Tsodilo rock paintings

The next morning we were first off to Tsodilo which is the mountain of the gods where we got to see some rock paintings from 1000 to 10,000 years ago. pretty cool that they could last so long here. A short hike through and around the mountains where we saw painting of all the typical African animals and even saw odd things like whales and dolphins painted into the graphite walls, suggesting there once was an ocean on the plains surrounding the hills. One of the locals toured us around. We crawled into what seemed to be a cave but it was open on the other side. Too dark and freaky for Shelley and John to follow so they went around a detour.  We also saw an old "cave home". It was neat seeing the 40 or so divots on the table like rock where they used to smash nuts or something.

I think Eric had a touch of sunstroke. Poor guy. He slept on our journey from Tsodilo to Namibia. As soon as we went passed the borders, first a border to exit Botswana, second a border to enter namibia, we did a drive through a game park with Blessed. We saw a big group of baboons amongst a few other game. Nothing too new as far as game is concerned. It was the first time we had seen baboons this up close and personal. That was neat to see them pick at the grasses and the ticks on each other.

We arrived at our next location a German lodge - mahango Lagoon.  We had wooden huts with a lock on our door. Yay. The bar was nice. Clearly a German game hunter evidenced by the stuffed animal heads and skulls used to decorate the bar. A relaxed, chill eventful night.  Hippos making noise and grunts in the night, monkeys in the trees, dinner on the riverside. A welcomed evening of peace and tranquility.  Eric retired early, likely due to his sunstroke, and we were all closely behind.

 Eric again...miles is in search of wine while I return to updating the blog.  you may sense a slight change in tone, as I'm quite tired of all the driving, have not felt this much back pain, well, i don't think ever, and am still reeling from the most freightening day of my life in those damned pontoons!  Although, I'm still very grateful to make this journey and spend the time with Cam.  I think we've agreed to actually do a bit of research on places and trips in the future, rather than booking it and winging it and hoping for the best.  We're both soooo grateful for our time at Kapama, where everything was condensed into an action packed couple days of stupendous service, game drives broken up into morning and afternoon, and all the African wildlife we ever hoped to see, and still an authentic, African experience.
There was no real purpose to stopping here at Mahango, except maybe to check out the lagoon and have a break from what is becoming very monotonous, long stretches of driving.  We are both becoming quite sore from the "African Massage" of driving incredible distances only to be stuck within the confines of a quaint lodge, or escorted into a different vehicle for game drives filled with the same animals we see every time, over even more by pay roads; this probably wouldn't be the recommended way to safari in the future, but who knew, and we will make the most of it.

Back in the vehicle we go for yet another 420 km drive to the next destination.  We drive through the Chobe National Park, arrive in a border town at the edge of Namibia, and are relieved to be stopping at an actual restaurant for lunch.  we've all been craving chicken wings on this trip; at one point deciding we would be rich if we could open a chain of them here.  Low and behold, this restaurant has wings.  Shelley orders without hesitation, while we order a quarter chicken and chips (fries), hoping for a larger portion.  It was quite tasty, but I think the chickens are the size of hens.  I was a great reprieve from all the driving.  Blessed shows us a corrupted ATM machine, and warns us to check with him before ever using one anywhere in Africa...I guess corruption and financial crimes exist even in these rural towns in Africa.  We pass through the border of Namibia and are once again in Botstwana.  We drive through Chobe National Park, and arrive at our next destination at about 3:30, where we will stay for the next two nights, Chobe Safari Lodge.