Sorry for not updating, but here is a brief on whats going on
Tanzania: Mikadi Beach ( www.mikadibeach.com). going to live here upon finish of Africa. Check out the site and feel free to come visit me.
On the truck now with 7 others. it happens to be that 7 people got Sand worms in Zanzibar. Im lucky I didnt get them whiel i was there! Apparently super itchy, and you can see the worm making progress through the skin.. Ewww..
Malawi: Chitmber - Yup, I fell down a 7 foot cliff and tumbled and hit rocks on the way down. It was awesome. I was completely scrated up, and took about 2 weeks to heal. Bruises everywhere.. good times
Kande Beach - we hung out on the lake and enjoyed our time. Went into the village and it was nuts..
Lilongwe- Captial of Malawi. Not much going on
Then we entered Zambia, where everyone speaks english. YAY! 73 National Languages, and they learn english in school.
And went to the coolest game park. South Luwanga. My favorite so far. Saw ALL Big 5, including a leopard and animals were pletiful. Even the night game drive was good, as we were attacked by a BUFFALO ( yup, it rammed its horns into the frnot side of the truck) Picture an open 3 row seated Land Rover, where the driver nearly gets clobbered. The lions were trying to attack the Buffalo and we saw it all in front of our own eyes. Once it got up, it escape, and we went back for more.. Unfortunately no action this time.
Lusaka: capital city of Zambia. What Microsoft Word always tried to change my name to.
Vic Falls: Amazing! Stunning! Beautiful!! We went to the Zambia side and were soaked. It was awesome, we were so close! then I flew in a Microlight over the falls, Into the gorge, over a zambia Village and over the Zambezi! WOW! I was a bird!
Into Botswana: deslote
Chobe National Park: Morning Game drive was freezing and we saw hardly any animals. they were cold too. In the evening we went on a Lovely river Boat cruise, saw lots more animals and Elephants! it was fantastic!
Now were in maun heading to the Okavango delta for 2 Nights. !
Will Update again.. But going into Namibia Next!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Stop two: Tsingy, we hope...
We really had no idea how and if we would make it out to Tsingy. Almost everyone who visits Madagascar rents a private car, driver, and translator.. BUT what fun is that..? Plus only the rich can really afford it, trust me it would have cost us hundreds possibly easily a thousand to do that and it wasn’t worth it considering I had no access to my money yet.
So we got our walking shoes on and made the 5K walk out to the main road in hopes to find someone wanting to enjoy the company of my sister and I. Lucky for us the trees covered the 5K walk as the heat was pounding down on us. An hour later, we made it out to the road and were ready to hitch. We take a brief rest and start the walk to Belo ( this is the town we need to head to by lunch to hope to catch a tourist car with 2 seats). One car heads our way, but shoot its going to Kirindy. We hear car 2 moments later AND its Locals heading to they first tell us not all the way to Belo, BUT truth be told they were going to the first stop we needed to make. Lucky for me, I didn’t have to conversate at all because I cant speak any Malagasy, so it up to my sister to smooze them over. The journey was easy, and quick, besides the 1 hour boat ride across the river with ‘4 cars on it and one motor. We made it safe and only 5000 Ariary (courtesy of us, since they didn’t ask). Next to figure out how to get to Tsingy. We get to the Bus station at 1230 and find out that its our lucky day. A Camino that only goes there twice a week is leaving in 2 hours. Hooray! We go and get lunch at the fanciest restaurant we have eaten at since I have arrived and head to the station. If only I can show you photos of what we ride on! You would be amazed. Maybe picture a open aired freight truck with it full almost to the top with beer, coke, rice, a sink, wheelbarrow, etc and people sitting in it, hanging on and hoping not to fall off! Lucky for us the guy who manages this truck is driving AND he offers us the front seat! We were soo lucky! I guess it helps we are paying more than the locals and were two girls. Unlucky for me I cant talk to the guy AT ALL.
So the journey begins only 30 minutes passed scheduled departure and we head off. You wont believe me when I say this but it takes 8 hours to go only 100 km. And we arrive at 11 pm at night fall where we are told we will sleep on the ground to cross the river in the morning..
That’s all for now.. TBC
So we got our walking shoes on and made the 5K walk out to the main road in hopes to find someone wanting to enjoy the company of my sister and I. Lucky for us the trees covered the 5K walk as the heat was pounding down on us. An hour later, we made it out to the road and were ready to hitch. We take a brief rest and start the walk to Belo ( this is the town we need to head to by lunch to hope to catch a tourist car with 2 seats). One car heads our way, but shoot its going to Kirindy. We hear car 2 moments later AND its Locals heading to they first tell us not all the way to Belo, BUT truth be told they were going to the first stop we needed to make. Lucky for me, I didn’t have to conversate at all because I cant speak any Malagasy, so it up to my sister to smooze them over. The journey was easy, and quick, besides the 1 hour boat ride across the river with ‘4 cars on it and one motor. We made it safe and only 5000 Ariary (courtesy of us, since they didn’t ask). Next to figure out how to get to Tsingy. We get to the Bus station at 1230 and find out that its our lucky day. A Camino that only goes there twice a week is leaving in 2 hours. Hooray! We go and get lunch at the fanciest restaurant we have eaten at since I have arrived and head to the station. If only I can show you photos of what we ride on! You would be amazed. Maybe picture a open aired freight truck with it full almost to the top with beer, coke, rice, a sink, wheelbarrow, etc and people sitting in it, hanging on and hoping not to fall off! Lucky for us the guy who manages this truck is driving AND he offers us the front seat! We were soo lucky! I guess it helps we are paying more than the locals and were two girls. Unlucky for me I cant talk to the guy AT ALL.
So the journey begins only 30 minutes passed scheduled departure and we head off. You wont believe me when I say this but it takes 8 hours to go only 100 km. And we arrive at 11 pm at night fall where we are told we will sleep on the ground to cross the river in the morning..
That’s all for now.. TBC
The journey through Madagascar. First Stop Kirindy Forest
What a journey the past 5 days have been with my sister! Originally we woke up on Friday morning when my stomach was finally better and we were going to take a taxi brousse to the road into Kirindy Forest and walk 5K in. But after a rushed packing and to the bus station they lied to us telling us we could be in front so we decided to get our money back and go out the next day.
Next day… Up early and all set, we head to the place where we will take a 4 by 4 (private car) instead of a taxi brousse. Thank goodness!! When we arrive its said that the one we thought we were going in was booked with other people instead but lucky for us the man found us another one going exactly to where we were going so we did not need to walk the 5K in the heat. Everyone here works in Malagasy time which is island time as we would relate. So although we got there at 830 we didn’t leave till 11. But, lucky for us the ride only cost us each 5,000 Ariarys instead of the 10,000 the taxi brousse would have cost us. 1600 Ariary is 1 dollar.
Upon arrival in Kirindy it was nice to be able to sit down without the crazy bumpy roads of Madagascar. And trust me these are BY FAR the worst roads I have ever travelled on in my life, and apparently the worst in Madagascar. We decided on the night walk and took a nice nap and got ready for the journey. It was pretty awesome! We saw the night lemurs and snakes, sleeping birds and butterflies and chameleons! I really enjoyed it. We got back had a lovely dinner for the location we were in.. small forest bungalows, where you are pretty much sleeping on wood planks Toilet was a whole outside as well as the shower. ( by the way this is all typical of Madagascar) just gotta be careful of the mozzies that they don’t bite your butt while your squatting! We went to bed with the sounds of the crickets!
And awe woke up to the sound of the lemurs screeching.. Got breakfast and decided on heading to our next destination. Tsingy..
Next day… Up early and all set, we head to the place where we will take a 4 by 4 (private car) instead of a taxi brousse. Thank goodness!! When we arrive its said that the one we thought we were going in was booked with other people instead but lucky for us the man found us another one going exactly to where we were going so we did not need to walk the 5K in the heat. Everyone here works in Malagasy time which is island time as we would relate. So although we got there at 830 we didn’t leave till 11. But, lucky for us the ride only cost us each 5,000 Ariarys instead of the 10,000 the taxi brousse would have cost us. 1600 Ariary is 1 dollar.
Upon arrival in Kirindy it was nice to be able to sit down without the crazy bumpy roads of Madagascar. And trust me these are BY FAR the worst roads I have ever travelled on in my life, and apparently the worst in Madagascar. We decided on the night walk and took a nice nap and got ready for the journey. It was pretty awesome! We saw the night lemurs and snakes, sleeping birds and butterflies and chameleons! I really enjoyed it. We got back had a lovely dinner for the location we were in.. small forest bungalows, where you are pretty much sleeping on wood planks Toilet was a whole outside as well as the shower. ( by the way this is all typical of Madagascar) just gotta be careful of the mozzies that they don’t bite your butt while your squatting! We went to bed with the sounds of the crickets!
And awe woke up to the sound of the lemurs screeching.. Got breakfast and decided on heading to our next destination. Tsingy..
Friday, May 2, 2008
Morondava, Madagascar with my sis
95 degrees in the sunshine in the winter time, imagine this place in the summer. This is where my sister lives and enjoys each day. I landed in the scorching heat with my sister waiting for me. Small plane fits about 12. Ive been here a week now. So far Ive been to a local concert and been sick for 3 days, thanks to my sister whom encouraged me to eat the street food she does ' since its all natural here' as she says. I usually dont get sick at all when i travel so whatever i ate must have been pretty bad! The people here are nice, but unfortunately i cannot communicate with any of them. Good thing you can alwys play games with kids even if you dont speak the same language. The internet here is dial up speed, and the key board is french, so i will have to write more later;
good thing is, my sister loves where she lives for peace corps, and i am better now.
off to the toursit sites for the next few days
good thing is, my sister loves where she lives for peace corps, and i am better now.
off to the toursit sites for the next few days
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Photos Added
Photos are up on Facebook Now! If you're not my friend, you may have to add me to see them :)
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Shark Diving.. Dun Dun DUNNNNNN!!
Great White Shark Cage Diving, the #1 reason I decided for a stop in Capetown.. Was it worth it, ABSOLUTELY!
BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ... Alarm goes off, its 5:15 am, and we jump out of bed. The 9 hour time zone difference didn't appreciate that too much, but its time to brush teeth, and head out. An attempt to make tea and breakfast in the kitchen was successful, and we head out when the driver shows up.
A long 2 hour drive later, we arrive at the Shark de-briefing room, where we learn the ins and outs, and how not to get eaten alive. ..
Launch time!! We head out on the boat, to where the Sharks are, anchor out and the chum is thrown in the water. 10 minutes later we get our first bite, two more bites occur from other sharks, and the first group gets into the cage. I'm still cold, and not ready to get in. 45 minutes later, no more sharks, so we move to another spot. Throw chum in, and again a few bites. Folks get in, and 30 minutes later, no sharks.
I made a suggestion that we change the chum, so I don't have to stay in the cold water forever. Finally got my wet suit on, they added new chum, and I got in the cage. 3 sharks in 10 MINUTES! I went down, and was scared to my whits. Pretty sure I had 3 heart attacks, one for each sighting. Can you imagine having a shark come right at you while under water in low visibility...? Well, it was the scarier than I thought. Truth be told, the new bait was the winner, and I was lucky not to have to sit in that water for 45 minutes with no sharks. Maybe it was just luck, but I was happy to see them under water.
Would I do that again.. Possibly...
The fears in order of the day:
1) Huge wave to turn the boat over like, what happened last week which killed two Americans and a Swedish guy: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23541870-952,00.html
2) Shock from freezing water
3) Sharks attacking cage
Now to book the Sky Diving Trip..
BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ... Alarm goes off, its 5:15 am, and we jump out of bed. The 9 hour time zone difference didn't appreciate that too much, but its time to brush teeth, and head out. An attempt to make tea and breakfast in the kitchen was successful, and we head out when the driver shows up.
A long 2 hour drive later, we arrive at the Shark de-briefing room, where we learn the ins and outs, and how not to get eaten alive. ..
Launch time!! We head out on the boat, to where the Sharks are, anchor out and the chum is thrown in the water. 10 minutes later we get our first bite, two more bites occur from other sharks, and the first group gets into the cage. I'm still cold, and not ready to get in. 45 minutes later, no more sharks, so we move to another spot. Throw chum in, and again a few bites. Folks get in, and 30 minutes later, no sharks.
I made a suggestion that we change the chum, so I don't have to stay in the cold water forever. Finally got my wet suit on, they added new chum, and I got in the cage. 3 sharks in 10 MINUTES! I went down, and was scared to my whits. Pretty sure I had 3 heart attacks, one for each sighting. Can you imagine having a shark come right at you while under water in low visibility...? Well, it was the scarier than I thought. Truth be told, the new bait was the winner, and I was lucky not to have to sit in that water for 45 minutes with no sharks. Maybe it was just luck, but I was happy to see them under water.
Would I do that again.. Possibly...
The fears in order of the day:
1) Huge wave to turn the boat over like, what happened last week which killed two Americans and a Swedish guy: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23541870-952,00.html
2) Shock from freezing water
3) Sharks attacking cage
Now to book the Sky Diving Trip..
Day 2 in : Cape Town - Table Mountain Hike
So, I made friends with Sara in my hostel room, and we decided on a hike up Table Mountain today. Its what everyone tells you to do when you arrive in Capetown for the most breath taking and amazing views of the city. You have a few options
1) Take Cable Car up and down the Mtn - Cost 65 Rand each way ( divide by 7 for US $)
2) Hike up Mtn
a) Easy Route
b) Hardest Route, up the Face of the Mtn
The day before, we both agreed that we wanted to do the easy route, ending with a picnic at the top of the mountain. So, we got up early ( considering I was still on 9 hour jetlag), and headed to the supermarket to make breakfast and buy lunch.
We taxi there with our other friend James, and head up the mtn. Long behold, we have ended up at the HARDEST ROUTE, which was said to be a 2.5 hour hike up the face.. Done in 1.5 hours, thank you very much.. But the hottest day they had so far, with the sun scorcing down on us, and stair sizes which varied from short, to about 1 foot tall. Ahh, good times.
Let's just say, it was the best work out I've had in ages, and felt very good once we made it to the top! Lunch was great, and we had a nice glass of wine to finish off the day.
We opted to take the Cable Car down ..!
View were amazing! Photos to come soon!
1) Take Cable Car up and down the Mtn - Cost 65 Rand each way ( divide by 7 for US $)
2) Hike up Mtn
a) Easy Route
b) Hardest Route, up the Face of the Mtn
The day before, we both agreed that we wanted to do the easy route, ending with a picnic at the top of the mountain. So, we got up early ( considering I was still on 9 hour jetlag), and headed to the supermarket to make breakfast and buy lunch.
We taxi there with our other friend James, and head up the mtn. Long behold, we have ended up at the HARDEST ROUTE, which was said to be a 2.5 hour hike up the face.. Done in 1.5 hours, thank you very much.. But the hottest day they had so far, with the sun scorcing down on us, and stair sizes which varied from short, to about 1 foot tall. Ahh, good times.
Let's just say, it was the best work out I've had in ages, and felt very good once we made it to the top! Lunch was great, and we had a nice glass of wine to finish off the day.
We opted to take the Cable Car down ..!
View were amazing! Photos to come soon!
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