tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20133431247344629342024-03-12T18:53:39.361-07:00This moment is your life...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-56333096459046371332010-04-14T23:12:00.000-07:002010-04-14T23:21:43.701-07:00Change in the wind...The rain sprays on the tin roof and makes a sound like static through the radio,<br />a chilling wind blows in my face and I find relief from this rare cool change. Another change has blown through me recently and has changed the course of my trip, and perhaps my life. Tim and I have decided to move on seperately, which is sad and leaves me travelling alone in this foreign continent. I lie awake in the morning and try to come to terms with how my life has ended me up lying in a reed hut and listening to the sounds of the Lake slapping against the rocks, whilst I'm thousands of kilometres away from family and friends. It is not something that one imagines possible, butit's refreshing and I feel a calmness in being by myself again. I have decided to take a completley different path in Africa and head upto Egypt this weekend to join two friends from Australia in some travel, I smile just thinking about seeing them as I need a familiar face right now. From here I'm not sure where I will go, but I am looking forward to seeing new things, and new places. My mum is worried sick about the prospect of me traveling alone, and this is fair enough considering my track record for outlandish behavior and thrill-seeking fun. I don't want people to worry - I will come home, I will be OK, and I will return for big hugs from everyone!<br />One thing this trip has taught me is that I am damn lucky to have such a brilliant family, and group of friends and the memories of them I carry with me are priceless. Whoever coined the idea that wealth is not how much money you have, but is measured by friends and family is right... because right now I feel extremely wealthy. The rain has turned torrential now, and I am marooned in this internet cafe... which is actually no longer working as nothing in Africa works when the rain comes. I need to wait for the internet to work again so I can book my flights to Egypt... I will be staying in Sharm and Cairo - and then will travel some more once Tegan and Nathan leave. One activity I will be doing for sure is taking a cruise down the Nile... In awhile crocodile!<br /><br />Note: it is now two days later... and it's still raining!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-4760647183949102172010-03-26T05:38:00.000-07:002010-03-26T07:05:21.231-07:00Fighting Poverty Through Education...Earlier this month Tim, Paul and I had the pleasure of visiting St Jude's School, Arusha, Tanzania. The School of St Jude was set-up by Gemma Sisia (Australian) in 2002 - it began with just 3 students, and today the school has over 1300 students spread over two campuses (Usa River and Moshono). The school is largely funded by Australians, so it was a great feeling to walk in the gates and see the Australian flag waving. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIQh8_ygXMCi3uYfIz50S0QEthEhT6JrjrkG28cw4e80yi0SSDw_c3rIojVUYrethK0Y-9URCepXSfDqIAUR3A_CCmpxKmnpP6u8GG80etFUSouL-gjQOOA7r8vH4BvVOO8zQK5s_aRA/s1600/P1030640.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIQh8_ygXMCi3uYfIz50S0QEthEhT6JrjrkG28cw4e80yi0SSDw_c3rIojVUYrethK0Y-9URCepXSfDqIAUR3A_CCmpxKmnpP6u8GG80etFUSouL-gjQOOA7r8vH4BvVOO8zQK5s_aRA/s320/P1030640.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452940787975042210" border="0" /></a>We had heard a lot about the school through friends and family, and also through the Australian media - to be finally there and standing in front of the first school building ever built was quite an experience.<br /><br />My first impressions of the school was that it was much like any school I went to in Australia (even better!), and the school library definatley outshone school libraries I had access to in primary school. I was even surprised to find some Enid Blyton books there!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdK4o89laGKZwbWenybiaxCsYf02pYkqQ9RB4sooH30p3FjLEKUNjxdQlooXTY7N2zrxNjwWf-FuVSx2RYL10Z9Wy9MCVw813y34KvbdAJxVDhCc52iOE57oFk15-fteJenFTpFQo0H4g/s1600/P1030644.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdK4o89laGKZwbWenybiaxCsYf02pYkqQ9RB4sooH30p3FjLEKUNjxdQlooXTY7N2zrxNjwWf-FuVSx2RYL10Z9Wy9MCVw813y34KvbdAJxVDhCc52iOE57oFk15-fteJenFTpFQo0H4g/s320/P1030644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452940792262104594" border="0" /></a>My second impression was that these kids LOVE school - they are proud to be wearing their St Jude's uniform (they look great by the way!) All the children were polite, and following their teacher's orders (unlike what we used to be like in school!) The selection process for a child to get into the school is very strict - they only take the poorest of the poorest kids around the Arusha area, thus ensuring that each child is coming from a family that will benefit most from the gift of education. The children get given 2 free full uniforms, all textbooks, transport from and to home, boarding once they reach a certain age, meals, and much more. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkn6ejfcKhHbdhyWYWiX6sxKQFHymExXPscHPBuBq8rHkK1SDpxEPOq4WaV9vtx9z_dcFfie5zdx5-BTvXnIUOfCRZQS1NHTzXgkAvluEq-RDE-xrJa8Pdoiln_9OA-anPgdVkgFQkoUQ/s1600/P1030660.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkn6ejfcKhHbdhyWYWiX6sxKQFHymExXPscHPBuBq8rHkK1SDpxEPOq4WaV9vtx9z_dcFfie5zdx5-BTvXnIUOfCRZQS1NHTzXgkAvluEq-RDE-xrJa8Pdoiln_9OA-anPgdVkgFQkoUQ/s320/P1030660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452940806179497602" border="0" /></a><br />Some people think that white men and women coming into Africa and handing out free education is wrong, and is doing nothing to solve the problem. After seeing these kids speaking in front of a school assembly in faultless English and beaming with pride... I think those people are wrong. Education is something that all are entitled to... and if governments aren't going to provide this for their youth, then there is something lacking.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXHdWnHnZonb2442yuHFc5YY13gIuNnXgk6uaLQ44K-CMimY66-SusbZ-YubN7MclmcR_d7zwuFNiL77e1tNKwBekK42EQ8IaILH4qjKD3wIJkfxFD2K0SZneaw2PlEQG5IOdz4tyXRw/s1600/P1030666.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXHdWnHnZonb2442yuHFc5YY13gIuNnXgk6uaLQ44K-CMimY66-SusbZ-YubN7MclmcR_d7zwuFNiL77e1tNKwBekK42EQ8IaILH4qjKD3wIJkfxFD2K0SZneaw2PlEQG5IOdz4tyXRw/s320/P1030666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452940809636820146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0xfQvF6l_UHtdPxRhDzKx7C073MyckPRoJc9WoEfzTQZy6dzKUGY3u-6LaTiUCZBUL1zEb1zhNb15aPlkyvr55-rw0wkbfRnVTrnATemJsw8ZOP1_gGSlwz2K7fLo5atK7967RFq0lQ/s1600/P1030658.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0xfQvF6l_UHtdPxRhDzKx7C073MyckPRoJc9WoEfzTQZy6dzKUGY3u-6LaTiUCZBUL1zEb1zhNb15aPlkyvr55-rw0wkbfRnVTrnATemJsw8ZOP1_gGSlwz2K7fLo5atK7967RFq0lQ/s320/P1030658.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452940800358800642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One of the men in our tour group (Also an Aussie) was chatting to a young girl in the playground towards the end of our trip... he asked what she wanted to be when she grew up - the response "A criminal lawyer" - we were all blown away, and left with a confidence in St Jude's that can never falter.<br /><br />To give a child, and their family education, hope, and most of all an opportunity is priceless...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz/">www.schoolofstjude.co.tz</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK64HblOadUnIgc6VGMCQ6sy7jmY4Y5DqGAkIqpQj2BJLe97Ip8nxPQPjJhpmFknqsoGZz4wp7A1WpYL60hLNn8NdYyAD7fpeV4F6d2DbsST1-ShnUVJ8kcmDk7lFZAdD_9DbpXBT2PhU/s1600/P1030765.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK64HblOadUnIgc6VGMCQ6sy7jmY4Y5DqGAkIqpQj2BJLe97Ip8nxPQPjJhpmFknqsoGZz4wp7A1WpYL60hLNn8NdYyAD7fpeV4F6d2DbsST1-ShnUVJ8kcmDk7lFZAdD_9DbpXBT2PhU/s320/P1030765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452942243356393922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbphmJO2FjiOaYivQFkt7ysiWzlpcK1HnA2UQBFag9HUn-1ZgDTGTiOsm1jdiWHQ8JlqZ55cRBBxus0GCHLBgpljZOfcUC9NznTqNbT7UXjMj5TSra_XrDfYdzqzZj8XNv_uzdobRrYs/s1600/P1030747.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbphmJO2FjiOaYivQFkt7ysiWzlpcK1HnA2UQBFag9HUn-1ZgDTGTiOsm1jdiWHQ8JlqZ55cRBBxus0GCHLBgpljZOfcUC9NznTqNbT7UXjMj5TSra_XrDfYdzqzZj8XNv_uzdobRrYs/s320/P1030747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452942239048065778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YH2YaW4AVxT-PtF1dVMWV3usnvdgmKe7IBDXRWmlbRWVTfznFF4mx4imeQZvy4csX2hyersSjk7RGAblvoRwbmidSnr8XPnEjM0-yLLirAdAKvyNy3GKKYsXUKhGXwVcQizraNDkBOA/s1600/P1030696.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YH2YaW4AVxT-PtF1dVMWV3usnvdgmKe7IBDXRWmlbRWVTfznFF4mx4imeQZvy4csX2hyersSjk7RGAblvoRwbmidSnr8XPnEjM0-yLLirAdAKvyNy3GKKYsXUKhGXwVcQizraNDkBOA/s320/P1030696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452942231621782450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fZNhIm53DarCTlRDi6PmTf9mEqxL3ULjLNjLA4N3jwmvMfVUQmab_w6VlRO6yAn8J18L23za-lYv7UF7LX4zqEC9rXQ8vCOhZQUPFWqlLF7gKwGchMjL8xWkTQuhaiocw9WXqS9nWMg/s1600/P1030678.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fZNhIm53DarCTlRDi6PmTf9mEqxL3ULjLNjLA4N3jwmvMfVUQmab_w6VlRO6yAn8J18L23za-lYv7UF7LX4zqEC9rXQ8vCOhZQUPFWqlLF7gKwGchMjL8xWkTQuhaiocw9WXqS9nWMg/s320/P1030678.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452942225857672402" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-82737982052006976252010-03-22T01:11:00.001-07:002010-03-22T01:20:53.810-07:00Mountain Moments...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLKWFAmTY491_CZg6Ux7HykhcX5TAyCCvQ6GtFiXkKokQz6lqoPi3F2BCsQv3wVc7BoeB15dcp_S_hehboZ7AW49jOriE12Q23_BtSm22lovhkpNZUhshyU0ToP1HyQFNFBclmhD1Y6U/s1600-h/6barafu.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451369672423161250" style="DISPLAY: block; 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I immediately had to go to the toilet (the first of many trips this morning) - my stomach was churning, and so was my head - "What the hell was I thinking signing up for this?!" The drive out to Machame Gate at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro did nothing to calm my nerves... as we jerked around in the safari truck, no-one spoke, and all eyes were on the mountain in the distance looming above us. Our arrival at Machame gate kick started our 10 porters into life, they grabbed our belongings and started packing them into hessian sacks they would carry on their heads (12-15kg each!!) - these guys are the fittest of the fittest.<br /><br />Our assistant guide Jamal advised us it was time to start the walk... "pole-pole" he said (meaning slow slow in Swahilli) - this was to be the best advice they would give us throughout the trip as it allows your body to slowly acclimatise as you ascend. We didn't realise just how slowly we would be walking... at first it was frustrating, but after awhile we fell into the rhythm and it allowed us to actually enjoy the hiking. (Enjoy hiking uphill?!?! Yep, I can tell you now I was actually ENJOYING it... not just thinking "this is hell on earth!")<br /><br />3.5hrs later we arrived at our first camp - Machame Hut... the rain set in just as the camp was set-up and we spent the evening huddled in our dining tent shivering from the cold mountain wind. I slept well (except for when I had to go to the toilet... it's so cold when you get out of the tent!!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Day Two:</strong><br /><br />Today is the 5th March, and my 25th birthday... I awoke feeling excited - I was hiking Mt Killi on my birthday, quite a special celebration! I was treated to an extra Mars Bar for my lunch (I was stoked, I hadn't had a Mars Bar since leaving home!)<br /><br />The walk today was quite steep, and it had me worried... but the advice "pole-pole" made it a gradual ascent, and I found myself once again enjoying the walking (my legs weren't burning with pain like on previous hikes). We had tremendous views of the valley below us (where we camped the night before), and spectacular views of the snow capped summit.<br /><br />We have been running into a group of 3 German man... we have nicknamed one of them "Altitude Man" as he has a watch which tells you the altitude you are at and each time we pass him we ask for an update (we pass him quite regularly as he is very overweight, and looks like he may have a heart-attack, plus he wears a bright red jumper so you can spot him miles away).<br /><br />The main hike today took 4 hours, and we were at Shira Hut with a hot lunch waiting. After a post-lunch rest we started the first of the Acclimatisation walks (you get to camp, and then walk higher to a higher altitude, then descend again - this prepares your body for the new heights it will have to experience). It's all about reducing the chances of Altitude Sickness. We reached 4050m today - a new height for me :) Each step from here will be an achievement!<br /><br />After dinner, I was presented with a bottle of (non-alcoholic) champagne, a cake, and a chorus of singing from our guides and porters - magical!<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Day Three:</strong><br /><br />This morning was FREEZING... frost everywhere. Paul left his t-shirt out overnight and it has snap-frozen (rock hard!). Today is a longer day... we have to ascend up to 'Lava Tower' - 4600m, and then down to Baranco Hut. I tried hiking with my walking poles today to practice for summit night... I found them hard to use and not so helpful... the terrain was very rocky and the poles kept getting stuck.<br /><br />Today was the first real experience I had with how altitude can affect your body... as we passed 4,400m I felt myself gasping a little for air, I couldn't muster the strength to speak, and a dull ache was sitting in the back of my skull. As we sat at Lava Tower and had lunch amongst the mountain mice, my body slowly became used to the height.<br /><br />My favourite part of the day was descending from Lava Tower... it was steep, and I enjoyed jumping from rock to rock like a jack-rabbit. The scenery changed a lot as we came into Baranco Camp... it was as if we were in prehistoric times... there was a huge rock wall above us (we were soon told tomorrow morning we would be climbing this!), and amazing fauna all around. I had some time alone exploring the area, and watching the lights of Moshi appear below us as night fell.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Day Four:</strong><br /><br />I am starting to have a little trouble sleeping - nerves are kicking in for summit night, and I worry as to whether we will make it. Our guides seem to think we are quite strong and are confident in us, so this gives me a little bit of hope.<br /><br />The ascent up Baranco Wall was hard-going - 300m straight up - a couple of scrambles we had to make were a little scary for me (I don't like heights, OR feeling like I might plummet to my death!) Altitude Man struggled a little up the wall, and I think we passed him about 3 times... he may be getting a little sick of us asking for the watch readings!! (especially because he is usually bent over his poles hyperventilating when we pass)<br /><br />I find the weather on the mountain so frustrating.... it changes so quickly... one minute you're so cold you have to put every piece of clothing you have on, and the next it's burning hot and you have to take them all off again!<br /><br />After reaching Karanga Hut, we had another Acclimatisation walk... I found this a little harder as I was tired, and desperately needed to go to the toilet! As we walked back down to camp, the summit came into view and took our breath away... it was bigger and scarier than ever... and tomorrow night we had to tackle it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Day Five:</strong> </div><br /><div>We awoke this morning to a scary sight - the whole of the summit was covered in snow, there had been a snow-storm last night... and the hikers who had reached the summit last night had been right in the middle of it!</div><br /><div>We hiked upto 4600m again, and then walked towards Barafu Hut 4800m - we realised before getting there we had to descend via a huge valley, and then up again - it was quite difficult, and dangerous and slippery in parts</div><br /><div>As we walked into Barafu, we saw the hikers from the previous night... they looked like death... their faces were red with wind-burn, swollen and they were just staring at the ground. We talked to one hiker who basically described it as sheer hell... I was not encouraged! The four of us sat down to warm up in the sun, and our guide Hashim approached us and announced a 'group meeting' - we knew something was happening as we had never had a group meeting before. </div><div>Hashim began to tell us what we already knew - that last night a bad storm hit. What I didn't know he was going to tell us was that his advice was that we attempt the summit today (instead of resting, then starting off at midnight that night), that way we can do it in daylight and avoid the storm. I was dumbfounded and completely unprepared mentally... we agreed, as we trusted him and had seen the hikers from the night before.... but we were shocked, and scared. We had an hour to compose ourselves before we attempted the summit. </div><div></div><div><strong>Summit:</strong></div><br /><p>The summit hike was tough from the word go... the other hikers in camp couldn't believe we were attempting it during the day, and right after we had just hiked from Karanga to Barafu, and the walk through camp was kind of like a death march to your execution point - they were all just watching us... one man even gave me a hug to say good luck... then I really felt I may die! (10 people die on the mountain each year - so I was hoping 2010 had already made its quota!)</p><p>We hiked in silence, one-step after another, and tried our best to concentrate at the task at hand. Our advantage at doing this during the day was that we had daylight on our side... we could see where we were going - and we could see the fantastic views (oh, and it wasn't as cold - yet). </p><p>As we ascended higher, I felt sick... like I wanted to vomit. I told the guide and he responded with "yes, that's normal, and you will vomit" - I was not looking forward to this. One thing that this mountain taught me is Altitude sickness is a serious thing... Chris was the first to go, he was weak and walking slowly than the rest of us... Tim followed and started struggling - Paul and I did what we could to lift his spirits but it's a mental game that only the person themselves can play. I too was struggling, and had to create mantras in my head to keep me walking... I used the names of my two beautiful nieces as each time I said their name in my head I thought of cute things they do and smiled (rather than thinking of how much discomfort and pain I was in). Paul was the strongest - the ox of the group, bringing up the rear of our single file.</p><p>We got closer to Stellar Point and Chris started to lose it... he was singing and laughing like a crazy man, and we were all a little scared for him. Stellar Point was reached, it was cold and I felt like turning back... we stopped - I forced a mars bar down my throat, and then threw up all over the place... whilst throwing up the guide Jamal was slapping my back with his fist shouting "more more more" - I wanted to spew on him. From Stellar Point it was 45m to the summit - we could see it from where we were... I dug deep and was the first to follow Hashim out on the final path of ascent. </p><p>The last 45mins of hiking was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life... it was through thick snow, and each step was an effort in itself. Many times I nearly turned back, but I knew I had to reach the top... It was completely surreal... the sun was setting around us, glaciers were in all directions and we were moving slowly, silently to the highest point in Africa. Chris had gone downhill and the guides had to help him to walk. The last 100m I grabbed Tim's hand, as I didn't trust myself not to turn around - it was cold and every part of me was frozen. We reached the summit... as we approached the sign of Uhuru Peak, Tim started tugging on my arm (I was thinking get off me, we are nearly there), I turned around and he was on one knee - it all became clear - his proposal capped off the most incredible experience I have ever had... I will let the pictures of the summit tell the story as I don't know how to describe such a place. </p><p>I spent 10mins up the top and then wanted to get down... Jamal said he would take me and started running off into the distance... I wondered why he was running but followed him (thinking we would wait for the others at Stellar Point) - I soon realised he had other ideas in mind (like making the world record time for descent) Jamal said to me "we will ski down" - I looked at him and replied "but there is no snow past this point" - he grabbed my hand and started running full speed down the dirt covered slopes.... and I literally skied/flew down the mountain - I was TERRIFIED and horrified (I was thinking I might have a nice romantic walk down with my new fionsai!) We made it down in 55mins... and I was exhausted, thrilled and excited all at the same time! I couldn't sleep that night... adrenalin was kicking all night long.</p><p><strong>Day Six:</strong></p><p>Because we ascended the summit on day 5 - our hike would finish a day early - we would descend all the way to Moshi today. I'll cut this short as this blog is far too long! The descent was hard... downhill all the way, and it felt never-ending. We descended via Mweka route - and it ended in a beautiful rainforest with Black and White Colobus monkeys jumping in the trees above us. Celebrations followed :)<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-54947112387027425722010-03-01T04:00:00.000-08:002010-03-01T04:21:39.747-08:00Goldeneye Dreams...The train from Mbeya to Dar Es Salaam was to take around 22 hours... all the literature I read about the train advised to allow an additional 12 hours, just in case of delays (this is pretty common in African countries).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRpMaMk7CP9WsjL0jGnnmCvmC9PJlSg0xyr8g0w96HaMJV4nrjA589FrGDRLCO3IcS0q2fBquNnT7R1uNFgqfKYm5QedhdlXdPR6Q5tL9Ucq0YjHP9g_7zhze7ypIDUi77p_GC_oqkzA/s1600-h/P1020923.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRpMaMk7CP9WsjL0jGnnmCvmC9PJlSg0xyr8g0w96HaMJV4nrjA589FrGDRLCO3IcS0q2fBquNnT7R1uNFgqfKYm5QedhdlXdPR6Q5tL9Ucq0YjHP9g_7zhze7ypIDUi77p_GC_oqkzA/s320/P1020923.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443634861470782242" border="0" /></a><br />Walking through the carriages of the train when we boarded, I began to have flashbacks to James Bond's 'Goldeneye'- and particularly the Nintendo 64 game in which I used to spend hours tackling enemies on a very similar train layout. Although this time, I wasn't carrying a magnum, proximity mines, or a N64 controller.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0ZmUY1okIPw_ILTebibl7vWiNxsvwAYPQsJlxkGMA0h4IJpyk3mMoawBw-3NdEGAaCGx5aPvHKt6mpzeIcJ05enOKSExh1PfVyDOQGyoCTtwpQj69_3K155w_jZPf5NQl4uSXalnO_c/s1600-h/P1020932.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0ZmUY1okIPw_ILTebibl7vWiNxsvwAYPQsJlxkGMA0h4IJpyk3mMoawBw-3NdEGAaCGx5aPvHKt6mpzeIcJ05enOKSExh1PfVyDOQGyoCTtwpQj69_3K155w_jZPf5NQl4uSXalnO_c/s320/P1020932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443634853615509970" border="0" /></a><br />Our cabin consisted of 4 bunk beds, 4 bottled waters which leaked, one soap, one roll of toilet paper, and a power outlet that didn't work (much to Lukas' disappointment). All meals were eaten in the restaurant, this was also the best viewing point for wildlife when we went through the National Park. On the day we passed through the national park, Tim and I spent an hour craning our necks to see an animal... we were proud as punch to spot a few buck... a couple of hours later whilst playing bao we started spotting hundreds of buck, Zebra, warthog and Bamboo's - we found out we had JUST entered the park!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwTwxfmSTo1-WhAvLdOTdOirTyFxONxcu-9wq5I_HmCrB2iwBMBWvZno2RKyC89wk4JkkHbafx7Q26HqdY0FO8oR0bfcqfmP9qLkqeHjN2lJAWIpTVLZcYB1e1pzg1yYh7voR_t2WN_g/s1600-h/P1020928.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwTwxfmSTo1-WhAvLdOTdOirTyFxONxcu-9wq5I_HmCrB2iwBMBWvZno2RKyC89wk4JkkHbafx7Q26HqdY0FO8oR0bfcqfmP9qLkqeHjN2lJAWIpTVLZcYB1e1pzg1yYh7voR_t2WN_g/s320/P1020928.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443634850034905970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWPFD9sEScrJpIqZa3T9YFCBiFs0vOzXVRWNNRpE8P19epKnddCQ1gHtOZ7Vud37fLVhSD6MStp5YTuCM0uigCUSPRX85EuBWk2Jes_Vsl3959tKcjbHej2QVHRLVo7QVQzsMJRHAyyE/s1600-h/P1020934.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWPFD9sEScrJpIqZa3T9YFCBiFs0vOzXVRWNNRpE8P19epKnddCQ1gHtOZ7Vud37fLVhSD6MStp5YTuCM0uigCUSPRX85EuBWk2Jes_Vsl3959tKcjbHej2QVHRLVo7QVQzsMJRHAyyE/s320/P1020934.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443634848080991266" border="0" /></a><br />Nighttime came, and I was first in bed - I drifted off to sleep and was rudely awoken by a jerking, clunking, wrenching, and spasming from our train carriage. I had an image of my carriage hurtling down the tracks away from the others, and sending me into deepest, darkest Africa. My wild imagination (as my mother would say) was soon interrupted by Tim checking I was OK (we had stopped at a station, and some 'routine' maintenance was being carried out apparently). Arriving in Dar was much the same as anywhere else in Africa, as I Leant out the window for a better view a man started to run alongside and shout out to me "Sister, Sister welcome to Dar... I am taxi at your service". I warded him off with the little Swahili I had learnt on the train ride. The taxi we did end up catching had it's radiator blow up half-way into the city, I realised I should have gone with the enthusiastic, proactive driver who sought my attention on arrival - not the lazy one who sits back and lets us seek him out (and who clearly doesn't service his car!)<br /><br />Welcome to Dar my friend...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqw8ORMNw6jn3tPSYi9mCZE9OASoBdXZqSC_QyC7A4T7-RMdnoUft9azUzZ_11R7JPLRiAIzPD99eenDz8H6oRk9Bo6Jy1QOTr4MRdVnkjXA-zA1Vu1dlwRieZ1mEjxYvTie5opxAXnA/s1600-h/P1020978.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqw8ORMNw6jn3tPSYi9mCZE9OASoBdXZqSC_QyC7A4T7-RMdnoUft9azUzZ_11R7JPLRiAIzPD99eenDz8H6oRk9Bo6Jy1QOTr4MRdVnkjXA-zA1Vu1dlwRieZ1mEjxYvTie5opxAXnA/s320/P1020978.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443634839862192434" border="0" /></a><br />(An un-suspecting staff member who is about to run into the proximity mine I just planted... hehe... 007 style!)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-54004253709751525792010-02-24T00:06:00.000-08:002010-02-24T00:21:19.523-08:00Eyes Wide Open...I spent the past two days writing, re-writing and deliberating on what kind of blog to post this time... the material was un-worthy of posting, and I was having incredible writer's block... I decided I wouldn't post until we got to Dar Es Salaam in a couple of days, but this morning when I was sitting quietly listening to Lukas' ipod I started writing... of which may sound a little cliche, but I'm going to post it anyway.<br /><br />'I have fallen in love many times in Africa - with the countries, the communities, the people, the animals, and its landscapes. I walk softly on the red dirt, and let it cover my feet - the soft glow of the pre-dusk sun glows upon my skin, and I smile because of the beauty that surrounds me in this moment, and many just like it.<br /><br />Beauty in Africa can not be defined by a pretty girl in a magazine. Beauty is in the simplicity of life, the people one meets, the smiles one receives, the dreams and hopes of communities, and the love that is widely spread across the Continent.<br /><br />A passion in me has been ignited, this passion is Africa... and to describe it is impossible. I feel happiness in the simple things in which I have never known... I smile often, and laugh more. I will share a few moments/descriptions with you:<br /><br />- A local old man with a beautifully carved walking stick, and beautiful blue eyes stops me in the street and talks to me with so much enthusiasm I feel honoured... he talks of the World, Malawi, and the pride for his father who went to war.<br /><br />- The voices of youths in the church singing and dancing<br /><br />- The face of a child lighting up when you share some of your food with them.<br /><br />- Brutal honesty from people as they share their stories with you<br /><br />- The laughter you share with someone, even when neither of you can understand each others words<br /><br />I am so grateful for the oppurtunity I have been given to travel through parts of Africa, and the people I've had the imense pleasure of meeting. I can't help thinking I wish I had come to Africa a few years ago... perhaps my eyes would have been opened sooner to the more important things in life. 'Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-31645050224566533842010-02-17T00:45:00.000-08:002010-02-17T01:00:34.104-08:00A picture tells a thousand words...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEsWgtozvFCf9xv0LtUwFbpPTmNplU3YCOXaczXcWt23R7LeNqc7WukrC_0F_YS77QUlCIvKXHzLz8aAHQ3r8YwxV7S0Xm4cNjml_eCUkwc_qTCvx8JL99Mf4sFpQfnq5Tr8nJOqZ-EE/s1600-h/P1020034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEsWgtozvFCf9xv0LtUwFbpPTmNplU3YCOXaczXcWt23R7LeNqc7WukrC_0F_YS77QUlCIvKXHzLz8aAHQ3r8YwxV7S0Xm4cNjml_eCUkwc_qTCvx8JL99Mf4sFpQfnq5Tr8nJOqZ-EE/s320/P1020034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439132571624012402" border="0" /></a>Traveling to Cape McClear on local transport... Bart, Amilia, Lucas and I</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNQP9UXzDPXKTByd2ctrmTh0oDrnHomB0fkK9d2lGbLIx6xc6TTzpXmoJqCyOREgS1cTbF-WJQxHBAJbWz4a1kl2NYZZ6WP26oVobTbSAX0KVjdqKGAdV6ervNhwkFrWyAUS0Cjj0-jo/s1600-h/P1020374.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNQP9UXzDPXKTByd2ctrmTh0oDrnHomB0fkK9d2lGbLIx6xc6TTzpXmoJqCyOREgS1cTbF-WJQxHBAJbWz4a1kl2NYZZ6WP26oVobTbSAX0KVjdqKGAdV6ervNhwkFrWyAUS0Cjj0-jo/s320/P1020374.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439132570039232818" border="0" /></a><br />Leonie and Tim - was great to catch up again!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiGmHin4J1kd-XMuIpOBTcUrwiJvM-mwSeI1u8YXL-ZG0yYm0XG9txZ8avTksX-8NROMX22t7QG_SriOzRIEzlIqC0p5z4JYiiPJeFKYk-VENGp6sFibXr-aYU7EdeJa2POh0hzzFqEc/s1600-h/P1020419.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiGmHin4J1kd-XMuIpOBTcUrwiJvM-mwSeI1u8YXL-ZG0yYm0XG9txZ8avTksX-8NROMX22t7QG_SriOzRIEzlIqC0p5z4JYiiPJeFKYk-VENGp6sFibXr-aYU7EdeJa2POh0hzzFqEc/s320/P1020419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439132568786554562" border="0" /></a><br />Tim trying his hand in a local dug-out canoe... very hard!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXDT8Y94dN2UfBbbG143FbQaboLtkjAUp8tDzlCEiha39Z9CJQVr0JbizAapKVGb-S7qf6HYkDrJXBG-m6cqHwwy4KXGsNalF0Tl4XqpsOpeVWz8YsWfq_a-t_YESPWaKngCRPe55LK4/s1600-h/P1020020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXDT8Y94dN2UfBbbG143FbQaboLtkjAUp8tDzlCEiha39Z9CJQVr0JbizAapKVGb-S7qf6HYkDrJXBG-m6cqHwwy4KXGsNalF0Tl4XqpsOpeVWz8YsWfq_a-t_YESPWaKngCRPe55LK4/s320/P1020020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439132562907669234" border="0" /></a><br />Local tailors that set themselves up in the street - Blantyre<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFBMtCNPXHdYx9EjJOBZx9P0nOaIL6rBaFMWKjcsPEQq06W0lCy7FHsHiTX-_VBBfM0ec_CYHGWlyaIgBdlu6pr9DO5QJXahe4gT-eT5Gf7Lk0CDwfwLylJMFlvxI0GmAwO04u023F0c/s1600-h/P1020019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFBMtCNPXHdYx9EjJOBZx9P0nOaIL6rBaFMWKjcsPEQq06W0lCy7FHsHiTX-_VBBfM0ec_CYHGWlyaIgBdlu6pr9DO5QJXahe4gT-eT5Gf7Lk0CDwfwLylJMFlvxI0GmAwO04u023F0c/s320/P1020019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439132558389662658" border="0" /></a><br />Hash House Harriers Run with Sam and Rick<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7yBDbhNXHntYyDWeJQGUwy5FwAMhCM002Azf5OaeNjs66VvsciCWd3RNLXUw534rpC4cTgo9oHfww0PmKplPWP-PMePqx1vnKXCuug1Y5AT9mzmpXhmmcJRzNwIT3Cu2WsP7lEZjK4s/s1600-h/P1020175.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7yBDbhNXHntYyDWeJQGUwy5FwAMhCM002Azf5OaeNjs66VvsciCWd3RNLXUw534rpC4cTgo9oHfww0PmKplPWP-PMePqx1vnKXCuug1Y5AT9mzmpXhmmcJRzNwIT3Cu2WsP7lEZjK4s/s320/P1020175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439131749501802194" border="0" /></a><br />Ilala Ferry<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_BDIB7-JkiZLIM5g3zn5MX3LsuxZN05cBkTi5Ay99kzh1dKFNJXKe0UltTQqPCvlR_Olvphyphenhyphen5P0RaGJgkKIsdzL8i8NeKBXyjTTj0yGlMOuZx9x_ViGUg6uj5eiQjgMDNd0dPbXxl1s/s1600-h/P1020197.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_BDIB7-JkiZLIM5g3zn5MX3LsuxZN05cBkTi5Ay99kzh1dKFNJXKe0UltTQqPCvlR_Olvphyphenhyphen5P0RaGJgkKIsdzL8i8NeKBXyjTTj0yGlMOuZx9x_ViGUg6uj5eiQjgMDNd0dPbXxl1s/s320/P1020197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439131747139036370" border="0" /></a><br />Another shot from the ferry<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuvn84pvHtrM7puAyIBHd3s7OYI_5qsTypVGS027L6mC50xoi1TxikM1wPTs7l3J5tBO_7RvgE9KUsIpd_YYFj5LQ6ybJWdErKbEpj_n9_rMXCWWRIA5lI1yap8OxC_28ISupC5gupHA/s1600-h/P1020322.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuvn84pvHtrM7puAyIBHd3s7OYI_5qsTypVGS027L6mC50xoi1TxikM1wPTs7l3J5tBO_7RvgE9KUsIpd_YYFj5LQ6ybJWdErKbEpj_n9_rMXCWWRIA5lI1yap8OxC_28ISupC5gupHA/s320/P1020322.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439131742652724546" border="0" /></a><br />Relaxing in "First Class"<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrj3_snK9-lfxadGJRtKqzbPKev9h79nOgtKta-Geu0X5mULReUbPt9QtfnKwDpnfSC_6bRWQTEat-E8nr6mQhLMnyD2-NgfSZrPKbt68y62AWzToGHQ4-INCBV4kFTL8wfkxMbCJqCl4/s1600-h/P1020354.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrj3_snK9-lfxadGJRtKqzbPKev9h79nOgtKta-Geu0X5mULReUbPt9QtfnKwDpnfSC_6bRWQTEat-E8nr6mQhLMnyD2-NgfSZrPKbt68y62AWzToGHQ4-INCBV4kFTL8wfkxMbCJqCl4/s320/P1020354.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439131737194094610" border="0" /></a><br />Disembarking at 5am... half-asleep!! Lucas, Bart and I<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-9128974734219450082010-02-15T04:03:00.000-08:002010-02-15T04:07:55.175-08:00All Aboard....<meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.1 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Note - I will add images to this later when internet connection allows.
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I awoke to the sound of raucous laughter and glasses clinking together, I turned my head a little to the right and witnessed the sight of around 20 local men crowded around a small wooden bar a mere 2 metres from where I lay. You may wonder why I had been asleep in such a place in the first place – I can assure you it was not on account of me passing out, or anything slightly alcohol related. I was on board the '<font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ilala</font> Ferry', and where I lay on a vinyl mattress, a few metres from a rowdy bar was somehow considered first class! I can also inform you that this first class luxury also set me back around $110 (<font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">aussie</font>). </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">This ferry was sailing on Lake Malawi, and was transporting us from Monkey Bay, to <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nkhata</font> Bay – the trip was to <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">také</font> 2 nights. The ferry consisted of 4 classes - 3<sup>rd</sup> class, 2<sup><font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">nd</font></sup> class, first class – deck class, and cabin class. As the ferry was much more expensive than we anticipated we opted for one first class – deck ticket, and one second class ticket with the intention to <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">také</font> shifts and swap between. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I spent around 3 hours total in second class... and that was more than enough for me. Second class was situated on the bottom deck, along with third class. It consisted of a room at one end of the ferry around 3 metres wide, and 8 metres long. The room is basically a sauna, with the iron walls keeping the heat and humidity tightly sealed in. As I lay on the vinyl benches provided I was reminded of the chairs we used to have at school where your skin would stick to the vinyl in summer, and you would basically have to peel yourself off it. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">We discover not long into the trip that security is slack, and we can both be on the deck class without causing too much hassle. I also contribute this to the fact that we act every meal in the first class <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">resturaunt</font> that only had 2 other legitimate customers. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The first night we sleep soundly on our vinyl mattress, rented for 3 <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">aussie</font> dollars. The second, not so well on account of being 2 metres from a bar. This is also because at the beginning of the trip there was probably around 40 people on the entire ferry, and by the 2<sup><font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">nd</font></sup> night there were hundreds. I <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">couldnt</font> sleep the second night, so wandered around the ferry and witnessed some entertaining sights... the bargaining power of the ferry security (a security guard allowed her on first class for a certain payment, which didn't involve money or goods), and hundreds of locals crammed into second and third class... imagine a throng of bodies, in underwear sleeping, snoring, sweating (I said a silent thank-you that I had gotten out of sleeping down here). </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Our ferry arrived at <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Nkhata</font> Bay at 3:30am, we awoke and continued to sleep until 5:00am before packing up and disembarking. The ferry was to head north after here, but we found out this wouldn't be happening due to a fuel shortage... it runs on diesel, and there is a huge fuel shortage here... and it costs around $2.50 a litre.The ferry was also delayed 5 hours in Monkey Bay before we departed as we were waiting for a fuel tanker to provide us with diesel. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">In all the ferry was a great experience (apart from being expensive, badly run, and pretty run-down)... the days were filled with card games, sleeping, eating, reading, and gazing upon Lake Malawi (Although I tried hard I didn't spot any hippos or <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">crocs</font>!) <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Nkhata</font> Bay is our home for the moment... we have a few days of relaxing before doing some scuba diving here in the Lake (I'm hoping it's <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">alot</font> calmer than the ocean!). Also, an exciting <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">suprise</font> yesterday – we met up with Leonie who we had been travelling with previously, so it has been fun swapping stories and <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">catchng</font> up again. From here, we head north to Tanzania with Lucas and Bart (A couple of guys we are travelling with), and prepare for the mighty <font class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Killimanjaro</font>. </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-78867048272503965582010-02-08T04:16:00.000-08:002010-02-08T05:11:03.361-08:0010 things about Mozambique...<strong>1. Ruins:</strong> Mozambique was once under Portuguese rule, so the Portuguese built beautiful buildings throughout Mozambique. Especially on Ilha De Mocambique, which had a stone town full of old ruins... the building below was a church on a pennisula in Mozambique (had to take a dhow boat from Ilha De Mocambique)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk4TafRqJpALGjgvW55E_lqATj-1_xQDBeo1eGGrf-kQtcTaWmPd5Z9N-xt_CZhnIcn4i0BiUBpVDKXUswY7aYGIgZ_z7EKqSzZHE_NGD_EkzTk4Jen6FYRvOwSLSu8qsoDNr58xJs3A/s1600-h/P1010761.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435848573681919458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk4TafRqJpALGjgvW55E_lqATj-1_xQDBeo1eGGrf-kQtcTaWmPd5Z9N-xt_CZhnIcn4i0BiUBpVDKXUswY7aYGIgZ_z7EKqSzZHE_NGD_EkzTk4Jen6FYRvOwSLSu8qsoDNr58xJs3A/s320/P1010761.JPG" /></a><strong>2. Transport: </strong>We travelled by many means in Mozambique... the last two were perhaps the most novel - Train (See below) and bicycle (you had to get a ride on the back of a bike from Mozambique into Malawi! - the guys had to carry our packs and all on the bikes... felt so sorry for them (UNTIL they tried to rip us off majorly... and suceeded)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQSMY6-4VnqAcowvAytHjnysMfFvDCyeXo-H5y5L3C4yZ2cZU9yZIQqpWSqDm76MqRLBwvN6i76TlgmlYlEPkQV3froLRiiYpEzRWm2ndelyIHp2zGmmQ9DJhyphenhyphensL47EkalkWalTlFMiA/s1600-h/P1010937.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435848560561532466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQSMY6-4VnqAcowvAytHjnysMfFvDCyeXo-H5y5L3C4yZ2cZU9yZIQqpWSqDm76MqRLBwvN6i76TlgmlYlEPkQV3froLRiiYpEzRWm2ndelyIHp2zGmmQ9DJhyphenhyphensL47EkalkWalTlFMiA/s320/P1010937.JPG" /></a> Other means we travelled by were boat, trucks, utes and buses. There are two types of buses in Mozambique... your common 'Chapas' - run down mini-buses in which they cram as many into as possible, on which you are usually stuck in one position for times of upto 10 hours... bring on the DVT!!! They are serious hell sometimes... and also not for the faint hearted, as most of them are driven by 19 year old maniacs. </div><div>The other option are the BIG buses... we welcomed these with big grins as we thought they would be a nice break from 'Chapas' - how wrong we were! The first attempt left us being driven into some dodgy side street by these 4 18 year olds running it, they then locked the bus (with us in it) and left it to go to a bar!!! It was a huge storm outside and only us and one other guy on this huge bus... it was quite scary. Eventually someone came out and said the bus would continue, but the driver was rotten drunk... uhhhh no thanks. Tim and I promptly left... and walked though the pitch black in these local streets... saturated and when I didn't think it could get any worse a car went past and sprayed muddy, shitty, filthy water all over us.... and yes IN MY MOUTH!! Our second big bus adventure was the next morning after a sleep in a local guesthouse... it took around 13 hours... it was hot and disgusting. Oh and I got left behind in some town!! I got out to go to the toilet (you have little choice but to go behind fences or whatever you can find in the main streets), and was mid-pee when I look around and the bus is driving off!!! I finished, pulled up my pants (10 locals staring at me) and started sprinting down the road screaming STOP... I seriously thought I was a goner... I had no money on me or anything!! The whole town was running with me laughing and thinking it was a great time... eventually just out of town the bus stopped... and the whole bus laughing at me... except Tim who had run to the front of the bus screaming at them to stop also... I now hold on to go to the toilet!! </div><div></div><div><strong>3. Weather: </strong>Mozambique can be unbearably hot and humid one minute... and producing tropical storms the next. The photo below was taken in Nampula from our hotel window... of the 3 nights we were there... a HUGE storm came through each evening and flooded everything.</div><div>Humidity was a killer... I think I have lost 5kgs due to sweating alone!!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVuBjHL8EdSQhZWiNY6kt8dOnix6d7dNisdnh3xdG4HKejY9MNpNAxQzZOckYdmE0cVy0SYrHQguos5lSUnbBH5QUPHTgraaA-XH_2HyEJY_xQdOfkgsbd_TZcFMJdzdtEts2kJkyNbw/s1600-h/P1010659.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435848559339832866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVuBjHL8EdSQhZWiNY6kt8dOnix6d7dNisdnh3xdG4HKejY9MNpNAxQzZOckYdmE0cVy0SYrHQguos5lSUnbBH5QUPHTgraaA-XH_2HyEJY_xQdOfkgsbd_TZcFMJdzdtEts2kJkyNbw/s320/P1010659.JPG" /></a><br /><strong>4. Beaches: </strong>The beaches in Mozambique are "bloody beautiful" - they are the ideal place to kick back and relax... although watch out when walking on the sand... IT BURNS!! I have never walked on such hot sand in my life... every time was like walking on burning red coals... the locals thought it was quite hillarious watching us go along the sand screaming "ow ow ow ow ow ffffkkkkkkkkkk". Also the sea life is amazing... through snorkelling and diving we have seen wonderful coral, fish etc</div><div></div><div><strong>5. Roads: </strong>The roads in Mozambique need massive work... one word can sum them up pretty well - POTHOLES (is that one or two words? I seem to have lost all literacy skills) they are everywhere, and I have numerous bumps on my head from smacking the top of the mini-buses when hitting the potholes. The government are slowly working with a Chinese company to fix some of the roads. I'd safely say half the roads in Mozambique are just dirt and mud!!</div><div></div><div><strong>6. Food:</strong> The food in Mozambique was generally pretty good... although sometimes it could be hard to find a meal! I got a little sick of chicken, chips and rice.... but I was cured of this sickness when we hit the beaches or islands... as seafood quickly filled my tummy!!! Did I mention FULL lobsters for 4 aussie dollars?! Ate like a king!</div><div></div><div><strong>7. Electricity: </strong>The electricity could not be relied upon... as it was frequently cutting out (Especially in storms)... Mozambique has the Cahorra Bassa damn which is the 5th largest in the World (We didn't end up visiting this due to plan changes) - so it creates a hell of a lot of electricity... unfourtunately, the Mozambiquan government sells the majority of this to South Africa... leaving LITTLE for themselves... go figure... </div><div></div><div><strong>8. Mosquitos: </strong>I feel I need to pledge my life to finding a way to exterminate every last mosquito on this planet... they are vermin carrying PESTS!! I hate them... and no matter how much deet or protection I use they feed on me nightly... I'm just awaiting malaria to hit.</div><div></div><div><strong>9. Mountains: </strong>See last blog-Penhalonga.... the mountains in Mozambique were beautiful and a relief as no mosquitoes hung around up that high!!</div><div></div><div><strong>10. People:</strong> The people of Mozambique were mostly friendly and welcoming... they have had some hard times, but have stuck through it and are working hard to build their country up. We met some lovely locals who were always willing to help us out with whatever we needed. As in most countries... watch out for the rip-off merchants... tourists are their favourite targets!!! </div><div></div><div>Note: We didn't end up heading into Malawi straight away like I mentioned in the last blog... we headed west and up the coast of Mozambique and then across the country to enter Malawi (this was due to Visa issues entering Tanzania from Mozam), we are now in Blantyre, Malawi :)<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVuBjHL8EdSQhZWiNY6kt8dOnix6d7dNisdnh3xdG4HKejY9MNpNAxQzZOckYdmE0cVy0SYrHQguos5lSUnbBH5QUPHTgraaA-XH_2HyEJY_xQdOfkgsbd_TZcFMJdzdtEts2kJkyNbw/s1600-h/P1010659.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk4TafRqJpALGjgvW55E_lqATj-1_xQDBeo1eGGrf-kQtcTaWmPd5Z9N-xt_CZhnIcn4i0BiUBpVDKXUswY7aYGIgZ_z7EKqSzZHE_NGD_EkzTk4Jen6FYRvOwSLSu8qsoDNr58xJs3A/s1600-h/P1010761.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQSMY6-4VnqAcowvAytHjnysMfFvDCyeXo-H5y5L3C4yZ2cZU9yZIQqpWSqDm76MqRLBwvN6i76TlgmlYlEPkQV3froLRiiYpEzRWm2ndelyIHp2zGmmQ9DJhyphenhyphensL47EkalkWalTlFMiA/s1600-h/P1010937.JPG"></a></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-39695968074046394402010-01-28T01:13:00.000-08:002010-01-28T02:04:23.000-08:00Penhalonga<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWIycfg5lk-lOm8lttBVJO7hMNkCZTEbh_Ebmx1Z3FA1OaMZQt1SMBaDpGqEBlteJfba6TgOWA7OmOSFxOJb4meKpEpeat7f_3DtXUVxQN6I4M58JXIE62Q-uKC8RwsgL61EecxPHLkI/s1600-h/P1010552.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWIycfg5lk-lOm8lttBVJO7hMNkCZTEbh_Ebmx1Z3FA1OaMZQt1SMBaDpGqEBlteJfba6TgOWA7OmOSFxOJb4meKpEpeat7f_3DtXUVxQN6I4M58JXIE62Q-uKC8RwsgL61EecxPHLkI/s320/P1010552.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431728619961947442" border="0" /></a>Penhalonga is a region that is spread over Western Mozambique, and Zimbabwe - the border seperates it into two sections. The region was once as one, but was seperated in 1891 by an Anglo~Portugese treaty. Even though there is border seperating Penhalonga into two parts, the people of both sides still live together in harmony.<br />The area of Penhalonga we stayed in was the village of Motombombwe, which was set amoungst the mountains around 20km from the town of Manica. The Shona people inhabit the area of Penhalonga, they are very friendly, generous, and welcoming - they respect the land they live on and farm maize, and corn in the area.<br />Leonie, Tim and I stayed at a guesthouse called ´Casa Motombombwe´, a house which Gift Mashiri and his father built together. The house is only a month old and has 2 bedrooms (one a loft room), bathroom, living room, and wonderfully equipped kitchen (with fridge and freezer!). The house had running water and electricity (a real luxury in this area!).<br />We caught a Chapas (mini-bus taxi used by locals) to Manica, then met Gift and caught a ride in the back of a very full ute tray, upon reaching Penhalonga we still had a 40min walk (uphill with our bags) to the house... the sweat and exhaustion was well worth it when we reached the house and saw the views for the first time!<br />The house sits at the top of a mountain range, and looks down upon the village of Motombombwe. The houses of Motombombwe usually consist of a round hut building (used for kitchen, and sleeping for children), a square building raised off the ground (adults sleeping), and other smaller storage buildings.<br />We stayed 2 nights, and during this time we experienced some tradtional cooking courtesy of Gift, who prepared a fire and cooked us corn on the cob, and also cooked us ´Pup´ (traditional Maize dish).<br />During the days we did some hiking (much needed to boost our likelihood of reaching the summit of killi!), we visited the Quinta Da Fronteira (botanical gardens in the middle of nowhere), waterfalls, and hiked up to the Zimbabwean border which was quite amazing... it´s only used for locals (around 10 cross a day) and they cross with huge bags of rice etc on their heads... mind you it´s like a 10k hike... so they thought we were quite strange doing it for leisure. The area is surrounded with Eucalyptus trees, and as we were hiking a large storm came through... well Aussies know what happens in this situation... as we were passing one corner, Tim and I heard a loud creaking noise and looked at each other... 50m up the road we looked around and a HUGE gum was falling through the forrest right where we had walked... quite the scary occasion (but exciting all the same!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8dE43D7w2Bxe4ptMsxqgNzoPWSfvSbACIoalJ3IRtgrCnNppcNeQD_XfT4Vv_rRVtumUkdGt4165H3JngK0pYw9yh7IrsCWpCgzH-B7bA-gxS5A3ie09DIyRLdrSsj3zhyHpDdOuOQI/s1600-h/P1010596.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8dE43D7w2Bxe4ptMsxqgNzoPWSfvSbACIoalJ3IRtgrCnNppcNeQD_XfT4Vv_rRVtumUkdGt4165H3JngK0pYw9yh7IrsCWpCgzH-B7bA-gxS5A3ie09DIyRLdrSsj3zhyHpDdOuOQI/s320/P1010596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431728629652905714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3aJwNtWpKX0L3p63D_thrkse1xc7RzhjWwG7vpEaIV-lQ1o-hM-49t1wZSXsY74ck7LJdqB5gmAXLEHoELUKaty9JCkI8CYo1rDxoR6_67UbKgNEfZE1WvWTp6NcJ-hiW64ov66KT9Q/s1600-h/P1010576.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3aJwNtWpKX0L3p63D_thrkse1xc7RzhjWwG7vpEaIV-lQ1o-hM-49t1wZSXsY74ck7LJdqB5gmAXLEHoELUKaty9JCkI8CYo1rDxoR6_67UbKgNEfZE1WvWTp6NcJ-hiW64ov66KT9Q/s320/P1010576.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431728624418054418" border="0" /></a><br />On the last day we were lucky to witness an amazing sunrise which sadly coincided with Leonie leaving us :( It was great meeting and travelling with Leonie, and we can´t wait to catch up with the Dutchy again!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJABoB9wP3yCk5KfwCIcdSQn3gDNM2HNFN_CERefR9pMukbhtWT7y1N7RcuqBZ_bt5B3g0EjL7kxz2S3qVULWJ_cdTN3yZ-n4erGsTEl29KP08vQkQQhSzew5o-yYV6Y7M22jWML9cDs/s1600-h/P1010609.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJABoB9wP3yCk5KfwCIcdSQn3gDNM2HNFN_CERefR9pMukbhtWT7y1N7RcuqBZ_bt5B3g0EjL7kxz2S3qVULWJ_cdTN3yZ-n4erGsTEl29KP08vQkQQhSzew5o-yYV6Y7M22jWML9cDs/s320/P1010609.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431728632682565090" border="0" /></a><br />We are in Chimoio at the moment... moving onto Songo tomorrow to see Cahora Bassa dam (5th largest in the World)<br />... ´til next time Gadget!<br />PS. Still no spell-check!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-37592102086609636552010-01-23T06:33:00.000-08:002010-01-23T07:21:10.156-08:00Sickly Scuba Stint...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMciYSsVV0ee7ff1LREqPxC5Z6lqK6Xtqkzba3qUr7hmE1OEipWMDAHYzmV4_W_BRScqktyiltGLD5iBZz1_NY46yaCvh0xW02taMzs9rqlzvHwO3F8eJ5gEpTchP-A1w_EOTHI97ayU/s1600-h/P1010414.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429954575211526162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMciYSsVV0ee7ff1LREqPxC5Z6lqK6Xtqkzba3qUr7hmE1OEipWMDAHYzmV4_W_BRScqktyiltGLD5iBZz1_NY46yaCvh0xW02taMzs9rqlzvHwO3F8eJ5gEpTchP-A1w_EOTHI97ayU/s320/P1010414.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Note: This blog was written a few days ago, we just got to a place with good internet - so only posting it now.</div><br /><div>What: Open Water PADI Course</div><div>Where: Tofo, Mozambique</div><div>When: Jan, 2010</div><div>Why: to breathe under the sea!</div><br /><br /><div></div><div><strong>Obstacle 1</strong></div><br /><div>Accom<strong>: </strong>Fatima's Nest Backpackers<br />The night before Leonie (a lovely Dutch girl we are travelling with) and I were to start our PADI course at 8AM turned out to be the MASSIVE party night at Fatima's... we were awake until 3:30AM with music blaring into our room (it felt like the speakers were against the door). Although we would have liked to join them, the prospect of doing scuba theory all day with a hangover was less than appealing. </div><br /><div><strong>Obstacle 2</strong></div><div></div><div>Food Poisoning, Water Poisoning, or just plain Mozambiquan poisoning. </div><div>On day one of the PADI course I came down with a horrible stomach bug... in class I had to keep running to the toilet to throw up, and I felt like I had a temperature of 'boiling point!'</div><div>That night I was so sick Tim and another friend we met, Ben had to put me to bed!! Not a good start!</div><br /><div><strong>Obstacle 3</strong> </div><div>Poisoning Cont...</div><div>Chaustrophobia - on the second day we had to start pool dives and I was met with overwhelming panic attacks about drowning in either the Tofo Scuba pool, or the Inidian Ocean. After 3 scrambles to the surface for fresh air, I managed to conquer the fear enough to continue with the dives (at least outwardly) - meanwhile in my mind I was still imagining every worst scenario possible, including shark attacks. I kept thinking of that PSYCHO man who left his wife to drown at the bottom of the ocean whilst diving... cruel cruel man!</div><br /><br /><div></div><div><strong>Obstacle 4</strong></div><br /><div>SEA SICK!!!!</div><div>I have never experienced sea sickness in my life, but if it was going to happen - it was going to happen now. Leonie and I kit up to go on our first two open water dives... we hop in the speedboat and cruise out to "Clownfish Reef", as the anchor hits the sand - I start to vomit... and I am rendered absolutley senseless and have to pull out of dive 1 and lie on the floor of the boat wishing to be anywhere but there. I kept thinking if I ever get back to land I'm getting the first fing flight home - clearly that didn't happen (going home that is). I was still sick for dive 2, so the boat took me into land and dropped me a 100m from shore - Marlena (one of the dive staff) had to accompany me through the waves to land... I feel SO SORRY for her!! I was clawing all over her to keep me afloat, vomiting and being dunked by the waves... as the manager waited on the beach for us (probably thinking something serious had happened to me). A lovely South African guy (Mike) we met in Tofo came to my rescue with anti-nausea tablets... I owe him my first million!</div><br /><br /><div></div><div><strong>Obstacle 5</strong></div><div>Sea Sickness Cont...</div><div>Poisoning ceased - so has my ability to eat anything other than bread, rice and cereal (without milk that is). I manage to complete the Open Water dives 1 and 2 (a day behind my group) whilst vomiting in between on the boat and in the water (grosssss)</div><div>SUNBURN!!</div><div>Malaria Tablets + Tofo Sun = BURN BABY BURN</div><div>I am burnt all over, and I was lathered with sunscreen all day!! The malaria tablets make my skin a magnet for UV Rays. Mike, my new found savior came to the resuce AGAIN with 'burnaid' - tea tree oil and water mixture which soothes the skin... I owe him my second million now also.... as my hands were so burnt I couldn't even pick up a fork or pen for more then 10 seconds!</div><br /><br /><div></div><div><strong>Obstacle 6</strong></div><div>????????????</div><div>Tomorrow are my last two dives and then I'm qualified... at what cost you might be thinking?? Well, every inch of my dignity, my faith in luck, and my sanity!</div><div>Tonight is also Wednesday (another huge party night at Fatima's) so there will be no sleep again, and I have to dive at 8AM. </div><div>I fear what lays in store for me tomorrow, as I think Neptune (that god of the ocean or water) is trying to tell me NEVER to enter his domain again. As I sip on my glass bottle coke (my only happiness right now) I prepare for anything the ocean has to throw at me:</div><br /><br /><div>- A plauge of Jellyfish</div><br /><br /><div>- Jaws starring Jess</div><br /><br /><div>- Death of the Little Aussie Mermaid</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong>Well....</strong></div><br /><div>I managed not to die... I was sea sick still and vomiting all over the place... there wasn't a plague of Jellyfish, but I DID swim through what seemed like a plague during my 50m ocean swim, and got stung all over my face... I nearly cried at that moment!!</div><div>Luckily, I made it to shore safe... and passed my PADI course (let me tell you I have NO desire to dive in the next month or so!!!)</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>At the moment Tim and I are in Vilankulos, and today we spent the day on a local Dhow - which is a traditional sailing boat.... they took us out to one of the islands where we went snorkelling (no sea sickness!!!) and they cooked us a lunch of fish and crabs - deliciouso!! (they speak Portugese here, so it's quite a struggle holding convo!!)</div><br /><div>We have decided to head inland tomorrow and leave on a bus for Chimmoi at 4:30AM tomorrow... apparantly we have to be there at 3:30AM (RIDICULOUS!!!!)</div><div> </div><div>PS. Sorry for spelling!!! Spell check isn't working ;)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-18077997154316095422010-01-12T07:16:00.000-08:002010-01-12T07:41:04.518-08:00'Invictus' Visa's...The sound of my thongs slapping against the wet, muddy footpath irritated me with each step I took... and I wasn't stepping - I was running, running to get to the Mozambique Consulate before it closed, and locked my Mozambique Visa behind its doors.<br /><br />Our day had begun at 8am, we had to apply for and pick up our visa's all in one day if we were to catch our bus to Maputo, Mozambique the next morning. It was basically a logistical nightmare to begin with... we had to call the consulate at 8:30am, get the price, and their account details off them so we could deposit the cost of the Visa's in their bank account (why they don't accept payment at the consulate I do NOT know!), then we had to get passport photos, physically go to the consulate and fill out forms in Portuguese translated into broken English, pay more money for the forms themselves, hand-over our passports, and kill 4 hours before they would be ready.<br /><br />I was keen to see a movie to waste time, so we headed for the Rosebank Mall and purchased 2 tickets to Invictus (a suitable movie considering we were in Sth Africa) - we were late for this and missed the first 10 mins... luckily Clint Eastwood didn't make the plot too tricky to follow! I managed to concentrate during the movie and enjoyed the air conditioned comfort (considering we had walked an hour in the heat to get to the consulate that morning) - a great quote from the film, which is a little off topic - "I am the master of my fate, and the captain of my soul"<br /><br />Post-movie we did some shopping for dinner and lunch the next day... upon exiting the mall we were met with TORRENTIAL rain, lightening, thunder and flooded footpaths... we had an hour to get to the consulate before it closed and we needed to get moving... we put all our valuables in a plastic bag and headed into the rain (We were saturated within 30 seconds).<br /><br />An opportunity for a shortcut was suggested, and so it was taken... 40 minutes later of walking through rain and random residential streets it dawned upon us that we were in fact walking in the OPPOSITE direction to the consulate... I may have nearly cried if it wasn't for the ball of delirious anger boiling in my stomach!!<br /><br />We had no choice... no cabs were available, and we had NO IDEA which bus to get, and from where - we had to get there on foot! I took the lead with my thongs slapping away (kicking up mud all over my skirt... yes I had to run in a skirt). Tim decided to risk it and took off his thongs completely - let me tell you, I was in NO WAY going to risk AIDS from a needle prick!! The only thing keeping me running was thinking of the story of "Invictus" and the struggles others in the past had experienced... surely I could stand this short run in the rain if others have fought through much worse!? Also I had offloaded the shopping and backpack to Tim to give me a greater advantage of making the distance hahaha!<br /><br />20mins and 3kms later, we arrived at the door of the consulate looking like drowned rats - I straightened up and tried to casually stroll in like nothing was wrong (I looked like I had been swimming by this stage). "Ohhhh you are luccckkyy I was just about to lock up!" says the receptionist - Tim slams our receipts on the counter, and our Visa's are retrieved from a safe... relief flows freely through my mind.<br /><br />As we left the consulate, Tim realised his backpack had swung open when we were running... leaving a trail of food behind (needless to say it wasn't there when we retraced our steps). Living on a budget had translated to donating food to the locals of Joburg!<br /><br />Refusing to walk one step further we hailed a cab and negotiated a fair price... as we drove back to the hostel I couldn't help thinking "this is not the type of trip I envisaged"... but looking back on it now, I figure the struggles we endure make the victories sweeter (just like in 'Invictus').<br /><br />In other news... I'm damn well looking forward to sitting on my butt for a 9 hour bus drive to Maputo tomorrow!! Bring on the seafood and beaches!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-2438403736059084522010-01-07T03:00:00.000-08:002010-01-07T03:27:00.844-08:00Photo Time...<div align="center"> It's day 12 on our trip, and we have finally found an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Internet</span> cafe that has decent broadband speed... so I thought I'd take the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunity</span> to upload some photos so you can see what we have been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">up to</span>.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423953692536706034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpc7ccTdMjXY-WEf3BVu_FwnCybqaHUhwHnfrfR5JmAu3PHn_FLdmS37Y42xKuEybwF83pukcUO5fXWcaLIbpECfmBQ97VIqKvRJz519x0-aAl_2em1Qqz14Pnmb_sLeodsR9Ec-RWwyg/s320/P1000793.JPG" />We went on Safari at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pilansburg</span> National Park - Giraffe above<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423953688623211074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmk8J_tgxE6v0msWmLi6XUSYlal08ry9cFD0Ue-JY8TH_4llZ_3kOFvEqvG7STQClDPHQUsNuOyvN7L1CLclFdIUPsocuJOFkHVPYxAgwX68U_UnDrLPsavnWJZn1__fdQDkZpSIXf4A/s320/P1000781.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Cheetah - a very rare spot, walked right across the road in front of us. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423953685943729522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoataYHrhT81-bwtY5Kc1yBC0WPaqwVILC8PXPr7nzPfLZVDNI5CXhw7mk7XA3EuCIO-6EONUbiqHWZdJDQtHWBW4alS0PLdviSEXQk5VaCz_1He5LQUVW0GN0MdUdrrdfOcRMxeDzbI/s320/P1000647.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Tim and I at Sun City (or Sin City as I like to call it). We are in the 'Valley of Waves' water park - was great fun! There was one slide with a vertical drop... everyone went on it and I was last to go... being scared of heights at the last min I looked up to the lifeguard and said "I've changed my mind can you pull me back up please" - his reaction... uncurl my fingers one-by-one from the handle and PUSH me down... more like a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">DEATHGUARD</span>!!!<br /></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423957034929312242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DDnWPk_-dfLs8zU3YHnkzmLH_Nfuk1qmrNc1zPnEdebKHBaUGZ7JxjDmCtcA4u6jdJ6qVfire4W7vPEnELtmCHTisY2uWCk36w_hcLa6ckz1Wz5NwKQqrAygNXBVnlyn8QG6rjlxHhE/s320/P1000610.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">Clay Pigeon Shooting - was great fun... Tim and I had a shoot-off and I'm disgusted to say he won... I am keen for more shooting, and Jane has sent me a link to one in Zambia - thanks <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jano</span>! </p><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423953208720388162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBc1d9onJ1_WuJWo4MkhK0oQ21E7-OhSGM0UR7wu7AjbsZx0GZ506e1F2Ro6zBZD6fTSEplPQBKMIvSS7ETdnjrmFn3k-iydAkInRZiPwPVmpcN2q953C2Vz4gTMHaqc3it3ejYgVSaI/s320/P1000315.JPG" /></p><br /><br /><p align="center">At St Ive's Estate - Claire and Brad's wedding - was a wonderful evening, great way to kick off the new year!! </p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423956069816939154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PpGPffxRwKFRQc4k0ScLDrhijjz3CqkVeSpSp__4bW502dB58adtDYVC_m6KINKMkIoyp-e9P5zjfllbYRgvVVrTN_BdiAkv1KeVWU0eSbPZYDqfIJM-5svKF39HWa21xYdLBHL_jXM/s320/P1000175.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">A few of the hunting trophies Eddie keeps in his 'Room of Death'<br /></p><p align="left">We have Darryl and Jane's wedding in a couple of nights which will be fun, and then we make our way off to Mozambique (first we have to stay a couple of nights in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Joburg</span> to get our Visas). Looking forward to branching off on our own, but will no doubt miss the little luxuries!<br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-60995318911560155392010-01-02T05:33:00.000-08:002010-01-02T05:55:15.006-08:00Just Now...As I write this blog, I sit looking at a World map on the wall next to me, and I can't quite believe<br />how far I am from home - it seems quite surreal actually. If I closed my eyes I could probably trick myself into thinking I was at home... except for the calls of bird life outside the window, and the humidity in the air.<br />Today marks a week since Tim and I arrived in South Africa... we have been very spoilt upon our arrival as we have been staying with Darryl's parents (Eddie and Lorraine Tinker), and they have a lovely big home with a big swimming pool and all the amenities one could ask for - Eddie and Lorraine have been wonderful to us and made us feel right at home here. We are staying 40km's from Johannesburg in a place called Boksburg. We are actually yet to venture within Joburg itself, and from what the locals tell us we doubt whether we will as it's well known for crime - although Tim is heading into Joburg today as part of Darryl's bucks party!<br />The first 3 days of our trip were very relaxing... spent lying by the pool and snoozing in the afternoon (was a great way to get over the 24hr plane trip!). Eddie has a room called "the room of death" here which is FULL of animal heads... animal's he has actually shot himself - they are his trophies... the prized catches are the warthog and the Zebra (when we get quicker Internet speeds I will upload a photo). Tomorrow Eddie is taking us shooting (only clay shooting, I don't think I quite have the stamina for real hunting just yet!).<br />A couple of days ago Tim, Darryl, and I drove down near Durban for the first wedding (Claire and Brad). We stayed at a lovely estate called 'St Ives', which used to be a horse ranch - there were Zebra's roaming free in the area and a lot of bird life too. Our accommodation was luxury compared to the backpacking we are heading for in a week or two. The wedding was gorgeous, and we partied well into the new year with Claire and Brad's friends and family (South Africans are BIG drinkers... one of the fave drinks is a 'John Deer' which is Creamy Soda and Vodka... Creamy Soda here is green, so the drink is a bright green colour).<br />I have been quite surprised with the weather here, the day of the wedding was sweltering... but it actually doesn't often get past 35 degrees - not like in the 40's at home... I think this will change as we head North in a couple of weeks though... most nights we have been here there have been massive thunder and lightening storms (one just finished now)... the night of the wedding there was a most spectacular one which set the mood nicely (luckily we were all indoors!).<br />I am going to have to start a fitness program before Kilimanjaro... we have been eating like kings, and people drink coke here like it's water (I haven't had much trouble following suit) - also smokes are quite cheap, so I have to cut that vice before it rules me!<br />After Darryl's wedding on the 9th of Jan, we plan to head up to Pretoria (Sth Africa's capital) and have a look around before venturing into Mozambique for some beach action (and scuba diving!).<br />All in all we are having a wonderful time, and thanks to the generosity of friends are living it up at the moment (if only this would last!)<br />I'll write again.... Just now (here 'just now' basically means whenever the person feels like... it's a terminology I will be bringing back home)<br /><br />PS. Oh, and safety wise... all is good here as Eddie and Lorraine have a fully gated home with an electric fence surrounding it, so if anyone does try to break in... they will fry themselves!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2013343124734462934.post-73504871617626496542009-12-17T16:06:00.000-08:002009-12-17T18:38:25.682-08:00Africa Calling...<span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">In 7 days time my partner Tim and I will be heading off to Africa after what seems like a lifetime of planning and <strong>saving</strong>! </span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">The countries we are visiting and some things we will be doing there are below:</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">South Africa (Soccer World Cup/2 Weddings) see the link for the estate one of the weddings will be at:<span style="color:#000099;"> </span></span><a href="http://stivesestate.co.za/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">http://stivesestate.co.za/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000099;"> </span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Mozambique (Zanzibar, Scuba Diving in Tofo)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Tanzania (Kilimanjaro, Vist to St Judes School - see link) </span><a href="http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz/"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz/</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Malawi (Lake Malawi)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Namibia</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Zambia</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Botswana (Okavango Delta - see link) </span><a href="http://www.okavango-delta.net/"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">http://www.okavango-delta.net/</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">And, of course we'll be safariing somewhere - but we haven't locked that in as yet!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">I haven't really started to get excited yet, I suppose because I have no idea whats in store for us for the next 6 months... and I am probably a little apprehensive about the change in living style - going from the comfort of a bed and all the comforts of home, to becoming a nomad living from hostel to hostel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">This weekend we'll be packing up our flat in Footscray and moving all our gear into storage - it will be sad to say goodbye to the place, but we plan to move back to the Wild West of Melbourne when we return in July 2010. </span></p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Tim will also be blogging away so if at any stage I get a little lazy and don't post anything - you can check his out at </span><a href="http://nnnbulletin.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">http://nnnbulletin.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="color:#000099;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">The main email I'll be using is<span style="color:#000099;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:jessica.louise.hall@gmail.com"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">jessica.louise.hall@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;"> so hit me up with your news and updates :)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">I'll leave you with a picture of the beast we are going to attempt to climb - the mighty Kilimanjaro...</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416397365725206066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4SjeMWYpAao6Dq4rbCw6gUeHxFM5wUFZIw7jl3SolY5oDlVRB8YD3csxalIrQ8qCs5wMkxJT0bLSyxiEjbyqkQ_S_zzUm0fe7RlBlECt1zmETzxmSnPNX_5lmfgDwg-rYB4RjowhciU/s320/kill.jpg" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0