Early morning game drive. The guides are in quest for the illusive cougar. They are bound and determined to find him. We see fresh tracks….

We really did not see as many Animals in this area as previous. But there are certainly allot of hippos Crocodiles and birds. Over 2900 species of birds in Africa.

Baobab tree- filled with water the oldest tree in Africa. They grow up to 2000 years

Beautiful Chandelier tree is a succulent. Looks like an organ pipe cactus with a tree trunk.

They are very poisonous. You can go blind if you get the juice in your eye. A tiny amount in water will help clean out your system but to much will kill you.

We go out for our morning game drive.

We meet the other half of the group for morning tea then get onto the boat.

Boat ride on the lafupa river. It was peaceful and beautiful. A nice change of pace from the jeep. More, hippos and tons of birds. w

When we got back to camp and five of us went back out on the boat to go fishing. Nancy and Marina and Neddy our guide caught big catfish. Troy and I did not catch anything. But we enjoyed fishing anyway.

We had 45 minutes to shower and pack then head back down for a lecture on raising kids, engagement, marriage and the fabric they call chitenge. In Zambia they call in a Zambia.

Betsy showed us how to wear them low below the belly button if your single and how to walk. Once you get married you wear them higher and walk like your married. We rolled them to put on our heads to carry things. Then how to tie them around the babies. She talked about their customs of dating and engagement then the wedding and marriage. Very different from the American modern day but most extraordinary in my opinion.

Their level of respect for their parents and anyone older is admirable. They consider anyone two years their senior an elder and respect them.

The girls are raised by their mothers until 12 then they go to the Aunt. The boys stay with mother until four then are raised by the fathers.

When it comes to maturity and questions about life they go to their aunts and uncles. It is taboo to ask your mother or father about becoming a woman or man. Or the matters of love.

So many old fashion customs have been lost to the new generations in every country. I think it is a shame really.

Later on after our evening game drive and sundowner we had dinner and the entertainment. They danced for us we sang for them. Troy wrote another song. This time to the Gilligan Island tune.

Off to bed up at 5am to check out and head to the airstrip for our next flight.