Holiday with the Smiths...continued

So we are all finally on Matota Island lodge, we start the new day with setting up children's entertainment, between the 4 couples we have on 10 year old, two 4 year olds a 17 month old and a 4 month old, this is logistically quite a challenge, we know from previous experience that it can get into the 40 degrees at the lodge so first up is the swimming pool, we set it up under the gazebo on the deck...absolute bliss...

We then need to get some more supplies from the closest shop, about 70km so myself and a girlfriend set off on the journey to get supplies, I reckon it will take about 2 hours there and back but a friend of mine reminds me we are in "Caprivi Time" now, she reckons it will take around 4 hours.... well 5 hours later we're back on the boat and on our way with the supplies, we're again using the small channel however the rain has washed alot of grass and roots into the channel so it gets stuck around the propeller, whilst helping Felix our guide and skipper to clear the propeller we hear a hippo grunt.......we give each other one look, he must be close and get the boat started, once we get going again it's smooth gliding across the channel and a feeling of absolute awe....untouched Africa...okay fair enough besides the channel but hey the hippo's has responsibility for this channel as well...

We get back to the lodge and decide to all go for a sun-downer on the Kwando river, cool-box packed and we cruise down the channel, numerous open billed stork sightings, some kingfisher and there it is again...that cry of the Fish Eagle, the sense of being home returns, we see quite a few hippo waiting for the sun to set but we don't seem to be much of a bother to them this afternoon, it starts dripping, we return home. We all debate if we should braai (BBQ) around the open campfire or rather get the gas cooker out and then the heavens open and it's pouring with rain, we run for cover and feel thankful for the rain our country so desperately needs...