Day 10 Safari Adventure
This morning we were treated to a lie in!!! Breakfast at 7.30, toast scrambled eggs and bacon!! At 8.30 we were taken by a local man to the village for a tour of Gweta, he told us how it had changed and showed us the library that was build for the locals by a donor from Germany in 2014. The librarian told us a little about the children's section and the activities they do for the children. It saddened us that the shelves lacked books, so I asked her for email and address so we could help in some way when we get back to England to send over children's books. We then moved onto the primary school, our guide tried to teach us greetings when we were introduced to the deputy head but when confronted with the task we failed drastically and got the words muddled... We blamed our teacher !!! We were then taken to visit the reception class, before we entered Sarah let slip I was a teacher and our guide said I could do something with the children!!! But they are too young I said... Maybe something would come to me when in there but really I just wanted to observe!!! The children were all 5 years old and were in a reception class that was designed to introduce them to English and bring together 4 local tribal dialogues to one common country dialogue ... All very confusing!!! The children were learning their numbers up to 14 (why 14???) and their A, B, C. After two children showed us their skills in these they sang us a song .... All very cute!!! The teacher then said they had been learning the body parts and proceeded to mine and chant them in unison... In my mind came head, shoulders, knees and toes song!!! As I turned to Sarah she mimed the same thing!!!! When I was invited to 'do something' with the children Sarah happily stepped into the middle of the circle and led that famous song... Head, shoulder, knees and toes!!!! Now it is famous in Botswana!!! Sarah is a natural!!!
From there we were taken to a bush doctor or 'diviner'; who was actually featured in The number one detective agency that was filmed by BBC 1 in Botswana, we were told for 50 Pula he would answer any question we have!!!! None of us really wanted to know about our health or future and were reluctant but our guide said he was expecting us!!! So we decided to ask if we would see a Leopard!! So far it has been illusive!!! We were introduced to the 'diviner!' Man and were invited to sit, one of us had to shake and drop the sticks he used to read the answer to our question... Us girls volunteered Adolfo and he knelt in front of 'the man' ( I wish I could remember his name!!!) the sticks landed on the prepared damp sand and then he was told to do it again!!! Sarah said, 'best of 3 then!!!' Classic.... After a few more shakes he spoke in his native language that we would see a male first then the female with cubs on the right whilst flying over the delta!!! The fact we had told our guide we were doing a flight later didn't give us any hope that we would not only see one leopard but the whole family and from height!!! Anyway off we went to see a local lady who weaves baskets where there was the cutest puppy... Whilst Sophia chose a basket Sarah and I entertained the puppy.
Back at the lodge we packed up, payed our bar bill and left for our 4 hour drive to Maun and a lunch stop before our small plane ride over the Okavango Delta. On arrival to the International airport we entered a small building to get our passports checked and pay the fee for our flight. Apprehensive we were escorted to the terminal and was told to wait until we were called. It was only 3.15 and our flight wasn't until 4!!! Now this lounge area wasn't exactly Heathrow or even Luton!!! So we only had the muted tv on a news channel to stare at! 4pm came and went.... African time!!!! Then at 4.10 we were taken in a shuttle car to the plane. This plane was only big enough for 6 including the pilot... With no leg room!!! The pilot was young to say the least!!! His name was Keith and asked for one person to sit next to him at the front... I was the least apprehensive, actually I was excited!!! So I was volunteered. Then Adolfo and Sofia sat behind with Sarah on the back seat. We took off and had to cross the buffalo fence before we were able to look for the wild animals in the delta. The views were amazing and the plane very loud, it was a smooth flight so far.... Then after the buffalo fence was crossed Keith swerved right then left... The best way to explain it is like a rollercoster, making your stomach flip!!! The delta was really vast and the views amazing, we saw many animals but no leopards!!! (Shock!!!) after 45 minutes we returned to the airport and landed, safely back on the ground. We then went to find Sidney and were driven the other side of town to our next lodge, Delta Rain. After a refresh, dinner and a few drinks we retired to our chalet, when I opened the door I told Sarah not to look and obviously she did look and there was a big spider on her mosquito net... After being told to get it, I gritted my teeth, grabbed a tissue and a bottle; my plan was to stun or kill with bottle and grab in tissue and throw away because I don't like spiders either!!! Whilst I dealt with that Sarah spotted a little cricket type thing and trod on it whilst it was on the bed !!! Sarah got all tucked in under her mosquito need whilst I finished my drink.... I needed it!!! I was casually looking around and saw a small scorpion, yes scorpion on the wall above Sarah's bed, I continued with the casualness and grabbed a shoe and tissue and proceeded to attack!!! Sarah shrieked, the scorpion dropped to the floor, Sarah saw what it was and shrieked some more, I killed it with the shoe, put into tissue and threw it away. A little freaked I quickly got ready for bed and sealed myself into my bed and nodded off!!!