Another Year Gone for me, having turned 29 only 2weeks ago and feeling no different. I ponder many thoughts including what job/career do i want.............?
Wishing that once again i could travel, right now, far away from this little country we all know & love ! Needing to get away, clear my thoughts and relax under summer sun all year round.
Friday 19 October 2007
Monday 25 June 2007
Dominiks' African photos
http://as.photoprintit.de/web/39725842/ssa.do?ak=b9hWMlWl7u
http://as.photoprintit.de/web/39725842/ssa.do?ak=v6zxN0Erd2
http://as.photoprintit.de/web/39725842/ssa.do?ak=PkXnMnqulO
these links are from a fellow traveller i met while on safari tour in Africa.
Stunning close ups, amazing scenery & Cute pics
http://as.photoprintit.de/web/39725842/ssa.do?ak=v6zxN0Erd2
http://as.photoprintit.de/web/39725842/ssa.do?ak=PkXnMnqulO
these links are from a fellow traveller i met while on safari tour in Africa.
Stunning close ups, amazing scenery & Cute pics
Sunday 17 June 2007
What Next for Woody ?
After having been back in the uk for 2months now, the world beckons once again. Life is so dull here, back at the old job i was doing before i left for Africa. Still doing everything & not getting paid for it. It really just sucks !!!!!!!!!!
When do you stop doing something that you really love and enjoy doing ? is there a point in life at which you say to yourself, right this is my last travel experience ? when is the right time ?
Am already planning my next adventure but at the same time have the desire to get my own place, one year to go before i'm 30 and need to move out of home. Want to do both but know i can't ...........................
When do you stop doing something that you really love and enjoy doing ? is there a point in life at which you say to yourself, right this is my last travel experience ? when is the right time ?
Am already planning my next adventure but at the same time have the desire to get my own place, one year to go before i'm 30 and need to move out of home. Want to do both but know i can't ...........................
Monday 23 April 2007
Saturday 21 April 2007
Tanzania
Last couple of long driving days and a 2night/3days gaming drive to Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater.
spent a night in Arusha before heading onto the game drives. campsote has a snake park with several different kinds of venomous asps, some crocs, few owls & a vulture. Also a Masai Culture Museum. both were included in the cost of the tour. there was also a danger of being greeted by animals at night but that didn't happen. only guests were guinea fowl.
Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater were one of the highlights of the whole tour, saw thousands of animals and amazing scenery. The Migration of Zebra & wildebeasts is spectacular, getting up close to the animals as well with only a jeep for protection.
Campsites were open to visitors ( animal kind ) and on the 3rd morning, was told my Mel ( my tent buddy for the 2nights) that we had a buffalo right outside our tent in the night. All she could hear was the noise that they make ( like heavy breathing down the phone ) it spent about 20mins around us, she tried to wake me up as i slept through it all but she was afraid to move. Damn, wish i had woken up to have actually experienced it !
The 1st nites campsite had 2 squat toilets and there was our group of 12 plus another truck of 18 and 2 other small parties. So 2 between 40 of us wasn't exactly pleasant. One toilet stank well bad during the day ! weren't allowed to go in the bushes for our safety. We had guards on site for our protection. All in all one very different but wonderful trip to the African Plains !
spent a night in Arusha before heading onto the game drives. campsote has a snake park with several different kinds of venomous asps, some crocs, few owls & a vulture. Also a Masai Culture Museum. both were included in the cost of the tour. there was also a danger of being greeted by animals at night but that didn't happen. only guests were guinea fowl.
Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater were one of the highlights of the whole tour, saw thousands of animals and amazing scenery. The Migration of Zebra & wildebeasts is spectacular, getting up close to the animals as well with only a jeep for protection.
Campsites were open to visitors ( animal kind ) and on the 3rd morning, was told my Mel ( my tent buddy for the 2nights) that we had a buffalo right outside our tent in the night. All she could hear was the noise that they make ( like heavy breathing down the phone ) it spent about 20mins around us, she tried to wake me up as i slept through it all but she was afraid to move. Damn, wish i had woken up to have actually experienced it !
The 1st nites campsite had 2 squat toilets and there was our group of 12 plus another truck of 18 and 2 other small parties. So 2 between 40 of us wasn't exactly pleasant. One toilet stank well bad during the day ! weren't allowed to go in the bushes for our safety. We had guards on site for our protection. All in all one very different but wonderful trip to the African Plains !
Zanzibar
A smooth 2-3hrs ferry crossing took us to Zanzibar, home of the late Freddie Mercury. First night stayed in Stone Town, a cheap hotel with the dining area on the rooftop. Wondered around in the afternoon and then in evening checked out the night markets selling paintings, carvings, jewelry and food stalls which you had to be careful with ( hygiene, well cooked food ) few of us went to Mercurys, named after the man himself. Good food, and on the shoreline. Then off to Africa House for a rooftop viewing of the sunset. Wonderful !
Next morning was taken on a spice tour passing some Historic buildings, House of Wonders, anglican church and visited a slave market. Spice plants - ginger, turmeric, pepper, cardoman, vanilla, nutmeg, and a few fruit plants such as banana, mango & coconut.
Transfered to our next resort where we would stay for the next 3nights. Sunset Bungalows right by the Indian ocean & Beach. air con rooms for the price of a normal $20pn. 3 bars & 1 restaurant, but all served food. Activities of snorkelling & Diving but i spent most of the time lounging about due to the fact there was nothing to do and my leg/ foot had swollen up in Malawi, was in pain & having to limp. was hoping it was due to the extremely hot but nice weather and long days on the truck. No doctor about, nearest trusting doc would be in nairobi. Got a foot massage hoping that would help, only moved the pain upto my thigh which went the next day. had told the lady to be gentle around my calf but was painful.There were also markets, selling paintings, crafts etc. learnt bit of swahili from the traders, met some nice people.
Ferry ride back to Dar es Salaam was rough and i ended up being sick and 70% of the group followed suit !
Next morning was taken on a spice tour passing some Historic buildings, House of Wonders, anglican church and visited a slave market. Spice plants - ginger, turmeric, pepper, cardoman, vanilla, nutmeg, and a few fruit plants such as banana, mango & coconut.
Transfered to our next resort where we would stay for the next 3nights. Sunset Bungalows right by the Indian ocean & Beach. air con rooms for the price of a normal $20pn. 3 bars & 1 restaurant, but all served food. Activities of snorkelling & Diving but i spent most of the time lounging about due to the fact there was nothing to do and my leg/ foot had swollen up in Malawi, was in pain & having to limp. was hoping it was due to the extremely hot but nice weather and long days on the truck. No doctor about, nearest trusting doc would be in nairobi. Got a foot massage hoping that would help, only moved the pain upto my thigh which went the next day. had told the lady to be gentle around my calf but was painful.There were also markets, selling paintings, crafts etc. learnt bit of swahili from the traders, met some nice people.
Ferry ride back to Dar es Salaam was rough and i ended up being sick and 70% of the group followed suit !
Thursday 12 April 2007
Malawi
Crossing the borders can be difficult or easy depending on the mood of the officers. we only had to pay to cross into Malawi. Once there we changed money & had a short break in a town for lunch. stayed in Malawi for 5days but at 3 different campsites, all by the lake.
I went horse riding for 2hrs which included a swim in the lake on bareback but was thundering & lightening so didn't spend as much time swimming due the horses being frightened. was good fun and only a bit saddle sore after.
others went diving or snorkelling. one of the sites had a swimming pool and i managed to get sunburnt. due to my own stupidity. but it better now.
I went horse riding for 2hrs which included a swim in the lake on bareback but was thundering & lightening so didn't spend as much time swimming due the horses being frightened. was good fun and only a bit saddle sore after.
others went diving or snorkelling. one of the sites had a swimming pool and i managed to get sunburnt. due to my own stupidity. but it better now.
Zambia
Sorry for the long delay but not every campsite we go to has internet facilities & even then it's not always possible to use due to length of conne4ction etc.
anyway, Livingstone campsite has been the best site so far. More modern & 2 swimming pools. But no9t much in the area, small shopping high street with few souvenir shops, restaurant which we visited twice and a supermarket. then there was town with markets for crafts etc which i never went to. Activities available were helicopter & micro-light flights, lion walks in zimbabwe & elephant walks. I talk a rhino walk one morning, getting close to the animals which was amazing. went walking for 3hrs & came close to the 2 rhinos that the park has. It's 70sqkm and absolutely amazing seeing them up so close. they almost came right upto us, within 1metre.....
we also saw zebra & giraffe up close.
left Livingstone a day earlier than expected as we didn't need to spend 5days there and would give us a extra day in Zanzibar.
On way up to next stop we went to Victoria Falls and got soaked twice by the massive back spray. Good fun though, water was both cold & warm at times. visited the curio markets there as well and bartered with the sellers. talked with them as well.
anyway, Livingstone campsite has been the best site so far. More modern & 2 swimming pools. But no9t much in the area, small shopping high street with few souvenir shops, restaurant which we visited twice and a supermarket. then there was town with markets for crafts etc which i never went to. Activities available were helicopter & micro-light flights, lion walks in zimbabwe & elephant walks. I talk a rhino walk one morning, getting close to the animals which was amazing. went walking for 3hrs & came close to the 2 rhinos that the park has. It's 70sqkm and absolutely amazing seeing them up so close. they almost came right upto us, within 1metre.....
we also saw zebra & giraffe up close.
left Livingstone a day earlier than expected as we didn't need to spend 5days there and would give us a extra day in Zanzibar.
On way up to next stop we went to Victoria Falls and got soaked twice by the massive back spray. Good fun though, water was both cold & warm at times. visited the curio markets there as well and bartered with the sellers. talked with them as well.
Wednesday 28 March 2007
Botswana
More long driving, with toilet stops along the way & for purchasing lunch. Put up tents, messed about in the pool with drink & water pistols.
Lucnh again was provided for us, fish for me and oxtail for the meat eaters, with butternut squash for the veggies. ice cream for dessert. sat outside talking and early bed. gets dark at 7/8pm.
next morning, not so early. shorter drive to next campsite. Not much going on between drives, as there is nothing really happening. saw lots of people standing by the side of the road either waiting for a lift to somewhere or would just spend the day there waiting.......
Once again, campsite had pool but not as big as last nights, dinner of spaghetti for veggies & beef for meat eaters.
breakfast was usual cereal & toast, fruit, eggs.
Loads of talking and drinking.
Good night !!!
Lucnh again was provided for us, fish for me and oxtail for the meat eaters, with butternut squash for the veggies. ice cream for dessert. sat outside talking and early bed. gets dark at 7/8pm.
next morning, not so early. shorter drive to next campsite. Not much going on between drives, as there is nothing really happening. saw lots of people standing by the side of the road either waiting for a lift to somewhere or would just spend the day there waiting.......
Once again, campsite had pool but not as big as last nights, dinner of spaghetti for veggies & beef for meat eaters.
breakfast was usual cereal & toast, fruit, eggs.
Loads of talking and drinking.
Good night !!!
Johannesburg to Livingstone
Left Johannesburg hostel with a group of 22 people, most of them aussie girls. Tour guides were Frik & Sonja, a couple from south Africa. weather warm, in the early 40s. We had long days ahead of us on the truck, not much seeing on the way.
Arrived just before 5pm at our first Campsite - The Bushmans Lodge after having been on the road since 7am. lounged by the pool and drank, while waiting for our pick up for a night game drive, which we spent about 2hrs tracking down Impala, Elephants, giraffes, lions & buffalo.For dinner of Impala for the meat eaters ( antelope like deer ) and soya protein for the vegies which i tried choking down and almost spewed. had to leave half of it........... For pudding we had marshmallows & chocolate sauce. it was lovely to be able to eat round the campfire, played a stupid game and drank.
Up at 5am next morning for early breakfast & a full day game drive in the Great Kruger National Park. We encountered Impala once again, Elephants, Buffalo, giraffes. Not as much as we saw last night. came back for dinner of Impala again and veggie sausages which i managed without problems. Popcorn for pudding !!!
Arrived just before 5pm at our first Campsite - The Bushmans Lodge after having been on the road since 7am. lounged by the pool and drank, while waiting for our pick up for a night game drive, which we spent about 2hrs tracking down Impala, Elephants, giraffes, lions & buffalo.For dinner of Impala for the meat eaters ( antelope like deer ) and soya protein for the vegies which i tried choking down and almost spewed. had to leave half of it........... For pudding we had marshmallows & chocolate sauce. it was lovely to be able to eat round the campfire, played a stupid game and drank.
Up at 5am next morning for early breakfast & a full day game drive in the Great Kruger National Park. We encountered Impala once again, Elephants, Buffalo, giraffes. Not as much as we saw last night. came back for dinner of Impala again and veggie sausages which i managed without problems. Popcorn for pudding !!!
Thursday 22 March 2007
Cape Peninsula
Pick up at 8.15am and made our way to the Most South Western Point Of Africa. Was only 5 of us on it, 2guys & 3 girls. First stop was at Hout Bay, for a boat trip to see a seal Colony @ cost of 2.5 quid.There was about the same if not more there, than in Fishermans Wharf, California. back to the road trip, Doe our guide gave us info on all the places we passed.
Stopped for lunch at the info centre and got to know our fellow travellers. French Canadian & the rest of us from England but 1 originally from Down Under.
Drove to the Point of Good Hope & trekked up the mountain for bout half hour, windy. Reached the top and Doe was there already.Had a look around the shop & had an ice cream before setting off back down on bikes. Stopped at the info centre but then John & I carried onto the gate of Good Hope entrance. Hard & Tiring but would do me the world of good.
Back on track & made our way to Boulders, home to a colony of African Penguins. Hundreds of them !!!!
Onward bound, i was dropped off first just after 6pm. had been a long day but nice viewings/sights.
Stopped for lunch at the info centre and got to know our fellow travellers. French Canadian & the rest of us from England but 1 originally from Down Under.
Drove to the Point of Good Hope & trekked up the mountain for bout half hour, windy. Reached the top and Doe was there already.Had a look around the shop & had an ice cream before setting off back down on bikes. Stopped at the info centre but then John & I carried onto the gate of Good Hope entrance. Hard & Tiring but would do me the world of good.
Back on track & made our way to Boulders, home to a colony of African Penguins. Hundreds of them !!!!
Onward bound, i was dropped off first just after 6pm. had been a long day but nice viewings/sights.
Table Mountain
Another fine sunny day, had to sort out my accomodation voucher. won't bore you with it all.
Took a city tour bus ( i know some people are against tourist traps but it's easier to get around that way. 2 types of route, short red & long blue. Took the short one as it included Table Mountain, spectacular views from the top. A short 3min cable car ride, the floor rotates as you go up. Cafe, shop & toilets up the top, cool wind but still sun rays beating down !!!
back on bus to Camps bay, not much there - beach & bars/cafes/hotels. only stayed until next bus came along which was half hour.
Back to the V & A Waterfront for some shopping as i needed some shorts & an adapter as mine was wrong type. Found smoothies but not as good !
Took taxi back to hostel & had dinner. Still no fax about Service Voucher, would leave it till 2moro as STA was closed back home. Used the internet, read, booked a tour to the Cape Peninsula for tomorrow & got chatting to new dorm mate from Argentina.
Took a city tour bus ( i know some people are against tourist traps but it's easier to get around that way. 2 types of route, short red & long blue. Took the short one as it included Table Mountain, spectacular views from the top. A short 3min cable car ride, the floor rotates as you go up. Cafe, shop & toilets up the top, cool wind but still sun rays beating down !!!
back on bus to Camps bay, not much there - beach & bars/cafes/hotels. only stayed until next bus came along which was half hour.
Back to the V & A Waterfront for some shopping as i needed some shorts & an adapter as mine was wrong type. Found smoothies but not as good !
Took taxi back to hostel & had dinner. Still no fax about Service Voucher, would leave it till 2moro as STA was closed back home. Used the internet, read, booked a tour to the Cape Peninsula for tomorrow & got chatting to new dorm mate from Argentina.
Monday 19 March 2007
Cape Town
Are you sure you were born in 1978 ? asks the passport control officer at Cape Town arrivals. why, don't i look that old i reply. he responds with much, much younger.
what a compliment & a way to be greated in a foreign country..........
arriving at 9am local time and the sun is already beating down on your back, only about 17c but it wouldn't be like that, early morning back home. went to find my shuttle pick up and had to wait a while for couple more passengers. 20mins later at the ASHANTI LODGE, but had to wait till 1pm to check in which meant waiting over 2hours. left luggage in luggage room, and wondered round to the supermarket ( less than 5mins walk round the corner ) came back and hung about till i could check in. the hostel has Table Mountain as a wonderful backyard view.
After having done that, had a shower and then set off to the V & A Waterfront. It being a sunday, no-one walked about so advised to get a taxi or Rikki ( Form of taxi )
i walked with the sun beating down even more & didn't have a problem, wondered about the waterfront - loads of shops, restaurants, seals in the water, and a school band with choir.
Sat out side a restaurant with the view of Table Mountain in full view and with a double Bells & Lemonade for just over 2pounds ! talked to some english ladies & gentleman and then went inside to have dinner, which was cheaper than back home.
Taxi back, which cost around 3quid for a journey of no more than 3/4km.
just spent the rest of the evening reading & early bed.
what a compliment & a way to be greated in a foreign country..........
arriving at 9am local time and the sun is already beating down on your back, only about 17c but it wouldn't be like that, early morning back home. went to find my shuttle pick up and had to wait a while for couple more passengers. 20mins later at the ASHANTI LODGE, but had to wait till 1pm to check in which meant waiting over 2hours. left luggage in luggage room, and wondered round to the supermarket ( less than 5mins walk round the corner ) came back and hung about till i could check in. the hostel has Table Mountain as a wonderful backyard view.
After having done that, had a shower and then set off to the V & A Waterfront. It being a sunday, no-one walked about so advised to get a taxi or Rikki ( Form of taxi )
i walked with the sun beating down even more & didn't have a problem, wondered about the waterfront - loads of shops, restaurants, seals in the water, and a school band with choir.
Sat out side a restaurant with the view of Table Mountain in full view and with a double Bells & Lemonade for just over 2pounds ! talked to some english ladies & gentleman and then went inside to have dinner, which was cheaper than back home.
Taxi back, which cost around 3quid for a journey of no more than 3/4km.
just spent the rest of the evening reading & early bed.
Wednesday 28 February 2007
It's a Wonderful Life ...............
Travelling certainly does you the world of good. It changes your prospectus of the world around you & people that you are close to. many a day spent thinking while being far away from home seeing such beautiful sights, amazing places that you thought you would never see...................
Never wanting to go back to that horrible old daily routine of work but knowing that seeing good friends will make that much of a difference to how you have changed..........
Vacation
Hi there,
Off to Africa in just over 2weeks, just wondering if anyone out there is going there too ? i am doing a 29day safari tour with acacia, anyone been on tour with them or about to ?. tour is east african adventure starting on 17th March from J'Burg. any recommendations for Cape town are welcome........
cheers
Off to Africa in just over 2weeks, just wondering if anyone out there is going there too ? i am doing a 29day safari tour with acacia, anyone been on tour with them or about to ?. tour is east african adventure starting on 17th March from J'Burg. any recommendations for Cape town are welcome........
cheers
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