Some more animal photos, a few taken from this lovely location above a waterhole near Etosha…..
African Wildlife, Part IV
Namibia, Part III
(For those of you receiving email notifications of the post, please don’t forget to click on the blog title to take you to the on-line version so you can see the video clips…..)
On a road trip in northwest Namibia, one encounters people from several local ethnic groups….. the most prevalent of which are the Himba and Herero people.
The Himba are semi-nomadic livestock farmers in rural areas, usually living in small extended-family communities in tiny huts with mud and dung walls….
The most striking thing about the Himba is the traditional dress and style of the women….. it is hard to mistake them for any other ethnic group.
Adult women use a butterfat and ochre concoction to dress their hair in elaborate coiffures and to beautify and protect their skin, giving it a striking reddish hue. The regimen can take an hour or two a day.
The women are the most active in commerce, selling beaded jewelry and trinkets, while young children tend the goats and cattle.
Little girls also have a distinctive hairstyle….
The men….. well, they don’t seem to be terribly busy or festively attired – but we did encounter this gentleman who had sculpted some wooden figures that he had casually put up for sale at the side of the road.
I love this oryx piece…… for its simple but expressive shape. The markings are not paint, but burned onto the surface of the wood. Brilliantly engineered, its horns are removable so they don’t get broken when packed for travel.
The Herero people share a distant past with the Himba; however, they are more settled pastoralists, keeping livestock and growing maize (corn). The women are also gorgeously attired, but in a very different fashion.
The long skirts and covered tops were borrowed from the German missionaries who settled in this area in the late 19th/early 20th century. The Herero have made the style truly their own by sporting this otherwise dreary attire in vivid colors.
The headdress mimics the horns of the cattle that are the fundamental unit of the Herero economy.
Herero men seem to mostly sit under shade trees and smoke, women and children being the most active workers in the community. Even in death, a woman’s memory is treasured for her milking prowess.
The sad reality here – as in several other African nations – is the pervasive poverty. Numerous children, lack of clean water, limited food supplies and distant healthcare… all these conditions of scarcity mean that people from ethnic groups (whose culture might otherwise dictate a remote existence) often resort to insistent begging from strangers. A short stop by the side of the road can bring folks running to ask for food, money and sometimes medicine.
One camping spot was close to a Herero village.
Tertius deferred the rush of interest in our presence by promising to take care of the locals the next morning; by sunrise 20 children between the ages of about 6 to 14 descended upon our campsite. They were curious about us and very cute, but also cold and underfed.
One boy had an infected dog bite….. Henry and Ty cleaned and treated the wound, and we provided his mother with clean dressings and a series of antibiotic pills.
We also packed up some groceries for them to take back to the village.
While walking across a parking lot during a refueling stop in a small town, I was pursued by more than 30 people asking for money and food. When I indicated that I had no money, one woman even insisted that I could get some from the nearby ATM. The only thought I had was that there was no way to do enough for these folks. Handing out some granola bars or some cash would only bring more and more people asking for more and more. The feeling of futility and uselessness was overwhelming.
In the short term, Henry has the best policy – from those who have shown the initiative to make and sell something, buy a piece from everybody and pay the price they ask. These ladies sold him a lot of bracelets, and were very happy to have met him…..
The other approach – which we hope and have faith will help in the long term – is for us to visit these countries and spend our dollars…. and to invest in charities that are dedicated to women’s health and economic opportunity, and also those that cultivate the natural assets these countries have and encourage local communities to be good stewards over and beneficiaries of those assets. It may only amount to a drop in the ocean, but we have to do something…..
Other uplifting images… some thanks to Tertius, who captured a few of the striking photos above as well…….
One Sunday morning, we came upon a happy group giving vocal praise…. especially enjoyed the young one in yellow who apparently had had enough….
And finally, it’s always nice to meet a like-minded fellow traveler. We met Reiner in the parking lot of the hotel in Swakopmund early on our roadtrip….. and kept bumping into him periodically over the next few weeks, including at the side of the road where we stopped to watch some cows drinking at a borehole…..
Reiner is Swiss…. traveling in a rig similar to our own on a very similar route. We would enjoy meeting him again.
Sorry for the long break between blog posts….. will hope to catch up a bit in the next week or two. Hope you are all well and happy.
African Wildlife, Part V
More wildlife photos…. some of which were taken near this lodge in Kafue National Park in Zambia:
(A couple of these fine photos are courtesy of Tertius…)
Botswana
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is magnificent…. the landscape, with wildlife tracks through the watery plains, illustrates.
The main reason for the helicopter expedition was actually to view the extent of one of the wildfires that was burning in the region….
Unlike the wildfires sweeping through some drought-ridden areas of the US, these are not a cause for alarm – just a natural phenomenon that helps keep the natural environment tidy.
Particularly fascinating is the role termites play in the maintenance and very existence of the Delta – each of the small islands in the photo above is or was a termite mound, many of them extending far below the level of the water. They are hubs of life, retaining the fresh water that inundates the Delta during the rainy season each year, and providing other nutrients that give rise to plants and therefore the abundant wildlife for which the area is known. (This is a very simplistic explanation of a complex environmental relationship – the point being that without the termite, the Okavango Delta would simply be another barren salt pan and not the amazing place that it is.)
Almost everywhere you go in Africa, there are local beers….. and gin!
It’s not really a safari if you don’t stop for sundowners with a cold gin and tonic!
As usual, we like to support the local artisans by purchasing some of their crafts…
Lesser-known parts of Botswana include the Linyanti concession to the east, which boasts flood plains and meandering waterways, an important migration point for elephant…. the video shows a breeding herd of about 14 elephants making their way across the river..
Tiger-fishing is very popular….. these guys are fighters, with some very sharp and prominent teeth. Not good to eat – you catch them for the fun of it, then release. Henry hooked a little one….
Southern Botswana boasts the Makgadikgadi Pans, a much drier place but also full of interesting wildlife and landscapes. Here we are along the Boteti River during the zebra migration…
The tent had a great view of the animal crossing….
The camps, while beautifully situated, are extremely cold at night (we are here during winter in the Southern Hemisphere)…. no heat source of any kind in the tent…. and the only fire pit is at the lodge, which you cannot access without an escort. One must sleep in one’s clothes while clutching a hot water bottle…
The pans are ancient ocean beds, now huge expanses of salt. In the rainy season, they might retain some moisture, but dry up very quickly….. providing a stunning backdrop.
Wildlife is relatively sparse, but may include some friendly meerkats…..
From Botswana, we move on to Zambia…. with a little reminder at the public airport that the coronavirus is still among us…..
African Wildlife Part VI
A last compendium of wildlife photos from this trip – although we certainly have many, many more if you are interested….
Only rarely do you get to spot interesting animals when on a walking safari, as we have here with new acquaintances Inge and Fritz from Lusaka (Zambia), along with our guide Godfrey and the armed guard who insured our safety on foot in the Lower Zambezi park.
Truth be told, the animals in the images to follow were actually spotted from a safari vehicle or boat.
The series of photos above attempts to capture how exciting it is to watch the Red Lechwe antelopes leaping through the wetlands…..
Finally, perhaps our most thrilling animal encounter was with this bull elephant, who was just emerging from the elephant equivalent of rut…… a compelling need to mate that robs the male of his good sense and can make him quite grumpy. He held us up for a while….. and really didn’t want to see us go!
May he find peace!
Walking with Africans
The San People
The San are the original inhabitants of southern Africa; their culture is thought to be one of the oldest on earth, going back at least 20,000 years. Also known as Bushmen, they are traditionally hunter-gatherers and possess many skills that allow them to live simply but comfortably in the semi-arid deserts of the Kalahari and Namib.
A walk through the bush with San people provides insight into some of these skills, including identification of plants for natural medicine, fire-making, spinning twine and rope from native plant fiber and finding water sources.
An enlightening discussion of the use of animal dung….. including an easy way to transport it…..
These ladies were kind enough to dig a thorn out of my hand using a needle plucked from a tree..
The Bushmen demonstrated a popular pastime…… a game that seems to be a more sophisticated version of rock/paper/scissors….
Come the apocalypse, these are the people who will thrive. We could only hope to be among them.
Walking Safaris in Zambia
Most people seeking wildlife safaris go to Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana or South Africa. Zambia, however, boasts several wonderful reserves – Kafue, Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi.
Not only do they feature abundant wildlife, but walking safaris are commonly offered, sometimes allowing travel from one camp to another. Regulations require the services of a guide as well as an armed park ranger – for the safety of humans and wildlife alike. It’s a great alternative to passively viewing things from a vehicle, and provides a unique perspective on the countryside.
Fun Encounters
Christian is a lodge employee who as a teenager got together with some of his friends in the area to construct a bark canoe. Their photo is a cool focal point in the main lodge…. Here he is posing in front of his younger self.
Celebrating a visit to a local textile craft workshop…. And of course a purchase!
Sometimes you go for a walk but are unprepared for what is waiting upon your return!
Tertius and Ty
We cannot express the full depth of our gratitude to Tertius, who planned our trip for us, and Ty, who was also key to making it happen. Our experiences were immeasurably enriched by their company…… in Durban and Kwa Zulu Natal, to the Wild Coast, exploring LeSotho, and through almost a month navigating the wonders of Namibia. They even helped Henry put together a festive birthday for me….. featuring perhaps one of the ugliest (but quite delicious) cakes ever!
Tertius is originally from Namibia, and Ty is South African – both descended from Europeans who came here – Tertius from the Dutch (later called Afrikaans) who first settled in the Cape beginning in the 17th century, and Ty from the English, who took over South Africa in the early 1800s. Both have a perspective and love for their homelands that made our trip special. And now we are proud and happy to be their friends.
Tertius is a gifted photographer who contributed a number of the photos shown in this blog. He makes spectacular videos using his beloved drone…..
A couple of short clips have been incorporated in the blog….. you can see more on his website – https://www.eyeseeafrica.net/videos/
If you do decide to visit Africa and wish to have an extraordinary adventure, contact Tertius….. the personalized advice and support you get cannot be compared to that of a traditional travel firm.
Whenever we think back on this amazing adventure, we will always see our dear friends Tertius and Ty (usually with a beverage in hand!)
Final Thought
And so we come to the end of our epic journey of 2022. A last thought on travel in this era of concern about our fragile but still sturdy world….. a pledge articulated by the Treadright Foundation and discovered in our hotel room in Durban….. and one we subscribe to whole-heartedly.
Make Travel Matter
I will make my travel matter – for our planet, for people and for wildlife.
When I explore this planet, I will do my best to tread right. I will refuse single-use plastics when I can and recycle what I cannot avoid. When possible, I will offset my travels.
When I meet new people, I will honor their home as I do my own, and do so in the spirit of diversity and inclusion. I will purchase locally-made items wherever possible and pay a fair price.
When I experience wildlife, I will do so in nature. I will not ride animals that ought not be ridden, nor support animal cruelty in any way.
Together, we will tread right upon the earth – and we will make our travel matter.
Treadright Foundation
Dear readers – thank you for following this blog. Not sure where we will venture next, but will spend most of the coming fall and winter enjoying home and East Texas. We wish you health and happiness, friendship and kindness.
Robbie & Henry
Tempus Fugit
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain
Gosh, we don’t know if we even have 20 years left! Almost certainly not 20 active years. We lost two years to the pandemic, so need to make up for lost time with an ambitious and exciting journey.
Isn’t there risk? Sure. The plane could fall out of the sky; a terrorist could blow up the cafe we’re in; we could pick up Covid from another person’s sneeze. Overall, these are risks we are willing to take. Concerning Covid, we are confident that we are maximally shielded, being healthy and strong for our age, and with the gold standard of vaccine plus booster protection. Masking and distancing will help a lot.
Moreover, our first destinations – Ecuador and Chile – have vaccination rates of 82% and 92%, respectively, which compares shockingly favorably to the rate of 43% in Nacogdoches County, our home. (What a very sad commentary on US society ….. and perhaps reason enough to get away from it for a while.)
All that said, we will not be surprised to test positive at some point along the way; if so, our plan is to recover quickly and pick up where we left off.
Initially, we head south of the border (which is the name of this blog chapter in Spanish, al Sur de la frontera). First major stop will be the Galapagos; from there we make our way even further south through Chile, then cross the ocean to Cape Town, gateway to the people, wildlife and haunting landscapes of Africa. From there, our schedule is open; will make the call as to further wandering later, but we do expect to be gone at least 5 months and maybe a couple more…..
Henry’s daughter Holly and husband Matt will join us for the first 10 days or so as we explore the Galapagos.
Our faithful canine companion from pandemic isolation, Raider, has returned to the family that originally rescued and loves him (Henry’s son Cliff, his wife Laura and two kids, Mallori and Jake). And yes, we are both quite sad to bid him farewell. He has been there for every moment of peace, frustration, joy, and disillusionment over more than two years, always with a steady and comforting presence.
For a short while, we had another little friend with us, a scarred and badly-neglected chihuahua mix who showed up at our front door, bleeding and emaciated. We ended up calling him Basil Pesto. We took care of his medical needs and helped him reestablish trust with humans….. but could not keep him because of our travel schedule. My dear friend Jane connected us with the animal welfare equivalent of the Underground Railroad…. Basil Pesto ended up making the trip in a caravan from Houston all the way to the middle of Michigan, where kind people will find him a loving and responsible home very soon. More tears as we said adieu…
Both pups will be well cared for….. we are sorry to see them go, but compelled to pursue new adventures.
But first, we must clear the Covid hurdles and navigate the possible ice storm that threatens our area. If all goes to plan, we fly to Miami on Friday and Guayaquil, Ecuador on Saturday.
Wish us luck, dear friends, and stay tuned!
Stumble and Recovery
The traditional firecracker send off marked the end of months of planning and anticipating, and the actual start of our new journey.
At the Houston airport, we met up with Holly and Matt, happy and excited like children staying up for Santa Claus.
But as the airline postponed our flight to Miami six times in the space of three hours, a foreshadowing of doom began to cast a pall.
Finally, the flight was called and loaded…. As we prepared to pull away from the gate, phones began dinging all over the plane, followed by disbelieving gasps. The flight had been cancelled.
We deplaned and I was glumly concluding that there would be no way to get to Miami, connect to a flight to Guayaquil and make it to our ship in the Galapagos by the appointed time.
Suddenly the gate agent raced through the area shouting, “The flight’s been reinstated! We’re going to reboard!”
Whaaat? All righty, then. Re-board we did. Only once we were away from the gate and moving on the tarmac did a very weary and careworn captain advise us that in 30 years of flying, he had never seen such a mish-mosh, revealing that the flight had come a hair’s breadth from being cancelled again after the second boarding.
We will never know what was going on with this airline that shall remain nameless (a very large international passenger carrier based in Dallas……..). We arrived at about 1 am in Miami, weaved our way through throngs of people filing lost-baggage claims, and thankfully retrieved our bags to repair to the fleabag airport hotel where we had the foresight to book rooms.
As I not so much fell asleep as drifted into numbness, my sole coherent thought was that the only direction for this trip would be up……..
And surely enough, the next day we winged our way south to Guayaquil…..
Passed a quiet afternoon and night preparing for the next leg…..
And finally arrived in San Cristobal…….
…… the jumping-off point for a week’s voyage through Galapagos on the good ship Origin.
Whew! Thanks be to the powers that be, we are well and truly on our way!
Galapagos
A visit to the Galapagos is definitely not for everybody. Herman Melville, the author of Moby Dick, visited in 1841 and detested “the Enchanted Isles” – clearly preferring the green familiarity of his home in Massachusetts.
On the other hand, you have Darwin, whose voyage on the Beagle took him there six years earlier…..
He truly was enchanted – first with the extraordinary geological formations of these volcanic islands, but then of course with the diversity of the animal and plant life, unique to this part of the world.
We enjoyed it too.
Today’s visitor, as in the past, must be comfortable on a boat, as it’s the only way to see the sights, such as Kicker Rock…..
Ships nowadays much more comfortable than the Beagle….. guests are ferried by panga (a very stable rubber raft) several times a day for shore visits, coastline cruises and snorkeling adventures.
Naturalists lead the nature walks on the shore…. And while not every outing is a big winner, many have surprises in store.
We were very lucky to witness a couple of the famous blue-footed boobies courting……
The turtles for whom the islands were named…..
Penguins were hard to catch a good view of…. except at dinner…..
Sea lions are everywhere…….
Thanks to Matt and Holly for some great photography on some of these shots, including all the underwater clips!
Unfortunately, early on in the voyage I was hors de combat for a day due to a stomach bug…… something on this plate or in that glass simply did not agree with me…
And I spent too much time getting to know our onboard facilities…..
But it was only a day, and I rallied quickly.
The voyage over too soon, we returned to San Cristobal…
A major benefit of using a travel agency (thanks, Blue Parallel) …… getting whisked through the check-in line at the airport to a nice, cool lounge for a bite of lunch before returning to the real world.
And then we said farewell to Holly and Matt, who at this writing are still trying to negotiate themselves through delays back through Miami to home. Thanks for sharing the adventure. Good luck and bon voyage!
After a couple of days in Quito, Henry and I are moving on to more wildlife encounters in the Ecuadorian rain forest…..
Along the Ecuadorean Equator
Did you know…..?
Ecuador is the only country in the world named for a geographical feature. The equator runs only very slightly north of the capital city, Quito.
The authentic Panama hat actually comes from and is made in Ecuador.
All other things being equal, you weigh a pound less in Quito than in any other capitol city. (This has to do with lesser gravitational pull at an altitude of almost 10,000 feet.) Also, Ecuador is reputed to be the top exporter of bananas in the world!
Ecuador is closer to space than any other country. The highest point on earth is its Mount Chimborazo (whose position along the Equator means it is actually higher than the world’s tallest mountain, Everest).
Chocolate was “invented” in Ecuador (maybe). Cacao has been grown and consumed here for more than 5,000 years.
Ecuador has more birds per square kilometer than anywhere else on earth.
The constitution of Ecuador includes a clause recognizing the rights of Mother Nature to exist and flourish.
Which brings us to the Ecuadorian rainforest in the Amazon basin….. a 45-minute flight east of Quito, followed by two hours in a motorboat, then another two hours by paddle canoe brought us to the Napo Wildlife Center…..
From the foot of this giant kapok tree…….
…we climbed this tower, me white-knuckling it the whole way…..
To a view from above the canopy of the rainforest…….
Except for bugs, wildlife is extremely hard to spot…… monkeys and birds are concealed in the treetops and sightings are usually fleeting. But we spent several hours walking through the undergrowth and saw some of Mother Nature’s work up close.
Back at the lodge, this caiman was lurking around in the lake under our room on stilts…..
The return to civilization started long before sunrise in our good ol’ trusty canoe through a spooky marshy forest…..
The rainforest is maybe not our favorite environment – extremely humid and sticky – but a unique place that we are happy to have visited, and a lush contrast with the barrenness of the Galapagos, as well as our next destination – Chile’s Atacama Desert.
Emerald Isle to the Norse Lands 