My New Friend Basil

My roommate Debra and I spent this past weekend at Mukambi Lodge in Kafue National Park. Beautiful site right on the Kafue River. We didn't see a ton of animals on the game drives, but we did okay at the lodge. Behind me is Basil, a hippo that tends to hang out and nap on the lodge deck. There are also a couple of resident warthogs who come under the table while you're eating and bang their heads against it in order to knock food to the ground. It was an experience. Check out the pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/kellyrandels

The Overland Extravaganza

In March I experienced the craziness of overlanding in Africa. We departed from Cape Town and in three weeks worked our way through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. It was an amazing trip with many once in a lifetime moments. My personal highlight was skydiving in Namibia with the desert on one side and the ocean on the other. There is a video of that experience and yes, I will make all of you watch it when I get back. I created a small album to give you an idea of the trip. Take a look:

http://picasaweb.google.com/kellyrandels

Skiing in Africa

I went to Lesotho this past weekend, which is a small country located in the middle of South Africa. It is absolutely beautiful and freaking cold because it's the middle of winter there. Believe it or not, they have a ski lodge. You can't tell from the photo but there is a ski life going up this patch of snow and we met some people from Johannesburg who were going skiing the day I took this photo.

Weekend Escape

I'm definitely going to miss some things about Zambia. For example this past weekend I escaped Lusaka and spent three days camping near the Luangwa River. We went hiking and spent a few hours floating on canoes looking at the crocodiles. At one point we crossed the river and spent some time as illegal immigrants in Mozambique. You just can't do things like this in Seattle. For more pix check out: http://picasaweb.google.com/kellyrandels/BridgecampLuangwa

The Shima Shack

Here is a look at our fav lunch spot to eat nshima (the "n" is silent). It's located in Northmead market in between veg and craft stands. Nshima is maiz that looks a little like grits. You eat it with your hands with different gravy dishes. I like the boiled chicken and cabbage. It is really good and it's easy to eat a lot. The problem is that it hits your stomach like a ton of brinks and you want to fall asleep an hour later. Jennie and I (pictured above) work together as interns on the TB team. In our old office we used to take naps on the floor after stuffing our faces with nshima.

Goodbye Almea!

Our year in Zambia is coming to an end and we are beginning to lose people. Almea is the first one of us interns to return home. We will all miss our NHH and wish her the best. For more pix of Almea's goodbye party see: http://picasaweb.google.com/kellyrandels/AlmeaParty

Buffalo Retirement Home

Interesting story about these water buffalo. Our guide said that all the buffalo by the river are older males. Apparently, at a certain age, they leave the heard and hang out by the river together until they die. So the Zambezi River is kind of like a retirement home for geriatric male buffalos. If you want to see more pixs from this trip, check out this link: http://picasaweb.google.com/kellyrandels