Lekhubu Island

“Lekhubu is a rock out crop which was sometime submerged in the water of the lake. This rock outcrop is engulfed by the white sea of salt, making it to remain as an island jutting in the middle of the flats. The ruins found on the island are said to have been an initiation centre for initiation schools for San males.”

 Well today would be my initiation day !

'The stranger' (aka istinja bottle) and I, armed with Tabbard went to the long drop. We dragged Marwaan with as there was no branch across the path! He thought I was foolish, spraying Tabbard outside, inside, on the door, down the 'drop' ! It wasn't perfect, but it worked! Having the door open also helped, as I could keep my head out rather than in ! If you are trying to picture it – the cubicle was THAT small so I could well be a tortoise !!

Muhammad and Marwaan took a drive around sunrise and took lovely photos.

After breakfast we took a walk around the island, admiring the magnificent baobab trees (have I typed it enough for you to know how inlove I am with these trees ?) Photographing almost every tree we saw! I can't explain how KWAAI they look – yes they are bare, but the bark is so smooth and the way the light glows on it – it's AWESOME ! 

 As we approached the side of the island overlooking the pans, an icy wind blew. As we were alone on our walk, one could imagine what a desert would have been like (without the baobabs of course! So just turn to look at the pans) Marwaan found a hiking trail which crossed the island, so we followed and the kids enjoyed it. We found stones which could well be gemstones, a pod from a baobab with cream of tartar in tact ! We tasted it but Marwaan was concerned. Muhammad found a bug he'd never seen before. A climb to the “top” had us breathless – with a 360 degree of the island. As we walked I heard Muhammad say “Marsha' Allah”.

Although we saw dung aplenty, there was no signs of any animal life. When we returned from our walk it was 10am. Now what can we do ? Aasiyah went over her lessons and when the other kids returned from exploring the island, they all got together and played. Marwaan and I read and then he took a nap. I longed for a shower -perhaps just because there wasn't one!

At sunset we went out onto the pan. It was spectacular “Marsha Allah” ;-) Marwaan and the kids ran out into the pans and went crazy with taking photos so much so that our battery died!

We were also out of sugar, so I had to get some from my neighbours.