Humbling Elephants

We were humbled by watching groups of elephants share a water hole. There are rituals of greetings between the groups. there is politeness of not taking too long time bathing but letting other groups share their part, there is a collective response to ensure safety of thr group and most of all a common caring for each other, especailly the young ones.

As far as photos or a short video can capture this, we have tried and share it here for you. It does not show the depth of the wisdom these animals. I certainly felt it.

Elephants are the real kings of the jungle. They definitely top the ranks. All other animals have to wait in line for their turn to get some of the precious water, and when one group of elephants after the other arrives, that waiting can be quite long. Even a single, lonely and grumpy elephant who monopolized a small waterhole for at least half an hour did not allow two thirsty warthogs close to his turf.

More surprising was to see the reaction of the elephant herd to the arrival of an African jackal or wild dog. they are know to carry a wide array of disease including rabies. I can only assume that the elephants know this as they, as a group confronted this small dog in a very threatening way but never came close to the dog.

A Caracal Lynx was an unexpected bonus.

We had a wonderful two days with Josefien who had some spare time between workshops in Uganda, South Africa, Sweden and the family festivities for the Dutch Sinterklaas, to visit Stamper and us. Emotional too, the last time Josefien was on board Stamper was 2007 at Marieke's wedding. Much has passed since. I feel like an old elephant wanting to share my sailing experience with the younger generations.

Just after dropping Josefien off at the airport we left Port Elisabeth to try and get into Knysna lagoon. A challenging entrance where more than one sailor lost his life crashing on the rocks of a narrow entrance between high cliffs on a coast know for its high waves. Our gaurdian angel brought us at the entrance at the ideal time, half an hour before high water. Even though it blew 30 knots of wind, the swell did not reach the entrance as the wind was in precisely the right direction. Our reward is a two weeks leisurely stay in this lovely lagoon.