomorrow with a big family trip to Maui... Feels a bit funny taking vacation time already, especially with how much time I've just had off work (today is my first full day back at work since November 8th...), but I'm really looking forward to a change of pace, and the fact that I get to play on the beach with the little monsters!!

I've got quite a few fun weekend adventures ahead too: a wine/ski weekend in the Okanagan, a trip to Edmonton to meet Sean's family, and a ski weekend at Mount Baker... all should be great fun!!

So, I guess all this post is designed to do is say 'see ya' to the health lows of 2013 and 'bring it on' to the fun and health of 2014!!

Happy New Year indeed!!!

Thanksgiving

I'm not sure why I've suddenly felt like doing a post, but figured I may as well do an update...

So the life of Lauren is pretty decent these days. Work is work, with all the ups and downs that come with it. Recently it's felt like more downs, but perhaps that's due to other parts of life having more ups?

My flat is lovely. I'm so very happy there, it's hard to describe! I just feel I'm always tidying/cleaning/laundry-ing/cooking etc... which is what it's all about, but I do giggle at the old 'concept' of living alone and the reality of it!   Recently I've had 2 gatherings there, one with friends, the other with family... little bit stressful and nerve wracking (my carpet!), but I really enjoyed having people around and entertaining.  Now I need to move beyond the 'basic appies' and either try something more complex, or else do a small dinner party! eek!

I have someone special in my life now too... his name is Sean and he's fantastic. It's wonderful to have found someone who fits me so well... I won't gush too much, but suffice to say I am suffering from the 'stupid-grin' that one seems to get up on Cloud 9.

I'm still trying to figure out my next travel adventure, but I suspect it will be figured out soon.. and probably involve my Kiwi friend Kat. Have to chat with her some more and figure out dates and times, so wait and see?

Family is grand... munchkins are growing too fast, time is going by too quickly. Some days I'm sitting at my desk at work and the minutes just tick...tock... so slowly, but then I go 'huh, it's already late October?!!??!!'...

So, yes.. that's my update in a nutshell!  And no, I haven't finished going through Africa... still have to finish day 4!! But once Africa is up, more photos of the Autumn will follow!

Nomming the Gobble Gobble

Photo update

Yes, I've been home 6 weeks.

No, I haven't yet culled my photos. I haven't even LOOKED at my photos, except the first couple days... oops!!!!!!

Life takes over... but don't worry, it will happen!!!1111

final final trip post...

So it turns out that tummy bug I had when I got home was actually Salmonella.... I was sick/symptomatic for about 10 days so finally went to the doc, and the results came back. Fun!

Go to Africa, be super healthy... fly a western airline home, contract Salmonella... sounds about right?!  LOL!!!!

Photo's are starting to make their way onto Flickr... this is the 'first culling' that's going up, so there are lots of photos... will do a second (and third?) before I decide to show people in-person.

Being home...

I thought, as I've been home for a few days, I'd do my final wrap-up post of my trip home.

The flight back from London was alright, except I'm pretty sure BA was playing tricks with the oxygen levels, as I felt rather funny at times - pounding heart, couldn't breathe correctly... very strange.  It was a very multicultural flight, and I had the 'trifecta' of a seat which wouldn't recline, a 7 month old baby in front of me, and a grumpy sleep-deprived man next to me who disliked the concept of bathroom breaks...   But the flight passed, I watched a bunch of movies, at their plane/plain food and looked forward to my journey being over.

A smiling face and beautiful bouquet of flowers greeted me at the airport, and before I could blink I was back in my flat, home. I certainly looked at my place with different eyes after a week of different facilities and standards. I am truly so lucky with the life I lead.

I went to work the next day with a grand total of 5 hours of sleep in a 65 hour time frame, and I guess my body said 'enough is enough', as within an hour of being at the office I fell ill. I suffered some kind of tummy bug all weekend, and as I type this on a Tuesday, I'm still feeling the effects. Not sure what's up, as it comes and goes, but certainly something is still 'off'.

Home is lovely, and despite being ill I had a lovely weekend to settle back in. Being back at work has been sobering, as I find myself back to the daily grind, but I've always been good at daydreaming about both the trip I've come back from, and then next trips I want to go on...

Life is good!!!! =D

Team Africa

Will post more when home, but here is Team Africa on the banks of the Luangwa  River, Zambia.

Route home

I type this while sipping a cup of tea in a boardroom of the law firm I used to work at in London... I'm 3 flights and 28 hours into my home journey.

Birdies woke me up early to say good bye, so I listened to them while contemplating this journey. Then had the usual breakfast and final pack up and good byes to Marula and the Hippos. 

The manager drove us to the airport, back through all the mud hut villages and attempts at farming. Everyone seemed happy enough, but certainly puts life in perspective...

The check-in procedure was very similar to our journey up- no procedure!! The best part was watching our luggage be put on another plane, and then watching that plane take off... Um.... But it showed up in Lusaka, so I guess it worked out?!?!

Brief change over in Lusaka, but more of the same 'African' airport procedures... That flight was cool as we flew over he area that dad and mum spent time- Lake Kariba and Bulawayo. Looked similar to Zambia from the air! 

Had quite a long layover at Johannesburg, so first checked my suitcase in, then had a final juice and treate with the parentals. Deposited them at their shuttle bus, lots of hugs goodbye. 

Went through security, getting a rev from passport control for being there so early ('Africans make the most out of every minute, time is money, you waste time sitting at a gate...'), so I wasted my time by spending my money in curios!! Ha!!

10.5 hour flight up from Jo-berg to London in an aircraft with some broken doors... Had a seat mate who liked to fight for extra space (see my space), so that was frustrating. I think I got a few combined hours of broken dozing, but better than nothing!!

I was shocked at the price of a day pass into London on the tube, prices have changed since I lived here!! But I rode it in and it felt like I never left. I'm not sure what my few hours hold, but I'm excited to walk past a few old haunts if possible. Love London!!

So that's the mid-return report. Next update ill be home!!

Luangwa Day 6

Horrah for sleep!!! So nice to have had a decent sleep. Still woke up a lot, but was more rested at 5am, so feel more bright in general.

Final morning game drive. We were on the road just as the sun was rising, another lovely red sun saying good morning! To greet it we saw lots of Ellie's and hippos and impala and Puku and bush-buck and and and...  I really tried to take time to cherish the park, appreciating the lovely light and trees and sounds and smells.

As for 'highlights', this was definitely the leopard morning. We saw a girl leopard running away from us, and while looking for her we came across a boy leopard just chilling out. He gave us a great photo shoot. Apparently he is known as Arnold. And then just toward the end if the morning Alice decided to come down from her tree and go on a wander, in full light. I really hope my photos have worked!

We also spyed the lion pride of 19 relaxing under some trees and bushes. We left them alone and hope to visit them tonight! 

All in all, a wonderful final morning drive. Now we must try relax as much as possible before our evening drive, and then the final big pack up before starting my long journey home. 

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Evening drive report

I'm quite sad as I write this as this amazing adventure has come to a close. It has been, well, amazing. I have seen and experienced so much, it makes life at home seem very routine. Travel always inspires me, so fingers crossed the pattern continues!

Our final night drive was lovely. Not the most lively one we've been on, as I think some of the animals have moved to different areas of the park. Still, got to say bye to elephants and impala and kudu and bush buck and Puku and crocs and buffalo and birdies, and, as to e expected, the entire lion pride came to say bye!!

It was both amazing and sad, as the first we saw was the bug papa, on a walk to find his pride. We followed him and came upon the whole group of 19. Unfortunately so did every other Landrover in the park, so their early evening stroll involved spotlights and engines. But that's their life and they don't seem disturbed by it. I was glad to say bye to my favourite baby cub too.

The scenery here has been so stunning, son different from anything at home. I shall miss it (maybe not the dust from the roads though!!)

I have a huge journey starting at 630 am tomorrow, which involves 4 aircraft, 24 hours on planes and 48 hours before my head touches a pillow again.

So, this is me signing off from Africa. More iPhone photos will be uploaded upon a wifi connection, and then keep an eye on Flickr for the proper ones!

I love being infected with the travel bug!!

Luangwa Day 5

Overly stimulating days led to quite a poor sleep last night, so I felt quite off waking up today. Hopefully I get a restful sleep tonight?!

The drive this morning was quiet. It was almost as if the animals here understand the concept of 'Mondays' and weren't wanting to show up. I don't think we saw any ellies in the park, very strange after the past few days. We bumbled around, saw Guinea Fowl, a hyena, various antelope and birdies... Eventually we came upon a few giraffe and zebra. Oh, and a new male lion we hasn't seen before, chillin out in the shade, scaring everything in its scent path. 

Had this been my only drive in Sourh Luangwa I would have been worried that there weren't many animals... Fortunately it's not my only one! Also, for any drive to be low-key, it was great to be the one that I wasn't feeling top notch for. 

We came back and have had lunch. I tried to have a brief nap but our rooms are so warm, all you do is sweat and thrash about. So I'm down by the river, typing this and trying to relax in prep for our evening drive!

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Evening report:

Pious out-did himself with scenery tonight. He was making a point of showing us views he likes. at one point it looked like tv images of the Serengeti! We drove for at least an hour and half toward the mountains to get to the Chichele Hills for amazing views of te park. It's so hard to describe. Suffice to say I had a few special moments trying to take it all in. 

It was pretty quite for animals, but we did see another herd of buffalo, 3 lion cubs hiding in a bush waiting for their parents to bring home dinner, innumerable antelope, and then right at the end, some hyena and then a leopard hunting Puku. We thought we may see a kill, but I think out presence actually got in the way of it. Hope the Puku are happy lol!!

Tomorrow is our last day of game drives. Pious has taken us new places every day, so I'm curious what will happen!! 

I'm quite sad my vacation is almost over, it had been truly phenomenal. 

Luangwa Day 4

It will be strange when I can eventually upload these blogs, as whoever is reading them will get my final week as one big story, but for me they are lovely long days. Anyway.

Morning report:

Usual early wake up. New couple on our truck, more Germans. The lodge has become very multicultural lately, with a large Muslim family, a large Indian family, a hoard of Germans, a girl from England and us Canadians. People seem to generally keep to themselves which is actually good due to the long days and heat. Anyway.

The morning drive was lovely. I love the park in the soft mornin light, very peaceful. We came across a large family of elephants who had just made the river crossing after terrorizing the villagers crops. The little baby was so all it was clear he'd been submerged as he crossed! Cute! We watched them have dust baths.

Went to visit te leopard from yesterday am, and he was still there and had moved his Impala up the tree a bit due to 3 hyenas hanging out at the base of the tree: brown spotted ones, first I've ever seen. Not as ugly as I expected, but these ones seem well fed!

We drove all over te park today, seeing many impala, Puku, water buck, ellies, giraffe, zebra and so on. I'm lucky that in still getting excited whenever I see anything. Managed to get some good shots of warthogs too, so Dad is happy.

The big event of the morning was spying a leopard with a baboon kill, carefully munching but keeping aware, and good thing too as hyenas were on the chase. There was a brief chase and the leopard went up a tree and the hyenas lost out. The biggest noise of it was from the tree of baboons who had lost one of their own. We did hear some hyena yipping, so I'm glad I've heard it.

Now for some R&R before te game drive tonight. I'm getting into quite the routine here!!

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Mid day report: two elephants decided to cross the river and pay a visit. I was seriously impressed by their climbing skills, up a 15 ft river bank with ease.  They wandered around the grounds and nibbled on seed pods until they each got spooked by movement. We were all instructed to stay still and seek shelter. Interesting experience.

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Night report:

Tonight's drive seemed to focus on things we haven't seen in days: water buck were everywhere! We also came across a huge herd of buffalo which was amazing to see- they were very suspicious of us.

We had a magical moment where a large herd of elephants climbed down a slope to have a dust bath, very sweet.  And further down that same road we had a 'discovery channel' moment where a pair of lions decided to make babies in front of us, twice. The first time was not more than 3 meters away... Talk about educational! Apparently females are in-charge of those proceedings, and when in heat, the pair mates 4x per hour. 

We saw quite a few more birds today: lilac spotted roller being the most colourful. 

Pious took us to the mid-point boundary between the accessible areas of the park, it was a serious drive to get there and back. On the return journey we saw a large spotted Jennet, and African Cibet, and last of all, a porcupine!!

All in all, a great evening!! 

Luangwa Day 3

Day 2 Night Drive:

Entered the park and went a different way than normal. Very different terrain again than other areas of the park. We lucked out early and came across a beautiful family of elephants, including a baby who was less than a year old. So sweet, he was learning how to pull and eat grass. 

Later we had another leopard sighting, this one was relaxing on a tree branch the same way that house cats sit on sofa arms, sprawled in each side! 

There was a beautiful water hole full of lilypads, and had many different bird species mulling about. Our drive took us all over, it was very peaceful (well, as peaceful as it can be riding in a Landrover).

Tumours of lions started to filter through the guides, so we had our sunset juice and watched te cars. Later when it was full-dark (so 15 minutes later) we found a road to watch the 'herd' of Landrovers from- when they started loving we gunned it, and got to the sweet spot first!!

Lions! An entire pride leaving their den and on the move, looking for dinner. We followed them for a ways, and then Pious predicted where they were headed and we pulled ahead to get a good spot. Using red spotlights we were able to watch the pride arrive, separate (one female left behind to watch the cubs, who were intently learning how to hunt by watching). The spotlights were then turned off and silence reigned. Randomly someone turned on their spot and we saw Puku antelope and lions running in every direction. It was remarkably silent for the chaos... Then we heard a shriek, then growls, and then suddenly all the trucks turned on, full lights, and we raced to the kill sight. I was amazed how this actually didn't affect me: I suspect had I seen the kill happen I'd have felt differently, but this was very clinical and clean. We spent the next 20 minutes 5 meters max away from 18 feasting lions. One even came within 2 meters of me to chew a portion shed broken off. I never thought Id turn my back on a pride of feasting lions, but I did to face the clients one... What an experience!!!!!! I did try take some video, so will have to see how that worked out. Wow.

Aug 24th, Day 3

Up again at 5am for another day in Africa. Ill admit to being rather tired and wanted to stay in bed, partially at least due to hyena calls keeping me awake at night. What a strange life I'm living right now!

Our drive today was less active than the past couple, but I suspect more normal... I mean, we've had a spectacular first few days, and every day can't be like that, right!?

Highlights of the morning include seeing a leopard up a tree with his lunch, an impala, hanging in the tree... Leopards can carry twice their own body weight with their jaws, so they sneakily bring their meals up high to avoid sharing.  Pious studied tracks and could tell hyena had been around, so probably a good move.

Came across some older buffalo grazing, such strange looking creatures. They actually sound quite terrifying, how they are very intelligent and difficult to kill- if you wound him he won't run, he'll start hunting you!!

Saw quite a few more giraffes, including babies, as well as our elephants. Many different birds too, including an African eagle hawk (?! To be confirmed)

Our final challenge was finding the lion pride again, as rumours were once again flyin that they were around. After an hour of searching we did. They were under a tree on a riverbank not too far from last nights kill. They were all happily dozing, and I was less than 2m away from the closest. Never in my life did I expect to be so close to a pride!!  

On our route back we went past the killing sight and I was amazed at how little was left- essentially zero evidence of it, and what little was left was being worked on n vultures. Africa is deadly, efficient, and doesn't waste anything.

We are now resting up for the next night drive tonight. I suspect we will take tomorrow as a rest day, as 9 hours a day in a bumpy 4x4 with early starts and late evenings tends to be a little wearying. That will still allow 2 full days of drives before I have my 48 hour return journey.

So, book, water, river....

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Night drive report:

Scratch that last comment, we are goin tomorrow for sure! Night drive was lovely,   We are still managing to see lots that peaks our interest. Old lady giraffes, itsy bitsy baby baboons, plump hippos with lts of fighting scars. We saw 2 leopards, one in tall grass debating game, and the other way across a dried watering hole- which we peomptly drove across to get closer, much to the leopards disgust.

We also drove into some more remote areas of the park for our sundown. Pious really goes out of his way to get away from the other trucks and gives us a more solitary experience, which is lovely.

The focus of the evening was the lions. We went back to find them and they'd moved a little, but not far enough to elude Pious. They were all fast asleep and we were right among them. I was 5ft away from one and she was lookin directly into my eyes, assessing me. Hindsight makes it a bit frightening, but at the time I was just thinking how cool it was! We also got pretty close to the big daddy, which was awesome.  Later in the evening we tracked them down again, this time in multiple groups, some rescuing a tiny cub, the others looking for dinner. We couldn't stay to watch due to the parks closing time.

One set of lucky tourists might though, due to having a driver who ambitiously drove into the riverbank and promptly got stuck, about 50 meters from the pride. It was quite hilarious at first, then the pride took notice... And, strangely, our guide didn't care at all and drove off! Guess there's no 'rescuing' in that situation?

Anyway, must sleep, up early again tomorrow!!!

Luangwa Day 2

So it appears that I have lost any data connection. I'm still going to type these up and will post them in order whenever I get data back: worst case I publish at home. 

Was up at 5 am again, which will be the norm for the rest of the trip. We were met by out walking guide James, and our protection scout Thomas. Both were very  friendly, and Thomas had a really good sense of humor, especially in light of our socially inept walking companion Frank ze German arachnid lover (who, I think, had a personal mission to step on every twig or crunchy leaf in Africa).

We drove into the park and found a shady tree from which to begin our adventure. Then we started walking. James made sure to point out all sorts of bird calls, animal tracks, termite mounds, special types of droppings, marks on trees, birds in the area, I was all really interesting. He gave us so much information, it was incredibly impressive. Turnsout that the guides in Luangwa have to go to university and get multi year degrees before they can guide here. Once they have achieved the certification they can guide all over Zambia. It's quite the accomplishment. Even the park guards/spotters go to uni for specialized training. They take their natural resources extremely seriously and it is both evident and impressive.

As for large animals, we did come fairly close to 4 elephants, who didn't see is, but took off quickly when they smelled us. Later we came across a tower of giraffe who weren't too concerned about us so we got quite a few photos, until an Impala called out a warning and they took off. We also were decently close to a dazzle of Zebra.

All in all, it was a lovely morning. I'm glad I had my Moroccan and Egyptian closing with me both for sun and bush protection. The bush is lovely... So crunchy and dry. I can star go understand more of my Dads stories after experiencing this walk!

Now to try keep cool durin the heat of the day. We plan to do another night drive tonight. 

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Dah!!! I had typed up the whole drive and lost it! And now I must sleep. Update tomorrow.

Luangwa Day 1

We were woken at 5am, but I was already awake, as hippos were chatting with each other. We had a light breakfast of cereal and toast and met up with our guide Pious. We were on the road by 6am, passing the official gate a couple minutes after.

Our game drive lasted 4.5 hours, and WOW!!!! Just amazing. The terrain is quite varied in the park, depending on how close the water is. Some areas were dense with grass and trees, others very dry and barren. With such a long drive we had lots of time to stop and observe, and to be instructed by our guide about the animals and their habits. I have been taking lots of notes!!

The South Luangwa is famous for its hippos. The park is 9500km^2 and has the 1000km Luangwa river flowing through. They have 60 to 80 hippos every kilometre, so approx 70,000 hippos here!! No wonder we have such a large pod in the river at the lodge! 

Entering the park you cross the river, so we stopped and watched sunrise and examined many hippo specimens. This continued for quite a while as we entered the park. Over time we added in various antelope, such as Kudu, Puku and Impala. The Impala have an M with their rear-end striping, the joke being they are the original McDonalds 'fast food' as all predators are fond if Impala.  

Then we came across some Zebra, hiding behind some trees. Apparently one of the reasons for the black and while is that Zebras don't swear or pant, so the two tones assist with their heat reflection or absorption as needed. Also, when threatened, Zebra will clump together and lions etc won't be able to see to single one out. Smart!

Then we were by a section of the river and saw pelicans and two kinds of storks, the black an the marub. Seriously large birds! Would not want one of those coming near me!

Saw some water buck and more impala, warthogs in the distance, and then came across a herd of Ellie's! 2 fun facts: baby elephants can walk 15 minutes after birth. And, Ellie's have 6 sets of molars, each set lasts around 10 years. After the molars are used up, they can only eat really soft foods, and generally live till around 70. Males live with the female herd until they are 10, and are then solo till 17, when the join a make herd. They are mature enough to mate at 34! 

So we watched the herd bumble around, and then started hearing some elephant trumpeting sounds. Drove a bit, and saw vultures circling. Didn't see any caracas, but determined later that a leopard had taken something down. However, by waiting and listening, we discovered the real treat of the day:

LIONS!!! We drove our vehicle right up to them. I was, quite literally, 20 feet away from 20 lions. 10 were cubs, about the size of a very large house car. 8 females were ruling the roost, and 2 males eventually showed up, one old, one young. The young one had some facial scars... Couldn't help but think of the Lion King! We stayed and watched for between 5 and 10 minutes, it was amazing. The mums were so tender with the cubs, giving then baths and chiding when needed. The cubs were very mischievous, and one was quite bold, coming out from their shady thicket to investigate. The dads were lazy, but the cubs were still playful with them too!  I know how lucky I am, this was a very rare and special experience. Fingers crossed my photos and video turn out!!

After we left the lions behind we stopped near a huge baobab tree and had a little leg stretch, and I got to meet a few hornbills (Zazu from Lion King). 

The majority of the rest of the drive was spent near a river gully, as a Leopard had been spotted. We watched him wandering through the gully and were amazed when a whole herd of impala walked past with little concern. We drove to a number of vantage points and ended up seeing 2 different Leopards, both relaxing in the shade, breathing heavily. 

So I've seen 4 of the Big 5 this trip (Ellie's, Buffalo, Lions, Leopard and Rhino). Not sure if we will see any Rhino this trip, but I did see when I was 14, so technically I've seen them all now!

When it was time to head back we got our last spoiling of the morning: a tower of giraffes! Looked like there was a mum and dad, maybe a few siblings, and then a bunch of babies. Oh wow baby giraffes are cute!!!!! 

So, that was my first game drive in south Luangwa. This evening we meet at 330 for an evening drive, part of which will e in the dark with a spotlight. 

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Evening Drive report:

Our guide Pious was joined by a spotter named Iza. We left at 330 and immediately spotted Ellie's in the lagoon near our lodge. Good start!

The evening drive in general was much less 'active' than the morning one, which is apparently quite strange. Certainly there were large chunks of time where we don't see any animals a all. But it was still lovely driving around the bush, looking at the lovely trees in the light.

We did see water buck and warthogs, and went back to the lions den from this morning in the off chance they were still there- nope.  We did get to see a Zebra who had had some level of run- in with a predator, based on the serious scars on his rump.

The real highlight of the evening involved a very amenable Leopard who decided that he would tease us by stalking through grass, but rewarded our patience by finding a beautiful river bank to lay on while considering his dinner menu choices. We had about 10-15 minutes just watching him hang out, cool as a cucumber with all these pesky humans in their big trucks took photos. Quite the draw!! 

After this highlight we had a break further down the riverbank to watch the red sunset. So lovely, especially when a line if hippos, including babies, walked through the light bean on the water.

When the sun sets here, within 15 minutes it is full dark. Our spotter Iza was put to work shining his spotlight around, hunting for predators. We didn't see many, but did manage to add mongoose, small spotted jenet (little fox like critter) a scrub hate, a scrub hair and an elephant shrew to my list. A late drive highlight was seeing a baby hippo with his mommy- so cute!

Oh, and there are SO many more stars here, looks like a big smudgy thumb print in the sky (is actually the Milky Way). Very cool!

We got back ready to hit the hay, but first it was dinner served around the campfire! We had some traditional foods such as ntshima, rape salad (very strange name for a spinach like green) and boerevors which we eat at home lots.

Now, it's bed, as we are up at 5 again tomorrow, this time for a walking safari!!!

Journey to South East Zambia

What a day! 

First, the lodge we are now at, for the next week, does not have wifi or Internet, so I will not be posting any photos until home. I will upload the journal as its a very small use of my extremely small allowance of data roaming. 

We all had a poor sleep overnight due to animal activity: hippos were chatting to each other and later elephants decided that our lodge was a buffet. When we woke up a number of trees had been knocked down, including one across the road! Oops!

We were up early to get our shuttle to the airport. Being responsible travellers we were there 2 hours before our flight, only to find that check in opens 40 min before! Doh! The whole process was a riot- suitcase scan while someone walks of with your passport and another is weighing your hand luggage... Welcome to Africa!  Oh, and also, that metal detector, we save on electricity by not plugging it in. You still have to walk through them, of course... Must keep up appearances. Oh, and don't mind the departure gate being a veranda next to a construction yard, and no we will not communicate with you anymore... Who needs to make departure times?! 

But I digress.  Despite a continuing lesson in African urgency, we eventually made it to Lusaka, and then into Mfuwe. We were met by a very jovial shuttle/guide who drove us in our safari tourin vehicle (aka Landrover with 4 rows of high seats attached at the back) and we traveled around 45 minutes through what I can best describe as 'real' Africa. It was amazing. A tarred road with people living along it, either in concrete/brick homes, some brightly painted, and other homes being traditional mud and straw roofed creations, all surrounding the village well. I saw women with packages on their heads, or with babies wrapped on their back while sifting some kind of grain, and both kids and men riding bicycles, often with a passenger clinging precariously. On the back. It was quite something to see. The scenery too, is beautiful. This area isn't as dry as Livingstone was, so there are more large trees and greenery. Saw a lot of mango trees!

We got to the Marula Lodge and were immediately greeted by the managers who took us on a tour, which included a stop by the Luangwa river, one of the boarders. Again we are staying in a national park, and as such we share the land with the original inhabitants. This time here is a fairly large pod of hippos just in the river, I can hear them groaning as I type. And within 30 minutes of being here a herd of about 7 elephants wandered through the lodge, eating from the tree right next to our little house (we are in a 2 room concrete building)! I sat and watched and one large Ellie walked, not exaggeration, 10 feet from me. That was something else!!

We got settled and went for a lovely dip in the riverside pool... This is THE life!! Then we went and sat in some chairs and watched all the river activity as the sunset behind some trees. The hippos started singing! Well, maybe now quite singing, but they were seriously vocal after the sun set.

Our lodge has meals included, so we had a lovely 3 corse meal and since then have been prepping for a 5am wake up for our first game drive! Ill be tired I'm sure, but how cool is it to be staying at a national park with Ellie's as lodge mates and going on game drives, but also relaxin poolside! Trip of a lifetime!