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Wednesday we decided to take a 2 day trip to Bovu Island and stay at Jungle junction. Bovu Island is a tiny island in the Zambezi river not far off from Kazungula. We left in the afternoon when Brett; the owner, came and picked us up. Brett is Scottish by law, but was born in Botswana and raised in Zambia, so he consider himself a citizen of this planet. We were 8 people in his pick up truck, so myself, Sanna and Mark (UK) and 2 others had to sit in the back while 2 Dutch women sat in front. It took us about 1,5 hour to get there and the last bit we had to take a canoe on the river in order to get to the island. they looked a bit like Pocahontas canoes if you know what I mean. My first thought when I saw Jungle Junction was "wow, this is paradise!" It looked so idyllic right by the peaceful Zambezi river. Alice welcomed us on the beach and gave us a cold beer. She showed us to the huts and around at the camp. The whole place is was very genuine and had an African touch to everything. There is no electricity (they use solar lights and candles), no signal (completely caught off from the world) and the huts were really huts. It was lovely!
In the evening we went on a sunset cruise in a canoe. It was so beautiful and if it wasn't for the clouds it would have been epic! Davey; who steered the canoe, informed us about crocodiles and hippos and what to do if we would come across one. Apparently there are some here, but not at the junction luckily. because of this info I nearly jumped in the air every time we hit a rock, thinking it was a crocodile. Davey also taught us some Tonga; local language in this area. Mulliwoti (Mulle wants tea) means Hi and twalumba capati (two lumbs eat chapati)
As we returned we had a couple of drinks in the bar and then had spaghetti Bolognese for dinner. It was delicious! Chatted away with Brett and Alice and Mark in the bar before we went to bed in our no-walls-hut.
In the morning I woke up early. 7:15! As I opened my eyes I had a panorama view of the Zambezi and I felt a sudden thrill to do something special before Sanna wakes up. Maybe go for a run, or take a dip in the river, or write in my journal or just sit and figure out what I want to do with my life. So many
options...
8:30 - oh s***! Just woke up again without going for a run, and still had no clue what my purpose in life was. Oh well, I still have a couple of months to figure that out.
We had a lovely breakfast and then went to the village close by with Davey. He grew up here so he knew everyone we met. Just like where I come from. it was such a cute village. Round mud huts with straw roof, chickens running around and kids playing and laughing. We saw a home made toy truck, made of an empty plastic bottle with jar lids as wheels. I don't know why by I became sort of sentimental looking at it. I loved the creativity about it and what man can do with a bit of imagination. It is not the first time I see impressive creations from water bottles. E.g. sprinklers or mugs.
We walked to the local school and i was so excited. Finally we got to visit a school. We have had so many chances, but it always didn't work out in the end. The kids were so lovely and wanted us to take photos of them making different poses. We talked a bit with the principle and he showed us the class rooms. We only stayed for a little bit before we went to have lunch in the village. We had Shima (similar to ugali - dough looking thing) with spinach and an aubergine stew. It tasted lovely. It didn't look that gracious when I ate it though, as we had to some how take a piece of the dough in our hand and sort of shovel up the food in it. Since I can barely eat with my hands at home, this was way too advanced for me and i ended up having half of it in my lap, but Sanna was a natural as she ad done it before in India. not fair!
It was crazy hot this day so after the village tour we decided to go straight to the beach, reachable (it that a word?) with canoe. Davey told us to only swim in this certain area because of hippos and crocodiles and of course my paranoia returned! Slightly terrified I sat down in the water; which was perfectly chilled and (hallelujah) not salty. In my head I went through a scenario if a crocodile would attack us on the beach. I would get up quickly, sit on his back and hold his mouth until help arrived, just like I've seen they do at the Discovery channel. Piece a cake! But no crocodiles attacked so i never got the chance to show my Crocodile Dundee skills!...
3 Germans joined us at the beach, and before I knew it they were bloody butt naked in the river! Oh dear God, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but one thing for sure is that I've never focused so much on reading my book. At first I was scared that they were Norwegians (as it has happened before that they tended to swim naked in front of others - Jolly Backpackers, and then everyone decided that All Scandinavians are crazy), but luckily no Scandinavians this time.
Right before we got back the rain came as a blessing. I love rain. I love being outside in the rain and even biking in the rain in Holland doesn't bother me. I simply sing "Singing in the rain" out loud as if no one would here me as they are busy getting inside.
Anyways, It felt a bit weird to eat dinner with "the nudists" later, but the food tasted lovely though.
In the evening we had a few drinks in the bar again before we went to bed.
This morning we had to leave Bovu island and go back to Livingstone. A shame really. It was a lovely island, and I liked how relaxed and beautiful it was there.
After speaking to Mark, the man from UK, I have also realised what I wanna do in the future. When Mark described what he does for a living it felt like we was quoting my dream job. He works for Outlook expeditions and they are cooperating with schools all over UK and arrange projects all over the world for the youths (16-18 years old) to visit the country for a month and do the project and learn about the culture. It is a great experience for the youths and working with that I could spend most time at the office, but still go on expeditions from time to time. That sounds amazing!
- comments
Mamsen Oj va härligt det låter, ja kanske inte de nakna tyskarna, men annars!!!
Lucilene C. Dotoli van t Hart Hey Marika, Nice to see and read that you are making the most of your days interesting! Here is pretty much the same, wishing for warmer days and getting rainy and windy ones instead. Keep enjoying! Kisses! Lucilene
Marika Hi Lucilene, thank you. im glad you read my blog :) saw on fb that you got married! Congratulations! all the best. xx
Ngosa Do you know who owns the island?