The Planet of the Baobabs - revisited

Before the onset of the Easter holiday weekend, we found that we were in desperate need of a break, preferably involving doing as much of  Nothing as possible.  A place was needed to do it in, and, almost exactly one year later, we re-visited the amazing Planet Baobab.

About 400km from here, in the stark, arid terrain edging the shores of the Makgadigkadi Salt Pans, this otherwordly group of baobabs and the quirky lodge clustered in between, provides just the place to disappear entirely from the workaday world. Soaring atop a giant anthill, this roadside sign is hard to miss!

This is a photo taken this time last year, of the hugest and most impressive baobab. It is a truly magnificent tree, and I don't believe this photo even does it justice.

Being low season, we had the place pretty much to ourselves again, which was, of course, the whole idea. Since last year, another hammock had appeared underneath the giant baobab tree, and we spent some wonderfully peaceful hours here, with only a few uncoordinated spills onto the white sand below!

This certainly merits its description as The Coolest Pool in the Kalahari! Baobab in the background...

... and this lively fountain under the thatched hut...

...however, even in the heat of the day it was way too effective in the cooling department, and floating in the warm turquoise water was much more appealing - overlooked by yet another gorgeous babobab.

Here is a view from our hut, looking over to the next door one. Nothing is too close together or intrusive here, and the pathways meander amidst the indigenous vegetation, with the lovely scent of wild basil all around.

Our resident Francolin - one of nature's best little alarm clocks, but his raucuous wake up calls were studiously ignored by us - real fugitives from the routine world!

Late breakfast in the funky dining room. Enamel plates and mugs are the order of the day, here...

I am just crazy about the bar, with its magnificent green beer-bottle chandeliers, vintage photos on the walls and soulful African music.  We seem to have spent a decent amount of time idling around in here, too. At least it's just a short stroll through the pathways, to whichever pressing destination is next on the list!

Partaking of an evening drink in the bizarre outdoor concrete lounge is not to be missed, either. This armchair is really surprisingly comfortable!

The glorious moon and stars, under a miraculously cloud-free sky, enticed us to sit up late outside our hut, with a bottle of wine. Here is last year's photo of the moon and baobabs over the swimming pool.

Then, another day and a night to do it all over again.. this is my idea of a true break.

On the way home, we checked up on my favourite termite mound to see if it had grown in one year. I think it has defintely grown taller, and the base seems broader.

It is also evident that I very seldom buy any new clothes, either!

I'm enjoying looking through these photos again, and re-living a special time. We have not braved the busy roads this Easter, and have been interspersing a bit of work with a bit of relaxation at home. I'm feeling saddened by political events next door in South Africa, and rather depressed about it all, so luckily found the time to escape into the blog world for a little while.

While we have another short week to look forward to, it will be predictably chaotic as soon as we open our doors tomorrow, so I am going to enjoy the rest of the peaceful time! Sending residual easter weekend greetings to all reading this, and I'll be back again when I can.