botswana day 3

ireally it is day 4

we havw have left Tau.   which ,mean s lion

flew to xugana island

no internet but an ability to email.   R did this afternoon during siesta time.  

Early this morning we went in the boat for 30 Minutes and then walked for 4 hours.  returning in time for brunch 

We walked on Palm Island. separated by water i to a small island, hoping for elephants.  but we saw interesting plants imcluding something called the poison apple which the bushmen. use on their arrows and darts.

We saw termites working hard to make  underground tunnels and some interesting birds Rosemary has almost become a Twitcher she kept us waiting for several long minutes whilst she took the perfect photo of the honey bee bird.

We also saw  in the far distance deer of various description.

the Joy of the walk is the idea that this vast area is unpopulated by man...(although one back up guide named Robert told us that the foot print which looked like a human ,, was a bushman..and for a few mi utes he Had Us!!!!))

the foot print was that of a Baboon,

In Botswana they shoot without asking.   Any Poacher!   to protect the  Rhino.  they do something which is perilous to the Doers,,,,they dart the rhino from a helicopter then on the ground they follow the Rhino ....no matter where he collapses...then they have about 20 minutes to drill an opening into the horn,  place a transmitter in to the space, cover it with a cement like material.  then run/drive a s quickly as possible away. When fhe rhino revives he is in a bad temper and is very dangerous.    According to one of the men who is involved it is hot dangerous work.

This afternoon we went for an hours boat ride to a huge hippo area.   Our driver was very alert to the possibility of Hippos coming under our boat.  We eventually drove close to the shore and R who was wanting to be closer was able to take some good photo s.

we then had another hour drive home but we pulled into a large clear area to watch the sun set and to have a glass of wine. and olives and funny tastingsausage ,,,,,,,our guide liked them.

 

dinner table beautifully laid

our sun xdowner drinks

the elisive honey bird

in the mokoro ,,,dug out canoe like thing