On our way to Okavanga Delta

I am playing catch up blogging.  Thankfully we took some notes of our four wifi-less days (that's a new word for oxford to include in their dictionary). I am now sitting at the hotel in Maun. Some of the tour have gone into town shopping, Harry went for a flight over the Delta. I decided to sit in the shade, have numerous cups of tea and a sandwich. I caught up on the news from home and abroad, lots of messages from family and friends and now have enough caffeine in me to start writing.

Kasane airport - new. Built for the future. Three check in desks for a few charter flights and one international flight arrival and departure per day. Boarding passes are hand written so we all mooched around while Wes our tour guide organized the 12 of us. 

And then we  were off in a little 10  seater which didn't have much room to squeeze to the front where Harry wanted to sit. Really!! Great view of the Kalahari desert. The Okavanga Delta came into sight. A maze of waterways indicating that the next few days just might be an adventure. The airport at Mopiri had one terminal - but the sign gave the impression there could be room for more. The security fence wouldn't keep anyone out - the goats, donkeys and cattle proved that point. Stood in the sun for a bit and then the shade, waved goodbye to the pilot as he headed off for another charter and were finally directed (juice in hand) to our waiting barge. 

 We have arrived. And if this is glamping we are headed for more. 650 steps (according to my unreliable pedometer on my phone) along a raised walk way and past a lot of elephant poo and we were at cabin 6.  More mosquito nets (great to stop the bugs but really difficult to navigate myself out of in middle of the night), loo with a view, subtle solar powered lighting,  huge bigger than king side bed and a wake up to the sunrise across the delta. 

And then off on our first sunset cruise. Jigsaw picture refections of papyrus flowers, toi toi type bushes and lots of trees. Heaps of birds and a swarm of mossies frustrated by the insect repellent (boy do I hate auto correct - it just replaced mossies with missiles three times). We are on tour with two zookeepers from New York. They are very knowledgeable about birds and their enthusiasm is beginning to rub off as the swallows circled the boat and the Fisher Eagle watched from on high.

The sun set on the Delta and the tired guests returned to base for the first of many great meals created by an exceptional staff.