Day 4 of Eight Days with the Nephews

Another tremendous, fun filled day.  The morning was spent canoeing up the Niger river looking for hippos.  And we found them--lots!  What incredible creatures.  Tom's been singing the kid's song
                         "Hip, hip, hip hippopotamus, hip, hip horray,
                          He made all of us ...
                          In between he had loads of fun, he made a hippo who weighs a ton."

 Remember that song?

At this minute, Matthew is researching hippos.  Here are some interesting items:   

They have been clocked moving at 20 mph.
They are considered to be one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.
They weigh 1.5 to 3 tons.

And we got to see them!  Our canoe skipper (Troy's name for him) stayed at a good distance away to avoid any hippo charges.  Our guide told us that hippos have a phenomenal memory and if you are mean to them, they will remember your voice and GETCHA next time you come around.  Oh, my, scary stuff, but not verified in Wikipedia.


It was a beautiful day for a canoe ride.

 This is the motorized model that we took.

 

 

Mama with her baby born last August.

Quite an animal.