It’s another glorious sunrise – I just love my room, now that I’ve had a chance to actually look at it. King Bed, tons of space, private bathroom with a lovely shower and for some reason a bucket in the shower with a small scoop.

When we gather to meet our driver – this time I get his name – Diplip – which means King – I ask and am told – that’s if you don’t want to use either the shower head or the hand held. Oh. Or – you can use it for washing your clothes. Oh again.

This time we have agreed to meet earlier – 5:30 – because we’re going to drive an hour (this I didn’t know until we did it) to another entrance to the Park. We’re told that this entrance is less frequently used – and we should have the park to ourselves.

Today is Sunday – and it’s 5-30 AM – and we are the only car on the road. Everyone else who is moving around – and there aren’t very many people about yet – are either walking, setting up shop, riding bicycles or riding in Tuk-Tuks. The roads aren’t crowded – in fact – they are so quiet that the driving danger comes not from the Tuk-Tuks but from the small mostly black goats. Apparently they think they own the road and stand, walk or sit on it. In large groups of maybe 7, or as individuals. And Diplip just casually steers the jeep around the groups, acting as if this is completely normal.

I suspect it is normal.

Half of the road is brilliantly paved, flat and lovely, half of the distance to the entrance is potholed and Diplip has to serve from side to side – not only to avoid the goats – but to avoid the worst of the potholes.

I smile and wave at everyone. I figure – if they smile back – it will be good day. And it’s a brilliant day. At least half of the people smile back and wave too. Not just the kids – but adults as well. I’m not sure if they are just shocked to see folks like us up and around so early – or if a crazy white lady in a Tiley Hat waving madly seems like something worth a smile. But it works!

We get to the entrance, pick up an armed guard after some discussion – I think so few folks use this entrance that they are amazed we actually went to go in – who again has a rusted rifle – and we head into the park.

The good news is- there are no other tourists. The bad news – there are no animals either.

A very disappointing Safari.

We eventually give up – repeat our hour drive back to the Musa Jungle Retreat – and get to eat breakfast/brunch.

The vote is to NOT repeat that trip – this afternoon we’re going back to the main entrance and just deal with the crowds.

To make up for the disappointing morning – this afternoon is amazing. We finally find the Elephants – and gets some great shots. There are two kinds of Elephants in the park – Domestic and Wild. They look just alike to me – except the Domestic ones have chains around one of their ankles. The guards ride them during their patrols of the Park, or use them to do heavy lifting when trees fall down and block the jeep paths.

Speaking of the guards – there are guard posts located all thru the park. These are ‘man caves’ where the guards live during their ‘duty’ weeks. And they are what you’d expect from a ‘man cave’ with no running water except from a well, outdoor toilets used only by guys (nope – I didn’t go it – Helmut checked), and a fire pit for cooking.

But the guards are so proud of their post. When they are in their kaki uniforms they look quite dashing – but often we spot them in more casual wear. These guard posts are their homes!

We spot more birds. There is a tree I call the Tree of Life that sports 2 Peacocks, an Elephant at the base, and countless other birds in the branches. It is stunningly beautiful.

We hang around a lake/pond for a while – just clicking away at the lovely reflections – and Abi gleefully identifies all the different birds we see and hear.

As the Sun starts to set – we head back – to find our way blocked by a family of 5 elephants! Mom and what we eventually decide is also Mom, and 3 juveniles of decreasing age. The pose for pictures coming straight at us – and Diplip slowly and oh so casually backs up the jeep to avoid them charging us. They continue to ‘follow’ us – and Diplip continues our retreat until they get bored with the game and turn off to much some particularly yummy grass.

Whew! Diplip puts the gear into forward and we slowly drive around the group, staying on the road as required.

30 minutes of bumpy path back to the gate in the dark with only our headlights to see the way – then home to the Musa Jungle Retreat.

Dinner at 6:30 – my butter chicken, and a real treat called Smoked Chicken and Pineapple that we all agree is totally delicious. Abi introduces us to some of his friends (fellow tour guides that he’s grown up with), and the manager of the Musa Jungle Retreat joins us for a bit to ask if we are having a good time.

I feel like a very important – but very tired person.

Helmut’s watch reports that he’s walked 16,000 steps today. That’s what that bumpy road apparently means to our Apple Watches!

Home – bed – and another early morning tomorrow.

Signing off – The Soup Lady