Trip
News (3)
17 July 08 ~ Day 10
HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY NNENA!
Today the team drive to Poppa Falls. Mind you, the name is
a bit of an anomaly as there are no 'falls' in the area. Situated
on the banks of the mighty Kanvango River, these are a series
of rapids just before the river enters Botswana and the Okavango
Delta.
17 July 08 ~ 20.57hrs ~ Phone
call from Esther McCall
This was a very brief call on account
of the fact that there are problems with getting any reception
on the phones brought from school. Esther was borrowing someone
else's mobile to make the call.
After a very long drive, a somewhat
weary team are now safely camped at Poppa Falls. They are
just about to eat dinner. Everyone keeps asking when they
are going to get a lie in... only to be told "when they
get home!".
They have had
a fantastic time at Etosha; key moments being seeing a herd
of about 20 wild elephants against a background of a setting
sun. They also spent approximately half an hour watching a
lioness from just a few feet away (you'll be glad to know
that this was from inside their land-rovers). They also
saw a lion, but this was from some distance away. They reckon
since their arrival in Africa they have seen about 100 different
animals and probably about 50 different species of birds.
The phone issue has prevented some
'important' messages getting home. Peter Fordham would like
to send his love and belated anniversary greetings to Ann
and Cath McComb sends the same to husband Gareth.
Once in Botswana tomorrow, the plan
is to purchase a new sim card for the phones which should,
hopefully, make communication a little easier. This being
the case it is hoped a more detailed update will be provided
in the next couple of days.
18 July 08
~ 15.30hrs ~ Message from Theresa Bland
Received a text from Michael at 3.30 pm
GMT to say they had seen some Safari animals on their journeys,
and that he would make a phone call if he can.
18 July 08
~ 15.45hrs ~ Message from Jane Berry
Amy managed to get a message home today.
She sounds like she is having the best time. She said she
is missing everyone at home but ... "wouldn't have
missed this for the world". She said they had seen
lots of animals. Was great to hear from her.
18 July 08 ~ 20.20hrs ~ Message
from Michael Epstein
Received a text from Charlotte this morning and her words
were "Having a great time, v. tired" she said
she missus us all and wanted to know if we were ok.
Seems a lot longer than just over a week ago that they went!
20 July 08 ~ Message from
John Argent (Email
home from Will ~ 18.37hrs)
Hi its only me sorry i havnt sent any messages, at the
last place that had internet i was distracted by rhino in
a waterhole right next to the camp (5 i counted with about
10 giraffe) i was up most of the night watching. Its so
amazing here i could really see you guys living out here
cold mornings for dad hot days for mum. I just had a hot
shower which was bliss, but now i better be off because
this is costing a fortune.
20 July 08 ~ 19.30hrs ~ Text
message from Esther McCall
We are now back from the Delta. Everyone has had an experience
to remember. As I'm writing this an elephant has just crossed
the path of our Delta vehicle. The Mokoro boat was very
relaxing. The Bush Camp was memorable for the toilet that
was a hole dug in the ground and for the Polers (the
people who punt the Mokoros) who sang and danced for
us. Tolu, Nnena and Sheila sang. During our time we saw
elephant, giraffe, lots of different birds, but best of
all was the visit to the hippo pool and that we have got
up at 5.30am and not our usual 5. Long drive tomorrow to
Chobe so early start.
20 July 08 ~ 19.40hrs ~ Brief
phone call from Esther McCall
Everyone is fit and well and the team were described as
being "on a high" having been given the most memorable
of days by the Polers who were fantastic. They managed to
sleep in for an extra half an hour over the last couple
of days, but tomorrow they need to be up at 04.45hrs!
Also mentioned was that when they had been in Etosha they
had eaten out at a restaurant one evening. Some of the students
tucked into (and enjoyed) a meal of Springbok,
Kudu and Gemsbok... animals they had seen earlier that day
in the wild.
Apparently the mobile phone reception is still patchy,
but they are hoping things will improve soon.
21 July 08 ~ 21.30hrs ~ Message
from Theresa Bland
We had a very brief call from Michael to say they had arrived
at Chobe and asked if we could put this on the website.
They are all well.
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