RUKOMECHI

 "A SLICE OF HEAVEN FOR US"!!

THIS IS THE REAL AFRICA

We recently had the opportunity to travel with the rest of the Senior Couples to the Manna Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, which is located on the Zambizi River.  Sister Heck and I were in charge of this couples conference, and I must say we did a marvelous job of planning this one, because we picked the best place in Zimbabwe to go.  It only took us 5 hours to drive to this place, where we loaded everyone into boats and went another hour and half down river.  It was a trip of a life time for us, and something that we will talk about the rest of our lives.  Everyone enjoyed themselves and wished that it would not have ended.  Please enjoy these pictures.

This was our camp, we were really roughing it from here.  You will see from the rest of the pictures that this was really tough duty for Sister Heck.

Another view of the "CAMP"  I really feel guilty when I talk about this outing, it was just unbelievable.  This is the kind of thing that you read about in books, but it really happened to us.

We were "camped" right on the Zambizi River which divides Zimbabwe and Zambia, and it was just like these places fell out of of an old Look Magazine.  While we were setting on this deck we had about 12 elephants walk right in front of us, and they were so close you felt like you could reach out and touch them.  There were 4 real small elephant babies that were so adorable.  You had to be careful not to go down by the river because of the Crocs, and I'm talking 15 to 18 footers.  Also the Hippos are the most dangerous on the river, and they were every where.

This is a photo of the "tent" that Jean and I stayed in.  Yeh, cement floors, and you could open and close the sides so you could see out, or close them at night so the elephants couldn't see you sleeping at night.  Inside and outside shower, and all the eminities that a person would want to have.

This guy actually walked up the board walk, got right by our tent, and unloaded everything he had right there.  They came with a shovel and threw it in the river, but it was more that a wheel borrow full.  Anyway, he thought he was at home until I started taking pictures, and then he got a little upset, notice the ears.  I was standing behind a tree, but still a little shakey from that vantage point.

What a view we had, It was just simply fantastic.  Like I said, this is something that you read about in a book, and never get the chance to experience it, well, we did the whole 10 yards, and believe me it was worth every penny that we spent on this outing.

They had this old fashion tub on a private deck and freshly drawn hot water.  The first one there got the tub, and yes, it was fantastic.  Never experienced anything like it before.

Can you believe this, this is what life is all about, no not really, but it was one of the best experiences that we both have had.  We were treated like royalty, and loved every minute of it.  We would get up every morning at 6 a.m. and go to our "tents" every night with an armed guard.  We could lay in bed at night and listen to the lions roar and the hippos grunting, and elephants walking by the tent.  It was soreal it was great.  I would love to go back before we depart Zimbabwe. 

We saw lots of Hipos when we were on the water, and they pretty much kept us awake all night long with the deep rumble that they made.

Beautiful Sunset on the Zambizi River

Termite mound and Zebras, lots of Zebras.  They were Jean's favorite.

Seems like every time we turned around we were stopping to eat something.  Pretty much treated as though we were royalty, but what the Heck, someone has to do it.

Dugout is the main means of transportation and hunting on the Zambizi for the locals.

This was an elephant that was crossing the river, at times all you could see was his trunk sticking up like a snorkle out of the water.

Our guides, especially this guy were fantastic and very well educated.

This is how we made it to our camp, nothing fancy, but after about an hour ride in this thing, we were ready to hit the shore.  Jefferies and us shared this boat.  Vintage 1950's.

As soon as we arrived at the camp, this is what was there to welcome us to a different world all together.  This group walked past us and swam across the river to an island.

At times all you could see was their trunks sticking up out of the river, searching for air.

Finally reached the other side.

All the comforts of home and believe me, a lot more!!!

This is a vew from our bathroom of the Zambizi River and a giant termite mound.  We had elephants, rhinos, and who knows what else in our front yard.

This guy was not a "Happy Camper" and believe me when we said that we got the Heck out of there when he was coming after us!!

Never a happier moment than this, check out the back ground.

This was the "Daddy of Daddy's as far as Cape Buffalo goes.  This would be considered the trophy of all trophys, and it really is the only thing that I would love to go hunting for here in Africa.

We actually drove up on this lion as he was sleeping, knowing that she had made a kill the night before, and wasn't interested in any "fresh meat" that was in the safari wagon.  Pretty amazing!

Didn't really bother her much when she woke up and saw us setting there looking at her, but I'm sure our guide had one foot on the excelerator.  Lot of good that would have done us.

WALKING WITH THE LIONS!!!

We recently had visitors from the States, John & Kay Denny (Jean's sister), and we had the opportunity to take a week off from Missionary Work and do a little traveling throughout Zimbabwe.  We had a fantastic time, going from one end to the other. 
One of our destinations was a wild game park called ANTELOPE PARK.  Here they had young lions that you could actually go out into the bush and walk with them.  We must say, that this was one of the high lites of out journeys so far.  It was so majestic and mystical all at the same time.  We loved it!!!

Here are some of the photos of our visit to:

ANTELOPE PARK

This guy will grow up to be the King of The Jungle!!!!
They are so majestic in real life.  No fences here.

I was just a little apprehensive about this particular move they asked me to preform.  (Note the stick in my hand, a lot of good that's going to do).

My wife was braver than I was, I think she had the tame one.  She ask our guide if they had eaten today, and he assured her that they had (They only feed them every 3 days, thank goodness we got them on the day they had been fed).

This guy was only 17 months old, but you could feel the power in him when you put your hand on him.  He watched every move around him.

Checking out the neighbors.

Looks so content just setting there on his back honches, but believe me, he's ready to move.

On the banks of the river, in Africa!!!

You'll be able to tell that the pictures by the water are our favorite pictures.  They were kindof in a playful mode here. 

Just a regular cat getting a drink from the river.

Of course, this is my favorite picture.  After a while, they kind of act like they know who you are.

Wanted the stick, but didn't want to get wet going after it.

Couldn't quite figure out the reflection in the water.

A picture is worth a thousnad words.

Kay and John loved Africa so much, I think they will want to come here on their mission.  Believe me, it is a place that no one will ever forget, BEAUTIFUL AFRICA!!!

WHERE ELSE COULD YOU GET A PICTURE LIKE THIS!!!!

WHAT AFRICAN PEOPLE CARRY ON THEIR HEADS

On a recent trip to Masvingo (which is becoming Sister Heck's favorite place to visit) we thought of the idea to putting together a theme for our next blog, so here it is, WHAT AFRICAN'S CARRY ON THEIR HEADS!!!!  ENJOY..........................

On a recent Couple Meeting in Masvingo, we were able to see this woman who was carrying a load of fire wood back to her village.  We turned around in the road to find her, and she was gone.  We took the only trail that she could have gone down, and found her.  She was already at her hut, and her husband, as usual, was asleep on the ground.  We quickly made friends with everyone, and she agreed to carry the load of wood again.  They could speak no English whatsoever, but we had a wonderful time meeting with them.

When we saw her walking down the road, she was moving quite fast, and had both hands down by her side. 

Sister Heck thought that she could carry a load like this, and so did I, but she wouldn't try.

They simply put an old towel or rag  on their head, then put the load on their head.  One lady told me she once carried a load of wood for 20 kilometers like this.

This is the trail that we took down to the village.  It was wide enough to get a car down, but it was actually a foot path, but over the years it has been worn down to appear as a road.  They were all amazed that we drove our car down the path.

This young woman was at a village that Sister Heck and I had previously visited.  She told us that she was 12 years old, and was gathering wood for her sister to cook with.  She invited us to visit her hut.

These young guys were just coming out of the bush, and they were so happy with all the cooking firewood that they had found.  Their mom will be happy about this.

Sister Heck had to stop and give the guys a treat for their hard effort and good work.  Note the worn trail that they have used for a long time.

This young woman had woven a floor mat out of Elephant grass for sale for someone's hut.

These little girls had bags of Roller Meal, maze, or we call it corn, on their heads.  This is a staple for all these people that they eat everyday.  Most families only have one good meal a day, and it is usually a meal of sudza which is made from roller meal or maze.  We never did find out where they got this from, but they appreciated Sister Heck's gift and candy.

More gifts and more candy!!

This gal was coming up from a stream and had 20 litres (5gallons) of water on her head, and a small bucket of water in her hand.  I don't think that I could even lift the bucket onto my head, let alone carry it on my head.

They make it look so easy!!!!

More picture of Head pictures to come!!!!!

Please come back.