Hippos at St. Lucia

Question: What was the one thing I was most excited about before leaving for South Africa?

Answer: HIPPOS.

I had my first, albeit brief, hippo encounter at the Rhino & Lion Park last month. I only saw their little ears poking over the water though, so really, I was still dead-set on experiencing a real hippo encounter.

On December 19th, my wish came true.

We drove one hour to St.Lucia, a small town that hosts a wetland park brimming with crocs, hippos, and bird life.

Jason, Sarah, and I

We had to get up at 6am. Jason and Sarah were jet lagged and I am not a morning person. Oy! We were three tired little monkeys that morning. 

We hopped aboard a double-deck boat and took off on a two hour cruise that fully satiated (while also expanding) my hippopotamus obsession.

A view of the other boat approaching a family of hippos

They were beautiful! Everything I had imagined and more. Large, rotund, grey and pink blobs of rubbery flesh which bobbed and rolled near the water's surface. Their little ears fluttered around, they groaned their displeasure at having to deal with all the photographers (us), and we were even treated to a hippo show-down as well as a smiling hippo (that's when they open their mouths extra wide).

Hippos love to cuddle eachother :) ... can't you see the smile on his face? 

Peek-a-boo! I see youuu!

We saw three families of hippos, each with only one male as it is he who services all the females (tough life!). One group had over 15 hippos! That male must be one busy guy...

My favorite moment was seeing the little babies. At 80lbs they aren't small, yet while floating beside their 3000lbs mother, they were nothing short of teeny tiny packages of cuteness. The little ones would scramble up to the surface, poking their petite face into the air only take a quick puff of air before scurrying back down underwater with Mom.

If I could have taken one home, I would be importing copious amounts of grass as we speak.

See the little baby near her Mama's head? Aren't you dying of cuteness?!

Us holding a giant hippo tooth!

We were also treated to crocs stealthily gliding next to us in the water, and a few resting on the riverbanks. We saw fish eagles, cranes, storks, and tonnes of weaver finches. The weavers are pretty incredible. They are tiny yellow birds who live in reeds and construct homes out of the leaves of the reed stalks. The males spend a week building the nest and then wait for a female to approve. If no female finds his home particularly attractive or well-built, he'll chuck it to the ground and begin afresh. 

Fish Eagle resting in the treetops

Weaver nests in the reeds 

Croc sighting!

The boat ride was stunning and definitely one of my favorite sight-seeing tours that I've done so far.

The lunch we had afterwards wasn't so great.

It was definitely a TIA situation (This Is Africa).

Kern was given rice and calamari instead of fries and calamari due to a communication issue. Then Jason, Leah and Kern were all served their meals while Sarah and I still waited. Mine was brought out 5-8 minutes later only for me to spot a wad of oil-logged hair fried to one of my calamari rings. BLECH.

After haggling with the waiter who couldn't seem to comprehend what I was complaining about (he looked at the clump of hair and asked, "what is that?" -- NO KIDDING!), I was offered a fresh plate of calamari. I polietly declined and asked for a salad. The manager eventually came out and explained that what I saw was a piece of mussel beard that had fallen into the deep fryer. That made us all feel a little better.

15 minutes later, I have a new plate of food, Leah, Jason, and Kern have all finished eating, and Sarah still has no food. Great.

We call over our waiter and ask for an update on Sarah's order. He rushed off and returns quickly with her burger and fries.

We all exhale as Sarah tucks in to her much-anticipated meal.

After her second bite she realizes the middle of her beef patty is bright pink.

The waiter is called over AGAIN and once more confuses us all with his broken English. He eventually mumbles "Cancel order?" and Leah nods.

Once he leaves we start taking bets as to whether or not this means Sarah is getting a new plate of food or that he is simply taking it off the bill... or both.

10 minutes later it is apparent no more food is coming. We ask for the bill and peace out.

My recommendation? Do yourself a favor and avoid Quarterdeck restaurant in St. Lucia.

But DO go out and see some hippos. They will surely make your day :)