AFRICA 2

At Chobe the lodge is equally great. 

It's right on the river and before it's too late

We go for a game drive with high expectations. 

We're not disappointed, we're thrilled with sensations.

An elephant herd-75 or more,

Then we saw a leopard, so close to my door.

Impalas, and warthogs all over the place,

A hippo in a wallow, as to the lodge we race.

It's dark by seven and we must get back.

It's time for dinner and to hit the sack.

All meals are included, as is beer and wine.

They'll even do your laundry, for free, this time.

Next morning's game drive was a hit again.

Impalas, baboons, hyenas and then

Three lions were spotted, plus another up close,

Lots of birds and then it's back for our toast.

After breakfast we go on a river barge

To see crocodiles, hippos, and an elephant charge.

Refreshments were served, then it's time for lunch,

Rest until four, then tea and cake with the bunch.

The rain was coming down as we started our drive.

Still we saw lots and lots of animals live.

Herds of impalas, a troop of baboons,

Three lions and three jackals and very soon

Five beautiful giraffe, a herd of kudu,

A huge tortoise, a mongoose, and lots of birds too.

We came to the end of another day

In the open-air dining room with bountiful buffet.

Before leaving Chobe next day we would go

On another boat ride where we saw hippo.

A crock was out sunning, birds all around,

Fishermen in canoes just off Namibia ground.

We glided over, but mustn't touch shore,

Or we might get shot, or so goes the lore.

Then after breakfast it's back to Zimbabwe.

We fly to South Africa and Cape Town to see.

We tour this big city and climb to the top

Of Table Mountain where my camera does stop.

We drove partway up and cable car did the rest.

The views were spectacular, I have to confess.

Shopping and lunch at the waterfront mall

Before Robben Island sent out the call.

We ferried on over, the prison to see,

Where Nelson Mandela many years was to be.

While touring the island with former inmates,

We saw more wildlife outside of the gates.

Penguins and guineas and fallow deer too,

And the bontebok, which to us was new.

Dinner that night was at the hotel,

Dining inside and they fed us well.

Breakfast next morn was a tasty buffet,

But their breads couldn't compare to Chobes-no way!

It's off to a township of shanties we go.

Hector Peterson school where the teachers show

The classrooms, computers and talk of the task

Of teaching poor children that are in their class.

School has dismissed but the teachers are there

Preparing reports for the end of the year.

One student, Mbali, 18 years old,

Escorts me around and I was told

She's planning for college to better her life.

She'll llikely make someone a very smart wife.

I give her a sack of pencils and pens,

Tablets and rulers, glue sticks and then

Thirty-one pony tailers to share with her friends.

Plus for herself, a blue butterfly pin.

Cape Town's left behind as we travel on

Through beautiful wine country and before we are gone

We visit Stellenbosch, a pretty old town,

Tour old wealthy houses, upstairs and down.

It's on to the winery to learn how to taste

Five wines that they make.  Not a drop do we waste.

Nearby is a lake and a deli for lunch,

Before heading back, we all have a munch.

Before home-hosted dinner we're privileged to hear

South African history from a professor that's near.

Our last day in Cape Town was an all day trip

'Round the Cape Peninsula and the southern tip.

Spectacular scenery as we travel the coast,

And the striking mountains are something to boast.

We climb the steps at Lighthouse Point

And the Cape of Good Hope marks the southwest point.

As we head back north, we stop to eat

A great fish dinner that's hard to beat.

The crunchy warm bread was really a hit.

We asked for more and ate every bit.

On our journey back we came to stop

At the Botanical Gardens, a lovely spot.

Upon our return I had arranged to meet

With Lindsey Henley to go out to eat.

Brother, Andrew, came and his girlfriend too.

Had a super visit and dinner too.

Next morning at four it's rise and shine

Nairobi's next and it's almost time.

A long day of travel, changing planes enroute.

They serve breakfast on board, then lunch to boot.

This is the second chapter in my Africa trip.  More to come.