Bovu Island

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Day 1

We had been told we were getting picked up in an open-top vehicle - I pictured a game-drive truck or something similar - what arrived was a bakkie. After loading all our stuff onto the back all 6 of us piled on the back and we were off.

We arrived at the edge of the water and got off the bakkie and into 3 tiny little boats carved out of tree trunks. All our luggage and all 6 of us managed to fit onto these boats. We pushed off down the river and managed to just take in the Zambezi in all its natural beauty. As we rounded a corner we could see the thatch of the bar of Jungle Junction at the waters edge. Vix and I just looked at each other and knew we had made the right decision. This place was incredible. It reminded me a lot of my time in the Amazon at the little local place on the waterfront. The thatch and wooden-bambooed huts, with soft sand and good views of the waters edge. Wow.

Vix and I shared a tiny open-hut with 2 single beds. When I say open-hut, its on stilts, raised up but has 3 low bamboo walls and a thatch roof - no front wall or door - its just open, so you wake up and stare out at the river - what a sight. We watched the sun set over the water and spent the rest of the evening at the bar, playing cards, listening to Jon on guitar, singing along. The evening concluded with a wrestling match between Matt and Tim - hilariously funny - was there head butting involved??.

Day 2

Vix and I went with our guide Davy up the river in a kayak. To start with Davy did all the paddling while Vix and I relaxed and took in the surroundings. Along one of the banks there was a big tree that extended across over the water - I was so keen to climb it, so I asked Davy if we could pull over. Apart from being petrified of crocs, snakes and spiders - I climbed out the boat and started up the tree. After one failed attempt in which I fell out the tree - I managed to get all the way to the edge hanging over the water.

For lunch, all 6 of us went to go visit the nearby village. We attempted to help cook lunch and then sat in one of the guide's house. We had tiny little fried fish (looked like bait), with pap (still don't like it), artichokes, and spinage & peanut mix. It was a cool experience although very similar to the ones we have at home. This was followed by a late afternoon paddle on the river.

The evening was pretty chilled. We ended up staying up until gone 3am, Vix, myself, Jon and Tim were the final 4 - the other two crashed about an hour before. Vix, Jon and I ended the evening by standing outside our huts and just starring at the sky above - so many stars.

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