Days 24 thru 27

(Rhia’s comments are italicized)

We visited Kasane exactly one year ago, and were so impressed that we actually planned our return here. We immediately visited our favorite restaurant Pizza Plus Coffee & Curry, Kasane’s best restaurant, 14 years and running (according to the owner, Ashok).

We were fortunate to have met Ashok last year on the first day we arrived. His energy and presence cannot be ignored, and draws you in, and you cannot help but be excited by, and participate in, his plans. He is a business man that moved here 16 years ago, and invested in the community. He runs two restaurants here, and owns two more in Maun, and another two in Johannesburg, S. Africa. He is also involved in multiple other businesses. But, perhaps more importantly, Ashok connects people. He tirelessly brings business and government interests together to benefit the community. Ashok’s zest and enthusiasm for life is contagious and you always leave his company feeling uplifted.

The curries at Pizza Plus Coffee & Curry are possibly the best I have ever tasted. Ashok flies back to India and looks for top chefs of Indian cuisine, and then brings them to Kasane. Though the coffee selection is sparse, there are 13 pizzas, 40 curries, 20 starters, as well as a new Indian/Chinese curry fusion section that is labeled “Something new a must try food”.

We have chosen to stay at the Chiloto Guesthouse again this year. The staff is great, and the location is close to the Chobe river. When walking down to the main street you’ll most likely encounter some unlikely residents. Ironically, we didn’t see many warthogs in the game parks this year (probably because the grass is too tall), but they wander the streets of Kasane as if they own the place!

Also seen along the streets are makeshift stalls selling curios, food or services.

The children here play freely in the streets. Sometimes, older children (5 or 6) have been charged to look after the younger ones (2 or 3)! They run around, barefooted, and unaware of any danger. If they come across a wild animal (warthog, hippo, elephant, buffalo etc.), they know how to behave appropriately.

At the river, sunset is seen through clouds of dragonflies that add some mystique to an already beautiful scene. I tried to capture a dragonfly with the sunset as the backdrop but this is the best I could do without my super-heavy, super-expensive camera and lens (that were back at the place where we’re staying)!!

Ashok’s latest venture involves his recent purchase of 6 hectors of land on the border of Botswana and Zimbabwe. The plan is to build a backpacker’s retreat with full luxury accommodations at all price points. He took us there one night along with two presidentially appointed commissioners (the commissioner of Kasane, and the commissioner of Francistown; last year, we met the Namibian ambassador at his restaurant!) to view the property, and experience a late night safari!

I had no expectations but was pleasantly surprised! We saw a tower of giraffes (about 10-12), a herd of elephants (about 30), herds of impala, a hyena, and many foxes and jackals. Also, on the road out of town, we drove by a herd of buffalo (about 150-200)!! This place is exhilarating!

We’re meeting so many influential people that I’m starting to think there’s a message there for us if we’d allow ourselves to see it. We must work on that! In the meantime, we’re going to continue to enjoy our time here.