It was cold in the night tho we still didn't need the hot water bottle - but nice touch. The pink sunrise brought with it our morning exercise down the wooden path - we are allowed out by ourselves during the day but at night must be escorted (we never saw anything really fearsome except a cow with the most magnificent horns) but you could hear hippos in the distance talking to their mates and see lots of evidence of night time visitors. Our boat ride took us past a baby python curled round a papyrus stalk, a baby crocodile sunning itself, a family of hippos and some elephants and of course lots of birds which our zookeepers could name but the novices still asked "what is that?", forgot the name almost immediately and so reverted to black, white, or colourful bird.
The boat went through narrow water ways lined by papyrus plants to a little island. These islands are created by generations of termites. Fascinating little creatures and essential for the Delta ecosystem. They start to build under ground and then as the little island gets bigger trees establish themselves - apparently the ground is highly nutritious. The islands are throughout the delta and the locals use the soil to build their houses. Termite saliva acts like a cement. Off the boat we got and walked past sausage trees, skeletons, and lots of vicious thorny bushes back to the boat.
On the way back we saw the water lilies. More spectacular on the next day but special as there weren't so many here.
On the way back to our digs for lunch we rode past water buffalo, elephants, hippos and cattle. I was busting to go to the loo - so much it was painful. I am sure you have all been there at times. I was at the back of the boat so dropped trou and sat on the side. Kenny our driver didn't flinch and continued to direct the others to search for crocodiles amongst the reeds. Given my vulnerable state I am glad we didn't spot any!!
After lunch and with our overnight bags we floated back out on the delta. Through lagoons and the home of the hippo. At one point we were sitting watching a family at a distance and we slowly reversed. Suddenly a hippo rose from the water only a few meters away. KK our driver had seen the bubbles and laughed when we were surprised with the wonderful beast suddenly appearing. Miraculously Mr Hippo disappeared as quickly as he arrived. Onwards we went to KKs village where were serenaded by the villagers, hugged little children and bought some crafts.
And then we arrived at our campsite. This wasn't going to be glamping but was certainly better than some camping trips. Dinner cooked on an open fire, a toilet dug for us, hot water bought to us in the morning for washing. I had a bit of trouble sleeping and lay awake looking at the night sky and listening to the noises of the African wilderness. One of the few times I haven't minded having insomnia.
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