Tales of the Tigress floating down the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Africa

On our last morning in the lovely Camp Okavango, Camp O, as it's fondly nick named, Our group were given the choice to do another foot safari or go back on the Delta for a Mokoro canoe safari. I choose to go back to the Delta, for various reasons... Other than I was not really up to further trekking on foot, more importantly I had fallen in love with the beauty of the reeds and the slow pace of gliding through the waterway brimming with breathtaking flowers and fauna.  I was the solo guest on this particular morning's journey, which was a bonus for me!

So off we went, just me, Buzzie and our guide GB paddling quietly through the reeds, propelling the boat forward like a Venetian Gondolier, both of us enjoying the morning sun, mesmerized by reflections on the glass like still waters and the spectacular aura of the surrounding environment.

My Deserts and Deltas Safari guide GB from Camp O, told me with a twinkle in his eye, that I was now Lisa, Queen of the Delta as we glided through the world's largest inland water system and he graciously anointed me with a Okavango "lei" he handily created for me from a African white water lily plucked from the Delta... GB patiently showed me how to make the necklace by peeling back the stems, quietly explaining how it was his father who had taught him this craft and imparted so much knowledge about their natural surroundings, as a child growing up here on the beautiful Okavango Delta in Botswana.  He is blessed by the riches of his father's gifts and the knowledge of passed down by generations.

We chatted comfortably about the flowers and fauna as I clicked away. I was fascinated to learn about different plants some of which were medicinal - for example one of the roots of a water plant was used when one has swollen glands, while another leaf from the devils claw flower when rubbed together in your hands along with a few drops of water creates a natural soap.  GB quickly realized that I was content to spend our time gliding slowly through the Delta and he was happy to stop and go, allowing me the luxury to get lost in the moment, photographing the smallest detail along our route.

We did not go far in our two hour journey as the crow flies but we traveled to the magical land of Botswana's Okavango Delta and into the journey of our spirits colliding with conversations about our families and our interests and education. I learned so much from GB this morning and I hope he took back to his heart a piece of mine. Africa continues to enchant me with its natural beauty, the physical beauty of Mother Nature's brush and the spiritual beauty of the people who like onions once peeled back reveal a complexity of many layers.