Wow it seems like an age since the last time I wrote. As I type on my laptop we are driving towards the planes of Etosha “the great white place”, named so after the Etosha salt pan situated within the fences of the national park. But first, lets look at Botswana…
We crossed the boarder from Zambia to Botswana on a hot sweaty day and it was a welcome relief to arrive at our campsite in Kasane and hit the pool. It was a chilled evening with the hint of oncoming storms promising rain to cool us. The next morning saw us up before sunrise to head into the Chobe National Park for a morning game drive. The birdlife was outstanding as per usual, kingfishers, bee-eaters and even the fish eagle made an appearance. That same afternoon saw us taking to the waterways of the Chobe River on the sunset cruise where hippo’s and elephants were plentiful. Up next was our 620km drive to Maun, the gate way to the Okavango Delta where we spent time night bush camping on an island surrounded by the millions of channels that make up the largest inland delta in the world. The afternoon was spent trying to learn how to pole the mokoro’s and inching into the shade on what was a scorching day. The afternoon bush walk was a success with close sightings of elephants, giraffe, zebra. That evening our guides and polers entertained us with their camp fire songs, remarkable they didn’t ask us to return the favour …maybe they heard our tuneless attempts at singing earlier in the day and decided it would be better to go to bed with the ribbeting of frogs ringing in their ears instead of us attempting and failing a rendition of queen and undoubtedly a national anthem of some kind.
Our last might in Botswana was spent in the town of Ghanzi and Trail Blazers camp where we went on a bushmen walk with some of the few remaining bushmen in the area where we were allowed a glimpse into the lives of this tribe.
The following day we crossed into Namibia (in my opinion) the best country on tour. Our first stop was in the capital city of Windhoek and the afternoon was spent wandering around and partaking in some serious SERIOUS retail therapy….then it happened…..the clouds came…..and burst!!! Our campsite was transformed into a raging torrent of water!! However we soon got over it as we all over indulged on some game meat at the famous Joe’s Beer House.
That brings me up to date folks as today we have left Windhoek and are journeying to Etosha for some game driving…..and it looks as if the rain is following us, but hey, rain or shine we are still on the best continent in the world experiencing once in a life time experiences and it sure doesn’t get much better than that!!!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
BOTSWANA BECKONS
Wow it seems like an age since the last time I wrote. As I type on my laptop we are driving towards the planes of Etosha “the great white place”, named so after the Etosha salt pan situated within the fences of the national park. But first, lets look at Botswana…
We crossed the boarder from Zambia to Botswana on a hot sweaty day and it was a welcome relief to arrive at our campsite in Kasane and hit the pool. It was a chilled evening with the hint of oncoming storms promising rain to cool us. The next morning saw us up before sunrise to head into the Chobe National Park for a morning game drive. The birdlife was outstanding as per usual, kingfishers, bee-eaters and even the fish eagle made an appearance. That same afternoon saw us taking to the waterways of the Chobe River on the sunset cruise where hippo’s and elephants were plentiful. Up next was our 620km drive to Maun, the gate way to the Okavango Delta where we spent time night bush camping on an island surrounded by the millions of channels that make up the largest inland delta in the world. The afternoon was spent trying to learn how to pole the mokoro’s and inching into the shade on what was a scorching day. The afternoon bush walk was a success with close sightings of elephants, giraffe, zebra. That evening our guides and polers entertained us with their camp fire songs, remarkable they didn’t ask us to return the favour …maybe they heard our tuneless attempts at singing earlier in the day and decided it would be better to go to bed with the ribbeting of frogs ringing in their ears instead of us attempting and failing a rendition of queen and undoubtedly a national anthem of some kind.
Our last might in Botswana was spent in the town of Ghanzi and Trail Blazers camp where we went on a bushmen walk with some of the few remaining bushmen in the area where we were allowed a glimpse into the lives of this tribe.
The following day we crossed into Namibia (in my opinion) the best country on tour. Our first stop was in the capital city of Windhoek and the afternoon was spent wandering around and partaking in some serious SERIOUS retail therapy….then it happened…..the clouds came…..and burst!!! Our campsite was transformed into a raging torrent of water!! However we soon got over it as we all over indulged on some game meat at the famous Joe’s Beer House.
That brings me up to date folks as today we have left Windhoek and are journeying to Etosha for some game driving…..and it looks as if the rain is following us, but hey, rain or shine we are still on the best continent in the world experiencing once in a life time experiences and it sure doesn’t get much better than that!!!
We crossed the boarder from Zambia to Botswana on a hot sweaty day and it was a welcome relief to arrive at our campsite in Kasane and hit the pool. It was a chilled evening with the hint of oncoming storms promising rain to cool us. The next morning saw us up before sunrise to head into the Chobe National Park for a morning game drive. The birdlife was outstanding as per usual, kingfishers, bee-eaters and even the fish eagle made an appearance. That same afternoon saw us taking to the waterways of the Chobe River on the sunset cruise where hippo’s and elephants were plentiful. Up next was our 620km drive to Maun, the gate way to the Okavango Delta where we spent time night bush camping on an island surrounded by the millions of channels that make up the largest inland delta in the world. The afternoon was spent trying to learn how to pole the mokoro’s and inching into the shade on what was a scorching day. The afternoon bush walk was a success with close sightings of elephants, giraffe, zebra. That evening our guides and polers entertained us with their camp fire songs, remarkable they didn’t ask us to return the favour …maybe they heard our tuneless attempts at singing earlier in the day and decided it would be better to go to bed with the ribbeting of frogs ringing in their ears instead of us attempting and failing a rendition of queen and undoubtedly a national anthem of some kind.
Our last might in Botswana was spent in the town of Ghanzi and Trail Blazers camp where we went on a bushmen walk with some of the few remaining bushmen in the area where we were allowed a glimpse into the lives of this tribe.
The following day we crossed into Namibia (in my opinion) the best country on tour. Our first stop was in the capital city of Windhoek and the afternoon was spent wandering around and partaking in some serious SERIOUS retail therapy….then it happened…..the clouds came…..and burst!!! Our campsite was transformed into a raging torrent of water!! However we soon got over it as we all over indulged on some game meat at the famous Joe’s Beer House.
That brings me up to date folks as today we have left Windhoek and are journeying to Etosha for some game driving…..and it looks as if the rain is following us, but hey, rain or shine we are still on the best continent in the world experiencing once in a life time experiences and it sure doesn’t get much better than that!!!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The end... of this circuit...
The next morning dawns bright and clear, and up gets the tour leader to put the kettle on for her beloved passengers. Duly boiled, it is transported back to the truck and placed amongst the breakfast fare.
Tour leader goes away to do various duties. Later, after all is packed away, we leave and pull into a service station after a couple of hours for a toilet break.
Tour leader is duly surprised that everyone is claiming desperate thirst and need for coffee.
MORAL OF THE STORY: if you are going to illicitly use kettle as impromptu punch receptacle, empty it. Otherwise contents WILL be inadvertently be boiled up and served to you for breakfast.
Much love
Tour leader goes away to do various duties. Later, after all is packed away, we leave and pull into a service station after a couple of hours for a toilet break.
Tour leader is duly surprised that everyone is claiming desperate thirst and need for coffee.
MORAL OF THE STORY: if you are going to illicitly use kettle as impromptu punch receptacle, empty it. Otherwise contents WILL be inadvertently be boiled up and served to you for breakfast.
Much love
Racing to the end...
Our least few days on tour are a mixture of beautiful scenery, activities and packing...
A major stop, and our last in Namibia is Fish River Canyon - the views, the thermal springs, and the oven baked lasagne all combine to provide fanastic experiences, and luckily its a little bit warmer than we have been used to at night (see the fashion shoot).
All too soon it is time to wave goodbye to Namibia and on to South Africa. We stay at a new campsite - Umkulu - on the Orange River, and despite there being plenty of activities on offer - rafting/ canoeing and sunset walks, by this time legathy has set in and everyone just chills. That night we chow down on Kudu steaks and gird ourselves for one final assault before Capetown - its nearly time for winetasting...
....which does not disappoint. Priced at a very reasonable 55R for the guarantee that you will feel 'internally warm' inside. This is followed by a group meal (not a good idea to wield cooking instruments after said tasting) and a knees-up until the early hours.
A major stop, and our last in Namibia is Fish River Canyon - the views, the thermal springs, and the oven baked lasagne all combine to provide fanastic experiences, and luckily its a little bit warmer than we have been used to at night (see the fashion shoot).
All too soon it is time to wave goodbye to Namibia and on to South Africa. We stay at a new campsite - Umkulu - on the Orange River, and despite there being plenty of activities on offer - rafting/ canoeing and sunset walks, by this time legathy has set in and everyone just chills. That night we chow down on Kudu steaks and gird ourselves for one final assault before Capetown - its nearly time for winetasting...
....which does not disappoint. Priced at a very reasonable 55R for the guarantee that you will feel 'internally warm' inside. This is followed by a group meal (not a good idea to wield cooking instruments after said tasting) and a knees-up until the early hours.
Fashion guidance: how to be a successful overlander
Fashion shoot: step by step guide to fashion SUCCESS
Location: Dune 45
Models: Debatable
Rule 1: Pick beautiful location
Rule 2: add some models...
Rule 3: Remember the Namibian winter gets cold. It is important to counteract this
Rule 4: Accessorise. Accessorise. Accessorise.
Rule 5: You may lose 70% of heat from your head but look after those toes.
Rule 6: Uncertainty of to origin of clothes (is it a towel? a scarf? an animal?) should not prevent it being put to use
Rule 7: Adopt fashion trends from home. High trousers? Check. Tucked in tops? Check. Sultry expressions... check?
Rule 8: Rock that bare legged, socks and shoes look. You KNOW it looks good
Rule 9: Rest assured that no matter how ridiculous you look, one member of the tour will always look more so - thats right - meet the tour leader
(personally I think people dream to look like this)
Location: Dune 45
Models: Debatable
Rule 1: Pick beautiful location
Rule 2: add some models...
Rule 3: Remember the Namibian winter gets cold. It is important to counteract this
Rule 4: Accessorise. Accessorise. Accessorise.
Rule 5: You may lose 70% of heat from your head but look after those toes.
Rule 6: Uncertainty of to origin of clothes (is it a towel? a scarf? an animal?) should not prevent it being put to use
Rule 7: Adopt fashion trends from home. High trousers? Check. Tucked in tops? Check. Sultry expressions... check?
Rule 8: Rock that bare legged, socks and shoes look. You KNOW it looks good
Rule 9: Rest assured that no matter how ridiculous you look, one member of the tour will always look more so - thats right - meet the tour leader
(personally I think people dream to look like this)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Swakopmund...
Swakopmund. Home of overlanding adrenaline south of Vic Falls. Sadly no skydiving on the agenda, but there is still plenty to entertain all.
One of the restaurant institutions in Swakopmund is Napolitanas - and the group indulge in the truly massive portions. It has been subtly suggested that doggy bags may be required, but despite these warnings, a few people actually manage to finish their plate and therefore spend the night in a self induced food coma.
The next day is activity day and some go sandboarding (top speed - 75kph), some go quadbiking and some go for a more relaxing option and take up the offer of a massage from Kath (ex-Acacia tour leader) and a dolphin cruise.
This involves close encounters with dolphins (whose loving of the boat is for less savoury reasons than would be anticipated - the vibrations of the boat in the water increases a dolphins urge for sexual activity... not so sweet and innocent!), pelicans (no vibration attractions), seals (hopefully no vibrationary attractions as they ended up on the boat with us) and champagne and oysters to finish - life is tough!
Its hard to drag ourselves away from Swakop, especially as we've had two nights in dorm beds - possibly the nicest dorms in the world - but we've got a way to go yet...
One of the restaurant institutions in Swakopmund is Napolitanas - and the group indulge in the truly massive portions. It has been subtly suggested that doggy bags may be required, but despite these warnings, a few people actually manage to finish their plate and therefore spend the night in a self induced food coma.
The next day is activity day and some go sandboarding (top speed - 75kph), some go quadbiking and some go for a more relaxing option and take up the offer of a massage from Kath (ex-Acacia tour leader) and a dolphin cruise.
This involves close encounters with dolphins (whose loving of the boat is for less savoury reasons than would be anticipated - the vibrations of the boat in the water increases a dolphins urge for sexual activity... not so sweet and innocent!), pelicans (no vibration attractions), seals (hopefully no vibrationary attractions as they ended up on the boat with us) and champagne and oysters to finish - life is tough!
Its hard to drag ourselves away from Swakop, especially as we've had two nights in dorm beds - possibly the nicest dorms in the world - but we've got a way to go yet...
Monday, May 16, 2011
Namibia...
Highlights of the tour so far in this country:
* Stalking lions in Etosha NP (thats lions that were stalking, not that we were chasing them)
* Meal at Joe's beerhouse in Windhoek - zebra, ostrich, kudu, oryx, croc all devoured
* Revisitation of 'lamb' night from Malawi
* No revisitation of punch night from Malawi and Botswana (so far)
* Epic games of hearts. Inducing overcompetitiveness all round.
* Sleeping outside, watching shooting stars and nebula at Spitzkoppe. Some of the group opted for gollum-esque cave dwelling instead.
* No more malaria zone!
* Dom Pedro
* Quadbiking, sandboarding
* Dolphin cruise and hugging seals
* Stalking lions in Etosha NP (thats lions that were stalking, not that we were chasing them)
* Meal at Joe's beerhouse in Windhoek - zebra, ostrich, kudu, oryx, croc all devoured
* Revisitation of 'lamb' night from Malawi
* No revisitation of punch night from Malawi and Botswana (so far)
* Epic games of hearts. Inducing overcompetitiveness all round.
* Sleeping outside, watching shooting stars and nebula at Spitzkoppe. Some of the group opted for gollum-esque cave dwelling instead.
* No more malaria zone!
* Dom Pedro
* Quadbiking, sandboarding
* Dolphin cruise and hugging seals
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