Weeks 63 & 64 - Long Weekend Adventures & Trees

LONG WEEKEND ADVENTURES

March 29 - Apr 1 became a long weeknd for us! Good Friday and Easter Monday created this "perfect get-a-way" time on the calendar, and we took advantage of it!

Friday morning at 4:45 am, we headed to the Kotoko airport with 2 other couples - Whites & Manwarings. We arrived and checked in without problem. That was not the case for one of our couples - Manwarings. Upon checking in at the counter, they were told their flight reservations were cancelled. What? We all booked at the same time, same day, same itinerary. There was no explanation or immediate remedy. They were told that the earliest they could fly out, was the next morning. It was a bummer, but they took it in stride and we all thought the same thing... "Whatcha 'ghana' do?" We have come to realize that there are things that happen here in Ghana, and across Africa, that you just can't understand. So, we are 'ghana' try to not get too upset. 

Our destination: Mole National Park

Although only 430 miles from Accra, the drive would take more than 13 hrs on a good traffic day. Hence, our reason for opting to fly to the Tamale airport and drive 3.5 hrs to Mole.

Mole is Ghana’s first, largest and most prestigious protected area. The Park is managed mainly for its outstanding natural, physical, historical and cultural values. It covers an area of 4,577 km of fairly undisturbed Guinea savannah in the northern part of Ghana.

Mole is rich in biodiversity and home to numerous plant species, mammal species, bird species, reptiles & amphibian species, and butterfly species. 

The Park has the most viable elephant population in Ghana, and as such, is a hotspot for elephant conservation. It is also said that the Park has a unique breed of elephant, which are not hostile, not aggressive or insecure, compared to other elephant populations in the rest of Africa. 

Upon arriving at Zaina Lodge, our accomodations for the next 2 days, we were immediately greeted by roaming elephants at the front entrance. 

Our accomodations were what could be described as glamping! Part tent, part permanent structure. It only took 24 hrs to cool the place down! Good thing there was a fan directly over the bed.

Our first safari out and about, about killed us! It was unbearably hot. But, we did see a fair representation of several different animals: Kob, Bush Buck, Green monkey, baboons, birds (eagles, vultures, guinea fowl), warthogs, and of course elephants.

After returning to the  lodge, we cooled off in the infinity pool and watched the elephants do the same in the watering hole below. 

 

The next day we did a beautiful canoe ride down the Mole River. Because we visited at the end of the dry season (when it is scorching hot), the river was quite low and the surface was covered in a flourescent green algae. It was actually quite beautiful. Along the way we saw beautiful birds and a monitor lizard.

We also stopped at a local village. This village and many others in the region, make shea butter. The local trees are mostly shea trees. The pots below show the process: dark chocolate brown (roasted nuts that have been ground down and then begin to release the oil), then water is added gradually to created the lighter brown oil (feels like chocolate syrup almost), and finally the oil is scooped from this mixture out in big clumps and packaged. No additives.

The village was bustling with children and adults, living life. Many children held our hands as we walked along. Women in the village were busy cooking, carrying wood and keeping life going. The adobe mud houses were cool inside, compared to the scorching heat. We also met the local medicine man and he explained his roots and tinctures.

Driving back to the airport alongside the road and crossing the white Volta River, daily life goes on.  

I think my favorite glimpses into daily life and ones that will last long into the years ahead, were found under the shade of a tree.

 

You have to look closely, but gathered under the shade of each tree is life. The laughter of children, mothers washing and preparing food, random goats and animals also escaping the hot sun... life goes on. 

I like these symbolic thoughts by John A Taylor: 

Shade-Tree Thoughts

The shade tree is many things...

• A place of contemplation.

• An oasis where comfort, safety and protection exist.

• A place where we discover our human interdependence.

• A place where consciousness and unconsciousness interact.

• A map where we imprint the journey of our living and the lessons it brings.

💖💛💚Sending lots of love from Ghana! Take time to sit in the shade of your favorite tree and consider life!!!