Have left Livingstone on our way to Chobe National Park in Botswana. Our guides see us through the immigration process and we are in a little boat crossing the Chobe River into Botswana. This river is also flooded, more water than they have seen for 50 years.
The transport trucks wait at the border crossing for over a week to get across the river. The only way across is by ferry which can only handle 1 truck at a time.
The first part of our trip is a water safari so we start out in a covered raft complete with tea, coffee and cookies. The trip to our camp takes about 3 hours and we view the animals on the shore from the safety of our raft. We see hippos, elephants, kudos(antilope) crocs and impala. We are met on shore by another guide and he (Jensen) takes us to our camp. This is not a luxury camp but is very comfortable. Our travelling companions are great, 1 from Australia, 1 from Germany and 1 from Holland. Wine is included with our meals and we all proceed to bond and become best friends with our fellow travellers. At one point we are all laying on a blanket (drunk as farts) looking at the Southern Cross and the Milky Way. We knew thats what we were looking at because the guy from Holland(24 years old) was an Astro Physicist. We keep very good company here. Our guide was amazing, he found us all the animals including a lion with 6 cubs. He was quite willing to provide all services but don't worry, the wine haze cleared in time. Warren, don't worry, your mother is following all the advice she has given to you in the past. We had a wonderful time, we are on our way to South Africa and the last leg of our journey. We are still well, tired but still smiling.
Monday, April 27, 2009
We left Lusaka via bus heading for Livingstone/Victoria Falls/Mosi oa Tunya (the smoke that thunders). The bus trip was an event all on its own. We were scheduled to leave at 8:30am and finally left at 1:30. Apparently this bus does not leave until it is full. We are finally underway but we have a preacher with us who delivers a sermon as we travel along. We thought if he goes all the way to Livingstone with us we will have to kill him but after 45 minutes he has run out of spit and fire & brimstone and he gets off. Every day is an adventure, some of them we could do without but This is Africa. We arrived in Livingstone very late, our rooms are saved for us and our supper is some heated up banana bread. No double rum & cokes but we are happy to have the banana bread.
Next day is Victoria Falls . They are truly magnificent. The spray can be seen miles away as the Zambezie river is very high right now and the fall are huge. We of course had to walk across the bridge next to the falls and got soaked in the spray even with 2 raincoats on. It was exciting and scary all at once. We walked every trail so we could see the falls from all angles and even tried to venture in Zimbabwe but were turned back by a kind guy who told us what we were doing was illegal.
Next day we took a helicopter ride over the falls and could see the river, the falls and the gorge. Exciting... Our pictures are great and you all have to see all 9,000 of them. That evening we thought we would try another sunset cruise and this one lived up to its billing. A lovely boat, The Lady Livingstone, wine and snacks. Not sure the one on Zanzibar wasn't more fun but this was lovely. Back to the falls the next day for 1 more look and the off to The Royal Livingstone for lunch. The Royal Livingstone is a 5 star hotel right on the Zambezie River and overlooking Victoria Falls. We drag ourselves in, soaking wet but they served us a lovely lunch (for about $40. each) and we could pretend we were staying there. To highlight our lunch, there were zebra and monkeys on the lawn and as were are leaving, there are giraffes, a mother, father and baby on the road. A perfect ending.
Next day is Victoria Falls . They are truly magnificent. The spray can be seen miles away as the Zambezie river is very high right now and the fall are huge. We of course had to walk across the bridge next to the falls and got soaked in the spray even with 2 raincoats on. It was exciting and scary all at once. We walked every trail so we could see the falls from all angles and even tried to venture in Zimbabwe but were turned back by a kind guy who told us what we were doing was illegal.
Next day we took a helicopter ride over the falls and could see the river, the falls and the gorge. Exciting... Our pictures are great and you all have to see all 9,000 of them. That evening we thought we would try another sunset cruise and this one lived up to its billing. A lovely boat, The Lady Livingstone, wine and snacks. Not sure the one on Zanzibar wasn't more fun but this was lovely. Back to the falls the next day for 1 more look and the off to The Royal Livingstone for lunch. The Royal Livingstone is a 5 star hotel right on the Zambezie River and overlooking Victoria Falls. We drag ourselves in, soaking wet but they served us a lovely lunch (for about $40. each) and we could pretend we were staying there. To highlight our lunch, there were zebra and monkeys on the lawn and as were are leaving, there are giraffes, a mother, father and baby on the road. A perfect ending.
We arrived in Lusaka, Zambia after leaving Dar es Salaam very early Thursday morning. We flew through Jo'burg as Zambia Air is bankrupt and we could not fly direct. After a long day we were met at the airport by Sarah & her new husband Alvin. After travelling for 2 month, it was nice to see a familiar face. We spent the next 4 days doing regular Zambia/Sarah things. Sarah cooked us a traditional Zambian dinner complete with nashima?? (maize porridge) and lots of wine. Dinner was delicious and it was nice to have some home cooking. The chicken balony sandwich we had the day before was also a highlight. Do you get the idea we are travelling on our stomachs.
We shopped for material with Sarah, watched a basketball practice and went to a couple of games. Alvin coaches the national level womens' team and it was fun to sit in the stands and watch the games. After the games we had chinese food which was as good as anything we have eaten before.
Sunday we went to the botanical gardens outside of Lusaka, had a picnic lunch and just hung out. A wonderful visit. Alvin and Sarah were great hosts and we enjoyed our visit. Thank you again guys, we will see you in June.
We shopped for material with Sarah, watched a basketball practice and went to a couple of games. Alvin coaches the national level womens' team and it was fun to sit in the stands and watch the games. After the games we had chinese food which was as good as anything we have eaten before.
Sunday we went to the botanical gardens outside of Lusaka, had a picnic lunch and just hung out. A wonderful visit. Alvin and Sarah were great hosts and we enjoyed our visit. Thank you again guys, we will see you in June.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
We have just spent 5 glorious days on Zanzibar. It is the spice island and known for its winding streets, doors and the area where the slaves were traded. The food was excellent and we had sea food at least twice a day. The prawns were huge and delicious- cooked in many different ways.
We stayed in Stone Town for most of the time, and spent a lot of time wandering the quaint streets, looking in all the shops and trying to resist the high pressure sales-types. They were quite pushy but harmless. One day I went snorkling- it was totally amazing and it was one of the best reef I have seen. the coral was beautiful -all shapes ,sizes and colors. And so were the fish!
We had our nails and toes "done" and were generally tourists .We went to the north part of the island one day and were treated to white sand, blue skies, very few tourists and generally a little paradise.
We booked a sunset cruise and had visions of champagne, canapies, men,and a sunset! The reality was an old wooden dhow with a ripped sail, no life jackets, and two young men on their maiden sailing voyage. The champagne turned out to be orange pop with a bag of chips but we had a lovely sail and our captain and one crew member got us back alive!!!
In Stone Town we found many spots to view the ocean and did so usually accompanied with some local beverage.
The ferry ride was an adventure in itself. Going over we took the slow ferry which is the same as the chicken bus in Guatemala!! It was overloaded by at least 200 people-and no life jackets to be seen.
Coming back we thought we would be smarter and took the fast ferry. Also much pushing and shoving to get seats but finally we are off! The first thing the did was hand out barf bags and we soon figured out why. The next two and a half hours were spend rock and rolling!!!!The sounds and smells were a test.
We are now back in Dar es Salaam. Have spent a day here poking around the shops and looking for new places to eat- always a priority.Its a big city and hot as hell and humid.
Tomorrow we leave for Zambia and a visit with Sarah.
Will keep you posted.
We stayed in Stone Town for most of the time, and spent a lot of time wandering the quaint streets, looking in all the shops and trying to resist the high pressure sales-types. They were quite pushy but harmless. One day I went snorkling- it was totally amazing and it was one of the best reef I have seen. the coral was beautiful -all shapes ,sizes and colors. And so were the fish!
We had our nails and toes "done" and were generally tourists .We went to the north part of the island one day and were treated to white sand, blue skies, very few tourists and generally a little paradise.
We booked a sunset cruise and had visions of champagne, canapies, men,and a sunset! The reality was an old wooden dhow with a ripped sail, no life jackets, and two young men on their maiden sailing voyage. The champagne turned out to be orange pop with a bag of chips but we had a lovely sail and our captain and one crew member got us back alive!!!
In Stone Town we found many spots to view the ocean and did so usually accompanied with some local beverage.
The ferry ride was an adventure in itself. Going over we took the slow ferry which is the same as the chicken bus in Guatemala!! It was overloaded by at least 200 people-and no life jackets to be seen.
Coming back we thought we would be smarter and took the fast ferry. Also much pushing and shoving to get seats but finally we are off! The first thing the did was hand out barf bags and we soon figured out why. The next two and a half hours were spend rock and rolling!!!!The sounds and smells were a test.
We are now back in Dar es Salaam. Have spent a day here poking around the shops and looking for new places to eat- always a priority.Its a big city and hot as hell and humid.
Tomorrow we leave for Zambia and a visit with Sarah.
Will keep you posted.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Our last day was a balloon ride over the Serengeti. We started off at 5:00am with a 1 hour night game drive and saw many of the night animals. We saw 4 lions that morning, African hares, owls, little Dik Diks (tiny antelopes). We arrived at the launch site in time to see a beautiful sunrise. The balloon was being set up and we were loaded by 7:00am. There were 16 passengers plus the pilot who was a wonderful tour guide. For the next hour we floated over the Serengeti, checked out all the animals and just marvelled at the scenery. Some of the time we just cleared the trees and then we would go up to 1,000 feet. It was an amazing trip and a highlight of the whole trip. We have pictures, many, many pictures. We landed softly on the plains and were treated to a champagne breakfast. Our travelling companions were English and we had such a great time trading stories and drinking champagne we wanted to stay forever. Then it was more game drive and back to our wonderful hotel for a swim, a lay about the pool and supper. This roughing it is real hard to take.
The next morning we drove to Ngorogoro Crater and another game drive. This time the animals are closer and do not run away when we drive up. We saw all the animals that we had seen at Serengetti but there are more babies here. We saw elephants and rhinos. At the very end of the day we came across a mother lion feeding two cubs. We watch for a long time and then happend to look behind us and there was a pride of 8 lions just laying in the grass. A papa guarding his group, some females and some young males. We had to divide our time between the pride and the mother feeding. A neat experience (Helen says it was captivating). Then it was off to another lovely lodge on the rim of the crater. A gorgeous view especially from the bar. The next day was an early morning game drive, elephants with babies, cheetas, more lions and all the usual, zebras, gazelles, wildebeast, warthogs and birds. We are getting animalled-out. We were so excited to see our first zebra and giraffe, now it is ho hum, just another zebra. Not quite but almost.
Tomorrow we are heading to Dar es Salem(by bus) and on to Zanzibar for a couple of days.
Miss you all, will post again after Zanzibar.
The next morning we drove to Ngorogoro Crater and another game drive. This time the animals are closer and do not run away when we drive up. We saw all the animals that we had seen at Serengetti but there are more babies here. We saw elephants and rhinos. At the very end of the day we came across a mother lion feeding two cubs. We watch for a long time and then happend to look behind us and there was a pride of 8 lions just laying in the grass. A papa guarding his group, some females and some young males. We had to divide our time between the pride and the mother feeding. A neat experience (Helen says it was captivating). Then it was off to another lovely lodge on the rim of the crater. A gorgeous view especially from the bar. The next day was an early morning game drive, elephants with babies, cheetas, more lions and all the usual, zebras, gazelles, wildebeast, warthogs and birds. We are getting animalled-out. We were so excited to see our first zebra and giraffe, now it is ho hum, just another zebra. Not quite but almost.
Tomorrow we are heading to Dar es Salem(by bus) and on to Zanzibar for a couple of days.
Miss you all, will post again after Zanzibar.
Well we are back in Arusha safe and sound after a wonderful safari. We started off in Lake Manyara to see the baboons, tons of giraffes, zebra, and all kinds of antelope. The neat part of looking at these animals here is they are all together, the zebras together with the wildebeast?? together with the giraffes. That night we stayed at a tented lodge that was wonderful. The tents are on permanent foundations with proper toilets and showers but the walls and roof are tents. It had the nicest bar and dining room you can imagine. Food was good and we hated to leave. No midnight visitors to our tent that night (of the animal variety) but it was a wonderful stay. The next morning we had a walk with a Maasi guide who took us through the local area and told us how to cure syphilis with the roots of a tree. Good information to have.
Then it was off to the Serengeti after a brief stop at a Massi Village. We had a welcoming dance from the warriors, a dance with the women, a visit to a Massi home and then to their market where we bought all sorts of treasures. The dance was wonderful and we will post our pictures the next time. The dance is where they jump 2-3 feet straight up in the air. They are very colourful and there is much singing and chanting while they dance. We were kind of distracted while they were doing this as there were a whole bunch of little children around and they really stole the show. The children are incredibly dirty and incredibly cute. The Massi home is a sticks and cow dung round structure. There is a firepit inside and the place is incredibly hot and stinky. We don't think we will become Maasi any time soon. Then we visited the kindergarten for another round of financial solicitation. All in all a good visit even if we did leave somewhat poorer.
Then it was off to the Serengeti after a brief stop at Oldavai Gorge. We toured the museum where the Leakeys made their discovery of Lucy, looked at all the old bones and were off. Our first day on the Serengeti was amazing. A plain that stretches for miles & miles, no trees at the start of the Sarengeti, just some outcropping of rocks called kopjie. We saw thousands of wildebeast, zebra, gazelle. These are all on the Serengeti waiting for the time to migrate further north. We did not actually see the migration but got to see all the animals in one place. An awesome sight and one we watched for a long time and will never forget. We also saw giraffe, lion, warthog, hyena, and tons of birds (and the back end of a leopard in a tree). After a full day it was off to our very lavish lodge. Swimming pool, and amazing dining room and the view from every window overlooked the Serengeti. The next day we saw a baby wildebeast being pulled underwater by a hugh crocodile. We didn't stay for the finish but it was kind of sad even if the wildebeast are about the funniest looking animals alive. We are not finished but are going to post this so we don't lose it. More to follow.
Then it was off to the Serengeti after a brief stop at a Massi Village. We had a welcoming dance from the warriors, a dance with the women, a visit to a Massi home and then to their market where we bought all sorts of treasures. The dance was wonderful and we will post our pictures the next time. The dance is where they jump 2-3 feet straight up in the air. They are very colourful and there is much singing and chanting while they dance. We were kind of distracted while they were doing this as there were a whole bunch of little children around and they really stole the show. The children are incredibly dirty and incredibly cute. The Massi home is a sticks and cow dung round structure. There is a firepit inside and the place is incredibly hot and stinky. We don't think we will become Maasi any time soon. Then we visited the kindergarten for another round of financial solicitation. All in all a good visit even if we did leave somewhat poorer.
Then it was off to the Serengeti after a brief stop at Oldavai Gorge. We toured the museum where the Leakeys made their discovery of Lucy, looked at all the old bones and were off. Our first day on the Serengeti was amazing. A plain that stretches for miles & miles, no trees at the start of the Sarengeti, just some outcropping of rocks called kopjie. We saw thousands of wildebeast, zebra, gazelle. These are all on the Serengeti waiting for the time to migrate further north. We did not actually see the migration but got to see all the animals in one place. An awesome sight and one we watched for a long time and will never forget. We also saw giraffe, lion, warthog, hyena, and tons of birds (and the back end of a leopard in a tree). After a full day it was off to our very lavish lodge. Swimming pool, and amazing dining room and the view from every window overlooked the Serengeti. The next day we saw a baby wildebeast being pulled underwater by a hugh crocodile. We didn't stay for the finish but it was kind of sad even if the wildebeast are about the funniest looking animals alive. We are not finished but are going to post this so we don't lose it. More to follow.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
A quick note-
Tommorow( April 1) we are starting our Safarie!!!
Looking forward to that.
Yeasterday we spent a day on a cultural tour of the Wa-Arusha tribe.We did a lot of walking thru the village. Saw and visited two schools -elementary and secondary-,saw a home of one of the residents. She lived there with a cow ,a goat and goat, and had a fire pit in the middle of the floor . It was very hot and smokey inside. the village does quite well as they all work together- to build schools and support orphans. they rely on donations from tourist as well.
Lot of lush trees and plants!
A great day.
Until next time.
Tommorow( April 1) we are starting our Safarie!!!
Looking forward to that.
Yeasterday we spent a day on a cultural tour of the Wa-Arusha tribe.We did a lot of walking thru the village. Saw and visited two schools -elementary and secondary-,saw a home of one of the residents. She lived there with a cow ,a goat and goat, and had a fire pit in the middle of the floor . It was very hot and smokey inside. the village does quite well as they all work together- to build schools and support orphans. they rely on donations from tourist as well.
Lot of lush trees and plants!
A great day.
Until next time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
