Monday, February 28, 2011

Well rested? [Massingir Part 3]

Early morning visitor outside my rondavel.

I do hope those of you who stayed overnight at the rest camp are well rested?  I heard lions roaring during the night!  An incredible, blood-curdling sound, I thought they were only metres away from my rondavel. 

Waking up to the many bird calls just before dawn this morning was sheer magic.  I snuggled down a little longer, until the first ray of sun touched the curtain.  I had to get up then and sip my coffee out on the deck taking in the splendour of the new day.  Such peace and tranquility.  I could have sat there for hours quietly absorbing it all!  The song of Africa! 
Please click the Read more button below to continue this post...

The song of Africa!

I trust you found the camp breakfast enjoyable?  Thick maizemeal porridge with creamy milk and sugar, followed by chunks of wild boar bacon and scrambled eggs served with 'farmstyle' toast, browned over the coals on the fire.  The coffee was also brewed on the fire.  I had mine with a generous splash of cream skimmed from the top of the milk.

The birds have been busy since first light...

Hungry chicks to be fed...a parent's work is never done!

Today we shall drive to several points along the Massingir Dam and see if we can spot some more wildlife.  Don't forget to bring your cameras along with you!

The Massingir Dam is one of Southern Africa's largest and supports an active subsistance fishing industry.

As with Part 2 of this excursion, I have decided not to comment unnecessarily, but to rather allow you to enjoy the sights we discover in peace.  I personally find it distracting when someone needs to offer a running commentary.
 






Sunken fishing boats are dotted along the length and breadth of the dam.  Evidence of the turbulent past and overall impoverishment of the majority of these subsistence fishermen.
 












Fishermen heading out for the day's catch!







Did you all spot the hippos?
 

Oh, Wow!  Aren't we lucky.  Elephants coming down to drink and wallow.  Have those cameras ready!
We can sit here for a while and quietly observe them!




There is still plenty to see later, when you're ready to continue.  For now, permit time to stand still, as  you scroll back and allow the unfolding scenes to wash over you a second time...try to capture the essence of this special place!  Let its memory touch your soul.
 

22 comments:

  1. You keep making the most beautiful pictures.....i could sit down and watch the elefhants for hopurs and hours.....wow.....that's all i can say...
    Have a nice week
    Love and greetings from Bianca xx

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  2. Wowwww your blog is so amazing !! like a book!!!....lovely week darling....love Ria...xxx

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  3. My, I enjoyed that breakfast - fresh air makes me hungry. What a wonderful tour, I'm loving it.

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  4. I loved this part of the trip! It's so interesting to see the modern dam and then the fishermen in the old wooden boats. I would've missed the hippos is you hadn't pointed them out. Looking forward to more of this fascinating trip. I love the way you tell the story.

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  5. Desiree,
    I really enjoyed todays tour - it calmed my soul - thank you!

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  6. The song of Africa... the sights of Africa. Breathtaking indeed.

    Beautifully taken photos, complemented by your commentary. Thank you.

    I so love being led by you, on this amazing trip Desiree.

    The best part is being able to return again and again.

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  7. Greetings from Southern California

    I added myself to follow you. I invite you to visit my blog and follow me if you want too.

    God bless you :-)

    ~Ron

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  8. Oh wow. You sure have a way with words and pictures. Your post is eloquently written and your pictures make me feel as though I am there. These are scenes that I can only dream of. Maybe one day I'll be able to visit such a vastly beautiful and colorful place, but until then, I thank you for sharing.

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  9. I will go to sleep tonight and hopefully dream of being in this place.

    To be able to see these magnificent animals without the confines of zoo compounds is something that I would love to experience. I could watch elephants and giraffes for hours.

    Do you know how LUCKY you are? Yes, I think you do as I can read it in your words. You have a love affair going with your country don't you?

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  10. Beautiful pictures and I will join everyone in saying thank you for giving me a tour of Africa. You have a wonderful way with words that make me feel that I am actually there on tour.
    Looking forward to your next post.
    Have a great day!

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  11. The sights today are even nicer than the last ones. The water looks so still. I think I saw a hippo yawning in one of the pictures. The birds are lovely and you can really paint a picture in sounds (even tastes, mmm, breakfast), not just images.

    The scenery at the dam reminds me of the Danube's Delta. It's one of the most beautiful places to see in my country.

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  12. I'll be back to read this properly v v v v soon. Just wanted to fulfill your desire (in part)

    http://h-little-sealed-packages.blogspot.com/2010/06/harlech-castle.html

    and

    http://h-little-sealed-packages.blogspot.com/2010/06/seige.html

    Hope you enjoy :)

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  13. I thoroughly enjoyed the toast. It reminded me of bread toasted on a toasting fork over my grandma's open coal fire.

    The photos of the water are so peaceful. I especially enjoyed watching the fishermen.

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  14. I'm looking backward through your blog...your photos are wonderful!

    Linda
    http:coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

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  15. Wow, lions...I cringe when I hear a bob cat outside my window!!!

    This trip you have guided us on through your amazin' pictures is just breathtaking. What a beautiful land.

    God bless and have a fantastic day sweetie!!!

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  16. What fun! I feel as though I am along for the trip. I especially enjoyed seeing all the animals in your last two posts. This is a dumb touristy sort of question, but I am curious and so I will risk looking stupid- What happens if your car breaks down? Do you wait for help? Can you walk down the road safely during the day or do you have to worry about those lions (that we heard while "we" were sleeping)?

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  17. Thanks for the scenic trip. That is one huge dam The bids and animals are amazing. Great photos.

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  18. Hello, Desiree! I've been scrolling back through your recent pictures and enjoying the beauty of your country. I'm sure I'll be back!

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  19. What a glorious adventure you're having! Thanks for sharing it with us. The breakfast sounded like an adventure by itself. The photos take my breath away.

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  20. Wow

    I can't even imagine being in such a place! It really is spectacular, all the life that surrounds you there.

    What is a "rondavel"? I take it it is some kind of habitat... it's a word I've never heard before.

    It's such a wonderful break to come in here and look around. Thanks for posting the wonderful shots of peaceful settings and natural life.

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