(Bill) Vacation!

 After Christmas, we took our first proper vacation as a family.  We’ve done a few weekend and day trips, but taking a chunk of time was much needed.  The first part of our adventure was spending two nights at Mvuu Camp.  The word “camp” is liberally used.  Our accommodations were luxurious and the food fantastic.  Amazing pool to cool off in—ahh yes…..   Also included were game drives, boat safaris, a night safari and a walking safari with accompanying armed guard (!).  Mvuu Camp is situated in the middle of Liwonde National Park and the Shire River runs through, the only exiting water of Lake Malawi. 

  Liwonde Park is known for the hippos, elephants, and crocodiles that hang out in and around the river.  Well, this proved to be true as we saw hundreds of hippos, large families of elephants and the biggest crocodiles I’ve ever seen.  We also saw a wide assortment of antelope and other creatures.   On our night drive, we saw many animals we’ve never seen before:  a servet cat –my favorite, a genet, mongoose, an owl on the hunt… 

  Malawi is also known for the amazing assortment of birdlife.  I’ve blogged about falling in love with a bird that we regularly see in our back yard—the purple crested lourie.  Well, there’s some new competition for my affections.  Even Liam got caught up in bird fever looking past the gigantic hippos with his binoculars to take in the small kingfisher (above) or lilac breasted roller. 

"David Livingston, I presume?"  Famous Scottish explorer/missionary camped here at this baobab tree.  We hopped out of the truck for pictures while keeping an eye out for any unwelcome animal paparazzi.

 Below is a picture from our questionable (but how can you refuse?!) walking safari.  Sorry, no kids allowed.  Just dumb adults.  We did, in fact, see 5 elephant on our walk.  Our guide and guard seemed very experienced at keeping out of their way.  This included various crouches behind bushes and changing our walking path so as not to get in their way.  When the elephants were getting a bit close for comfort and the guard cocked his gun for firing, we knew we were dealing with wild animals and you can be sure they had our complete attention and respect!

  The biggest rush for Elizabeth and me came after waking up at 1am to the sound of the tree outside our tent getting systematically stripped and chomped by a big mama elephant and her baby.  We both woke at the same time and slid out of bed and cautiously worked our way to Liam and Micah's bedroom where the elephants were eating 10 yards from where they were sleeping.  Only canvas and mesh siding separating!  I tried to wake Liam and he only mumbled “We have to pay, we have to pay….” and instantly fell back to sleep.  My good, rule-following son!  Elizabeth and I held each other as we watched breathlessly these amazing creatures do their thing.  Eventually they moved along to the next tree to tear apart and Elizabeth and I lay back in bed with hearts racing and smiles on our faces.