This morning Ayu took us to Nechisar National Park for a boat trip. We walked down to the boat ramp and I watched one of the men dry off the seats after a group of people got off of the boat.

I was wondering just how wet we were going to get on this trip.

When I was standing on the dock waiting I noticed a bird high up in a tree.

Other people arrived on the dock and were put into a boat.  We were not sure what was happening but we waited some more.  Jane, Sue, and Leigh went back to where Ayu was.  I stayed on the dock with a few other people who were waiting … and waiting … and waiting … and waiting.  I started taking photos of dragonflies.  Silly but fun.

I watched another group of people get onto a boat and take off.  This was certainly an exercise in patience, but I was feeling relaxed and watching other birds land on the dock.

A couple of young men arrived and I started talking to them.  They said that we were waiting due to a fuel shortage.  So I just waited some more.  I really have no idea how long I waited but finally Ayu, Sue, Jane, and Leigh came down to the dock and we boarded the boat with about 6 other people.

It actually was a shortage of petro that caused the wait.  Ayu had gone right into action.  He called the Paradise Lodge.  The desk people where not giving him the help he needed so he reached the manager of the lodge.  They had petro delivered by motorbike so we could do the boat ride.  This was just another example of how lucky we are to have Ayu as our driver.

The boat ride on the lake was lovely.  I took a photo of a smaller version of our boat.

We watched some fishermen.

Then we saw more birds like the one I had photographed from the dock.  I learned that they were African Fishing Eagles.  What beautiful birds.

We passed an island.

I zoomed in with my camera and was pretty sure I saw evidence of people staying there.

Then we saw a few more hippos but just a couple of them.

Finally we came to the crocodiles.  They were lazily laying along the shore.

I sure wouldn’t want to get too close to them.

This bird sure pales in size next to a crocodile.

On our way back we passed the cave.  Now there were actually people there.  I found out that they were fishermen.

We saw more fisherman in the water (wonder how close those hippos get) …

… eagles, pelicans …

… and a stork or some kind of heron.

What a great trip on Lake Chamo – worth the wait.  When we were walking back to the Land Cruiser, I saw this bird.  I have no idea what it is.

And we were off for today’s drive.

These are bee hives in Acacia trees.

There were a smaller group of women waiting to get water.

All of these motorcycles needed petro.

We arrived at Kanta Lodge where we ate a quick lunch.   It is a lovely place.

Leigh had decided that she needed a rest and time by herself so she arranged to stay at Kanta Lodge and wait for us for the next 3 nights.

Because of the delay at the lake we were in a hurry and we drove off towards Jinka.  On the way Ayu stopped at the Jinka Market.  Jane and Sue waited in the car so I only had a few minutes to walk around the market.

I sure wish there had been more time for me  to spend wantering around at the Jinka Market.

As we drove we saw several children doing dances in the road.  They all wanted us to stop and give them money.  Some had painted faces.  Some were on stilts.  We never stopped but I did sneak one photo through front window of the  Land Cruiser.

The Jinka Lodge left a bit to be desired but there were beds and a shower so not complaining.