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Sat Jun 14 2003 (Kasane)

Woke up by cleaner trying to get in around 9.10. Got up, sorted out laundry (first wash for jeans). Took it over to reception then had a wander down to camp-site. Looks OK and a few people there so back to reception to tell them I'm moving out of the room. Check internet for first time since I left SA, find out about bus bomb in Jerusalem, FA not taking tickets for Macedonia away, FCO advice still not good for Kenya. Email not working. Provisionally reserve early morning game drive and late afternoon river cruise for tomorrow. Tell me to check back later to confirm. Get packed, almost trip over warthog (one of three) outside room. Pick shady spot for tent, baboon raiding bins, warthog sniffing my pack. Wander around camp-site, electric fence, meet family from Cape Town, one of sons living in London for 5 years. They've been to Vic Falls. Tell them about sign advising not to camp within 10m of water due to crocs. They decide to move, have monkeys raiding their car. See big water monitor (prob about 4 ft). Go for food as stomach not happy after anti-malarial. Baboon again. Get fish and chips, try charging pocket PC, think it is working. Meet couple from Drakensberg, they have a son who lives in Pimlico (flat overlooking Thames). Call Jungle Junction who will arrange a visa waiver and pick me up from Zambian side of Kazungula crossing at 9am on Monday. Confirm tomorrow's trips, 6-9am game drive (P110), 3-6pm river cruise (P77) and P70 day park fee. Walk back to camp-site, see 10-15 banded mongoose chasing around like nutter, with a few monkeys in amongst them. Hippo sleeping on bank within 10m of lady camping, also small croc further round bank. She goes off to watch second Springbok-Scotland rugby game, Cape Town family go too. Update diary in camp-site bar overlooking water, watch sunset. Go for dinner,only buffet available, not too hungry so get bars chocolate and a beer. Bed early around 9.30pm. Photos from today