Walking with Lions

Yesterday we did the walk with lions excursion. It was really really cool. After a little intro we spent an hour or so initially stroking 15 month old lions, then hiking through their territory with them leading or following the group. We then switched with another group to see some other lions with different personalities and moods. The staff were awesome, making sure everyone got a turn with the cats and took really cool photos as well. We ended up with about 100 or so on the camera. Still have to filter through them. A really cool experience.

Today we took the good we bought in Botswana down to the market to barter with. We had some sugar, rice, cooking oil, laundry soap and hand soap, plus a few clothes we didn’t want. Instantly we were called from all directions but went to the shopkeepers we had talked to previously. After a bit of haggling at various stalls we came out pretty happy with what we got. You could always bargain the price right down as low as possible but its a bit of effort and not always fair to completely rip off someone so you save a dollar or two while they lose out on it. If you are happy with the purchase on both sides then its good for all involved. We are pretty happy with “Dribbs” the hippo which we now own.

Heading into Zambia tomorrow, and driving for a good few days towards Lake Malawi. We have 5 new people on board and say goodbye to the last few from our previous group tonight. Will be sad to see them go as it’s been a great few weeks with them all

5 Billion Dollars… (Pronounce with Dr Evil accent)

Yesterday we arrived in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe nice and early for once. We upgraded to a double room for some luxury as we are here for 3 days and started wandering. A group of us headed down to the waterfalls for a look. After a steep $US20 entry fee (although afterwards I thought it was worth it) we started walking, eyeing up those other tourist in raincoats and ponchos as we had none. The falls are huge and spectacular. We walked along many viewpoints see the falls from all angles. The water is at it’s highest so has millions of litres pouring over it every second. The spray from it all is immense, causing a massive mist in the canyon producing rainbows at every angle. As we walked out to each viewpoint a spray of water would pass over, we hide the cameras, take a quick photo then run back. The very last one, Adam and Amber went ahead to come back completely soaked. All good fun though.

Afterwards we headed to the local market to look at goods. Along the way back from the falls, people are on the street trying to sell items to you, running when tourist police approach so you know it’s a bit dodgy. Once in the markets it’s a bit similar to Turkey how every shopowner becomes your friend, remembers your name and asks when you will be buying items. The scary part is once the start explaining prices and that rather than money, clothing or other items are preferred. “I like your shoes (watch, stanky socks, etc), how much”. You can barter any items here for anything. Offers were made for climbing clips, tissue packets etc. Everything is worth something. We went to the supermarket and you can see why. No fresh produce and very limited other products. Everything that is there is expensive. You start to feel sorry for the locals here as it’s nothing they have done to deserve such a thing. We have picked out a couple of the friendlier shopkeepers and will be heading back tomorrow with some products we bought in Botswana to trade with (sugar, rice, cooking oil and soap).

In reference to the posting title, we exchanged $US15 and received 54, 000, 000, 000 dollars in a mix of 5 billion and 250 million dollar notes. It’s crazy. I’ve kept one of each note for reference

Off to go and walk with some lions.

Luxury Camping

The past week has flown by. It was a long long drive from the Okavango Delta up to the Chobe National Park, with us trapped in the back of the bus as we drove over every pothole possible along the way. As soon as we arrived we jumped into an open topped jeep and headed out for an overnight adventure in Chobe.

Once in the park we were headed directly to the campsite passing the “waterfront” along the way. The parked was packed out with animals coming for a drink and brush their teeth before heading off to bed. Herds of elephants were present, with lots of baby elephants in amongst them. I’ll actually admit they were pretty cute. Because we were in a smaller vehicle than normal we could get closer and got some wicked photos (I hope, still need to develop the film). We found a herd of 100-200 Water Buffalo along the way with heaps of calves. Due to bad eyesight they just stare, but there are so many its a bit unnerving. As dark hit, we got a bit lost and were bouncing along trails in the dark to find out campsite with hundreds of hungry lions in the shrubs waiting for their moment. The campsite was cool, this one was a “luxury” excursion, so no putting up tents, mattress stretchers, duvets and linen to sleep on. Also with real plates for dinner, table clothes and napkins. The toilet facility was basic and a bit scary seeing a few eyes reflecting back at you from the torch light. A cool night in the wilderness. The next morning was an early drive, spotting more elephants, giraffe, warthogs, bok’s, water buffalo and a particularly aggressive teenage elephant tearing down trees. We returned to camp, showered then headed out on a river cruise with everyone.

The cruise was really good. Promoted as a booze cruise as we brought a chilly bin of alcohol. It started off loud but quickly quietened down as we spotted heaps of animals. Watching from the water is a completely different experience as you don’t interrupt the animals, just cruising in stealth mode. We saw a group of elephants coming to drink with another baby one copying the parents in the group. Further along a herd of about 60 buffalo moved in as one to come an drink. Definitely using the safety in number theories. Then we drifted further into the river to spot some yawning hippos and crocodiles. Not sure why they are so tired as they just sit there. Finally we drifted into the sunset ready for another day.

“It’s Africa, Deal with it”

Well, here we are in Botswana. After all the traveling of the first week we have been pretty busy for the last one. While I was sandboarding at Swakopmund, Amber went on a township tour to play with some of the local kids, try the beer and eat some of the food which consisted of fried up catepillar like worms. Delicious. From there we went to a cheetah park to play with some tame ones, watch some cubs play and feed wild cheetahs some cut up donkey meat from the back of a truck. Was a great night, and so cool to see the animals up close.

From there, we went to Etosha National Park for a game drive and were really really lucky in the amount of animals that we saw – the elusive Leopard, Elephants, Warthog, Zebra, Giraffe, Springbok, Kudu, some birds, Hyena, Jackals and lions. Was a long day but hopefully lots of good photos. I’m using film so have to get it developed yet.

Currently we are in Botswana chilling out for a few days. Due to budget we aren’t doing an overnight in the Delta so yesterday I was working on recovering from my hangover, relaxing by the pool and checking out the crocodile farm at the campsite. Terrifying creatures. Today, we are wandering around town, doing internet (as you can see) and heading to Nando’s for lunch as it looks like the safest place (food wise) to eat.

We hit Vic Falls on friday so will have another update then

Scrambled Eggs in Swakopmund

Are here we are, one week into the safari and all is going well. We have done a ton of driving over the last 6 days, with people rotating around the truck to have their turn on the bumpy back seat. We are travelling around in a huge green beast, laden with windows throughout the top, and camping equipment and everyones bags underneath. One of my duties each night and morning is to unload/reload the bags so i’m well aware of how much this thing is carrying.

The first week was pretty cruisy, basically being on the move each day seeing the ever changing and sci-fi like terrain of Namibia. Massive plains surrounded by deserts and mountains of rocks which look like they have been piled up by another force. Along the way we have spotted a few herds of animals, and each night having a few drinks we everyone else on the trip and getting to know them all. We have ended up with a cool group of people, who only go through to Victoria Falls then 5 of us continue with a new group.

The real trip will begin this week as we visit Cheetah parks, Estona National Park, and end up in Muan, Botswana visiting Crocodile parks while some of the others do an excursion out into the Delta. Even though each day isn’t yet filled with massive amounts of highlights and endless adventure, i’m really enjoying it. This will be a pleasently long 6 weeks of camping, bus rides and getting to know a few more people around the world. The nothingness of Namibia is really cool to see. Endless hours of strange landscapes and minimal signs of life. It’s like nothing i’ve seen before. Away from all civilisation.

Yesterday was filled with a trip out to the dunes for some sandboarding. It was great fun being in the middle of the desert, strapping a snowboard to my feet and plumeting down the dunes. It’s a lot like snowboarding but you have to go fast to have control. At the bottom though, there is no lift – just a big hike up the dunes back to the top. Very eco-friendly.

Swakopmund is a nice little town, colonised by germans and still has a strange mix of African climite and appearance with lots of german culture. The highlight is getting a room for a few days to sleep in after many early starts and prepare for the busy week ahead.

Amber has survived her first 6 nights camping, ever. We have a routine down and can be packed up in a good 20 minutes. All the food is cooked by one of the crew and is truely amazing what he makes. Different things each night ranging from game steaks with chips to roast pork & potatoes with gravy, to chicken curry. Being in the middle of Africa with limited options it would be difficult to be vegetarian on this trip.

Tommorrow we are bush camping, should be fun.