The Cellar - Dec 10, 2008: Mango Express

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Dec 10, 2008: Mango Express

http://cellar.org/2008/El1.jpeg

Quote:

Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia happens to have been built next to a mango tree that one family of pachyderms have always visited when the fruit ripens. When they returned one year and found the luxury accommodation in the way, they simply walked through reception. The animals came in two-by-two: Hotel staff and visitors have gotten used to the elephants' impromptu strolls through reception

Now the family group, headed by matriarch Wonky Tusk, return every November to gorge on mangoes - up to four times a day. Andy Hogg, 44, director at the Bushcamp Company that runs the Lodge, has lived in South Luangwa National Park since 1982. In all his years of dealing with wild animals he has never seen such intimate interaction between man and beast. "This is the only place in the world where elephants freely get so close to humans," says the 44-year-old. "The elephants start coming through base camp in late November of each year to eat the mangoes from our trees. When they are ripe they come through and they stand about for four to six weeks coming back each day or second day to eat the mangoes."

In the 5,000 square mile national park, the Mfuwe Lodge consists of seven camps and the base camp where the elephants come through.

Cleanup in reception, STAT!

http://cellar.org/2008/El2.jpeg

http://cellar.org/2008/El3.jpeg

http://cellar.org/2008/El4.jpeg

Awesome. Imagine being there and seeing that!

That is so amazingly cool. I want to buy that elephant a martini. I bet they charge extra during mango season.

"Waiter, there's a fly in my soup!"
"You think you got problems, mister?"

After seeing the third picture, I think I know how I lost my keys.

Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia happens to have been built next to a mango tree that one family of pachyderms have always visited when the fruit ripens.
...
The elephants start coming through base camp in late November of each year to eat the mangoes from our trees.

Gotta love humans and their perspectives on things. As for me, if the elephants claim the trees, then they are their trees. I'm not going to stand in their way.:headshake

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudcon (Post 512283)

After seeing the third picture, I think I know how I lost my keys.

Naw, he was just checking into a room since he was already there.

That is great. Why are elephants so darn cool?

They've got nothin' to prove.

True, so true.

"I think I could turn and live with the elephants
They are so placid and self-contain'd"

With apologies to Whitman

Is it typical for places like this to have huge open doorways there? It just seems rather convenient, makes me wonder if there's more to the story.

It's quite common in the tropics to have structures with minimal or no walls, just roofs and support structures.

More pictures here. http://www.africatravelguide.com/art...uwe-lodge.html

I didn't know the elephants would take the stairs.

Uh, how many elephants do you think could fit into the elevator? No doy!

;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukamikanasi (Post 512326)

Is it typical for places like this to have huge open doorways there? It just seems rather convenient, makes me wonder if there's more to the story.

I bet they redecorated after the first few appearances of cartoon style, elephant shaped holes in the walls.

lol @ leokins

Welcome!

That's a place that I'd love to stay at, I'd spend all day and night in the lobby. What an experience it would be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukamikanasi (Post 512326)

Is it typical for places like this to have huge open doorways there? It just seems rather convenient, makes me wonder if there's more to the story.

In Australia a lot of the resorts are set up similarly to that with an open area rather than a closed foyer. Generally to allow the air flow.

I noticed it was very similar in Bali too. Not so much in NZ though.

The American Way is to build a completely artificial structure in a hostile environment, totally enclosed and separate, then dare reality to fuck with it.

Well I should probably have said 'up north'. Down south they're mostly closed in because it's generally cooler climate. I suspect it might be the same in the US?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode (Post 512497)

The American Way is to build a completely artificial structure in a hostile environment, totally enclosed and separate, then dare reality to fuck with it.

:lol:

I also thought, if this happened 100 years ago, that elephant's head would be hanging above the bar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum (Post 512277)

That is so amazingly cool. I want to buy that elephant a martini. I bet they charge extra during mango season.

Bartender: "We don't get many elephants around here."
Elephant: "And at these prices you aren't going to get many more."

Hey! - Did ya hear the one about?? .. An elephant walked into a bar, and asked for a mango smoothie ...... :D

Strange. Most elephants are among the more dangerous animals encountered in Africa.

clerk: I'm sorry sir. We do not check in couples without luggage.
elephant: What are you talking about. My wife and I both brought our trunks.

Zambia? Damn, we were hoping this was Tuscany.