Day 24 Alan's Perspective

The last time I wrote was from Morogoro - fixing toilet etc.

When u do use the rooftop tent and u get to stay in a hotel or lodge u
cannot believe the sort of beds u get to sleep in, sheets with holes in
them, beds that creek everytime u move, comfortable and yes uncomfortable
ones. New Acropol takes the prize for the worst bed ever!!

We set off after breakfast at our normal slow pace (consideration for The
Beast's fuel consumption!!) But before long we adapt to the new game - race
the buses!! U have never seen buses drive as fast as these local people do,
they overtake on solid lines, on corners and up hills - our taxi drivers in
SA could learn from these chaps!!

The road rules are very different here, if u r travelling behind another
vehicle and there is a solid line in the road but he puts his left
indicator on, u can overtake regardless of what u think might be travelling
towards u. If he puts his right indicator on u cannot overtake as either
there is a oncoming car or obstacle in the road or they r turning right.

It did not take Gavin and I long to adjust to this new way of driving. (Not
sure how the ladies feel about our driving-in fact Jen does not enjoy it -
not that I blame her after what she went through).

Just before Tanga Gavin got a $20 speeding fine (his second but the first
one he got off with a bit of help from a soccer ball).

We had lunch at the yacht club in Tanga and then set off for Peponi camp
site alongside the coast line for a one night stay.

The next day we were setting off for Arusha which is the gateway to the
Ngorogoro Crater and the Serengeti!! On the way we would also get to see
Kilimanjaro. How awesome is all that?

The road towards Arusha has spectacular scenery, some of the best I have
ever seen!!! Look the roads (or lack there of) do tend to take ur eyes off
the beauty of ur surroundings but u have to get to see this countryside.

I was stopped for a very "serious offence" - speeding! With the help of
lots of smiles and a soccer ball we were soon on our way!

Jess and I could not wait to get our first glimpse of the famous mountain.

As we approached Moshi, the starting point for the ascent up Kili, we only
got to see the mountain covered in clouds. What a anticlimax for us!!!

After lunch in Moshi we headed off for the camp site in Arusha (Masai Camp
Site).

The camp site was nicely grassed (ground cover variety), but situated on a
pretty noisy road and had pretty dismal shower facilities to boot. One
thing u do get used to on this trip, is cold showers. To have a hot shower
u had to go through the common bar, through the gents and into the so
called showers. Well at least the water was hot there, ur other option was
the ablution block in the camp site with cold water.

Interesting they have a armed guard looking after the camp (felt like
home).

After our delightful lunch we settled for smoked oysters on crackers
accompanied by a few Makers Mark's.

We all wondered off to the pub to watch a bit of soccer and sit around the
fire as it was pretty cold. Jen and Jess were engaged talking to a couple
of local ladies whilst Gavin and I had a few beers.
You do eventually get tired of all the chatter around u so we wondered off
to the tents.

Friday morning we woke up to the din of traffic and people (not to
mentioned dogs barking), packed up and headed out to look for the shops to
replenish some of the provisions. We found Shoprite and Jess and I bought
what was required to eat for the next few days. Once we had packed all the
goodies away I wondered off to the bookshop to see if I could find a map on
the Serengeti whilst Gavin strolled off to a Internet shop to try and
establish where the migration of wildebeest was at this stage.

I got chatting to two of the ladies that worked in the bookstore and asked
them where we should stay in the park. The advice was to stay in Karatu the
first night and then enter the park early the next morning.

We found a stunning place called The Octogon, run by a delightful lady
called Pamela. Initially we were not going to stay here but Jen chirped how
nice it would be if we were to spend the night. Let's face it the gardens
were to die for and the whole atmosphere was relaxing. A reasonable rate
was negotiated with Pamela. The comment that clinched the deal was her
saying " come on guys if I reduce the price any more I will have to decide
whether I cook with butter or margarine!". Enough said as she could
certainly cook! Pamela epitomises Tanzanian people for me, friendly, kind
and a sense of humour.

The next morning we set out for Ngorogoro Crater, arrived at the gate and
paid our $140 per vehicle!! This is just to travel through the reserve and
onto the Serengeti and not even to go to the crater itself.

The park was covered in a layer of mist that gave us a earie feeling.
Scenery to die for!

After driving through to the Serengeti gate and paying $240 per vehicle for
24 hours we set off for our hunt of the wildebeest. In the distance I saw
what looked like dust plumes. Wildebeest were near!!! The excitement levels
rose. As we got closer to the dust it became apparent that all I had seen
was in fact smoke from a bush fire. Not to be put off we drove towards the
camp site we had been allocated. If ever anyone goes to the Serengeti and
they put u in a camp called Dik Dik, rather turnaround. It is worst than
worst. Field mice all over the place, shabby. Ugh!!! It was decided that we
would come back when it was dark so that we could not see the place.

We ended up seeing massive herds of wildebeest and zebra on the plains. An
incredible sight! At some stage a few landrovers came flying past us and
Gavin and I decided that there had to be a kill up ahead so off we sped in
pursuit. Before we knew it we were miles away from our designated camp site
(shame) and had no chance of getting back there in time. But as luck would
have it there was a camp not far away. To cut a long story short it was a 5
star camp and thankfully it was full (at those prices) so we had to head
off once again in the dark to the next place which was 28km away (hour and
half). The trip was long and at some point we stopped for a Jamesons
(fisherman's drink) in the dark. We even contemplated just setting up a
bush camp but the thought of being caught by the officials was not
appealing. Eventually in the distance we saw lights!! Managed to organise
rooms for us. After our day Gavin and I headed straight off to the pub for
a Ardberg or two.

Good stay.

The following morning we saw great a sighting of crocodiles.

I cannot begin to explain the roads in the park, but they are the pits, you
would think that the officials would put some money back into their road
structures. Besides the dust and potholes the roads do not appear to be
looked after at all.

Once out if the park we headed for Mwanza which is situated next to Lake
Victoria.

We camped at the local yacht club for two days. The first night I cooked a
lamb casserole for dinner accompanied by Jess's great toasted sandwiches
and the second night I went on strike so we had dinner at a Indian place.

Monday 21st we washed (attempted) our cars and chilled the rest of the day.
Points to remember, cold showers, mozzies and a noisy singer in the early
hours of the morning.

Tuesday we packed up and after the ladies had been to a local market with a
expat we headed out for Musoma (we have travelled about 6600km now).

We stayed at the Temba Beach Hotel (do not be fooled by the name). It is a
place to avoid (cold showers).

Headed out for Kakamega Forest but did not quite make it do to bad roads
(really) and a heavy downpour....

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Day 21 Jen

Hi
We have decided to make lake victoria our base for a few days and
couldn't have had a better view of this part of the lake. It's been A
fairly .. Gentle experience winding down after some rough driving over
very corrugated bumpy roads in serengeti which in a wAy took it out of
us and that doesn't mean to say we never found it incredible to
literally see hundreds of thousands of collecting wildebeest and zebra
getting ready for the fabulous migration spectacle which we still
might see. Again we should have camped but after seeing lots of
collecting rats running riot over the camp site called dickdik ...
Don't go there ever! We strayed too far from the camp site to return.
We nearly got lucky by needing to book into an ' and beyond ' camp.
Only three grand for the night each! Lucky for gavins wallet there
was no room at that inn so had to downgrade to another first class
inn ... Shame ! Wonderful accomodation wonderful location. Called
bellamgete. The days viewing was not disapointing but we had a
helleva rush to exit the park by one o'clock. Should that time be
exceeded huge charges are applied which we didn't want . So off to
lake victoria. And here we Are! Lots of bird life here to keep
us entertained keeping your eyes on the still waters allows you to to
take deep breaths and relax. Which is what a holiday is all about.
Jen

Sent from my iPhone

Gavin Dunlop
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Day 16 - Alan's Perspective

I was told that my last posting was abrupt and it sounded if I was
irritable. Spot on!

On Sunday 13th we left Mark and Mel after a superb dinner cooked by Mel and
Alex. We started with chicken liver pate and home cooked bread and then the
main course consisted of chicken wraps, chilli concarne, paw paw salad and
potato salad!!! What a meal.

We left and headed for the border post Tunduma, a four hour drive away.
Once we reach the outskirts of the town we stopped for the usual wee stop
as the facilities are always questionable at border posts.

As we drove into the town I decide (and rue the decision) to use my last
kw50 000 on fuel. I was given 6 litre's for this vast amount of money! (My
car misfired for 80 km after due to water being in the fuel).

This was where I mentioned, very briefly, that Gavin and I had a sense of
humour failure. The actual issue was that there are so many people around
you and it appears as if there is NO organisation at all. In fact there is
organisation but because you are a mzungu everyone tries to take advantage
of you and your lack of understanding the processes.

So that is what happened to us, Gavin's agent was so eager to help him that
he grabbed his carne out of his hand (we had yet to use our carne's) and
gives it to the official who in turn starts to incorrectly fill it out (we
had entered Zambia using out CIP documents this should not have been done).
The upshot was that when we went to the Tanzanian side they gave Gavin
uphill because they wanted a Zambian stamp on the carne. Off we go walking
back to Zambia to get the stamp (left Jen and Jess in the cars) but Zambian
official says no way they cannot give Gavin a stamp. At this point we had
visions of sleeping at the border post as it was 16h30! Back to Tanzania
side where I walked to the back office (the supervisors were watching world
cup football) and asked for someone to help us as the gentleman in the
front was confused with our dilemma. Someone came to assist but it did take
a plea from myself that all they had to perhaps do was change and sign
where the doc was wrong and put their rubber stamp over it to make our
passage easier. We had agreement!!! 2 hours 15 minutes later left the
border post!!!

We drove like hell to get to the Utengule Coffee Plantation just before
Mbeya before dark. As we arrived at our destination we got to see the most
incredible African sunset. Jess took lots of pics.

Whilst unpacking the car I met a local chap called Lorian who joined us for
dinner (worst rump I have ever had)and he gave us advice on where to do
etc.
We watched abit of the Germany vs Australia game and then headed off to
bed.

Left after breakfast and headed for Old Farmhouse campsite. We arrived at
about 15h00 and were, for the first time, able set up a decent campsite.

That morning I had taken a piece of rump and boerewors out of the freezer
for dinner and had marinaded it for the day.

Jess prepared veggie parcels (potato, tomato, onion, garlic and sweetcorn
wrapped in tin foil to put in the fire) and sandwiches (cheese, garlic,
tomato and onion)) that were to be toasted. It was a pretty good meal.

Met a few people (22 of them) doing a overland trip to Cape Town. We went
to the pub for a night cap or two. Had a pretty good sleep in the rooftop
tent! Jess snores!!

Up early the next morning and we packed up everything pretty quickly.

We set off for Iringa, a small town about 50 km away. Our plan was to put
fuel in and find the local craft shop for the girls.
We did more than that, we had coffee and a Tanzanian doughnut! Go figure!

We found a decent fuel station and filled up and then set off for Mikumi
National Park. The first stretch of rode was awesome and then the wheels
fell off again. There are rode works (like in SA) that go down to one lane,
so the traffic flow is controlled by a gentleman and his flag. So imagine
this, all the cars, trucks and buses are parked in a single file waiting
for the man to give thw go ahead. The Beast drives straight to the head of
the queue and get allocated a spot in front of everyone (we were told to do
this by someone - promise)!! I am watching this other person chatting to
the controller and all of a sudden I see him raise his hand and wave to
someone. In my review mirror a see one of the infamous buses pull out and
start moving forward. Bugger this I think and just as he is getting closer
I pull out in front of him and go through first!! Gotcha!!!

After this episode (and other actions) Gavin and Jen reckon that I have
become a African driver. So be it!

The rest of the road trip was interesting!

The countryside is to die for, we travelled through the Valley of Baobabs
where all u see are these awesome trees (and baboons).

Jess and I arrived at Mikumi ahead of Gavin and Jen and waited for them to
catch up. We then headed off to Morogoro to find a place to camp but there
was nothing worthwhile at all!! We ended up in a B & B which looked ok but
that was about it!! The New Acropol Hotel could do with a bit of tlc. I had
to fix the toilet in our room as it was gushing water onto the floor, the
bed was awful. Food ok.

That is it for now, I will do the 16th post another time.

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Day 13 Alan's Perspective

I sort of cut short my comments on a few points. But here we go.

Andrew and George from Fringilla are a awesome father and son combo. Andrew
the P cat and George the stable one. No seriously, just the salt of the
earth people.

Onto young Mark (or not so) and Mel at Kapishya, Mark did not know what had
hit him!! The Jameson's (did you know that Jameson's is not a adventure
drink) team had come to town, Gavin and Alan!
I think that Mel is pretty happy we left after three days as Mark was
taking strain.

To say that we had a fun time with them is a understatement, they are
awesome people.

I mentioned the visit to Shiwa House, frankly whilst there is certainly
lots of history that surrounds the place and all the books say that you
must visit there, it is over priced for what it is. You get to see a
chapel, library, dining room and oh yes the lounge. All this for $20!
Whoopee.

So we left Kaposhya this morning and travelled to the border post. What can
I say but the fact that Zambian people are so great and now we have to move
beyond our border experience with Tanzania.

2 hours and 15 min it took to get through the process. You are hassled by
so called agents as they want to make a buck out of you, they do absolutely
nothing for their fee other than show you where to go.

Both Gavin and I got to tipping point. Enough is enough, who needs to be
hassled for nothing?

Eventually we got through but by this time tempers were on the cusp of a
reaction! Off to Utengule Coffee Lodge
for the night.

Arrived at lodge after dark. Checked in and had dinner. Had a early night.
Regards

Alan Austin
National General Manager Sales & Marketing

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some photos for you

Africa is not for sissies!

Finally we have internet! J
It took a long time to leave SA and this I found frustrating! After spending a night a ZaZoe (really stunning place) we set off again…hoping to finally leave. Jen had a whole bag of oranges with her and was told by the boys to dispose of them if she wanted to carry on with the trip – apparently elephants like citrus fruit and will trample cars to get to them. She was very popular at the petrol station where she handed all the locals a dose of vitamin C. Upon arriving at Zanzibar order post we discovered it was closed and so we backtracked…for about the fifth time on that road. Eventually we crossed into Botswana. We stayed at a freezing Elephant Sands where I had a bad experience with Bushmans Insect Repellent – it took all my nail polish off! We met Gav and Jen at breakfast looking quite proud, they had arrived somewhere before the Austin’s. Their faces fell when they realised that we had packed and were ready to go – back to 2nd.
Things slowed down considerably once we arrived in Zambia, the official at the border was very methodical and took his sweet time. We found a stunning lodge called Shackletons, I think we all wanted to park off there for a few days, great hospitality and delicious food.
Travelling to Kafue we gave out lots of soccer balls to children on the side of the road. To hear their screams and see the pure joy in their smiles when they realised that we were giving them the balls was very humbling and emotional for me. Somewhere between Muluezi and Mulanga our SA flag snapped off the car, so Gav and Jen carried on with the patriotism and put SA ‘earwarmers’ on their mirrors. There was a lot of bundu bashing and tree bending, followed by a snacky lunch in the bush for some stamina. Amongst us there are 3 garmins and no two said the same thing whilst driving on the forgotten roads of the Kafue Park. Our vehicles were attacked by tsetse flies and so we all armed ourselves with repellent. However, when Jen and I had a roadside wee, we discovered that we needed to extend our area of ‘repellent coverage’ to our bums as well! Needless to say we are still scratching! We did 220kms in 9hours. In these parts, when asking how far something is, the answer only comes in hours rather than kilometres – understandable after this experience.
We were all looking forward to Kaingu, just to relax for a few days. What a nice surprise when it turned out to be a gem, with a beautiful location and great hosts. We went fishing on the Kafue, Echtbert did the steering, Jen and I relaxed and supplied the beer and the boys fished. Gav caught a lot of fish and dad…not so much. I kept everyone entertained by getting stuck in the mud and spending the next half hour trying to find a place to wash my hands, feet and hat without sinking again. We had a delicious bush lunch with cold beers – Africa is not for sissies! Gav commented that he enjoyed fishing ‘colonial style’ – not once did he have to touch the fish that he caught. Bright helped him out and was repaid by receiving the fish for dinner. After a serious night of ‘Jameson Raiding’, dad and I went fishing with Bright again – dad refusing to leave until he had caught a fish. Finally he reeled in a silver barbel and we were allowed to moor. When the sun had relented a bit, we took a trip to the iron smelter (very interesting) and then had sundowners and snacks on Shumba Rock. We were all sad to leave, after thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Having a drink with a very entertaining Andrew at Fringilla, he suddenly asked “Ok so who is the paedophile here?” This resulted in a roar of laughter and the explanation that we are related, both of us turning our heads ad showing our identical noses!
After Lusaka we experienced some hairy potholes! Jen’s theory proved to be very helpful – if you see skid marks, start breaking, some serious potholes will follow.
Currently we are at Kapishya hot springs, they are truly amazing and very beautiful. We explored Shiwa Ngandu this morning – very interesting - and are getting ready to watch the soccer now. Until next time…

Day 11 Alan's perspective

So much has happened since my last posting!

Once we left Shackelton's we headed off down a dirt road towards Kafue
National Park and Kiangu Lodge to do our first real bit of camping on the
trip. We intended to stay for three days.

The road was passable as dirt roads get, we passed tons of mud hut
villages. We stopped and handed out soccer balls where ever we found kids
kicking a home ball around. The home made balls are made of plastic bags
tied together to make a round object or else they use balls made of grass.
The absolute delight on the kids faces warms your heart!! Such a simple
gift but such impact.

The dirt road for the first 70 odd kilometres was pretty ok. Saw wild pigs
foraging in the mud, great sighting.
We got to a town called Mulubezi, we asked for directions and were pointed
in the general direction, it took about 15 minutes to find our way out of
the town as all that u had to follow was tracks.

The next stretch of road was definitely not expected!! I call it the road
from hell!! It was a track that our GPS guided us down, but this track has
not been used for a long, long time, it was overgrown with branches and
grass and full of ruts and corrigations.

The area was so remote it had the feeling we were really out in the wilds.
There was town marked on the GPS, Simamba, but when we got there it had
moved (who would blame them).
We got to the remote Park gate (a pole across the road) and wrote our entry
permits. The person before us had been there in April, he was a parks
official!

We entered the park and stopped on the track for crackers and cheese. The
road was BAD, we have pictures of Gavin and I pushing large branches off
the road whilst Jenny and Jessica drove the vehicles past.

Go North Go North!! Why?

We drove past a deserted ranger post and eventually at about 18h00 we got
to Nanzhila Lodge, 260 odd kilometres in 9 HOURS. Cars are full of dust. We
had to pitched our tents for the first time. It was freezing! We sat around
the fire and cooked boerewors, sweetcorn and butternut.

Got up at 6 the next morning packed up and headed off to Kiangu Lodge.

Saw Sable, Waterbuck and Lechwe, awesome sightings.

Drove through Ngoma and Itezhi Tezhi and stopped at the dam for a coke.

Off to the ex tarred road towards Kiangu. I really hope that our roads
NEVER get like these ones!!! Down to 25 kph again!! Pot holes!! A
understatement.

Eventually we got to the Kiangu turnoff but after 12 km we turned back as
the roads were to wet and frankly we did not feel like battling to get our
cars out of the mud every 5 minutes.

Took the next turnoff to the lodge and eventually we got there. What a
beautiful place!!! Situated alongside the Kafue river is this amazing place
that Tom, Vivienne and Vaughan have created!! Hopefully Gavin will get the
pictures posted today as well.

To our absolute delight Vaughan had organised that we did not have to camp
as he had upgraded us to Finfoot lodge.
The lodge is situated right next to the river and it is a very special
place to be in.

So this being Saturday we got to braai bake bread and have a drink knowing
that did not have to be up early the next morning. Lovely thought to not
have to drive again for a while.

Sunday Gavin and I repacked the vehicles to make our things more
accessible. Then repacked again! My deep freeze had packed up, all the ice
had melted!!

We packed a lunch box and went off up the river in a tinny (aluminium boat)

I got to use my new fishing tackle!! Echtbert showed me how to cast as this
is my first time fishing since I was about
Six. Gavin caught lots of fish, I caught nothing!! Was I ragged about it!

Went back to lodge, baked bread cooked chicken and yes, drank whisky.

Monday morning we relaxed and also managed to fix the deep freeze.

Jessica, Bright (old fisherman and lodge worker) went out fishing. Caught a
fish (barble). And we do have a picture to prove it.

We were taken to a very old african iron smelter and then off to watch the
sun set from a huge granite rock.

Saw puku buck.

Cooked dinner for everyone but did not bother with baking bread again.

Had a relatively quiet evening (by our standards) went to bed as we had a
early start to make on Tuesday morning.

Woke up Tuesday morning packed the car said our goodbyes and hit the track
(32 kms) out of Kaingu Lodge. Then we got onto the last stretch of dirt
road (48km at 20kph). 3 and a half hours later we hit the real tar!!!!!
What a pleasure!!

Drove to Lusaka to exchange dollars for kwachas as the petrol stations only
take kwachas. Then off to Fringilla which is a lodge, farm, butcher etc all
in one. We arrived at about 16h00 and decided to stay the night as they had
wifi and cold beers!!! Met George, Andrew and Julie. They own the place.
George is the dad and what a gentleman, such a interesting person who could
not give us enough advice about the road further into Zambia. That night at
the pub we chatted to the hooligan Andrew (son) and laughed at his stories
and his take on life.

Wednesday morning still no connectivity!! Oh well blog can wait. Andrew
took us to the butchery where we bought rump. T-bone and lamb chops for the
next few days. George took Jess and myself into the back of the butchery,
awesome watching what they do.

Then off to Kabwe.

At about 16h30 ish we came across a American lady on a bicycle in the
middle of nowhere. She waved us down and asked if we coud help her as she
still had 45km to cycle and it was getting dark. Gavin and I strapped her
bicycle on The Beast's roofrack (hey we are in Africa) and she and Jess sat
on the front seat together.

Then the S hit the fan!! Without too much warning pot holes appeared
everywhere. With my foot flat on the brakes we hit the first one with a
crunch.
Thereafter the road was hell again, pot holes trucks. Ugh!! It was getting
dark and we did not want to be on the road because of the trucks and pot
holes but we still had to drop the lady off as well as find a place to
stay.

We eventually dropped her off in the middle of no where and she peddled off
into the sunset leaving us to move on the last 100km ish to where we could
stay. The last hour was done driving in the dark with trucks coming at u
without any lights, pot holes all over the place and not much of a sense of
humour. Jess had to help me spot the holes. Jenny had said just look for
the skid marks on the road as this would help see the holes.

We eventually got to our turnoff to drive the final 25 km to Muntinondo
camp site.
Arrived in the dark. Helen and Danny fed us pumpkin soup with a dash a
chilli and cherry and then bangers and mash!!! Lovely food. Everyone went
off to bed and I sat around the fire chilling.

We are now at Kapishya (Mark and Mel own it) and had a 2 and half bottle
night with Mark. Went and sat in the hot springs early this morning with
Jess - lovely and hot.

Saw the Manor House and now we are about to huddle around a TV to watch the
opening ceremony and first match.

As a final word, Jess and Gavin will also be adding their thoughts so the
blog might become repetitive for those of u following. Sorry but this way
we are recording different perspectives.

Is it not just amazing how life is?

Regards

Alan Austin
National General Manager Sales & Marketing

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Day 4 Elephant Sands

Up early and off to the Botswana boarder post Zanzibar, which was closed, so back down the road we had now travelled 4 trying to find, petrol , a bed to sleep and a open boarder post and eventually after 3 days of driving we managed to eventually to cross the first boarder post. Slept over at elephant sands, a great place if you like elephants. After dinner on our walk back to our chalet we bumped a elephant and Jen made a run for the showers. Needless to say, I could not get Jen out. Eventually I had negioate the Ellies and go and fetch the car to pick up Jen who was quite prepared to sleep inthe showers. Very cold night. Tomorrow a new country.

3 rd June

To date the trip has been awesome for me. The problem that I had on the first day with the alternator and regulator on The Beast was a curved ball from the left side for me. Tense moments, varied thoughts, lots of whisky and good company. Then off to the Botswana border post called Zanzibar. Time flew and we decided to stay this side (SA) for another night. We found a stunning place outside Swartwater called Zazoe which was run and owned by a Dutch couple.
For dinner Jess made us toasted sandwiches on the braai. Jenny had leftover Kentucky and coleslaw.
Early the next morning we headed off to fill up with petrol and then travelled along a 25 km stretch of dirt road to the Zanzibar border post but only to be told that the river was too high so we would have to go to the Martin's Drift border post! About turn again!
The roadside has the most amazing Baobab trees.
On day three we crossed over into Botswana at long last!!
We headed off to Nata some 472 km away.
The thing that strikes you when you travel through towns and the countryside is how clean everything is. Litter is scarce, the locals seem to have a pride in everything around them which is more than can be said about South Africa.
Jenny and Gavin have given a few of the soccer balls away to the locals who really seem to appreciate the gesture.
We passed through Nata and stopped at a place called Elephant Sands Lodge. We decided not to camp and stayed in chalets. Frankly we should of slept in our tent as the room had no windows and it was freezing cold. You got to wake up with a cold nose and neck the whole night! The highlight was watching a herd of elephants drinking and bathing at the waterhole in front of the pub.
We headed off to Kasangulu and Kasane the next morning. Bought meat and vegetables for the next 5 days (and beer).
Drove through the top of the Chobe Reserve to Katima Malino where we crossed into Namibia and then into Zambia. At the Namibian border they wanted to take our meat away from us but we were eventually able to keep it all.
I have to say that so far our border crossings have been nothing but a pleasure. Everyone has been so pleasant.
Tonight we have stopped over at Shakeltons - a stunning fishing place on a oxbow of the Zambezi river.
Jess, Gavin and I pumped up two soccer balls and took them to the local community school where 22 odd girls were playing soccer on a dirt field. They were blown away when we gave them the balls. Awesome to see that small gifts are still appreciated.
Tomorrow we set off on a 300 km dirt track road towards Kafue. No clue what to expect.
I am looking forward to the solitude and stillness of where we are off to!

Day 2 still in south africa

Eventually Alan's "sliver beast" fired into life at 15:00 and we sped on to zazoe, still in south africa . After garlic and cheese toasties on the braai we sat discussing the world at large and non sexual cerebral issues that gav doesn't understand. After the jameson raid we endeavoured to repack our cars in the dark and then gave up and went to bed, ready for an early start tmr - to hopefully finally get out of SA!

Day 2 in Africa

Day 2 on our trip and we have only managed to get to mokapani (this town looks like Potgietersrus to me) and we have had our first breakdown. Alan's cruiser alternator is now out of the car and been repaired by Toyota. We simply can't go on without the fridge that keeps the ice not working. Spent the night at a lodge just outside the town. Great food, people and of course pub. Woke up early to go and check the progress of .... Still not ready. The girls were robbed this morning by the local monkies who only managed to get a box of rusks and a old boiled egg.

Challenges

A vehicle might be serviced, checked and checked again, but there will always be something that escapes the most prepared traveller...

I just got a call...

Outside Potgietersrus, The Beast (Alan's vehicle) decided that the Alternator no longer wanted to go to Uganda. B&B overnight and off to Toyota in the morning for a new Alternator!

These are the things that make the journey interesting and test your sense of humour.

Well, they can always have a drink, they have enough Jameson's to float a boat or sink a ship?

and the journey begins......

At 1pm today, the team set off for distant lands. The last few Soccer balls, old clothes and pens were crammed into the vehicle and after a few hugs and tears (mine) they were off.

Tonight I cheers to a dream realised, may we all achieve that goal during the journey we call life.

Bon Voyage

No More Sleeps!!

Today has at long last arrived!!! This past week-end was spent running around buying the final bits and bobs and fitting the final little things to the vehicle (the bottle opener was the most inportant!) as well as packing and re-packing all the kit.

Popped around to Gavin to watch rugby (team lost) and had a awesome time! I must say it has become pretty obvious that there are so many people out there that have dreams that they are not striving to do. The amount of people that have said "you are so lucky to be doing this trip" has made me wonder why if you have something that you really want to do, you do not get out and do it. There will never be the right time! I am just so excited that Gavin and I are realising one of our Dreams.

One final meeting at the office today and then we leave at 12h00. We drive for 472 kms to Batseba (28 Degrees 47'33.51" S 28 Degrees 12'42.30" E) which is a farm owned by a friend of mine. Jaco has allowed to stay there for the night before we cross over at Zanzibar border crossing into Botswana. Once into Botswana we drive to Nata or further.

Last Friday!!!

So at long last Gavin and I have our vehicle back and we are now able to pack all our goodies in the back.

The feeling today is one of happiness and sadness as there is always so much going on around you that you feel that by going away for so long you are being irresponsible, but as my boss said, there is never a good time to go on leave. To be leaving Fiona for a month is quite something for me!

Vehicle at Last

Thanks to the guys at Northern Offroad my Vehicle is eventually ready, only 100 km on the clock and 15 000 km to go. Off home to pack , watch the rugby and leave for Africa.

Ten days have past and SIX to go!!

Last week was hectic from a work perspective! Spent Monday to Thursday travelling but stayed in communication with Northern Offroad, who are preparing our vehicles. My vehicle was nearing completion but Gavin's has a bit of work still to be done. Fiona picked up the Landcruiser on Thursday whilst I was still in Cape Town. I got back Thursday night to the Beast parked in the drive way!!!! What a sight, what a feeling knowing that the trip was now really a reality for me!!! The Rooftop tent and spare wheel carriers that I had fitted looked awesome. I grabbed the list of things that I had done to the vehicle and began checking them all, VHF radio fitted, new seat covers, fire extinguisher, gas bottles, jerry cans, diff lock breather pipes and oh yes a cup holder for the odd beer!

Unfortunately when I opened the newly fitted spare wheel carrier the locking pin got stuck and I must of forced it and bent it!! Damn!! So back to the workshop to be fixed alongside the aircon and the second battery system.

Next challenge was that the vehicle registration papers had the incorrect registration number on it, imagine trying to explain that at the border posts!! Still trying to sort this issue out but hey there are still four working days before we leave.

On Friday I received a stunnning gift from some of the people I work with, a espresso machine, coffee from Rwanda and a small primus stove. This is awesome as most of the countries that we are travelling in produce their own coffee. I have visions of us sitting around a fireplace in the middle of nowhere having a hot cup of coffee (and a whisky or two). Oh yes they also gave me a pith helmet that I have to wear at every border crossing - if not I will be punished with a drink of Gavin's choice!

Gavin and I picked up my vehicle again on Saturday from Northern Offroad and took it for a drive to see if the intermittent jerking had been fixed - nope! That very second when the jerking started again was a pretty low point for me, I really did not want to take the Beast back to the garage another time as I still needed to do things to it at home. Dropped it off at Toyota and now I am hoping that they are able to fix the problem.

Reality is that this time next week we will be in Botswana regardless of all obstacles!!

North my son, north....... yay!!