Nora has returned to Malawi and this morning has started “our” teaching assignment. And I am meanwhile settling in to life in a luxury hotel in Johannesburg. After the quick but necessary retina operation on Jan 2, I am forced to refrain from flying for a few weeks. My next doctor appointment is Jan 17th and he might allow me to fly, so I would catch the next plane out of here. I think he might tell me to stay yet another week while my gas bubble shrinks further. That is if the retina has stayed in place and he does not want to try again. These operations are unsuccessful 10% of the time.
Victoria falls, Zimbabwe
Remember, we left Zimbabwe a couple of weeks ago, after spending a great few days (5). We were glad finally to see monkeys, buffalo, elephants and hippos in Victoria Falls. Then we saw tons (sorry!) of elephants in Botswana the next week.
We also saw great views of the falls in Zimbabwe. Niagara might be best known to honeymooners as their second greatest letdown, but Victoria falls is magnificent. Dryer now than in the wet season, it still has a lot of water. There can be so much water that the mist obscures the view, so in a sense it was better for us in the off-season.
I was looking into hydroelectric power and it seems that Malawi gets a lot of its electricity from hydro, although not enough for it’s needs. I digress.
Also about Malawi, they have received a few black rhinos from South Africa in a bid to foil poachers.
The photo is from Namibia.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50913693
Maybe we will see these rhinoceroses in 2020 some time when we do a game visit.
We were almost teaching in a Zimbabwe prison. Immigration failed to collect the $150 for our visas and we were visited by an off duty immigration officer, wanting payment. I gave him the $100 he asked for. It all seems quite nefarious. We were glad to get out of Zimbabwe safely and unchallenged.
And then there was Botswana
We did see many elephants. The Botswana government takes a hard line on poachers, and the elephants have figured this out. They do not seem to have visa problems. Other African countries have not adopted the shoot-poachers-on-sight policy of Botswana and these other countries achieve varying degrees of success. None as successful as Botswana.
Hippopotamus in Botswana.
We saw some Hippos, too. I have some aerial shots as well as better definition shots, but need to return to Malawi to upload them.
We will all be waiting to hear how Nora makes out teaching an how the doctor reports on my eye. I hope to report in and start working very soon.
In the Warm Heart of Africa 
Steve and Nora; This will be a brief reply – mostly sent to make sure I have the correct address with which to reach you. You were in my thoughts yesterday as Sunday after church was the memorial service for Linda Lomax.It was held at 2 p.m. after church . What a wonderful attendance – truly standing room only on the main floor. I will miss working with her so much. Our relationship goes back to our shared time with Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation days in the 1970s when we helped with the H & S Ball. You are too young to remember that event I am sure. It was one of those lovely big dances that raised money for this group while the IODE did a similar event for their needs. Those were dances where you actually held you partner close and waltzed around the room or did a jive bedside your partner. I look at pictures of dancers now and take guesses as to which other person is a partner! How times change! I am feeling VERY old. Here , at our home, we are planning a family dinner for John’s 92 birthday on Saturday. We 13 family branches and twigs- feel so grateful to have him. Hearing and memory are proving to add challenges to OUR lives but he says the lack of accurate hearing isn’t a problem for him! It is a good thing we all have a decent sense of humour and a lot of patience!! This is getting longer than I intended so I will close off. You are missed but kept close in prayers. sincerely, Linda Szasz
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She was so good to work with. I will miss her constancy and efficiency.
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Hi you two Thank you for having us n your list for info. I do hope your eye problem will be treated as well there as it would be in Canada. Best wishes . Art and Jean Bennett
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Hi you two back. In a couple of hours I meet with the surgeon. Hope he lets me fly back to Malawi.
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Hi Steve: We are so happy that you keep in touch. Were you able to fly back to Malawi after your Doctor’s visit?
You have certainly been put in a rough position with your obligation to the prison. Thank goodness, Nora is there now.
What a way to convelesce, in a luxury hotel. Life can be really tough.
Steve, we finalized our East Africa Trip today. It’s with Exotic Journeys, called Kenya Bush & Beach. If you can bring it up on the computer, you’d have our full trip. We fly to Charles De Galle Airport in Paris, then change to Kenya Airlines to Nairobi. Spend several days at Lake Nakuru, then Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, Tsavo West & finally at the Serena Beach hotel & spa in Mombasa before flying home.
We’re booked from June 9th/2020 returning home June 21st. Just a nice length of time.
We have morning & afternoon game drives every day. All meals are included (unfortunately not the alcohol Boo Hoo).
in Amboseli, our lodge is in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, lOur afternoon drive is at the foothills of this majestic mountain. We are sooooo excited.
Actually, we also booked a 14 day South American Santiago to Buenos Aires Voyage on the Norwegian Star, next January 2nd. The pamphlet arrived, Don saw it, & that was it. It had to be booked by Jan. 31st, so we got on it right away. Have our cabin booked etc.
We’re leaving Wed., Jan. 22nd for Punta Cana for two weeks. Meeting with our 3 lady friends from Montreal. They are twins & a cousin, whom we met there last year. They also came to visit us for three day this past summer. Really looking forward to our holiday there. That is the reason we jumped on the Norwegian Cruise, as we’re away until Feb. 5th, so would miss the Jan. 31st cut-off if we waited until we returned from Punta Cana.
Please give our love & very best to Nora. I hope she is enjoying her teaching in Malawi.
Take good care, we love hearing from you. Hugs, Pam & Don.
On Mon, Jan 13, 2020 at 2:26 AM In the Warm Heart of Africa wrote:
> stevemcinnis posted: “Nora has returned to Malawi and this morning has > started “our” teaching assignment. And I am meanwhile settling in to life > in a luxury hotel in Johannesburg. After the quick but necessary retina > operation on Jan 2, I am forced to refrain from flying for” >
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I’ll post today. All is well withy eye and I should be able to fly Malawi in q few days
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