This twisty Leadwood log wall and the shade of the glorious Marula tree were a welcome sight after our 8 hour ride across the Kalahari Desert.
It had been a long, hot day and I was more worried about the horses than the riders. As soon as we reached The Kgotla on the banks of the Motloutse River the the horses were relieved of their saddles and allowed to roll in a dust bath.
Then they were given plenty of food and water in a nearby grove of leafy trees.
We were led into our delightful new home for the next 2 nights, a traditional boma, where all of our beds were arranged around the edge of the circle with a firepit and chairs set in the center.
A dining table and bar were set up to the side.
After cooling down for a few minutes we got to work unpacking our bags and getting settled into the new space, the logs served as useful hooks.
Just down the hallway were the bathrooms and showers.
These carefully crafted outdoor showers, with heads attached to the trees, revitalized our spirits and washed away all of the dust and grit from the trail.
Rough hewn timbers and slabs of stone provided us with all of the comforts of home in this enchanting open air setting.
Our stay in The Kgotla was definitely a highlight of the trip, it was absolutely magical to sleep, dream, wake, eat, sing and laugh beneath these beautiful protective branches,
knowing that our trusty guard was on duty, just in case any cats came calling.
Kumbaya!
Dear Emily, your adventuresome trips take me away to another place and time! I am always excited to hear of your latest journeys! Fascinating!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Jackson Pollock
Hi Emily! What a fantastic journey you had. Just catching up a bit this morning, and loved hearing about it. You are making me want to return to Botswana – the amazing animals, the sights, the sounds. It's the kind of trip that really changes a person. The horseback element to your trip sounds amazing, how wonderful. Must have made you feel very connected to your surroundings. Thanks for telling us about it and for your gorgeous photos. I think I love the cheetahs the most, they really intrigued me on our trip.
And congratulations to you on getting your daughter off on new adventures, too. I'm sure it must be bittersweet but that it will bring new rewards and challenges to you, as well.
Hope to see you around the neighborhood! Happy Summer XOXO
So unique and beautiful. You are experiencing it all, Emily!
Thank you for sharing.
Teresa
xoxo
This is so much fun travelling along on your wonderful adventure. I have enjoyed every minute of it!!
IDOJ: I miss you! I will be back in town for tennis week and I hope we can plan a time to connect.
Teresa, Cindy and Karena: It was a trip like no other. I am finding myself lost for words to describe this amazing adventure, so I may just move to current day and come back to it when the words come to me. Thank you for your comments and passion.
Oh Yes emily, I have come across this post I wonder why I did not make a comment now as Imread it all over again. Such an amazing travel a journey one could only imagine unless you were the one experiencing it up close and personally as you have shared here with us.
I am amazed with the back of tree postings that contained you safely within the compound keeping the wild out, and the beds look so wildly perfect. To shower must have been another pleasure seeing where you were in all the wild openness.
Love your postings and all your life experances.
Xx
Dore
What an adventure you had. Love Africa's trees. I have done many large paintings of them.