1. The Okavango Delta
The adventures of Mike and Sally #1
Illustrations by Adrian van Staden
Creative Writing by Joshua van Staden

2. Mike and sally set out on their holiday with
much excitement and anticipation, it was
going to be one to remember. Bags packed
and spirits high it was time to test out their
new Land Rover. They had saved up and
bought it brand new, the fresh paint
gleaming in the sunlight. Their friends Nush
and Debbie are invited to enjoy the holiday
with them and so the two Land Rovers hit
the long road from Johannesburg to
Botswana.
After a few good hours on the road they arrive in MAUN to meet Malcolm and his family for
dinner. They talk about their plans and Malcolm suggests they go to Santawani in the Okavango
Delta. The camp is abandoned and they would have a “mothballed” camp all to themselves. It‟s
decided that Malcolm and his family would join them later that day. Throughout the night
before they set out for Santawani pouring rain lulls them to sleep in the Okavango Delta.

3. There is no cell coverage so they decide to
wait for Malcolm because he knew the area
and the sand roads well. They take a break and
enjoy a few beers while they wait next to the
road for him. The group sits back and awaits
him in “high spirits”.
In the morning they head off of at seven with the two
Landys. Around nine they encounter a gift from the
rain that helped them sleep; A gift that engulfs the
road up ahead. “Where did this river come from”?

4. You #@$%$&*$ !!
poofs in your Land
Rovers – I‟ll show you
how it‟s done!
At 10:30 Malcolm and his family arrive in their Toyota Hilux.
Malcolm seems a bit irritated with the Land Rover crowd and
makes a few bold statements as he leads the expedition
through the flooded river.
Yeah my
love. You
were
saying?
Malcolm charges in and within five
minutes he regrets his decision.
Sinking like a submarine, the
Toyota is completely flooded.
Malcolm‟s wife and two kids have
to escape the cabin and get on the
roof of the Toyota to survive the
flood. The Toyota is rightfully
dubbed “Oceanus”.

5. As expected this
holiday was going to
be memorable but
maybe not for the
reasons Mike and
Sally thought. It has
become a rescue
mission in the
Okavango. Nothing is
going to dampen their
enthusiasm though.
Nush takes his Land
Rover and edges into
the water in an
attempt to winch them
out.
The Land Rover is in position and the cable is
released but much to their frustration, it doesn't
reach. Everything is used to try and reach the
Toyota; tow ropes, ski ropes and belts but its still
not close enough.

6. While the men are hard at work in their rescue
attempt several elephants walk into the river to quench
their thirst. There are also a few ominous looking crocs
not too far off joined by curious Hippos. It seems the
wildlife is very interested in what is going on.
The rescue team is
working hard and decides
to edge a little closer
with the Nushe‟s Land
Rover. Hold on ladies and
gentleman, here we go!
It doesn‟t take long for
the Land Rover to get
stuck and drown. The
engine is completely dead!
In the gloom of this day
another vehicle loses to
nature. A new name
comes to surface and
Nushe‟s Land rover is
renamed “Captain Doom.”

7. Very nice – just
bought this
thing brand new!
Yees, but I
am hungry!
Ooh, Dinner and a show.
What a lovely holiday
Mike and Sally‟s Land Rover is now summoned into this rescue
mission. Before they can even get to the “Oceanus”, they have to
rescue “Captain Doom”. Mike and Sally‟s Landy is winched around
tree trunks and gradually inches forward.

8. They work hard in the heat of
the day and eventually in the
late afternoon, about six pm,
they rescue Captain Doom.
All this time the angry Wife
and kids are still on the roof of
the Toyota.
Fish fall out of the Exhaust pipe of Captain
Doom and it seems nature is trying to lighten
the mood. It was as if they could hear a hyena
laughing hysterically in the far distance.
He...he...he !!!

9. It took another
gruelling four hours to
completely free the
Toyota.
At ten pm that evening
Sally‟s Land Rover tows
the Toyota to Maun
about 20 km away. The
Ladies and kids are all
aboard.

10. Then it walks right between the guys and the Land Rover.
Too close for comfort! Captain Doom is hurriedly hooked
up and towed back to Maun.
The Land Rover returns to tow „Captain Doom‟ back
and finds the guys sitting at a fire to keep warm.
Just when it seems the heart wrenching stress was
over a hippo casually strolls out of the water.
They arrive in Maun 1:30 that morning,
completely exhausted! They enjoy a meal,
drink wine and take refuge in some well
earned sleep.

11. The next morning Malcolm takes
their vehicles to be serviced
before they end of their trip.
Everyone is a little disappointed.
All is not lost though as Malcolm
decides to surprise Mike, Sally,
Nush and Debbie with a trip into
the Delta to say thanks. He
personally charters a flight from
Maun to fly them to a seven star
luxury camp, Orient Express
Safaris!
Aaaawww
Yeahhh!!!

12. This disaster rescue mission turns out to be a fantastic holiday after all. A fantastic holiday
in the heart of the Okavango Delta in seven star luxury!
From the deck of their cabin they can see elephants and hippos moving right in front of
them.
Mike and Sally start talking and dreaming about the possibilities. “What would the chances
be to work in a place like this?”
Malcolm later hears of this conversation and shortly thereafter offers them a job!
To the
Okavango Delta!
To the Toyota
Hilux!

13. Three months later Mike and Sally started work at Xaxaba Camp in the
Delta – Epaulets and khakis in tow.
Sit down boy! I'm gonna
tell you a beautiful
story…
Uhh, you just
told me the
story dad.
Oh… Well it‟s a
true story!

14. Adrian’s story:
Adrian has done professional airbrush work for countless corporates, hotels and homes. His detailed oil on
canvass work has sold in The UK, America and Canada. His passion for art started as a kid in the heart of the
bush veld in his grandfather’s small farm café. One afternoon over lunch time his sister started drawing –
Adrian joined in and started drawing. Their inspiration was a comic strip in an old Farmer’s Weekly
magazine. Adrian has always enjoyed the art of comic books and has the opportunity to bring this art form
into your home and tell your story through his talent.
Create your own comic book!
Send us pictures of your favourite holiday, your wedding, family
story or event. Create your own unique coffee table book and
send some comic books to your friends and family.
Contact: Adrian van Staden 072 3312 915.
Email: blueflagstudio@gmail.com
Create your own
comic book, let us
tell your story!