Off to Maun

This morning we packed our bags in no time. I will recommend Kathmandu packing sacks to everyone. It makes packing so easy.  But before we leave the Delta there are a few things I have forgotten to mention.

The locals clean their teeth with a small branch from a tree. They chew it until it becomes like a brush. Their tongue is bright orange but it is obviously effective - most locals appear to gave good teeth although quite orangey looking. 

The little village we went to has a new school. They are waiting for the teachers to arrive. It means the children do not have to board at the neighboring school which must be a good thing. 

One more bird - a skimmer. Its lower beak is longer than its upper as it skims along the water looking for food. Our zookeeper friends had huge smiles as they sighted these for the first time.

And that was the delta. We recommend it. 

The ride to Maun was long. The first hour we slipped from side to side as the land rover negotiated very sandy conditions. And then the road turned to tarmac, with huge pot holes and rugged edges. Goats, donkeys and cows owned the road.

Maun is one if those towns which had grown to serve the local communities. Besides road side stalls and a few other shops there isn't a lot there for the tourist. We drove through the town of about 60,000 people to the new hotel on the other side. Perfectly adequate accommodation. It's new about a year old, but gives the impression it won't age well. Plaster is cracking, paint is peeling and grout is discoloring. Water is intermittent and the bore water is too salty to drink. The dilemma of owning a hotel on the road edge of a desert.  Harry went for his flight and I relaxed.

In the evening our last dinner together was at a place set up to help teenagers with little employment opportunities.  Bootey who ran the show was a great story teller and  as we sat on chairs made from old tyres she told of her vision of the place and gave us some insights into the Botswana culture.

We had a traditional cooked meal before returning for our last sleep in Botswana.