Anniversary Adventures

August 19th was our thirtieth anniversary of marriage. We wanted to get a way for a few days to celebrate. While working in a new area, Sinazongwe, we discovered that there is a little island across Lake Kariba called "Chete Island.” We checked into the possibility of staying two days and two nights on the island for our anniversary, but because of our busy schedule it would have to be sandwiched in between two Bible studies we had scheduled in the area.

We should have known from the beginning that our anniversary celebration was going to be an adventure. We contacted the only lodge on Chete Island and were told that the owner was out, but could book through her friend who was helping out. We wanted to go over early Friday, have the whole day to enjoy, spend all day Saturday and check out early Sunday morning. The friend in charge said that another couple would be arriving at noon, and asked if we could wait for them so we could travel together on the boat that would ferry us to the island. We agreed thinking we would still have half a day on the island.

We arrived before twelve, ready to go. The boat was there, but the other couple was not. We were served coffee and visited with a young man named Dagonie, who would be our guide. Needless to say, we did not set off for the island until after 3:00 p.m., arriving on the island after 4:00. I was disappointed that we would only have one full day to enjoy our time away.

Chete Island is beautiful, and once we were on the island, I was fine. The scenery was awesome and the camp quite rustic. It wasn't a five-star hotel, but it wasnt' supposed to be. We were each escorted to our tented lodges and then invited to go on a sunset cruise.

We set out in a large motorized banana boat. With hippos all around us, we made our way around the cove where the lodge is located. The water was calm, but filled with hippos that kept an eye on us all the time. Dagonie assured us that they would not come near us because they did not like the sound of the motor. I liked the sound of the motor as it was reassuring to know that it would keep the hippos away—that is until it died. After a few minutes of priming the fuel line, the motor was purring once again, and we set off for the lodge.

After a delicious supper and getting to know the others at the lodge, Dagonie escorted us to our tent (outside the electric fenced area). He informed us that we would most likely be visited by the “resident” elephant that likes to come and greet visitors. They had named the elephant, "Pungwe" which means “all night stay”.

When we settled down for the night, we could hear in the distance the breaking of tree limbs, and there was a strange odor in the air. We both knew, having lived in Africa for some time that the sounds and smells were from an elephant. We were tired, however, and fell asleep. .

Around 1:00 a.m. I woke up to a very strong smell. I then heard the cracking of tree limbs right outside our tent. I woke Wes up and we laid there listening for a few minutes. Wes finally got up, very quietly I might add, and went to the door of the tent (which does not lock). Of course I knew the lock would not keep an elephant out anyway.

Wes moved the curtain to look out, and informed me that the elephant was just on the other side of the not so tall grass fence that partially blocked our tent. Finally, I got up the nerve to climb out of bed and look out the window as well. What I saw only intensified my fears. There looming like a large grey dinosaur, was a giant bull elephant facing us, moving his head back and forth while breaking tree limbs. It seemed as if he was looking right at us. I quickly moved away from the door and went to the other side of the tent, begging Wes to move away from the door as well. My heart was pumping fast and I was praying. It seemed like forever before the elephant left our tent. Before leaving, he came closer to the side of the tent and then moved on down the path. The next morning we discovered he had even ventured into the lodge area and destroyed some grass and trees.

I spent the morning relaxing in the sun, catching up on the sleep I missed, while Wes went out fishing with the guys. I also visited with the other female guest. After a nice lunch, everyone took an afternoon siesta, and then it was time for our evening cruise again. I asked Dagonie “Is the motor going to make it this time?” He assured me they had worked on it and everything would be fine.

Because we had more time for the cruise, we ventured out of the cove into the rougher waters of the Kariba I was not thrilled about going beyond the comfort zone (if you can call it that) of the cove. I was determined, however, not to be a worrier and enjoy. I had my binoculars and was scouting for elephants, when suddenly our motorized banana boat hit something and we went up in the air and to the right. I was sure a hippo had come up under our boat, and was waiting for the big CHOMP. We nearly capsized because Wes and the other male visitor both reacted by moving to the left side. The Lord was good, and we stayed upright. We had not hit a hippo, but a tree under the water that was not visible. It was then that I noticed all the trees sticking out of the water. Hippos, trees, what next?

We moved on a little ways when we saw a group of elephants off in the distance heading toward the water. I love watching elephants (as long as they are not outside my tent). I was not going to get to enjoy them, however, because suddenly the motor stopped again. It had flooded when we hit the tree. I was sure they would get it started again, but after some time, it was obvious that we were in trouble. Wes and one of the guides grabbed the oars and began to paddle for shore. We were headed toward a very sandy beach. Hmmm, didn't Dagonie tell me earlier that day that the crocodiles loved the sandy beaches the best?

We were asked to get out of the canoe so the guys could work on the motor. It was a beautiful beach, and there were no crocodiles in sight. As we waited on the shore, we watched the elephants in the distance, did some bird viewing and took pictures of the beautiful sunset. We prayed for the motor to start, and the Lord answered our prayers, but the guides called the lodge and asked them to send another boat. They wanted to have a back up.

While waiting for the boat, Dagonie led us down the beach a ways to show us a little cove filled with crocodiles. I and the other female visitor kept our distance, but the guys got a little too close for comfort.

Finally the other boat came and the adventure was over. We were safe back at the lodge, enjoying a delicious supper, viewing the star-filled skies, and warming ourselves by the camp fire. We had a restful night as Pungwe did not show up again. We packed up our things and prepared for our trip back to the mainland.

We will always remember our anniversary adventure. It was a wonderful experience, but not one I’d want every day. It is the kind of thing you write about afterwards, but during the experience you think, “Are we crazy, or what?”