A week or so back, (see previous post here) we went out to the lovely Muchenje Lodge to sort out a few problems with their internet and printers.
This view from the Lodge out across the Botswana/Namibia border is always breathtaking. In fact, anywhere in Botswana with even a slight increase in altitude produces incredible views out over the flat, flat land..This was a blustery late winter morning, which explains the river's cold, silvery mood, way down there on the floodplain.
The pod-bearing tree in the photo is quite a special one in this area, known to us as the 'Wooden Banana Tree', to others as the 'Mountain Mahogany'. Just to prevent any possible disputes, it also boasts the impressive botanical name of Entandophragma Caudatum!The Wooden Banana fruit is most intriguing. Apparently the pod splits open with an explosive cracking sound, to end up looking like a strange, carved, brown, peeled banana dangling from the tree!
The Lodge staff had gathered up some of the wooden bananas from the tree pictured above, and they were displayed in this bowl.
I do love this part of our multi-border world. For a previous post, including my favourite road sign, have a look over here.Sending you all warm, southern, springlike wishes for a lovely week ahead
I am just reading another story of Mma Ramotswe, and I love Botswana! And wooden bananas! And you!
ReplyDeleteWooden bananas? I learn something new every day in the blogosphere! Love the photos.
ReplyDeleteHow are you, my dear dear friend? Thank you for sharing the images from up high.
ReplyDeleteCiao,
Lola xx
Wooden bananas, are the seeds edible in any way? Interesting and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWooden bananas. This is the first time I've heard of them. It must startle to hear them crack open in the night.
ReplyDeleteI've slept to the sounds of bamboo clumps grunting as they brushed against each other in the wind.
Haven't seen or heard about them for yonks!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember collecting them when they were closed and bringing them back to Joburg as decorations. . . got a helluva fright when they opened weeks later!
have a lovely week
Beautiful. A wonderful glimpse into your world!
ReplyDeleteWooden bananas, eh? I have visions of splinters in my teeth! ;-) xx
ReplyDeleteHello Karen
ReplyDeleteThanks for connecting us up...
I have read all the Mma Ramotswe - Alexander Mc Call Smith books and that is the limit of my knowledge of Botswana so your blog is going to add much to that, starting with wooden bananas...
they look a little like the wooden seed pods of the Poinciana Tree.
Happy days
Hello Karen, Thank you for your very kind words. I have been reading your blog from the start of my entry into blog world! I don't always comment, will try to do so more in the future. Love your posts!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous pic, the bowl, the bananas.
ReplyDeleteHere's a question for you: Do you feel more like a native or a long-term visitor in your part of the world? I'm always interested in the attitudes of transplanted people. You seem to have adapted well to your current venue.
ReplyDeleteThe views you encounter on your work outings must make those days a pleasure.
ReplyDeleteNever knew about wooden bananas - and they look gorgeous in that bowl! I don't suppose they're very common in rural France.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos and such a lovely part of the world.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous picture and I too took lots of pics from roadside, but yours worked better than mine - I got blur and hippo bottoms! Lx
ReplyDelete