• Email

Blog

A bath with a view and an outside shower

  • April 06, 2014 | Marisa Silva

The bath has been very special place of the house since Romans times. The Romans used to gather in their baths to chat, exercise and take care of their health. Perhaps even the plot for Cesar assassination surged in those apparent casual conversations.

If you are planning to spend a vacation in the bush, all travel brochures describe the unbelievable bathroom facilities, including a privileged view of the African bush from the loo.

As I said, bathrooms still hold a special place in modern houses, they are refuge where to get some peace in case you have a big family, even a reading room for the fanatic. Even more so a bath with a view to the African bush. Considering that, as a child, I was reluctant to use the school restrooms or a public toilet at a gas station or any bathroom that wasn’t my own, I must say I immediately enjoy the inspiring view of Madikwe.

I started to enjoy myself so much that I went bold and tried the outside shower. Yes, a shower outside the boundaries of bathroom walls. It’s located on the chalet private deck and can be used all year around, as the warm water will prevent you from being cold while you shower under the stars. My husband convinced me it is an unmissable experience. I must say, it turned out to be a memorable one.

I waited for a perfect occasion, a mild and sunny autumn afternoon when the guests where out for a game drive and the staff were enjoying their afternoon break. There was no sound to be heard, the silence was almost audible, the sun was almost smellable. I undressed and pull on a fluffy robe even though I knew there was nobody there to see me. Shyly I opened the bathroom door leading to the deck. I took a deep breath and breath in the sun and the silence. Breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out, I suddenly thought of my yoga teacher.

I turned on the shower and the running water went all over me and I just felt relaxed and happy until the sound of very subtle steps on the dry grass made me think there was someone or something out there. I turned off the water, grabbed the robe and went back inside. I thought the staff was performing maintenance work, as it usually happens when guests are out at the game drives. Silence again and telling myself it’s all in my imagination, I repeat the door-robe-water operation.

And while I’m enjoying myself I finally I see him, a huge elephant passing by my bathroom. With his trunk he hits a bird on a branch, just for fun, and I remained there amazed, watching the elephant passing by, a few meters away from me.

More blog posts in Bush observed