This post brought to you by the letter 'S'! Pretty self-explanatory, but yesterday morning we went sandboarding (like snowboarding, but on sand) and sledding on sand. The boarding was harder than at home, though with more runs I may have got the hang of it better (or a chairlift to carry me up the dunes after every run!). For sandsledding we layed down, head first on stomach, on thin particle board and rode down the big dunes - some people clocked 73km/h! Of course, I was scared as shit and screamed the whole way, as I usually do (especially when bunjeeing!), but as normal, its never as bad as we anticipate and I went a few more times sans screaming :)
The afternoon should have brought a nap, as climbing those dunes in the heat was hard work! But, This Is Africa - no time for sleeping! Especially when you can go jump out of a perfectly good plane! (Though I'm not sure having no door classifies as "perfectly good"). So, after a quick shower, to remove the sand from our nether regions, we were off to skydive (Tyler came as camera man). And, of course, you can drink in any vehicle in Africa, so I did - liquid courage, right? It turned out to be amazing, as expected. And they didn't catch my tears on camera, so it didn't happen right? LOL. Actually, the guys were VERY good with us. I hate the feeling of falling, so started getting very nervous, as I was the first one to go, and we crawled around in a teeny tiny plane getting hooked up, etc (don't forget this teent tiny plane has no door), but they were wiping my (few) tears, and smiling and very supportive! :) It was incredible!
Tomorrow, off to see Dune 45! Then head to Fish River Canyon, and then heading to Cape Town, South Africa!
Much Love!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
And the Truck Got Stuck - Part 2
You'll notice there is no Part 1 to "The Truck Got Stuck." This is because the first time Imani took a "rest" was fairly uneventful, as we were out in 45 minutes and continued on as normal. Part 2, however, was more like Imani taking a long nap, not a rest, and almost became a sleepover! Leaving Namutoni, in Etosha National Park (Namibia), at 7:00am for a lovely morning game drive, we were heading for Goas & Halali, both popular for leopard sightings. Most all the routes we attempted, however, were closed (due to flooding/rainfall). So we thought we'd hit up the Etosha Lookout, to look over the salt flats in the Etosha Pan. After a nice stretch (and changing into clean clothes as it had warmed up) and some picture-taking, we loaded back up, ready to continue game driving.This would prove pointless, as in 150m we splashed through a rather large puddle, suddenly leaning to the side and sinking. To make a long story short, we spent four hours (thank goodness it was cloudy) bucketing water, digging shallow trenches, wedging rocks, then sand mats, then rocks & sand mats under the tires, which were 2/3 submerged in water. Thankfully we had phone service, so three hours after our first call two jeeps showed up to pull out our 16 tonne truck - obviously this didn't work, but its Africa, so they have to try. Another call for a tractor got us just that! The tiniest tractor. throttle controlled by two wires which the driver pulled to slow down or speed up, also proved (very) unsuccessful. By now transport vehicles arrived to start taking us to the next camp for the night. Clearly we drank whatever beer & wine we had stored on Imani on the way to camp! A grader finally made its way to our truck, and success! About 7-8 hours after we first got stuck, Imani was back on the road! (And we were showered & fed, as we upgraded to a room at the new camp!)
TYLER'S CURRENT FACIAL GROWTH: 6-7mm
TYLER'S CURRENT FACIAL GROWTH: 6-7mm
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Don't Air Your Dirty Laundry...
We have spent the last few days discovering the amazingly beautiful Okavango Delta. After a long trek in (nine hours to go 100km) we took mokoros, flat-bottomed canoe-type boats driven by men with long wooden poles, to a rarely visited camp, called Umvuvu. Over 2.5 days we mokoro'd for hours around the Okavango, which was sprawling with white and purple-tinged water lilies everywhere.
It was an incredibly unique ecosystem. Tiny frogs (3/4" or less), brown & white frogs, neon green grashopper-type insects... one tiny frog came so far with us that I named him Max - Max & his Mokoro Adventure. LOL. We went on a nature walk in the middle of the day; saw some elephants nearby, bird life, lion prints. Then had two hours in the mokoro back to Umvuvu. It was SO hot - Ken, our poler told us fisherman put lily pads on their heads to block the sun - I thought that was a fantastic idea, so Tyler pulled me one from the water and I wore it the rest of the way back to Umvuvu.
Tyler took mokoro lessons and was practically a natural! He was the only one of the group who got to do the whole "circuit." Then we watched some traditional dacning - very entertaining, before a sunset mokoro cruise.
Our established tents, with single beds inside, were only meters from the water, so we had to be extra careful coming and going, especially at night, looking for crocodiles and hippos, which we could hear grunting all night long. The only thing that wound up paying us a little visit was a monitor lizard.
Before supper our cook, Mash, had to "run" (mokoro) back to the truck to get some things that we forgot. He saw some elephants crossing the river on his way. Tyler & I were on cook group that night, and I told Mash that he should have let me go with him (I love elephants). He said, "No, you cannot go. I can hide because I am black but you are white." I said, "Who you callin' white!" LOL
There were also these really unique tiny flowers, a quarter-size or less, mixed in with the thousands of water lilies. They were white with yellow centres, like the lilies, but their petals were like little feathers; some said they looked like snowflakes.
After entering back into Namibia (Okavango is in Botswana), we spent another night at Bagani, before heading to Rundu for a night. In Rundu the weather was so beautiful we did some laundry before everyone relaxed in and around the pool. A massive thunderstorm came - one crack of thunder was SO loud and sudden it made us all jump. So much for drying laundry. After the rain I rehung our laundry, but another storm came over night, again with one loud crack - so loud that Tyler awoke startled and grabbed me. Now with wet laundry, I guess we will be airing it to dry out the windows as we drive, and en route to the bushman tribe. Nothing like airing your underwear everywhere you go!
Imani is currently at the repair shop in town (Rundu); hopefully will be done in another half an hour. We are off to the bushman today, and then making our way toward Swakopmund, where we shall do some fishing, sandboarding, and if Tyler holds true to his promise, skydiving! :)
Much Love,
Krystle & Tyler
It was an incredibly unique ecosystem. Tiny frogs (3/4" or less), brown & white frogs, neon green grashopper-type insects... one tiny frog came so far with us that I named him Max - Max & his Mokoro Adventure. LOL. We went on a nature walk in the middle of the day; saw some elephants nearby, bird life, lion prints. Then had two hours in the mokoro back to Umvuvu. It was SO hot - Ken, our poler told us fisherman put lily pads on their heads to block the sun - I thought that was a fantastic idea, so Tyler pulled me one from the water and I wore it the rest of the way back to Umvuvu.
Tyler took mokoro lessons and was practically a natural! He was the only one of the group who got to do the whole "circuit." Then we watched some traditional dacning - very entertaining, before a sunset mokoro cruise.
Our established tents, with single beds inside, were only meters from the water, so we had to be extra careful coming and going, especially at night, looking for crocodiles and hippos, which we could hear grunting all night long. The only thing that wound up paying us a little visit was a monitor lizard.
Before supper our cook, Mash, had to "run" (mokoro) back to the truck to get some things that we forgot. He saw some elephants crossing the river on his way. Tyler & I were on cook group that night, and I told Mash that he should have let me go with him (I love elephants). He said, "No, you cannot go. I can hide because I am black but you are white." I said, "Who you callin' white!" LOL
There were also these really unique tiny flowers, a quarter-size or less, mixed in with the thousands of water lilies. They were white with yellow centres, like the lilies, but their petals were like little feathers; some said they looked like snowflakes.
After entering back into Namibia (Okavango is in Botswana), we spent another night at Bagani, before heading to Rundu for a night. In Rundu the weather was so beautiful we did some laundry before everyone relaxed in and around the pool. A massive thunderstorm came - one crack of thunder was SO loud and sudden it made us all jump. So much for drying laundry. After the rain I rehung our laundry, but another storm came over night, again with one loud crack - so loud that Tyler awoke startled and grabbed me. Now with wet laundry, I guess we will be airing it to dry out the windows as we drive, and en route to the bushman tribe. Nothing like airing your underwear everywhere you go!
Imani is currently at the repair shop in town (Rundu); hopefully will be done in another half an hour. We are off to the bushman today, and then making our way toward Swakopmund, where we shall do some fishing, sandboarding, and if Tyler holds true to his promise, skydiving! :)
Much Love,
Krystle & Tyler
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Africa Is A Continent (not a country)!
People always ask, "Why do you go back to Africa?" That's like saying, "Why to go to Europe again?", or, "Why do you travel North America?" Every country has it's own culture, diversity, way of life.
For example, en route toZimbabwe, a man in blue jeans demanded to see our passports, which you shouldn't have to show unless you are at a border. It was such a fight that we finally asked for his passport so we could report him at the border, and he waved us through the checkpoint.
crossing into Botswana, we had to remove all shoes from out truck, Imani (which means faith in Swahili), and dip them in a liquid tomprevent the spread of foot and mow disease.
Today on our long drive, we stopped several times for elephants & giraffes, new for Tyler to see!
Tyler is adjusting so well that him and Mick, one of our leaders, have agreed underwear is good for 24 hours... Therefore, if you take it off at night, you're really onlywearing it for half the day, so it must be good for two days! Mick even went so far to say that if you can throw it at Imani and it doesn't stick, it should be good for three days! Yeah, right! LOL.
Tomorrow we are heading back to Botwana (only came into Namibia as the roads are better) to go to Okavango Delta. We have a two night sleepover - I'll be making sure Tyler brings three pairs of underwear! :)
So, family and friends, we are safe and sound and having fun! In fact, we are lucky to be travelling at all! that's right, folks! Mick (who is creating quite the name for himself) is on bond from Mozambique... A few days before we joined the trip, a local motorcyclist drive into the side of Imani. So the crew had to spend two days in courts, posting $2000 bond for Mick to leave the country... His fate will be decided on his way back up through Mozambiqueina couple months... But don't worry, the courts told him he will probably get some moenyback!
T.I.A.!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Vegetarian Season for Crocodiles
Our first flight to London left 12Feb and was uneventful. We weren't sure if we had enough time to leave airport, so decided to play it safe on the way there and hang out in Terminal 5. Not sure if we'll fly British Airways again. Then we were off to Johannesberg.
At Johannesburg airport Tyler's boarding card wouldn't scan through security, so they just waived him through - Tyler's first T.I.A. experience! (T.I.A.=This Is Africa!)
After three flights we landed at the tiny airport in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on Feb14. It took us at least an hour to get through customs to get a visa (no problems, just a slow, manual process). We couldn't believe - Canadians pay the highest amount for visas! It was $75USD - other nationalities only paid $30 or $60! In fact, by the time we got stamps in our passports, security had shut down the x-ray scanner - guess it was lunch time! (T.I.A.#2!) So Tyler and I just walked out of the airport.
Taxi'ed 22km to our camp (Vic Falls Rest Camp). Showered and ate - I tried crocodile steak (like sweet chicken). Later on, Tyler & I shared kudu meatballs - very good!
Today we went white water rafting on the Zambezi river - awesome, since the water was too high for me to do it last time. Before we left they informed us that the crocodiles are vegetarians this time of year - then they added "Well, vegetables and white meat!" LOL. It was quite the hike down the gorge to get to the river (and what goes down must come up!). Scenery was beautiful though - black, black rocks, white sand, and lush green vegetation. Some of the rapids were pretty crazy - our boat only flipped once (and once was enough!). The hike back up was almost torture (I would say it was torture, but those little Zimbabwean boys passing me as they carried heavy rafts up the same path made us all look bad!). All in all, it was a good time! With beer waiting at the top - and "don't forget some for the drive home" - T.I.A.!
It is hot & very humid here - not sure of the exact temperatures, but mid-20's. Partly cloudy, periods of light rain showers - probably due to all the mist that rises from the falls, constantly creating precipitation.
Tonight we are sleeping in an "upgraded tent" - a dome tent with two single beds jammed inside - and a light bulb!
We won't have internet for about a week. Heading to Kasane, Botswana tomorrow at noon thirty.
Lots of Love,
Krystle & Tyler
At Johannesburg airport Tyler's boarding card wouldn't scan through security, so they just waived him through - Tyler's first T.I.A. experience! (T.I.A.=This Is Africa!)
After three flights we landed at the tiny airport in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on Feb14. It took us at least an hour to get through customs to get a visa (no problems, just a slow, manual process). We couldn't believe - Canadians pay the highest amount for visas! It was $75USD - other nationalities only paid $30 or $60! In fact, by the time we got stamps in our passports, security had shut down the x-ray scanner - guess it was lunch time! (T.I.A.#2!) So Tyler and I just walked out of the airport.
Taxi'ed 22km to our camp (Vic Falls Rest Camp). Showered and ate - I tried crocodile steak (like sweet chicken). Later on, Tyler & I shared kudu meatballs - very good!
Today we went white water rafting on the Zambezi river - awesome, since the water was too high for me to do it last time. Before we left they informed us that the crocodiles are vegetarians this time of year - then they added "Well, vegetables and white meat!" LOL. It was quite the hike down the gorge to get to the river (and what goes down must come up!). Scenery was beautiful though - black, black rocks, white sand, and lush green vegetation. Some of the rapids were pretty crazy - our boat only flipped once (and once was enough!). The hike back up was almost torture (I would say it was torture, but those little Zimbabwean boys passing me as they carried heavy rafts up the same path made us all look bad!). All in all, it was a good time! With beer waiting at the top - and "don't forget some for the drive home" - T.I.A.!
It is hot & very humid here - not sure of the exact temperatures, but mid-20's. Partly cloudy, periods of light rain showers - probably due to all the mist that rises from the falls, constantly creating precipitation.
Tonight we are sleeping in an "upgraded tent" - a dome tent with two single beds jammed inside - and a light bulb!
We won't have internet for about a week. Heading to Kasane, Botswana tomorrow at noon thirty.
Lots of Love,
Krystle & Tyler
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Africa Inspiration
In light of us leaving tomorrow for another wonderful trip to Africa, I thought I would share this cartoon. Stay tuned for posts of our travels abroad... this time to the countries of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia & South Africa.
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