Mokoro!--Cris

May 13th 2022

Machaba Camp, Mokoro day

Mokoro day- on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta. The largest inland delta in the world- we will be on a small tributary of the river Khwai. A short drive in the land cruiser past the hippo pond with the obligatory white egret on top. A meandering sandy, bump filled road with our guides. We stop and aboard classic looking dark green fiberglass canoes molded like the traditional wood carve mokoros that are now limited to preserve the coveted trees. A removable seat x 2 is placed in both boats and we take a seat. I’m in front, Linden behind and our guides- Soli and OP standing aback both boats with a pole for pushing along the waters ground- never more than 2 feet deep. There are no sounds of man once we start. The occasional push of the pole and then a slow, steady glide of the Mokoro along the smooth clear water. The sun is rising gently in the east. Ari and Asher are behind us a few pole strokes. The reeds and lilies part for us. An occasional spider web catches me in the face and I shake it away and then quickly calm again to the sounds and motions here. The low perspective of the water is so close and comforting. The greens and browns of reeds at eye level are breathtaking. Gliding along, gliding along, gliding along the water. Bird sounds take flight, frogs signal like bell cacophony, swoosh of the water, parting of the lily pads with reddish roots underwater and purple and white lily flowers floating like jewelry … Mokoro. I have always been enamored with colors, especially green hues. My whole life searching and dwelling on greens of nature, Linden trees, Ash trees, any trees, scrubs, plants, landscapes of leaves or pine needles- even furniture, art work, fabrics and even kitchen aid mixers in green call my name. Even a fragrant cup of coffee in hand and I love to browse through the local ace hardware store searching for the perfect green color swatch cards displayed by Benjamin Moore or Behr paints. I used to take them home just to use them as pretty bookmarks for me or art projects for a little Asher or Linden. Mokoro African safari hues were made for me. Greens and other African hues draw me in and calm my soul, they slow my racing mind to a slow healthy greenish glide … With my happy hues in tow- Ari, Asher and Linden. Try not to forget the experience …. Mokoro.