tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55373841742799020562024-03-13T18:25:58.765+02:00TEA WITH AFRICAA ten week trip through Africa. From Hamburg in the Eastern Cape to Hamburg in Germany. Follow me as I drink tea and chat to the people of Africa.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-64443845286020778042018-08-07T08:38:00.000+02:002018-08-07T08:39:01.713+02:00Charl Wessels invited you to Airbnb<div class="preheader" style="visibility:hidden;opacity:0;color:transparent;height:0;width:0;font-size:0px;mso-hide:all;display:none !important"></div> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width"> <style data-roadie-ignore data-immutable="true" type="text/css"> /*Light*/ @font-face { font-family: 'Cereal'; font-style: normal; font-weight: 200; src: url("https://a1.muscache.com/airbnb/rookery/fonts/Cereal/Cereal_W_Lt-61d38480cfdf1dfc73d6bd0f459b3e10.eot"); src: url("https://a1.muscache.com/airbnb/rookery/fonts/Cereal/Cereal_W_Lt-61d38480cfdf1dfc73d6bd0f459b3e10.eot?#") format("eot"), 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width: 40px !important; } .day-label { margin-left: 10% !important; margin-top: 0% !important; font-size: 15px; } } .gmailfix { display: none; display: none !important; } </style> <meta name="filler" content=" _ _ _ "> <meta name="filler" content=" (_) | | | | "> <meta name="filler" content=" __ _ _ _ __| |__ _ __ | |__ "> <meta name="filler" content=" / _' | | '__| '_ \| '_ \| '_ \ "> <meta name="filler" content=" | (_| | | | | |_) | | | | |_) | "> <meta name="filler" content=" \__,_|_|_| |_.__/|_| |_|_.__/ "> <meta name="filler" content=" "> <img class="tracking" src="https://www.airbnb.com/tracking/pixel/email_opened/1533623939?rookery_uuid=ae3d44be-fbcb-07af-4a32-be72a34077c7" style="outline:none;text-decoration:none;-ms-interpolation-mode:bicubic;width:auto;max-width:100%;clear:both;display:block;display:none"> <img class="tracking" src="https://pixel.monitor1.returnpath.net/pixel.gif?r=d18944536895e922f0e7423fe24e51aff6f2b008" width="1" height="1" style="outline:none;text-decoration:none;-ms-interpolation-mode:bicubic;width:auto;max-width:100%;clear:both;display:block"> <table class="body" style="border-spacing:0;border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:top;hyphens:none;-moz-hyphens:none;-webkit-hyphens:none;-ms-hyphens:none;background:#f3f3f3;height:100%;width:100%;color:#0a0a0a;font-family:'Cereal', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-weight:normal;padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:19px;margin-bottom:0px !important;background-color: white"> <tr style="padding:0;vertical-align:top;text-align:left"> <td class="center" align="center" valign="top" style="word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;vertical-align:top;color:#0a0a0a;font-family:'Cereal', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-weight:normal;padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:19px;border-collapse:collapse !important"> <center style="width:100%;min-width:580px"> <!--[if mso]> <table class="container" width="580"> <![endif]--> <!--[if !mso]> <!-- --> <table class="container" style="border-spacing:0;border-collapse:collapse;padding:0;vertical-align:top;background:#fefefe;width:580px;margin:0 auto;text-align:inherit;max-width:580px;"> <!-- <![endif]--> <tr style="padding:0;vertical-align:top;text-align:left"> <td style="word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;vertical-align:top;color:#0a0a0a;font-family:'Cereal', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-weight:normal;padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:19px;border-collapse:collapse !important"> <div> <table class="row" style="border-spacing:0;border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:top;text-align:left;padding:0;width:100%;position:relative;display:table"> <tr class="" style="padding:0;vertical-align:top;text-align:left"> <th class="columns first large-12 last small-12" style="color:#0a0a0a;font-family:'Cereal', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-weight:normal;padding:0;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:19px;margin:0 auto;padding-bottom:16px;width:564px;padding-left:16px;padding-right:16px"> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com?eluid=0&euid=ae3d44be-fbcb-07af-4a32-be72a34077c7" style="font-family:'Cereal', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-weight:normal;padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;line-height:1.3;color:#2199e8;text-decoration:none"> <img align="center" alt="Airbnb" class="center standard-header" height="30" src="https://a1.muscache.com/airbnb/rookery/dls/logo_standard_2x-c0ed1450d18490825bc37dd6cb23e5c5.png" style="outline:none;text-decoration:none;-ms-interpolation-mode:bicubic;width:auto;max-width:100%;clear:both;display:block;border:none;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:48px;max-height:30px"> </a> </th> </tr> </table> </div> <div> <table class="row" style="border-spacing:0;border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:top;text-align:left;padding:0;width:100%;position:relative;display:table"> <tr class="" style="padding:0;vertical-align:top;text-align:left"> <th class="columns first large-12 last small-12" style="color:#0a0a0a;font-family:'Cereal', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-weight:normal;padding:0;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:19px;margin:0 auto;padding-bottom:16px;width:564px;padding-left:16px;padding-right:16px"> <p class="headline headline-lg heavy max-width-485" style='padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;font-family:"Cereal", "Helvetica", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;max-width:485px;font-weight:700;color:#484848;word-break:normal;hyphens:none;-moz-hyphens:none;-webkit-hyphens:none;-ms-hyphens:none;font-size:32px;line-height:1.3;margin-bottom:0 !important;'> Charl sent you R600 ZAR for your first trip! </p> </th> </tr> </table> </div> <div style="padding-bottom:8px"> <table class="row" style="border-spacing:0;border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:top;text-align:left;padding:0;width:100%;position:relative;display:table"> <tr class="" style="padding:0;vertical-align:top;text-align:left"> <th class="columns first large-12 last small-12" style="color:#0a0a0a;font-family:'Cereal', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-weight:normal;padding:0;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:19px;margin:0 auto;padding-bottom:16px;width:564px;padding-left:16px;padding-right:16px"> <p class="body body-lg body-link-rausch light text-left " style='padding:0;margin:0;font-family:"Cereal", "Helvetica", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-weight:300;color:#484848;hyphens:none;-moz-hyphens:none;-webkit-hyphens:none;-ms-hyphens:none;font-size:18px;line-height:1.4;text-align:left;margin-bottom:0px !important;'> On Airbnb you can book rooms, homes, and even private islands in over 190 countries. Just sign up by <strong>August 14, 2018</strong> to get R600 ZAR off your next vacation of R1,100 ZAR or more. </p> </th> </tr> </table> </div> <div style="padding-bottom:24px"> <table class="row" style="border-spacing:0;border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:top;text-align:left;padding:0;width:100%;position:relative;display:table"> <tr style="padding:0;vertical-align:top;text-align:left"> <th class="col-pad-left-2 col-pad-right-2" style="color:#0a0a0a;font-family:'Cereal', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-weight:normal;padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:19px;padding-left:16px;padding-right:16px"> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/c/CHARLW10?euid=ae3d44be-fbcb-07af-4a32-be72a34077c7&r=45&ri=129813869&s=1" class="btn-primary btn-md btn-rausch" style="font-family:'Cereal', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin:0;text-align:left;line-height:1.3;color:#2199e8;text-decoration:none;background-color:#ff5a5f;-webkit-border-radius:4px;border-radius:4px;display:inline-block;padding:12px 24px 12px 24px;"> <p class="text-center" style='font-weight:normal;padding:0;margin:0;text-align:center;font-family:"Cereal", "Helvetica", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;color:white;font-size:18px;line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0px !important;'> Accept invitation </p> </a> </th> </tr> </table> </div> <div style="padding-bottom:8px"> <table class="row" style="border-spacing:0;border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:top;text-align:left;padding:0;width:100%;position:relative;display:table"> <tr class="" style="padding:0;vertical-align:top;text-align:left"> <th class="columns first large-12 last small-12" style="color:#0a0a0a;font-family:'Cereal', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-weight:normal;padding:0;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:19px;margin:0 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!important;margin-left:0 !important;padding-top:0 !important;padding-bottom:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important;padding-left:0 !important;"/> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-35024459794176974732011-07-03T16:37:00.001+02:002011-07-03T16:37:37.976+02:00Ahmed Mohamed - Moyale. EthiopiaI almost fell over backwards when this lad came up to me and started chatting in Afrikaans in a real Cape Coloured accent. His name is Ahmed and he comes from Bo-Kaap. His father is Ethiopian and he left RSA ten years ago. He wants to visit Sudan and the most beautiful thing for would be a swimming pool. I could fully understand his reasoning having just left the desert. A car accident was the funniest thing he has seen. (I hope no-one was hurt). He lives in a ash brick house. He wants his son to be a pilot. The sport he enjoys is swimming, but wishes he was back in Cape Town to swim and support Ajax.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3AnxhkBeOs/ThB8gCznFDI/AAAAAAAAAX0/JAdLDyUFv_w/s1600/ahmed%2Bmohamed%2Bmoyale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="228" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3AnxhkBeOs/ThB8gCznFDI/AAAAAAAAAX0/JAdLDyUFv_w/s320/ahmed%2Bmohamed%2Bmoyale.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Ethiopian food is very different and very tasty:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IOdEM-0kK7g/ThB9xkthpSI/AAAAAAAAAX8/fiTdMkn63gg/s1600/goat%2Bmeat%2Btibit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IOdEM-0kK7g/ThB9xkthpSI/AAAAAAAAAX8/fiTdMkn63gg/s320/goat%2Bmeat%2Btibit.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gp9pwaFj1-g/ThB9yDNZGKI/AAAAAAAAAYE/jlDkeu-zh74/s1600/injera.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gp9pwaFj1-g/ThB9yDNZGKI/AAAAAAAAAYE/jlDkeu-zh74/s320/injera.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Our motel for the night in Yabello:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByjmbPrbfB8/ThB975juzfI/AAAAAAAAAYM/CWQoDOR4kLk/s1600/yabello%2Bmotel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByjmbPrbfB8/ThB975juzfI/AAAAAAAAAYM/CWQoDOR4kLk/s320/yabello%2Bmotel.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
No safety regulations here. Road sweeper?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fRobhu9K8zc/ThB-HqrAaCI/AAAAAAAAAYU/UwbM_E_5cg4/s1600/road%2Bsweeper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="172" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fRobhu9K8zc/ThB-HqrAaCI/AAAAAAAAAYU/UwbM_E_5cg4/s320/road%2Bsweeper.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Ethiopia as green as Ireland:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_qQi3vdJWw/ThB-Tf8hFJI/AAAAAAAAAYc/q4-BkDYZauI/s1600/green%2Bethiopia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_qQi3vdJWw/ThB-Tf8hFJI/AAAAAAAAAYc/q4-BkDYZauI/s320/green%2Bethiopia.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Avo and Mango juice combo - very tasty!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01SkeW0hDuM/ThB-f2GXuQI/AAAAAAAAAYk/ucyazi7K03A/s1600/avo%2Band%2Bmango%2Bjuice%2Bcombo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="242" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01SkeW0hDuM/ThB-f2GXuQI/AAAAAAAAAYk/ucyazi7K03A/s320/avo%2Band%2Bmango%2Bjuice%2Bcombo.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-51946881882875865492011-07-03T16:24:00.000+02:002011-07-03T16:24:00.718+02:00Ambrose Amoyi - Torbi. Chalbi Desert. Kenya<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SS0gOUT1mvc/ThB05SlkUJI/AAAAAAAAAU8/NQXfFhL2m-I/s1600/ambrose%2Bamiyo%2B%2Btorbi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SS0gOUT1mvc/ThB05SlkUJI/AAAAAAAAAU8/NQXfFhL2m-I/s320/ambrose%2Bamiyo%2B%2Btorbi.JPG" /></a></div>Ambrose was the barman at the Small World Bar in a little hamlet called Torbi in the middle of the Chalbi Desert. He lives in a stone house and the most beautiful thing he has seen is rain. He wants to be a doctor one day and wants his son to be a professional soccer player. He supports Man United. Ambrose would like to meet Ronaldo.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkLxhrla4mc/ThB26Px2crI/AAAAAAAAAVE/oyyZfJYgyeY/s1600/beaut%2Btar%2Broad%2Bno%2Bprob.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="204" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkLxhrla4mc/ThB26Px2crI/AAAAAAAAAVE/oyyZfJYgyeY/s320/beaut%2Btar%2Broad%2Bno%2Bprob.JPG" /></a></div>Start of great road into the desert. But when the tar ended the fun on the dirt started:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8DFZaG1KFJc/ThB3SxCQjtI/AAAAAAAAAVM/iDntcfwo0YU/s1600/start%2Bof%2Bdeser%2Band%2Bcorrugations.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8DFZaG1KFJc/ThB3SxCQjtI/AAAAAAAAAVM/iDntcfwo0YU/s320/start%2Bof%2Bdeser%2Band%2Bcorrugations.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-etGxPoAXlRU/ThB3TGdEnqI/AAAAAAAAAVU/oVGStZPrV3w/s1600/sand%2Broads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-etGxPoAXlRU/ThB3TGdEnqI/AAAAAAAAAVU/oVGStZPrV3w/s320/sand%2Broads.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ETG_Nwit7zQ/ThB3TgJSryI/AAAAAAAAAVc/w8at7SYZ-SA/s1600/corrugations%2Blimit%2Bspeed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="165" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ETG_Nwit7zQ/ThB3TgJSryI/AAAAAAAAAVc/w8at7SYZ-SA/s320/corrugations%2Blimit%2Bspeed.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcTUiAJGyS0/ThB3TqSiphI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Ok9rU_hhZKA/s1600/fine%2Bdust%2Blike%2Btalcum%2Bpowder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="225" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcTUiAJGyS0/ThB3TqSiphI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Ok9rU_hhZKA/s320/fine%2Bdust%2Blike%2Btalcum%2Bpowder.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RZ6aVvJJQ0/ThB3UBC2xnI/AAAAAAAAAVs/khv-fuzGiIc/s1600/locals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="205" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RZ6aVvJJQ0/ThB3UBC2xnI/AAAAAAAAAVs/khv-fuzGiIc/s320/locals.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Reached Marsibit and found a campsite run by a Swiss fellow called Henry:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KaL6DAjXMWU/ThB38ehIvjI/AAAAAAAAAV0/tseQvvbvqUc/s1600/camp%2Bhenry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KaL6DAjXMWU/ThB38ehIvjI/AAAAAAAAAV0/tseQvvbvqUc/s320/camp%2Bhenry.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Outside of the house that Henry built:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kl2kkbwqyok/ThB38dNw1yI/AAAAAAAAAV8/DTWtD1oN78k/s1600/henry%2527s%2Bhouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="235" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kl2kkbwqyok/ThB38dNw1yI/AAAAAAAAAV8/DTWtD1oN78k/s320/henry%2527s%2Bhouse.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Inside Henry's house:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nr8KCRl5DcI/ThB38joH5yI/AAAAAAAAAWE/X0WQkUWCPsQ/s1600/inside%2Bhenry%2527s%2Bhouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nr8KCRl5DcI/ThB38joH5yI/AAAAAAAAAWE/X0WQkUWCPsQ/s320/inside%2Bhenry%2527s%2Bhouse.JPG" /></a></div><br />
After Marsibit the road really became challenging. Took 9 hours to do 250 km!!<br />
<br />
Here is one of the volcanic craters responsible for the lava plateau that resulted in this shocking road:<br />
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Apart from the hostile road and climate, this camel herder in the middle of no-where was very aggressive. I think he wanted more money to have his photo taken.<br />
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Shade - very scarce here.<br />
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In the middle of the desert a small hamlet with a pub! Did I need that!!<br />
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Red soil and green shubbery as one leaves the desert behind.<br />
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Reached camp on the border town of Moyale. Camped at the Kenyan Wildlife Society. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-y4bgul03U/ThB7HdSZguI/AAAAAAAAAXs/xeovLajTKFg/s1600/campsite%2Bmoyale%2Bkenyan%2Bwildlife.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-y4bgul03U/ThB7HdSZguI/AAAAAAAAAXs/xeovLajTKFg/s320/campsite%2Bmoyale%2Bkenyan%2Bwildlife.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-51546281432491326552011-06-22T15:34:00.001+02:002011-06-22T15:34:54.705+02:00Margaret Kalama - Watamu Kenya<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ln3CkbpNkwY/TgHhUv3rUcI/AAAAAAAAAUE/J5s4H8yRjYc/s1600/margeret.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ln3CkbpNkwY/TgHhUv3rUcI/AAAAAAAAAUE/J5s4H8yRjYc/s320/margeret.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Margaret works as a housekeeper at Club 15. She lives in a wooden and clay house. Wealth is measured by good education. She would like to visit South Africa. She thinks animals are beautiful. She is an Arsenal soccer supporter. Her staple food is Ugali and fish. She would like her daughter to be a nurse.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcxBCi67rOk/TgHjNrjr93I/AAAAAAAAAUM/PICXTt71ydg/s1600/andrerulers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcxBCi67rOk/TgHjNrjr93I/AAAAAAAAAUM/PICXTt71ydg/s320/andrerulers.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Andre handing out rulers in Kenya.<br />
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Duncan Terer is a game ranger at the Tsavo National Park. Famous for its man eating lions that ate railway workers building the railway line between Mombassa and Nairobi. He would like to meet humans. He lives in a stone house. He would like his son to become a teacher. He would like to visit Brazil. He is a soccer fan and supports Brazil socer team.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lAfYLgOR9oI/TgHk_-61pgI/AAAAAAAAAUc/WhYMSrf_x0o/s1600/andreelephant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="205" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lAfYLgOR9oI/TgHk_-61pgI/AAAAAAAAAUc/WhYMSrf_x0o/s320/andreelephant.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Andre and the elephants.<br />
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Excited elephants.<br />
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Telephone mechanic.<br />
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Hydration spoons being handed to Father Agrey at the Catholic mission on the eastern slopes of Kilimanjero.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-56825727067954426672011-06-22T14:31:00.000+02:002011-06-22T14:31:14.448+02:00Hussan Kapenga - Dar es Salaam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FE0ALZ6rVMM/TgHd41yCmlI/AAAAAAAAASU/gSrko3ayOC0/s1600/hussankapenga.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FE0ALZ6rVMM/TgHd41yCmlI/AAAAAAAAASU/gSrko3ayOC0/s320/hussankapenga.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Hussan is a Scout leader and as I was about to interview him, he was dragged away to attend to an issue in his troop. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i_s1R5240s/TgHeLbdMt7I/AAAAAAAAASc/Xe_VWu2-lgk/s1600/rastacafe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i_s1R5240s/TgHeLbdMt7I/AAAAAAAAASc/Xe_VWu2-lgk/s320/rastacafe.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Rasta Cafe just before Tanzania border.<br />
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This tout at the border post digging for diamonds.<br />
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Valley with thousands of boababs.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqwUrtatJjA/TgHet0GsihI/AAAAAAAAAS0/OZA3tHT23MY/s1600/elephant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqwUrtatJjA/TgHet0GsihI/AAAAAAAAAS0/OZA3tHT23MY/s320/elephant.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Elephant on the side of the busy Tanzam highway.<br />
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Baboons on the highway.<br />
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Landscape changes dramatically from region to region.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcMJNtT2_jI/TgHfQXO94JI/AAAAAAAAATM/Bl17l2h-zPs/s1600/trafficdar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcMJNtT2_jI/TgHfQXO94JI/AAAAAAAAATM/Bl17l2h-zPs/s320/trafficdar.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Traffic in Dar. <br />
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Sunrise at Silver Sands resort in Dar.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnDimJwRA2c/TgHfh-0CvzI/AAAAAAAAATc/qAdkq_01O2I/s1600/fishingdar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="206" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnDimJwRA2c/TgHfh-0CvzI/AAAAAAAAATc/qAdkq_01O2I/s320/fishingdar.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Fishing boats off coast at Dar.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3F0JuuZH1Fk/TgHftJxbhiI/AAAAAAAAATk/0IOxNL2pXvU/s1600/fishsalesman.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="279" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3F0JuuZH1Fk/TgHftJxbhiI/AAAAAAAAATk/0IOxNL2pXvU/s320/fishsalesman.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Man selling fishtank complete with fish in Dar traffic.<br />
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Near the sisal plantations in the north.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjL7KzhJzuE/TgHgAxEHHcI/AAAAAAAAAT0/FCizTsEnDqY/s1600/tanga.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjL7KzhJzuE/TgHgAxEHHcI/AAAAAAAAAT0/FCizTsEnDqY/s320/tanga.JPG" /></a></div><br />
View from our room in Tanga near Kenyan border.<br />
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Club 15 at Watamu in Kenya.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-76578282457293648912011-06-22T14:10:00.002+02:002011-06-22T14:16:29.653+02:00Richard Slater and Lauren Davies - Makuzi Bay Malawi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYImObKWM6w/TgHZA8eyZnI/AAAAAAAAARE/ZhYIqr7woQA/s1600/richardslaterlaurendavies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYImObKWM6w/TgHZA8eyZnI/AAAAAAAAARE/ZhYIqr7woQA/s320/richardslaterlaurendavies.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Richard and Lauren live in a brick house with a tin roof. Wealth in their Malawian community is measured by your standing with the chief of the area. Education is also a factor with locals approaching literate people to ask for help with documents. Richard would like to meet George Mallory the famous mountaineer. He follows rugby with the Stormers being his team. He would like his children to do anything that they are passionate about. He would like to leave behind something sustainable and that would further mankind and the environment.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UZar0pwVzQ/TgHahXFngsI/AAAAAAAAARM/Td0OfRHsEC4/s1600/canoemakusi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UZar0pwVzQ/TgHahXFngsI/AAAAAAAAARM/Td0OfRHsEC4/s320/canoemakusi.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This is Makusi Bay. Fantastic place to relax. I would recommend this spot for a breakaway holiday. The pics tell the story.<br />
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Michael with a Bos rooibos tea on Makuzi Beach.<br />
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View of Lake Malawi from the highlands before entering Tanzania.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-43041393357010852992011-06-22T13:57:00.001+02:002011-06-22T13:57:26.752+02:00Michael Lajabu Kanjira - Senga Bay Malawi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1PhDuiK4gaQ/TgHUSjbULTI/AAAAAAAAAP0/ccMVaMkz3cI/s1600/michaelbirdisle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1PhDuiK4gaQ/TgHUSjbULTI/AAAAAAAAAP0/ccMVaMkz3cI/s320/michaelbirdisle.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Michael took us out to the island for a fish braai and a snorkel dive to observe the chiclid freshwater fish endemic to the lake. Michael hopes to become a travel agent taking touring groups around Malawi. He lives in a mud brick house which needs constant renovation after the rainy season. His idea of fun is to braai with friends. Wealth is measured by the size of your house. He wants to visit England. The most beautiful thing he has seen is a rhino. He is a soccer fan and supports Man United. His staple food is a meal made from maize called nsima, as well as fish from the lake. He has 2 girls and a boy that are his late sisters children that he is bringing up and hopes the girls become nurses and the boy an IT specialist.<br />
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Bridge over a river feeding Lake Malawi<br />
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Pictures from a fish market on the side of the Lake<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRXKr2gbccM/TgHX9R01g8I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/XyZb6vcP-iI/s1600/takeawaychips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRXKr2gbccM/TgHX9R01g8I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/XyZb6vcP-iI/s320/takeawaychips.JPG" /></a></div>Fried chips Malawi style - oil heated by charcoal!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-7159725204322104752011-06-11T20:49:00.001+02:002011-06-11T20:49:27.966+02:00Bright Chipeka - Mulanje<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QS8dgyE7wuk/TfO0Rd8Ip4I/AAAAAAAAAN0/trIhYXtn0sk/s1600/bright%2Bchipeka.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QS8dgyE7wuk/TfO0Rd8Ip4I/AAAAAAAAAN0/trIhYXtn0sk/s320/bright%2Bchipeka.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Bright Chipeka is a security supervisor at the Kara O'Mula Lodge in Mulanje. He would like to meet Nelson Mandela and would like to visit England. The most beautiful thing for him is Malawi. He would like his children to be doctors. He supports Man united. He was gob-smacked when I asked him about his children. He said that in all his time working at the lodge no guest had ever enquired about his children. I told him I would try to help him by finding a benefactor through the Internet. He hopes that someone will be able to assist him with the education of his children. If you are able to assist Bright contact him at karaomula@malawi.net<br />
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The road to Limbe:<br />
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Images from Senga Bay. We are staying at Steps camping ground:<br />
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Snorkeled at Bird Island about 1000m off shore:<br />
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Fish braai on the island. Lake Tiger:<br />
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Heading back to mainland at dusk:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXaB0D4-yyc/TfO4bUz6FFI/AAAAAAAAAPs/hEZSxylOP3I/s1600/duskheadbacktoland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXaB0D4-yyc/TfO4bUz6FFI/AAAAAAAAAPs/hEZSxylOP3I/s320/duskheadbacktoland.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-4206070486967192342011-06-11T20:27:00.000+02:002011-06-11T20:27:44.482+02:00Non comprehendo English - ZalalaThis chap could not speak a word of English and my Portuguese is limited to : " Three beers, thank you."<br />
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Starting to get seriously hot the further north we get:<br />
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We had prawns and calamari at this restaurant in Quelimane: Tasty but took ages to prepare:<br />
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The road between Quelimane and Zalala:<br />
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Lunch menu:<br />
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Best charcoal in the world, makes serious coals:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k13d9MDIU_M/TfOzTiSgyvI/AAAAAAAAANs/T6HZMlckdlc/s1600/charcoal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="185" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k13d9MDIU_M/TfOzTiSgyvI/AAAAAAAAANs/T6HZMlckdlc/s320/charcoal.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Dirt road to Malawi, cutting inland and leaving the coast:<br />
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Last town in Moz before crossing to Malawi:<br />
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In Malawi:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nF7lpLEP6aE/TfOyqRLQaCI/AAAAAAAAANM/0yQcCtSlsVE/s1600/teatractormalawi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="203" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nF7lpLEP6aE/TfOyqRLQaCI/AAAAAAAAANM/0yQcCtSlsVE/s320/teatractormalawi.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMO0-TWz1a4/TfOyqbFVu9I/AAAAAAAAANU/wm_5gxPvc-U/s1600/bicyclemulangemalalwi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="235" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMO0-TWz1a4/TfOyqbFVu9I/AAAAAAAAANU/wm_5gxPvc-U/s320/bicyclemulangemalalwi.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-68121961814312991752011-06-11T20:03:00.001+02:002011-06-11T20:07:14.840+02:00Fernando Isaiah - -Inhassoro<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JhPUaKfcRUY/TfOq469hNOI/AAAAAAAAAK8/qLvKofZP2dQ/s1600/teapotinhassoroa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JhPUaKfcRUY/TfOq469hNOI/AAAAAAAAAK8/qLvKofZP2dQ/s320/teapotinhassoroa.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Fernando taught himself English by working for holiday makers. He wants his children to be teachers and nurses. His house is made from reeds. He would like to meet Nelson Mandela. He would like to visit South Africa. With his English being limited, it was difficult to ask more questions.<br />
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Michael with supper - more fish and cray.<br />
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Our wine sponsors in Inhassoro:<br />
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We had more Bos on the beach in Inhassoro:<br />
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Near Gorongosa with Paul, Mark and Denys:<br />
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Bridge over Shire River:<br />
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Bridge over Zambesi River<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4UrW6qfuZ88/TfOuo88vCYI/AAAAAAAAAL0/gu25pGW-C9I/s1600/zambesibridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="151" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4UrW6qfuZ88/TfOuo88vCYI/AAAAAAAAAL0/gu25pGW-C9I/s320/zambesibridge.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-30021105439006809592011-06-11T19:47:00.000+02:002011-06-11T19:47:57.856+02:00Elmerio Divani - Xai Xai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x318tphRyKg/TfOmpN9lLjI/AAAAAAAAAKE/p_Y-0r4Dzk0/s1600/securityhoneypot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x318tphRyKg/TfOmpN9lLjI/AAAAAAAAAKE/p_Y-0r4Dzk0/s320/securityhoneypot.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Elmerio is a security guard at the Honey Pot. The most beautiful thing for him is the good life he has. He would like to visit South Africa. He would like to meet a Mr Zaayman from Randfontein. His house is made from reeds. The funniest thing he has seen is kung fu movies. He wants his children to be teachers and nurses. He also thought I was loco acbout the AIDS shower question. (I am going to scrap this question and ask about what team they support)<br />
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My order is a bit out of sync. Xai Xai was before Morengosa.<br />
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Roger believing Doug, but Rudi not.<br />
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Supper with Bos - rooibos tea!<br />
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Lunch on the road in a small Mozambique town:<br />
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Small village in Moz:<br />
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Lots of Chinese driving these logging trucks - we build the road, but for China to take your natural resources. The new style of colonisation. This truck came a cropper:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Gd39yjx-zs/TfOqL_Qc4YI/AAAAAAAAAK0/criO9ao48q0/s1600/logtruckprang.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="183" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Gd39yjx-zs/TfOqL_Qc4YI/AAAAAAAAAK0/criO9ao48q0/s320/logtruckprang.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-64771701955236687222011-06-11T19:29:00.000+02:002011-06-11T19:29:36.714+02:00Joseph Ramaseli - Ladybrand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9tDV0NgG8pI/TfOhcAAl3TI/AAAAAAAAAI8/NyJBNRJVQrQ/s1600/shell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="314" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9tDV0NgG8pI/TfOhcAAl3TI/AAAAAAAAAI8/NyJBNRJVQrQ/s320/shell.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Joseph is a Sotho fromLadybrand and I chatted to him on an icy morning (-4degrees Celcius)while filling up in Ladybrand. He wants to meet Ronaldinho. A black Porshe is the most beautiful thing he has seen. He wishes to achieve by helping his community fight drugs and crime. He wants his child to be a nurse. He lives in a brick house and thought I was crazy when I asked him about his president showering to prevent AIDS. The funniest thing he has seen is a chicken eating popcorn out of a bag and the bag being stuck on its head.<br />
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In Mozambique. Doug near Zavala:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQyOywcEU3U/TfOkQhiPPKI/AAAAAAAAAJE/_4hf0u6Ezu8/s1600/dougboszavala.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="228" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQyOywcEU3U/TfOkQhiPPKI/AAAAAAAAAJE/_4hf0u6Ezu8/s320/dougboszavala.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSt7OReslMs/TfOkuBCWG_I/AAAAAAAAAJM/R-QEfi46uvM/s1600/ktmzavalalagoon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSt7OReslMs/TfOkuBCWG_I/AAAAAAAAAJM/R-QEfi46uvM/s320/ktmzavalalagoon.JPG" /></a></div>Beach at Morengosa:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RShxBSvR6jI/TfOlU0AZEbI/AAAAAAAAAJU/4d6vhtk_Tco/s1600/beachmorengosa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RShxBSvR6jI/TfOlU0AZEbI/AAAAAAAAAJU/4d6vhtk_Tco/s320/beachmorengosa.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Supper at Morengosa:<br />
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Paul Brings and Willy Gaus:<br />
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javascript:void(0)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-62297196689898619382011-06-09T22:58:00.000+02:002011-06-09T22:58:29.808+02:00internet at lastSorry about the delay, but comms in Mozambique is very sporadic. In Malawi now and will be having a rest day on the lake where I will post plenty of pics and stories so far. <br />
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Mozambique has spectacular coastline but is still very far behind in terms of development, although a lot has been done in terms of roads and banks. I am sure the rest will now follow. Watch Mozambique - it has potential. Here is a pic from Moz.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qWGdgOckYV0/TfEzF7DkwPI/AAAAAAAAAIs/4Hul8wwLm7w/s1600/zalalapalms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="244" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qWGdgOckYV0/TfEzF7DkwPI/AAAAAAAAAIs/4Hul8wwLm7w/s320/zalalapalms.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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In Malawi at the moment, staying at Kara O'Mala Lodge on slopes of Mt Mulange. Very beautiful scenery amongst the tea estates.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ftZgkvah-g/TfEzsxs0mqI/AAAAAAAAAI0/uE6QjBSzYtQ/s1600/bicyclemulangemalalwi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="235" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ftZgkvah-g/TfEzsxs0mqI/AAAAAAAAAI0/uE6QjBSzYtQ/s320/bicyclemulangemalalwi.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-81900281826438941982011-06-03T21:10:00.000+02:002011-06-03T21:10:24.806+02:00Quick updateIn Badplaas after spending the entire day on the road. Left Ladybrand at 6am and arrived in Badplaas at 6pm. We must have gone through at least 30 stop go's, increasing the time on the bike by 3 hours.<br />
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Met up with the East London crew in the 4x4's. Ladybranders in Swaziland tonight and meet them in Mozambique tomorrow. <br />
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Have two interviews and photos to post when we arrive earlier at our destination. First three days were always going to be long days in the saddle to get further north.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-23191609912488364912011-05-31T18:28:00.000+02:002011-05-31T18:28:58.584+02:00Paul Saffy - East London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jq6kpkws5h4/TeToAWetGGI/AAAAAAAAAH8/5V2W0UAovmc/s1600/c+and+p.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jq6kpkws5h4/TeToAWetGGI/AAAAAAAAAH8/5V2W0UAovmc/s320/c+and+p.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Paul Saffy and myself at the Black Bull.<br />
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Paul Saffy was chosen as the first person to be interviewed for a very good reason. This story will have a beginning, here in the south of Africa. It will also have an end north of Arica, in Europe. I needed to interview a person from the north of Africa who now lives in the south.<br />
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Paul's ancestors are from Lebanon, not exactly Africa (I don't know any Egyptians in East London), but close enough. Paul's great grandfather left Lebanon to emigrate to Australia but due to problems on board the ship they were dropped off in South Africa. Kalil Zaghi was his name and Zaghi became Saffy. Paul played rugby for Holland, through his mother's links with Holland. (Jarred Saffy who plays for Melbourne Rebels is Paul's cousin).<br />
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With Paul's heritage and his links to the Middle East and Africa, he became the first African to sip rooibos from the famous teapot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qEhbiJqRzG4/TeToEkpZlLI/AAAAAAAAAIA/sQlpbAGWVuk/s1600/p.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qEhbiJqRzG4/TeToEkpZlLI/AAAAAAAAAIA/sQlpbAGWVuk/s320/p.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
1. Person you would like to meet: Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong.<br />
2. Your house is built of: Clay brick tile.<br />
3. Funniest thing ever: Being called a "fat little Mexican" by an irate parent when on a school water polo tour.<br />
4. Achieve in your lifetime: Grow old and see my children reach 50 happily.<br />
5. Wealth in your community is measured by: a house on the river.<br />
6. You want to go to: Crete <br />
7. Most beautiful thing you have seen: Joel Stransky kicking the drop goal to win the World Cup in '95.<br />
8. Does your president shower to prevent AIDS: Apparently.<br />
9. Your main food: Red meat.<br />
10. What do you want your children to be: To reach 50 happily.<br />
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Tomorrow we leave East London on the first leg of the journey. Destination: LadybrandUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-37107177492208755882011-05-29T14:30:00.002+02:002011-05-30T10:55:22.773+02:00Tea with Africa logoCraig Cockcroft from Jack Russell Design came up with this superb logo:<br />
Click on it to enlarge!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLEzSNrIuv8/TeI8HS_SBYI/AAAAAAAAAHo/ugXAU-D9RMI/s1600/Tea+with+Africa+logo%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLEzSNrIuv8/TeI8HS_SBYI/AAAAAAAAAHo/ugXAU-D9RMI/s320/Tea+with+Africa+logo%255B1%255D.jpg" t8="true" width="166" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-45122775869909854362011-05-25T18:49:00.000+02:002011-05-25T18:49:40.621+02:00top 14 places I intend to visitHere are some photographs of the special places in each country I intend to visit.<br />
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First Mozanbique. This is Zalala. The highest palm trees in the world.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MXeeIEloSkM/Td0m3F6f2HI/AAAAAAAAAF8/XHP665YznlU/s1600/zalala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MXeeIEloSkM/Td0m3F6f2HI/AAAAAAAAAF8/XHP665YznlU/s320/zalala.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then Malawi. This is the tea estate south of Mt Mulanje. One of the finest teas in the world.<br />
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Into Tanzania. The highest free standing mountain in the world, Mt Kilimanjaro. You pass through all nine of the world's biomes if you walk up this mountain. From equatorial to polar. Glaciers are found on the top and it stands just short of the equator.<br />
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</div>Kenya and to the coast. Watamu - where one can catch marlin, sailfish and other gamefish. I will be there during the monsoon season so no fishing. But still, beautiful beaches.<br />
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Into Ethiopia and the churches in the rock:<br />
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Sudan and the Nubian Desert:<br />
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Egypt and Giza:<br />
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Across the Med Sea into Italy. The passes of the Alps. Stelvios Pass:<br />
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The Dolomites:<br />
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Into Austria to ride the Grossglockner:<br />
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Slovenia and an interesting castle. Predjama Castle:<br />
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I hope to get into Croatia to see:<br />
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Hungary has Lake Balaton:<br />
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Czech Republic and Prague:<br />
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Finally Germany:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6fpGxm8r0Y/Td0yXkuLZ3I/AAAAAAAAAG0/MRqWZo4gY44/s1600/741-places_germany_neuschwanstein_wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6fpGxm8r0Y/Td0yXkuLZ3I/AAAAAAAAAG0/MRqWZo4gY44/s320/741-places_germany_neuschwanstein_wallpaper.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-997488687211756362011-05-24T17:43:00.000+02:002011-05-24T17:43:29.373+02:00Warning on Lion activity in MozambiqueThis letter was distributed recently:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2za18l_nKE/TdvSFZCgeFI/AAAAAAAAAF4/BiTW71jSYLA/s1600/lion+warning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2za18l_nKE/TdvSFZCgeFI/AAAAAAAAAF4/BiTW71jSYLA/s320/lion+warning.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-26177547729964679992011-05-18T11:26:00.001+02:002011-05-18T15:19:36.642+02:00Ten items long-distance motorcyclists will find useful:<strong>1. Powered drink mix. </strong>Game or Gatorade is the business. Game is from South Africa, while Gatorade is from USA - essentialy the same. Tastes identical. They help restore fluids, electrolytes and energy; everything that one loses while sweating. Interesting fact about Gatorade: Its name was derived from the University of Florida's sports teams, the Gators; where the product was being researched.<br />
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2<strong>. Plastic bowl and spoon. </strong>A spoon is more versatile than a fork, and a plastic bowl will come in handy for more than just eating. If you plan to eat a lot of street food in Africa — to keep costs down and because it’s more interesting — these will be the most-used items in your pack. It’s essential to carry a super lightweight bowl.<br />
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<strong>3. Batteries. </strong>They’re heavy, yes, but you’ll be glad you have them when your headlamp runs out of steam in the middle of a dark, night-time bush taxi ride. Quality batteries can be hard to find in some countries — and expensive — so it’s worth stashing a few from home in your pack.<br />
If you don’t want to carry the weight, pay big bucks for batteries in packages that haven’t been opened. If you buy the cheap kind that’s sold on the street, they’ll likely only work for a few minutes, if they work at all. <br />
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<strong>4. Antibiotic ointment. </strong>Cuts tend to get infected easily when you’re away from home and surrounded by foreign germs, and the chances of infection increase dramatically in dusty villages that lack running water. Save yourself a trip to the local hospital by caring properly for even small wounds. Ointments like Bactroban come in handy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1v9Kp3Q23xs/TdN2k7frYJI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/8IG4qThdhZk/s1600/buy_bactroban.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1v9Kp3Q23xs/TdN2k7frYJI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/8IG4qThdhZk/s1600/buy_bactroban.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<strong>5. Pillow Case. </strong>Not a pillow. Just a pillow case. A pillow can take up a lot of room in your pack, room that you need for other, more important things. Not only can a pillow case act as a sack to contain items, preventing them from shifting, but if you stuff it full of your clothes, it also doubles as a great place to rest your head, for when your arm won’t do, and you just don’t trust the weird stains on the linen that the hostel is offering you. <br />
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<strong>6. Head sweatband. </strong>I use it under my helmet when I'm riding. It serves four purposes. When it's hot it stops sweat running down your face (duh). When its cold it forms a seal with your helmet, keeping your pip warm. Covers the ears eliminating noise from the road and wind leaking into the helmet. And it pins your ears against your head, which prevents them getting crumpled when you put your helmet on.<br />
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<strong>7. Flip-flops. </strong>The cheap, flimsy kind. You’ll pat yourself on the back for carrying them every time you shower in a not-so-nice dorm bathroom or bucket-bathe in a cement room with just a drain on the floor. Flip-flops may be slightly awkward to pack, but they’re super light, which makes up for it.<br />
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<strong>8. Headlamp.</strong> I pack a headlamp even when I’m headed for a developed country with electricity and ceiling lights and street lamps. You simply never know when you might want it on the bus or even to find something in your pack when everyone in your hostel dorm room is asleep.<br />
And when it comes to backpacking through undeveloped countries, a headlamp is a Must-Have. During my trip to Lesotho, I used my headlamp more than any other item in my pack: more than my toothbrush, even. I used it to brave outdoor, hole-in-the-ground toilets and to wade through water to board makeshift ferries in the dark and to cross unfamiliar villages after the sun went down. Don’t leave home without it.<br />
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<strong>9. Catapult.</strong> It might seem strange to pack a catapult , but this will come in handy when baboons are advancing looking to help themselves to some food. Ask the people of Fish Hoek near Cape Town. Also helps when you are being stoned by the people who stone motorcyclists, like the stoners from Sterkspruit, Mount Fletcher and Lesotho (where I have been stoned on previous trips). I believe it is a trend in Ethiopia as well. Be prepared.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HFwCgB_SeJI/TdOPMmjwmII/AAAAAAAAAFk/SF3HQakdm2Q/s1600/barnett_black_widow_catapult.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HFwCgB_SeJI/TdOPMmjwmII/AAAAAAAAAFk/SF3HQakdm2Q/s320/barnett_black_widow_catapult.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AbogmLVUP70/TdOPodV8kNI/AAAAAAAAAFo/c_CfN_0thg4/s1600/marbles.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AbogmLVUP70/TdOPodV8kNI/AAAAAAAAAFo/c_CfN_0thg4/s1600/marbles.bmp" /></a></div><br />
<strong>10. Ziploc bags.</strong> These have many uses and are waterproof and dustproof.<strong> </strong>A good bag can last months, but when it tears, you won’t easily find a replacement in some rural areas. These are so light and can be easily crammed into a corner of your pack; there’s no excuse not to bring a few extras.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IaErbodfVRc/TdOP_y8sJcI/AAAAAAAAAFs/MGl5WwgNgjU/s1600/ziploc-sandwich-bags-box-of-50-1821-p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IaErbodfVRc/TdOP_y8sJcI/AAAAAAAAAFs/MGl5WwgNgjU/s320/ziploc-sandwich-bags-box-of-50-1821-p.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-44030026861586098072011-05-14T18:56:00.000+02:002011-05-16T19:14:47.016+02:00Five best motorcycles for a trip through Africa<strong>5. Kawasaki 650 KLR</strong><br />
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Was number three on my list until Norman Emslie had his KLR snap into two under him while travelling through Tanzania.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVZl6uouFZc/Tc6THzJDBBI/AAAAAAAAAEM/4paxWbynKUc/s1600/kawa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVZl6uouFZc/Tc6THzJDBBI/AAAAAAAAAEM/4paxWbynKUc/s320/kawa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Pros:<br />
Reliable<br />
Spares available<br />
Good fuel consumption<br />
Good gearing<br />
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Cons:<br />
Underpowered<br />
Seat uncomfortable<br />
Average suspension<br />
No middle stand<br />
Not tough enough for big South African farmers<br />
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<strong>4.</strong> <strong>Yamaha Tenere XTZ660</strong><br />
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Pros: <br />
Solid and dependable motor<br />
Very good fuel economy<br />
Great suspension for the dirt<br />
Real off road capability<br />
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Cons:<br />
Lacks top end power and torque<br />
Single cylinder vibration at speed<br />
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<strong>3. Honda XRV 750 Africa Twin</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTQctcNTFCo/Tc6oJE1hEeI/AAAAAAAAAEU/CQSY39PeVOM/s1600/Honda-XRV_750_Africa_Twin-2000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTQctcNTFCo/Tc6oJE1hEeI/AAAAAAAAAEU/CQSY39PeVOM/s320/Honda-XRV_750_Africa_Twin-2000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Pros:<br />
Very reliable<br />
Great fuel economy<br />
Long range<br />
Durable<br />
Good gearing<br />
Easy to service<br />
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Cons:<br />
Low on power<br />
No longer manufactured<br />
Fuel pump prone to failure<br />
Soft front suspension<br />
Sticky choke<br />
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<strong>2. BMW 800 GS</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQaffrgF9T0/Tc6qtfnGDRI/AAAAAAAAAEc/NrJKwR4mtaY/s1600/2011_7_206607_alpinewhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQaffrgF9T0/Tc6qtfnGDRI/AAAAAAAAAEc/NrJKwR4mtaY/s320/2011_7_206607_alpinewhite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Pros:<br />
No vibration<br />
Great suspension<br />
Well geared<br />
Plenty of power<br />
Well balanced<br />
Good mix of on-road and off-road<br />
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Cons:<br />
Seats is uncomfortable <br />
No wind protection from fairing<br />
Twitchy throttle<br />
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<strong>1. KTM 950 ADV</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-nuBzrm62U/Tc6wQrESxVI/AAAAAAAAAEg/WHLhDlORZs4/s1600/KTM%252520950%252520Adventure%252520S%25252003%252520%2525203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-nuBzrm62U/Tc6wQrESxVI/AAAAAAAAAEg/WHLhDlORZs4/s320/KTM%252520950%252520Adventure%252520S%25252003%252520%2525203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Pros:<br />
Good fuel consumption at 100 - 120km/h<br />
Brilliant gearing<br />
Power aplenty<br />
Fantastic off-road capability<br />
Perfect balance<br />
Excellent suspension<br />
Great handling from low petrol tank design<br />
At home on tar and dirt<br />
<br />
Cons:<br />
Very thirsty above 120 km/h<br />
Limited rangeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-62698884197844723622011-05-04T17:22:00.005+02:002011-05-16T19:16:28.918+02:00Ride the Tail of the Dragon - a practice run<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JFyoimLHhU/TcF7R4PV5jI/AAAAAAAAACY/pM_CuaYbKGU/s1600/kei+bikers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JFyoimLHhU/TcF7R4PV5jI/AAAAAAAAACY/pM_CuaYbKGU/s320/kei+bikers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">The period between 16</span></b></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">th</span></b></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"> and 25th December is a fantastic time to get on the bike and ride another route of our beautiful countryside. Why stay in the city during this crazy time? Madness and chaos in the malls. Shopping and crowds. Xmas specials. Tills ringing, outdated Xmas music. Commercial insanity. Time to try and keep it real.</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Seven lads (ok codgers) from East London did exactly that and left East London in mid December for Lesotho. The plan was to ride up Sani Pass, through northern Lesotho to Clarens and back via the western side of Lesotho. But plans don’t always work out as planned. Six made it to the top of Sani and then plans changed. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Doug (KTM 990), Charl (KTM950), Pat (BMW 1100GS), Graeme (BMW 1200GS), Petrus (Kawasaki 650KLR), Kevin (Kawasaki 650KLR) and Alan (Honda Transalp 650) made up the posse. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Newly tarred, wider N2 out of East London was a pleasure to ride. Coming down Kei cuttings was a challenge with a Transkei cowboy in a BMW Z3 trying to keep up and tailgate me. Lost him on the second bend. He was a fool playing games like this. Billboards warn that speed kills. Driving like an idiot and overtaking on blind corners and over solid barrier lines is the primary cause of accidents among these cowboys. Billboards warning about reckless overtaking should be erected to educate the cowboys.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">First stop was Kei Bridge for a cup of coffee. A necessary caffeine boost for concentrating on these Transkei roads, with erratic drivers and strays animals concentration levels must be lifted to 110%. While sipping our coffee, a fellow in a Golf stopped next to us and was gob-smacked by the bikes next to him. He seemed to like the BMW’s and KTM’s. Makukhanye saw the light and asked if he could place his daughter Nombeko on the seat of Doug’s KTM for a photo. Makukhanye chose the KTM for the photo because of the respect he had for the orange machine. Then it was son, then son and daughter and then father Makukhanye. Great photo to show Granny Nonyameko who despite living in rural Tsolo will recognize the endurance of the KTM.</span></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHHTjxXKyVM/TcF7oln9NOI/AAAAAAAAACc/oyeR6o7qHpY/s1600/bike+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHHTjxXKyVM/TcF7oln9NOI/AAAAAAAAACc/oyeR6o7qHpY/s320/bike+photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Butterworth was a seething mix of humanity and vehicles and it was a quick ride to Idutywa. We had to stop and photograph Doug as he proudly posed next to his Umtiza sign. Doug and Alan run the Umtiza farmers co-ops in this area and know these little towns inside out. Turn left at Idutywa and onto the road to Engobo. This was a road in good condition and was a pleasure to ride. Before Engobo we came across a hut that can only be described as eccentric.</span></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sVyt00GNm4/TcMPmSOiLjI/AAAAAAAAAEE/EwxPqINNjbE/s1600/hut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sVyt00GNm4/TcMPmSOiLjI/AAAAAAAAAEE/EwxPqINNjbE/s320/hut.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"> <span style="color: white;">Engobo was our petrol stop. I had a young non law abiding citizen of Engobo walk up to me and offer me the local mountain cabbage, which I politely declined. Ten seconds later, two uniformed policemen walk up to me and ask me where I’m going. I explain I’m off to Lesotho and before they can ask another question I ask them how the crime is here. It is bad they say. I agree seeing I was offered dagga under their noses. </span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Off towards Umtata on a rather narrow tar road with trucks and buses but before Umtata we turn left towards Ugie. In Scotland the name Ugie is pronounced as "Oogie". The name comes from the word "oorie" or "ougie" from the Vikings of Iceland and means to get cold, literally "to shiver of the cold". Early Scottish missionary William Murray named this area Ugie. It can drizzle here for 14 days non-stop. Typical Scottish weather. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Ahead and above of us looms the edge of the escarpment and a newly built mountain pass, the Ugie – Langeni link road. A pass that is biking bliss measuring 17 kilometres. It has been hailed as the country’s most unique road and experts who worked on the Ugie-Langeni project agree that there is nothing that compares to it in South Africa.<br />
<br />
“The terrain is extremely mountainous and at one stage the road drops from a high point on the escarpment from 1500 metres above sea level to just 700 metres over a seven kilometre stretch,” says Simon Mqamelo, a director for HHO Africa Infrastructure Engineers. As a result of the steepness of the descent, concrete has been used in place of tar for the seven kilometre section. Not only is it more durable and longer wearing, but it’s also safer, causing more friction against vehicle tyres. We stopped on the bridge as a truck came down the pass and the smell of burning brake pads said it all. Coming down a gradient of 12% tends to do this! That is a 1:8 gradient!</span></b></span> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nG8DSHj6Zn0/TcGZfmGrmUI/AAAAAAAAACo/1w1kKfqhHX4/s1600/lang.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nG8DSHj6Zn0/TcGZfmGrmUI/AAAAAAAAACo/1w1kKfqhHX4/s320/lang.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
<span style="color: white;">“At one section we’ve built a bridge right over the forest,” said Mqamelo. “It’s some 250 metres long and the tallest pier stands 45 metres high. All the piers were built by hand as regulations stipulated we were not to take machinery into the forests.” Pat, who is an engineer, pointed out that the design and construction team were also faced with the challenge of preserving indigenous forests, some boasting yellow wood trees up to a 1000 years old.</span></span></b></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NH2mSRpUH3k/TcGZzoGAeSI/AAAAAAAAAC0/w6ZiaSxxV-w/s1600/langyeni.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NH2mSRpUH3k/TcGZzoGAeSI/AAAAAAAAAC0/w6ZiaSxxV-w/s320/langyeni.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">An interesting article related to this project comes from the Daily Dispatch of 6 October 1997: A new pulp mill that will produce between 400,000 and 500,000 metric tonnes a year, largely for export, is being planned for the Umtata-Kokstad-Ugie triangle. According to Enoch Gogongwana, provincial MEC for Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism, such project would create 600 direct and 1000 indirect jobs. The total investment would involve some 1.5 billion Rands. </span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The above implies a cost of 937,000 rands per job -direct and indirect- created. By comparison, a non forestry-related community project put together at Mkambati, will provide 138 jobs at a cost of 6000 rands per job, and all enterprises (more than 10) participating in the project will be owned and run by the community, with the result that the money will stay in the community. </span></b></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The government is spending money on these roads of the former Transkei and the following information comes from the State of the Province Address by Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni (13/02/2009): At the core of government's approach to stimulating the economy are the continued efforts to link investment in infrastructure with economic development. It is in this context that we must view provincial government's multi-billion rand programme of upgrading provincial roads during this term. Amongst others, key road infrastructure programmes that have been completed include the Mount Fletcher-Maclear road, at a cost of R411 million; the Idutywa-Engcobo road at a cost of R378 million; the road from the N2 to Kei Mouth at R221 million; the Graaff-Reinet-Jansenville Road at a cost of R26 million; the Ugie-Langeni link road, costing R500 million; the road from King William's Town to Alice, costing R200 million; the road from Sterkspruit to Tele Bridge, at a cost of R132 million; the Cala-Lady Frere road, costing R381 million; and the Mthatha to Qokolweni road, costing R138 million.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">R500 million for this road to shorten the distance from Ugie to Umtata from 200 km to 85 km. There are sections of the N2 that are far busier that should have received priority before this project. There were hardly any cars on this very expensive road! Eish!<span style="color: white;">Methinks the real reason was political. The ANC wanted to get Umtata from the UDM. Spending this huge amount of money with the promise of jobs eventually won them the constituancy of Umtata. But all these jobs?? Where are they?</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">We rolled into Maclear at lunch time in the heat of the afternoon and as the Royal Hotel was no more, we stopped at a take away in the main road where toasted sarmies and cheese burgers were consumed along with ice cold beverages. A Xhosa lady, Cebisa, who was sitting next to me, asked where we headed for. When I told her Lesotho, she found it very amusing that we leaving the families behind. “Oh, you are getting away from it all!” Yes, we were. Mountain air beats shopping mall air hands down was my advice to her.</span></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zp7lZYQkqCs/TcGZMAbaVHI/AAAAAAAAACg/8ScgI3-ZZOM/s1600/maclear+forest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zp7lZYQkqCs/TcGZMAbaVHI/AAAAAAAAACg/8ScgI3-ZZOM/s320/maclear+forest.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yn88hHHDTcI/TcGaI7t_fHI/AAAAAAAAADA/btwiFo_8N24/s1600/doug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yn88hHHDTcI/TcGaI7t_fHI/AAAAAAAAADA/btwiFo_8N24/s320/doug.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Maclear – Mount Fletcher road at R411 million is also a great road to ride, until you get to Mount Fletcher. I was astounded to see new corrugated iron toilets here. Where was the ANCYL? Did they know about this or where they not prepared to stir with the ANC? Maybe these toilets rust in the Cape Town sea air and that is why they protest about these toilets down in the Cape and not up in Mount Fletcher. </span></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_JHaayIw0Ek/TcGdxvyctFI/AAAAAAAAADM/zHhVYzaWw-0/s1600/toilet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_JHaayIw0Ek/TcGdxvyctFI/AAAAAAAAADM/zHhVYzaWw-0/s320/toilet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">My biggest problem with Mount Fletcher is the people that reside here. On my last trip I had stones thrown at me. I kept a wary eye open for any possible stone heading in my direction. A young lad with a catapult tried to use me for target practice. I made a sharp u-turn chased him across a soccer field and into a nearby village shouting obscenities at the top of my voice. Village life came to a stand-still as this noisy mechanical beast with a swearing mad man woke every living soul. With wild gesticulations, showing a clenched fist in this case, I think they realized I was not showing the universal symbol for solidarity or defiance, but that I was the ‘moer in’ with the youngster that had just broken the four minute mile without any training. I left it for the village elders to sort out after they got the message that he was shooting stones at bikers. Imagine if the ‘Hells Angels’ cruised through there in the future. All kinds of hell come to mind.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">On the way back, there was another incident in this entertainment starved armpit of a town. It was raining lightly and a group of about six Xhosa maidens were walking alongside the road under umbrellas, when one of them suddenly bent down and threw something at me as I approached. As I spun into a serious u-turn they all took off screaming in to the nearby mielie field. This extremely dangerous practice of stoning bikers is a pet hate of mine and in future I will be armed with a large caliber catapult to dish out some highway justice. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">A couple of hours later and we were in Matatiele, a town famous for its marshes and wetlands and the resulting wild birds. Matatiele means “the wild ducks have flown”. With a colourful history of smuggling and gun running, Matatiele is an excellent base from which to explore the southern Drakensberg passes of Ongeluksnek, Quacha’s Nek and Ramatseliso’s Gate. Quachas Nek is unique as one finds one of the only spots, if not the only spot, in the whole of Africa, where California's.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Alan’s Honda was not running smoothly so a stop at the local Midas for some bike muti was called for before we headed on the last stretch to Himeville. Dirt road between Matatiele and Swartberg was lapped up by Redwood trees grow. Right next to the main road of the small town. This area is an adventure biker’s paradise – go to Sehlabathebe National Park or follow the Senqu River to Tele Bridge. You will not be disappointed at the spectacular vistas along these roads Doug who seriously suffers from “too much tar” disease. Only curable by riding dirt road. Pat’s pannier came adrift on this road and running repairs were made. By 4pm we were sitting on the front porch of the Himeville Arms enjoying a couple of ice cold glasses of the finest </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">draught found on the KZN – Lesotho border.</span></b></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FUvQ7B8IK4g/TcGdYiLsaXI/AAAAAAAAADI/VQyqTQfc_Zs/s1600/arms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FUvQ7B8IK4g/TcGdYiLsaXI/AAAAAAAAADI/VQyqTQfc_Zs/s320/arms.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Underberg lies before Himeville and it is rather strange that two towns of this size lie only five kilometers apart. There are various versions to the history of these two picturesque towns, but the most popular is that Underberg grew around a store that was opened to serve the first settler farms in the frontier times of 1886. Although the town was well established, the government decided it wasn’t suitable to be the district centre because it was privately owned and was overlooked by a hill – making it defenceless if attacked.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">So Himeville was chosen and was granted a magistrate in 1902. Rivalry arose between the two villages, aggravated five years later when a railway was built that ended at Underberg, not reaching Himeville.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">A row of oak trees next to the road connecting the two towns is what eventually healed the rift. The trees were planted by locals when residents Kenneth and Mona Lund offered to give one to anyone willing to plant one. Rivalries were soon forgotten.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Sitting on a bench drinking a cold beer after a hard days riding must rate as one of life’s more pleasant moments. The challenge of Sani Pass lay ahead tomorrow and we all chatted about how to ride up the pass. </span></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vMYmVFErMfM/TcGf27c0FzI/AAAAAAAAADg/_NMaZChKr3c/s1600/sanip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vMYmVFErMfM/TcGf27c0FzI/AAAAAAAAADg/_NMaZChKr3c/s320/sanip.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2dfaZPWB4CE/TcGf-VaL04I/AAAAAAAAADk/8kEpIqYs7mM/s1600/sanizoom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2dfaZPWB4CE/TcGf-VaL04I/AAAAAAAAADk/8kEpIqYs7mM/s320/sanizoom.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Two years prior, Doug and I had ridden up on Honda Transalps and they suffered from a dramatic loss of power up on the higher altitudes which coincided with the last steep switchbacks. The only way up was flat out – open the throttle and gun it, balls to the wall. Taking the 180 degree turns at high speed on a marble surface with a steep drop off is nerve racking if you are doing for the first time. Some of our lads went to sleep with a slightly worried look on their faces.</span></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkrbETJfE6s/TcGZtBGoIBI/AAAAAAAAACw/C6yJmX9ZkPw/s1600/kg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkrbETJfE6s/TcGZtBGoIBI/AAAAAAAAACw/C6yJmX9ZkPw/s320/kg.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Next morning we were up early and heading up the </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Mkhomazana valley that leads to Sani Pass. Work on the bottom section is under way and there are a few sections with some seriously slippery gravel which was a good warm up for what was to come. The road was in worse condition than two years ago but made for nice off road riding. Half way up and Alan’s bike would go no further. This was Doug’s bike from two years ago and probably realised what was coming. Like an obstinate donkey it just sat there and refused to go any further. Doug stripped the bike and before he stripped his “moer” suggested that Alan return to Himeville so a mechanic could sort out the problem. In the meantime we all headed up to Sani Top.</span></b></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJtGLc5pM24/TcGgzfEdfJI/AAAAAAAAADs/kCbAUoJyXN0/s1600/majestic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJtGLc5pM24/TcGgzfEdfJI/AAAAAAAAADs/kCbAUoJyXN0/s320/majestic.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Baz2QNr4E54/TcGgs4WThGI/AAAAAAAAADo/n-2-7OFE-BY/s1600/pins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Baz2QNr4E54/TcGgs4WThGI/AAAAAAAAADo/n-2-7OFE-BY/s320/pins.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k1Js_0qVuyg/TcGhpJOAxAI/AAAAAAAAAD0/HpcnJGNvd70/s1600/my+ktm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k1Js_0qVuyg/TcGhpJOAxAI/AAAAAAAAAD0/HpcnJGNvd70/s320/my+ktm.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQimiR1wMy4/TcGhwClSkVI/AAAAAAAAAD4/68HJjGaGLAI/s1600/pat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQimiR1wMy4/TcGhwClSkVI/AAAAAAAAAD4/68HJjGaGLAI/s320/pat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVg47loSvHk/TcGh4Fhq5fI/AAAAAAAAAD8/dEOrNBhOYf0/s1600/water+crossing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVg47loSvHk/TcGh4Fhq5fI/AAAAAAAAAD8/dEOrNBhOYf0/s320/water+crossing.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The switchbacks were a piece of cake on the KTM and everyone made it up without mishap. Petrus enjoyed it so much he rode up and down four times that morning! Kevin was blown away by the scenery of the entire trip and could not believe that this was virtually on his doorstep. Graeme who originally grew up down the road in Pietermaritzburg was also amazed by the stunning scenery. </span></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O9nIZvY0eDY/TcGeSI4EjII/AAAAAAAAADQ/hk9Q-F5IRSw/s1600/big+g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O9nIZvY0eDY/TcGeSI4EjII/AAAAAAAAADQ/hk9Q-F5IRSw/s320/big+g.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1BcGNsNI-jY/TcGeZIHKXFI/AAAAAAAAADU/PPQnukOmsmk/s1600/big+g2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1BcGNsNI-jY/TcGeZIHKXFI/AAAAAAAAADU/PPQnukOmsmk/s320/big+g2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZhy1jkxFTg/TcGefuh2qpI/AAAAAAAAADY/FPMiv-L4W5o/s1600/big+g3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZhy1jkxFTg/TcGefuh2qpI/AAAAAAAAADY/FPMiv-L4W5o/s320/big+g3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Toasted sarmies and coffee for breakfast and it was back down to find out what the prognosis was regarding Alan’s bike.</span></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51gzTtYfbMg/TcGiX3xp9wI/AAAAAAAAAEA/FACr0dINVwE/s1600/top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51gzTtYfbMg/TcGiX3xp9wI/AAAAAAAAAEA/FACr0dINVwE/s320/top.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">News was not good and it looked like we would not be going to Clarens that day. Main aim of riding up Sani Pass had been achieved by six of us and it was decided to ride the Drakensberg Gardens area and then head to Maclear for the night. Drakensberg Gardens area lies along the</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"> Umzimkulu River Valley and while very pretty and tranquil; the road was a brilliant with its sharp curves and ever changing scenery. It felt like riding through parts of Europe. </span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The dash back to Maclear was interesting as three separate thunderstorms threatened to drench us. Kevin, Doug and I were out in front and we attempted to outrun the first storm. A couple of big raindrops hit us for about five kilometres and then we were out from under the big black cloud and back into the sunshine. After a few minutes we were dry again. We waited for the others and found out that they had stopped to put on wet weather gear and got caught in a hail storm.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Near Mount Fletcher a weird cloud formation started to appear out of a thundercloud. It looked like a tornado that was trying to come down from the cloud.</span></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epjZXjqCUO0/TcGfPDwPkpI/AAAAAAAAADc/bFfgKcrLDZ0/s1600/tornado.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epjZXjqCUO0/TcGfPDwPkpI/AAAAAAAAADc/bFfgKcrLDZ0/s320/tornado.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> <span style="color: white;">A couple of days later and a tornado hit Idutywa causing havoc destroying buildings and cars. We outran that second storm, back into the sunshine and as we came into Maclear a third thunderstorm was brewing. We booked into Declans B and B and headed for the town’s only steakhouse, the Butchers Block. The owner was kind enough to come fetch us in his bakkie. Small town hospitality – you cannot beat it. Imagine asking the owner of your local Spur to come fetch you. He’ll tell you to get knotted. Great meal and cold beers equaled tired eyes and it was not long that the pillow took a serious pounding. </span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The following morning was misty and also started to drizzle. We looked at heading over Naude’s Nek and the Bastervoet Pass but some of the bikes tyres were not for off road as we discovered coming down Sani Pass. With no grip in the wet it would be a mission so we headed on to Elliott and down Satan’s Nek towards Engobo and back to East London.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Back a day early and mission partly accomplished. Back to the jingle bell madness of the city, but a fantastic trip which forged new friendships and strengthened old ones. We rode the tail of the Dragon and will return in the future to ride the Dragon Mountains of Lesotho. Clarens and Oxbow will have to wait as Africa beckons Doug and I.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YaoQgmzYdwg/TcGaBTzyI4I/AAAAAAAAAC8/b07r8hPSNW0/s1600/dragon+mts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YaoQgmzYdwg/TcGaBTzyI4I/AAAAAAAAAC8/b07r8hPSNW0/s320/dragon+mts.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-78258880864780701572011-04-17T13:59:00.002+02:002011-05-15T21:12:47.024+02:00Fwd: Practice run<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ImdUCXSPB94/TarWMWX5jmI/AAAAAAAAABU/kGr-MaapPWo/s1600/winterberg%2Bjaunt-30-784833.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596520994613857890" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ImdUCXSPB94/TarWMWX5jmI/AAAAAAAAABU/kGr-MaapPWo/s320/winterberg%2Bjaunt-30-784833.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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A trip to the Winterberg mountains served as practice for Africa.<br />
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</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-53445907796297638222011-04-17T11:37:00.000+02:002011-05-16T19:24:37.454+02:00The PlanThe plan is to travel through Africa, on a motorcycle. In a car, you worry about the air con, the radio, the CD. On a motorcycle, you taste Africa - the dust and the occasional insects. Phtwat! (Spitting sound). <br />
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The motorcycle is a KTM 950 Adventure, the finest machine ever designed on this planet. Even the space shuttle is second to this machine. It is also a bright orange colour, so it will be impossible to lose it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-kCoPcSWvE/Taqrtd9A1TI/AAAAAAAAABA/K3TcKBvhl9M/s1600/ktm-950-adventure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-kCoPcSWvE/Taqrtd9A1TI/AAAAAAAAABA/K3TcKBvhl9M/s320/ktm-950-adventure.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Most travel diaries and blogs give an interesting description of sights and experiences. I want to add to that by stopping and having a cup of tea with an African every day of my journey.<br />
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By asking similar questions all the way through Africa, it will be an interesting "social experiment" to see how the answers are similar or different. You can also be part of this adventure by suggesting questions I should ask. Use the comments column to post your questions.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537384174279902056.post-86904478613151427412011-04-17T09:33:00.000+02:002011-05-16T19:19:15.116+02:00The Route<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w7IIf_dH8m4/TaqXUwLg8cI/AAAAAAAAAA8/Ldg8ZNqr9xE/s1600/Africa_Political.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w7IIf_dH8m4/TaqXUwLg8cI/AAAAAAAAAA8/Ldg8ZNqr9xE/s320/Africa_Political.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>From Hamburg in South Africa to Hamburg in Germany!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3