Gifts for the journey..............

Some people are such savvy shoppers and gift givers, always knowing what the perfect something will be for a friend. 

You may remember my post before leaving for Africa sharing some fabulous gifts I received to take on my adventure.  Thought you might enjoy seeing them again being used on safari.

Longtime, very special and dear friend Elinor, right here in North Carolina, gave me the perfect JOURNAL, seen here as I enjoyed my Bush Tea one afternoon by the plunge pool at Vumbura Plains camp in Botswana.  Without my daily entries I would never have been able to regale you with my safari stories.......the adventure was so exciting only a journal could keep everything in order, especially when it came to editing the 2000 plus photos I took!

The walkway at Toka Leya, Zambia

Artist, poet, musician, jeweler, designer and needlewoman, dear friend Patti in the Pacific Northwest, created the perfect 'jewel' for travel.......a gossamer flower pin weighing no more than a fairy's wing.  Here you see it on my cardigan ready to go to dinner at Toka Leya on the bank of the mighty Zambezi River.  As my wardrobe was limited to the contents of a duffel bag, Patti's flower gave a touch of elegance to many a plain t-shirt! 

Be sure to visit Patti's Etsy shop Patrician Crafts to view her beautiful creations....and shipping is free.

If you follow my visits to wonderful SuzAnna's Antiques here in Raleigh, you know by now that lovely Jenny, co-owner with her sweet mom Susie, is one always-smiling, laughing, funny gal.  Her gift above, though practical, was a must-have and came in very useful behind many a bush or rock!  How I laughed when I opened this......here you see it displayed at Duma Tau camp, our second stop in Botswana.

Also shown at Duma Tau, and swinging above the Zambezi at Toka Leya in Zambia, my Baggallini travel bag from wonderful blog friend Sarah at Hyacinths for the Soul in the great state of Texas.  I was speechless when this gift arrived in the mail.....this little bag is really HUGE!  It has so many pockets and places to stash your stuff, yet always closes and stays flat against your body either over or under your clothing.  The hardware is even my favorite brushed silver.  It came with two different width straps, this shows the narrow one, both wonderfully long and adjustable - being tall I can never find a bag with a long enough strap to wear across the body....this one is perfect!

And........look at the print!  Couldn't have been more perfect for Africa, but is also a conversation starter here at home and looks great with my always neutral colored clothing.

Each travel gift was used over and over on my adventure.  You can bet those wonderful friends who gave them were often on my mind........guess in a way I took them to Africa with me!  Thanks again ladies, you were all so thoughtful and very generous.