Toasted Almonds, Bats and Elephants

When we stayed in Africa, while on the 'safari' we stayed a Hilton, nice yes, but it was unique because of the location. While you might imagine it was near or in a big city, it actually was in the 'middle of nowhere!' Out of all the Hiltons and Hyatts and almost every other hotel and motel imaginable, I have never had orientation when I checked in. That was not the case here! After we checked in at the desk, the group of us were assembled and warned about going outside after dark.

Now, this was without a doubt, one of the most unique Hiltons, I had ever seen or stayed in. It was only 2 stories, and square shaped, with 'everything' inside the square. Everything that is except the garbage receptacles. It is for this reason, we were told to stay 'in' the square at night. The reason the 'wild' animals came up at night to 'check out' the garbage receptacle. To be outside the square made one 'subject' to being dinner for a wild animal!

After our orientation, we were escorted to our rooms. Now the rooms held another unexpected surprise! When we entered the room, a net was found to be suspended over the beds. Of course in my innocence and inexperience, I asked about the need for the 'mosquito nets' at night. Promptly the bell help corrected and enlightened me that the nets were not mosquito nets and they were not there for convenience! More so, they were snake nets and 'required.' Another interesting thing about this hotel – there was no air conditioning! Therefore the sliding doors were apt to be open and snakes apt to crawl into the rooms and beds! Point taken and I did sleep with the net securely fastened about the bed – as I am most certain 'everyone' else did that night!

With check-in and orientation over, it was time for a little relaxation and exploring before dinner. After getting cleaned up and'squared away' my friend and roommate for the night, Bryan and I, went downstairs and outside the square while it was still light. It was close to sunset, and while outside got to view what must have been the most beautiful sunset, I could ever imagine! Almost the entire sky was orange and surrounding an even darker orange orb which was the sun! The vast expanse of the savannah and the desert lent dust to the air which filtered the sunlight, giving it the orange cast we observed! Trul unique, as well as magnificent!

After a short time, we all met up in the dining room for dinner, where we had an awesome dinner and some socializing. After dinner, there were not any clubs or bars nearby, so were limited to the hotel bar and lobby for our entertainment. It was here on this night I became familiar with Toasted Almond cocktails! The delightful combination of coffee and almond liqueurs make this creamy concoction a great indulgence. They are awesome, to say the least! So that evening, myself and a few other shipmates sat in the lobby enjoying the 'new' fond concoction and conversation!

While sitting, enjoying the evening, someone looked up into the 'tower' which loomed over our heads in the lobby. Upon closer observation we noticed it was 'full' of seemingly 1000's of bats! An inquiry with the hotel staff, to confirm what we thought we saw, which was indeed what we thought. The tower was open to the outside allowing the bats access to the interior where they roosted during the day, and made their way out for the foraging and hunting at night! Truly a unique and interesting experience – a night of Toasted Almonds, bats in the lobby of the Hilton in the 'middle of nowhere!'