Tiger, tiger

Our government lodge was on the edge of a small settlement just out of the main wooded areas. The property itself protected by fences to keep out the wandering beasts. When we arrived the power was out, but the magic of flash photography enabled me to pick out what the place looked like, and using mobile phones as torches we found our way around.

On the way to the lodge the jeep in front of us had stopped suddenly and torches shone from it into the woods. A tiger had run across the road in front of them. Sadly we didn't see it from our car. But everyone was so excited we all wanted to go back into the forest and see if we could see any more or some of the many elephants that inhabit the area. The foresters agreed they would guide us later on that evening.

Our wonderful cook had come to the lodge and had prepared more lovely food for us. By now the power had come back on and we could see what the place was like. Xavier from the company we are working with asked me if I minded sharing with him. For a moment I thought I'd have to share a bed with him but he explained that it split in to two bunks. I told him I didn't mind as long as he didn't mind me snoring badly. He said he did too so we'd compete to be the loudest.



The beds looked very ornate, but were simple. No sheets, just a blanket to lie on. So we slept in our clothes. In the end neither of us heard the other snore, and Xavier had even got out of bed to take the battery out of the clock in the room because the tick was annoying him in the night. So maybe I don't snore so badly after all?

Anyway, soon after we had eaten the buzz went around everyone that we were going into the jungle to see the wild animals. We all piled into one Jeep and headed off full of anticipation like a bunch of school kids chatting away. It was hilarious and I didn't understand a word of what anyone was saying. There must have been at least 10 of us in there all jammed in. Before long someone spotted something - a herd of spotted deer we thought. I tried to photo them but they were too far off in the dark.



We moved on and deeper in to the bush, down some very badly pitted tracks and came across loads of fresh Elephant dung. Someone shouted "5pm" from the back and we all fell about laughing. Onwards we went for what seemed like ages until we all agreed we'd not see anything tonight. Sadly we returned home to the lodge. It had been fun, even if ultimately a little disappointing.