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Mira

(22,378 posts)
Sun May 28, 2017, 10:58 PM May 2017

Last photos and tales from the African Bush - includes a tent at the end

This Zebra appeared out of nowhere.

The Giraffes were my very favorites. The 45 diagonal necks would appear in the trees and startle me. Being handicapped with only my cellphone these are my only giraffe photos.
Don't miss the baby in the third photo.








The Wildebeests run around in herds. They are the favorite prey of the lions I think, but nothing and nobody is safe from that cowering ready to attack lionness I saw while the wildebeests huddled tightly hoping to not be the chosen one



This is the lake that holds the Hippos. I saw some hippo backs and heads, but did not get a photo. I learned they are singularly the most dangerous and unpredictable animals, quick to come out of the water and quick to kill what's moving in front of them

A very clever way to build a fence

Here is the tent we were told we would be staying in. The price for this had been finagled to such a low number that I had brought heavy night gear and stuff for protection for our two nights
in "the tent".




14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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CaliforniaPeggy

(149,297 posts)
1. Your photos just blow me away, my dear Mira...
Sun May 28, 2017, 11:03 PM
May 2017

I'd really love to go on a trip like yours.

The photos are wonderful and place me right there.

And that cabin! Wow. Looks very comfortable, from here at least.

So glad you took us along.

Mira

(22,378 posts)
2. Your feedback and your caring are incomparable.
Sun May 28, 2017, 11:13 PM
May 2017

I love you for it here, and also for your invaluable contributions all over DU.

My photos of the bush and its denizens only scratch the surface of what I saw on the trip, and if I think it can be of interest I hope to post some in the future. But being among these creatures in the wild brought me excitement and peace at the same time.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity.

lunasun

(21,646 posts)
4. I am really scared of hippos. Our truck broke down and we had to camp between two bodies of water
Sun May 28, 2017, 11:55 PM
May 2017

where hippos cross over at night. Oh no!!!
I was told do not come out of your tent. Oh dont worry about me just the thought of them walking around at night was enough for me . When they are mad and in the water with their teeth open something about them really frightens me . Only one that didnt was an upside down dead one bloated and floating along in a river . Yes the hippos are dangerous so are the wild buffalo. I dont know if you were in areas of Africa where they roam...again looking to charge something that is in front of them. So big horns and hoofs or a solid moist mass hitting you, either way there is danger in all that beauty
and snakes too oh my

Mira

(22,378 posts)
5. I think it was at the hippo lake
Mon May 29, 2017, 12:06 AM
May 2017

where the one smoking addict in our group looked at the placid water and said: Can I step off a minute, and the ranger reached for his rifle and said: You must be kidding me.

Your words underscore what I learned. Except about snakes, I don't think that subject ever came up. So little time, so much to learn!
Thanks for your reply. I'm so ready to go back!!!!!!

lunasun

(21,646 posts)
7. if you are going out on foot a lot you better know about Mambas and Cobras in some areas
Mon May 29, 2017, 12:30 AM
May 2017

For example, dont walk 4 or 5 across in a group but walk behind each other . They will skirt around a person on the ground but if a wall of people are coming at a snake, they have no choice and fearfully will attack
and dont climb a tree , another way you might find a deadly snake
usiku mwema!
have a goodnight!

procon

(15,805 posts)
6. Beautiful setting, and pretty plush accommodations for a "tent".
Mon May 29, 2017, 12:28 AM
May 2017

Are those ironed sheets, I see there? My German grandma always had ironed sheets on the beds and they felt cool and as smooth as silk, it was heaven to sleep at her house.

What a memorable trip!

Mira

(22,378 posts)
9. You take me wayyyyy back!
Mon May 29, 2017, 12:42 AM
May 2017

Growing up in Germany with my German Mom I had to wheel our sheets to a place where they were pushed through to be ironed in a flat thing. No idea what the name is. A mangler? It was hot in that little shop in the part of an old city wall in a side street no more than 10 feet wide. I hated to go. It also ironed underwear.
I've come a long way.

procon

(15,805 posts)
11. Yep, that was a mangler.
Mon May 29, 2017, 01:13 AM
May 2017

Grandma kept it in her sewing room, but it was probably less than 3 feet wide. It was my sisters and my job to properly fold the freshly laundered (and starched) linens so Grandma could press them, and she was really fast so we had to work hard to keep up. I think she put everything except bath towels through that thing, but we were never allowed to use it.

They still make them. My SIL is an avid quilter and she has one.

mnhtnbb

(31,319 posts)
12. Mother Africa!
Mon May 29, 2017, 06:02 AM
May 2017

Oh, the giraffes with the rocky hill in the background against the blue sky!

What a sight.

And that's my idea of camping out in a tent, too!

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