Baobab Tree and Zambezi Fishing

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Baobab Tree and Zambezi Fishing

August 29 - I elected to ride in a Safari truck while Joanne walked three miles to a meeting point in the bush. We then all hiked a short way to a 2,000 year old landmark Baobab Tree. The tree is quite unusual looking -it looks upside down. However, to the African people it is considered a tree of life because large amounts of water are contained in its bark. The tree has a sad history because the South African Army tied local people to it and tortured them during the Namibian war for independence. They also used the tree as a lookout.

We tried a new mode of transport, an ox cart! The village people use ox carts to carry heavy cargo back and forth. But, this time we got to ride in one in the return trip to our lodge.

This afternoon a veteran of the Namibian War for Independence who spent fifteen years in the bush described the very difficult times and suffering of the people under South African rule. He ended his saga by stating that life was very pleasant now. Considering how little these people have, life must have very difficult indeed under apartheid.

We went fishing on the Zambezi River in the late afternoon. Richard had the touch because he reeled in 2 big cat fish. Maybe he should try fishing back home in Punta Gorda! Yesterday, Harold, one of our fellow travelers, caught a cat fish that we had for lunch. It was surprisingly good.

This morning we stamped out of Namibia and into Botswana. We are now at the Chobe Marina Lodge, Kasane Botswana. This afternoon we head out for a game drive in Chobe National Park. See pictures below.