Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Five

[Dolcevita Diva]

Wine songs…

[jpalbny]

A fun first afternoon/ evening in Botswana. The flight from Johannesburg to Maun was easy and immigration/ customs wasn't too slow. We met our reps from the lodge and prepared for the charter flight.

 

A small plane.

 

 

We were making multiple stops so we first flew 20 minutes north to the outer reaches of the Okavango Delta. This part was dry.

 

 

But a few watering holes showed up, with occasional elephants. Touched down, discharged a few pax, and back up in no time. 

 

Another 40 minutes south and we could see our airstrip. 

 

 

We approached and just as we started to touch down the pilot aborted the landing! A few minutes later, attempt number two was successful. Here we were!

 

 

Our jeep tried to race the departing airplane without success. 

 

 

About 20 minutes to the lodge, and soon we were relaxing with a view of the local watering hole.

 

 

After high tea we went on a short game drive. Jackal pup. The parents were nearby. 

 

 

And a turtle was crossing the road. We helped it safely finish.

 

 

The second part was a walk with the Bushmen. This tuber is full of water.

 

 

When the flesh is scraped off, you can grab a handful and squeeze the water into your mouth. Not mine!

 

 

We walked with our guides to the village. 

 

 

They started a fire for us.

 

 

G&T was served. Dancing was observed.

 

 

Lighting in the distance. Some nice bolts to see but this was the best picture I could get. Rainy season is starting! 

 

 

Back to the lodge for dinner. 5AM game drive tomorrow! 

[mysty]

12 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

A fun first afternoon/ evening in Botswana. The flight from Johannesburg to Maun was easy and immigration/ customs wasn't too slow. We met our reps from the lodge and prepared for the charter flight.

 

A small plane.

 

 

We were making multiple stops so we first flew 20 minutes north to the outer reaches of the Okavango Delta. This part was dry.

 

 

But a few watering holes showed up, with occasional elephants. Touched down, discharged a few pax, and back up in no time. 

 

Another 40 minutes south and we could see our airstrip. 

 

 

We approached and just as we started to touch down the pilot aborted the landing! A few minutes later, attempt number two was successful. Here we were!

 

 

Our jeep tried to race the departing airplane without success. 

 

 

About 20 minutes to the lodge, and soon we were relaxing with a view of the local watering hole.

 

 

After high tea we went on a short game drive. Jackal pup. The parents were nearby. 

 

 

And a turtle was crossing the road. We helped it safely finish.

 

 

The second part was a walk with the Bushmen. This tuber is full of water.

 

 

When the flesh is scraped off, you can grab a handful and squeeze the water into your mouth. Not mine!

 

 

We walked with our guides to the village. 

 

 

They started a fire for us.

 

 

G&T was served. Dancing was observed.

 

 

Lighting in the distance. Some nice bolts to see but this was the best picture I could get. Rainy season is starting! 

 

 

Back to the lodge for dinner. 5AM game drive tomorrow! 

 

Amazeballs JP!  Enjoy! 🥰

[Host Jazzbeau]

1 hour ago, jpalbny said:

5AM game drive tomorrow! 

When they get the animals on Daylight Savings Time [for a more reasonable 8 am game drive!], I'll consider this.  😉

[jpalbny]

These were worth getting up early for! 

 

They hid at first behind trees. They have it rough here with the competition from the larger cats.

 

 

Eventually the Mom posed for us.

 

 

 

 

 

There were three offspring but they were just about as big as Mom.

 

 

 

 

They didn't stick around for long but we can finally check them off our list! Very exciting morning. 

 

Will have to see if my real camera pics came out better. These are just cell phone shots. Off to lunch!

[Lois R]

Why do my cruises seem so boring compared to JP's adventures?

Oh well, I still love being on the ship🙂

[lincslady]

Wonderful stuff, jp and Chris.  Yes, Lois, most of the trips the rest of us undertake are boring compared with these two - I can't believe how much energy they have, up and at it after a long journey.  I would need days to recuperate! 

 

Lola

[jollyjones]

 

They're youngsters.

[mysty]

Greetings Coolers!

 

Today's funny.....

 

 

Have a great safe fun day all!

[jpalbny]

Lois, I hope you're having a great cruise. CC is acting wonky on my sketchy internet connection so I'm looking forward to reading your thread when I have time.

 

Lola, it's getting challenging for sure. We're not as young and energetic as we used to be! In fact, a post-lunch nap is a distinct possibility. 

 

But first, a recap from yesterday. We were up at 5:00 for coffee then breakfast at 5:30 before our morning game drive.

 

We headed north from camp, to the airstrip where we'd landed yesterday. A lioness was there to greet us. Her cub was even more photogenic! 

 

 

 

We moved south and encountered a solitary male. Because his mane isn't dark yet, they call him "Blondie."

 

 

We ventured further south then came back along the same road. Blonde had set up a roadblock! The nerve!

 

 

He was perfectly happy to sit there looking cute. And catching a catnap.

 

 

We gave up and went off-road to bypass him. 

 

 

Next stop was the Southern Pride. Three females, two males, and nine cubs! Here are a few. A cub is hiding behind Mom. See the ears?

 

 

 

A black-backed jackal at the local watering hole. 

 

 

A good morning for lion sightings. Lunch and a nap before the evening drive. We started out tracking the large Southern pride again.

 

 

Eventually we found some of the cubs, hidden in the tall grass off-road. 

 

 

The lionesses were off hunting and the lions were off making sure that Blondie wasn't making a move on them. Or were they?

 

Nope. The males were napping by the watering hole! Such slugs.

 

 

We got very close. Luckily they were not interested in eating us.

 

 

 

Sundowner G&Ts with a gorgeous view to wrap up the evening game drive. 

 

 

Dinner and bed time after that. We slept well until 2:30 when there was a massive display of lightning, thunder, and rain. Spectacular! Guess we'll sleep later.

 

[crusinbanjo]

13 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

When they get the animals on Daylight Savings Time [for a more reasonable 8 am game drive!], I'll consider this.  😉

A trip like this is on the Bucket List for Mrs Banjo and myself.  Fabulous photos.  Enjoy!!!

[Reef Knot]

Great photo's and narration JP, definitely worth the 5.00am wake up call.

[drron29]

Tonight Atlantide on the Muse is busier than we have ever seen it. Extra staff from everywhere including the Pool bar. Matre’Ds setting tables.

Luckily we have Pablo as our waiter. Only on SS 2 months but is excellent.

[spinnaker2]

We have some hefty wildlife here too on the peninsula, but not for long, these pythons are devouring everything.

 

[Port Power]

7 minutes ago, drron29 said:

Tonight Atlantide on the Muse is busier than we have ever seen it. Extra staff from everywhere including the Pool bar. Matre’Ds setting tables.

Luckily we have Pablo as our waiter. Only on SS 2 months but is excellent.

Aah, Pablo!  Fast tracking to be a maître d ‘hotel.

[Dolcevita Diva]

Amazing photos @jpalbny. What a day you and Chris have had! 

[drron29]

I'm hoping JP that you and chris are having a few Amarulas as a nightcap. we got addicted to it in Africa.

[QueSeraSera]

9 hours ago, drron29 said:

a few Amarulas as a nightcap

need more info

[QueSeraSera]

This song came to mind reading JP's posts, my apologies if I've already posted this

 

[drron29]

2 hours ago, QueSeraSera said:

need more info

https://www.thedrinkblog.com/amarula-cream/

[Host Jazzbeau]

1 hour ago, drron29 said:

https://www.thedrinkblog.com/amarula-cream/

It's very nice, but no better than Bailey's.

[Dolcevita Diva]

16 hours ago, drron29 said:

I'm hoping JP that you and chris are having a few Amarulas as a nightcap. we got addicted to it in Africa.

 

6 hours ago, QueSeraSera said:

need more info

And they usually have Amarula available aboard Silversea. 

[drron29]

Lunch at Whitegrass, Singapore. Fay.

 The amusee bouche. Lobster, chestnut cake and 5 spice lettuce. All very flavourful.

 

Lovely bread with French butter.

 

 

 

Hokkaido scallop. Best scallop I’ve ever had.

Than a lilybulb soup. The only let down as bland.

 

Rojaan had the Waygu which just melted in her mouth. Not a great steak eater but she finished before me.

 

 I had the duck which was perfect.

 

Then a lovely palate cleanser with apple, ginger and Japanese pineapple.

 

Then desert. Fig on a rum biscuit and cream with lemon sorbet. Delicious.

 

To finish A financier with honey and coconut mochi with a raspberry jelly.

 

Had a bottle of an Italian Pinot Grigio rose.

Then a visit to our table by Chef Takuya Yamashita.

A great meal and a definite recommendation if you are visiting Singapore.

[drron29]

2 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

It's very nice, but no better than Bailey's.

Wash your mouth out. Definitely a cut above Baileys. Plus the fermentation of the Amarillo fruit makes elephants tipsy. A sight that we witnessed in Botswana.

[Reef Knot]

4 hours ago, drron29 said:

https://www.thedrinkblog.com/amarula-cream/

When I first discovered Amarula the explanation for the elephant on the label was that they loved the marula fruit which apparently fermented during their digestion and made them tipsy.

It was a nice story to market the drink but unfortunately its been debunked as just an amusing myth.

Nonetheless I still want to believe it.

And yes its a lovely drink.