Sleeping in a Treehouse by A. R. Kennedy #FearlessFriday #SleuthOnSafari

FEARLESS FRIDAY

On African safari, sleeping in a treehouse certainly classifies as fearless...and FUN...in my estimation. So, read on for A. R. Kennedy's fun story.

Unlike my main character, Naomi, I booked my South Africa safari six months in advance. I researched the tour company thoroughly and compared tours with other companies before placing the deposit. After booking the trip, I printed out all the information, put it in a folder and didn’t think about the trip anymore until my arrival in Cape Town.

I had forgotten that one of the nights booked would be spent in a treehouse. The travel agent was very excited about it. She said it was an expensive add on at the lodge that was included without added charge on my trip. I had forgotten about it until I arrived at our first lodge. Because one of the other travelers was ill, they asked me to go the first night.

In front of the other guests, I agreed and appeared pleased about it. On the inside, I was a little afraid.

I can count on one hand how many times I’ve camped and although each time was enjoyable—sleeping on the sand on a Greek island, in a tent at Havasu Falls— it is not my ideal choice of lodging.

After dinner, the tour guide, Sonny, drove me out to the treehouse. Most of the guests had dinner at the treehouse. I chose to stay with the group to have dinner. For the camaraderie, I said. But it was to delay being abandoned in the middle of nowhere, miles away from another human, with my only companions the wild animals.

It was already dark when we arrived. The treehouse was lit up by lanterns hung along the railings. Soony gave me a tour of my lodging for the night. There was a bathroom—no shower but a toilet and sink with running water—so I wasn’t actually roughing it.

He showed me, twice, how to latch the doors. He showed me how to use the walkie-talkie and cell phone to reach him and the lodge’s front desk. When he left, I’m sure he thought he’d be back shortly to pick up the terrified city girl. 

As he drove away, I remember watching the vehicle’s headlights slow disappearance into the night and thinking how alone I was.

I would love to tell you that I enjoyed every moment spent at the glorious treehouse. The truth is I

slept, in my clothes, gripping the flashlight, walkie talkie and phone. 

At dawn, I awoke to the gentle honking—not the honking of car horns that I’m accustomed to but that of my neighbors for the evening, hippopotamuses. I watched as a mother and her baby walked from the trees to the river.

For one hour, I watched the sunrise over the river and listened to the sounds of nature. I was disappointed when I heard the vehicle’s engine coming to pick me up. 

Pre-order Book link — https://books2read.com/b/bPRZlr

Will be available on Amazon 12/26/19

Contact links 

Web Page http://arkennedyauthor.com 

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Bio — A R Kennedy lives in Long Beach, New York, with her two pups. She works hard to put food on the floor for them. As her favorite T-shirt says, ‘I work so my dog can have a better life'. She’s an avid traveler. But don’t worry. While she’s away, her parents dote on their grand-puppies even more than she does. Her writing is a combination of her love of travel, animals, and the journey we all take to find ourselves.