So about an hour and a half late we took off for the hour drive back to Mutare. Was disappointed the beautiful orange flowering trees that line the streets weren't out in bloom yet but many jacarandas were. Loved being back there again and remembered how to get most places, so was rather sad to leave to go back to Harare. Was pretty much exhausted because of the heat and continual driving for the 4 days so was glad to hand the car back and have a bit of a rest before catching the 2.00 am flight (yep that's just after midnight) to Nairobi. That one even left early!
Now in Nairobi for a while to organize and get information on things for the school before heading out to the Masai Mara and my new home there. Did a bit of shopping for things for the house - was funning having to buy pots and pans only that can be used to cook with over a fire!
For now am in a nice place about 30 minutes out of Nairobi and the man who owns it puts down bores for water and many other projects with the Maasai people so he is a great help in giving me information and contacts. My trustee taxi driver got the place for me so am very happy.
I am very tired after about 3 hours sleep last nite so am planning on an early night for a change so hope u r enjoying my ramblings and they aren't too long for you.
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Zimbabwe times
Sorry no photos but still haven't figured how to get them from the iPad to here!
Arrived in Zimbabwe where it took over half an hour to get my visa - sure don't know how to do things efficiently or quickly so was wayching my lonely bag go around and around the carousel until I waved at a guy and he got it off for me!
Then the adventure which is Zimbabwe begins. I stayed in Harare for a couple of days seeing some friends and one of the girls I was very close to at the orphanage so that was awesome. The heat was pretty well up there to the summer temperatures so hate to think what summer will b like. Then hired a car from a friend of a friend ... mmmm note to self - pay the extra and hire one whose radiator doesn't leak and which doesn't drink oil! And as it was salve a small station wagon do must have been stopped at the police road blocks about 15 times checking my license, sometimes my passport, most times seeing if I had a fire extinguisher which you must carry, and looking for stuff on the car to "fine" me, however the car must have been better than I thought, so no fines. Gets annoying after a while though. One even asked me if I had brought him a present from Australia while the army guy asked me if I knew my passport number!!!
Driving was ok though apart from the overheating and the need to continuously stop and fill the radiator with water! Drove thru the beautiful mountains and stopped along the way and ended up where I went last year to the spectacular valley views only it was rather cloudy. Was so excited to be there and know where I was! It is so dry there though and so much has been burnt, I think deliberately before the heat of summer as there r many pine forests. The rocky mountains were lovely even thou it was very smokey.
Caught up with a couple of friends in Mutare and then took one of the boys from the church when I was there, with me. We had a great trip out and arrived at the orphanage to what felt like mid summer, dust and little water in the wells and to some excited workers who were surprised to see me, but happy as well. And as I was getting out of the car saw them digging and banging something with sticks under where they had the tractor - a puff adder (very poisonous snake) was being beaten to death wit h excited children looking on. Then the excitement of seeing the children. The first boy I saw and came running up for his hug was the boy I drove miles to pick up and bring there last year and then Linda was there all hugs - the girl who turned up one night at the door when she had been chased away from home. Then my little Moses - he is still 2 but remembered me and jumped into my arms and that was where he stayed the whole day I was there. Then of course ther!e were the other 30 to get their hugs as well, then the distribution of chicken pieces for lunch, peaches and oranges bought along the way. Even though I thought I may collapse kin the heat some of us went for a walk up,the rock mountain to where baboons were jumping rock to rock. They assured me they wouldn't tear me limb from limb! After spending time with all the children and many tears saying goodbye I went to see one of the gardening projects of growing beans a young man had started,mthen of course I had to meet his wife and small children!
Arrived in Zimbabwe where it took over half an hour to get my visa - sure don't know how to do things efficiently or quickly so was wayching my lonely bag go around and around the carousel until I waved at a guy and he got it off for me!
Then the adventure which is Zimbabwe begins. I stayed in Harare for a couple of days seeing some friends and one of the girls I was very close to at the orphanage so that was awesome. The heat was pretty well up there to the summer temperatures so hate to think what summer will b like. Then hired a car from a friend of a friend ... mmmm note to self - pay the extra and hire one whose radiator doesn't leak and which doesn't drink oil! And as it was salve a small station wagon do must have been stopped at the police road blocks about 15 times checking my license, sometimes my passport, most times seeing if I had a fire extinguisher which you must carry, and looking for stuff on the car to "fine" me, however the car must have been better than I thought, so no fines. Gets annoying after a while though. One even asked me if I had brought him a present from Australia while the army guy asked me if I knew my passport number!!!
Driving was ok though apart from the overheating and the need to continuously stop and fill the radiator with water! Drove thru the beautiful mountains and stopped along the way and ended up where I went last year to the spectacular valley views only it was rather cloudy. Was so excited to be there and know where I was! It is so dry there though and so much has been burnt, I think deliberately before the heat of summer as there r many pine forests. The rocky mountains were lovely even thou it was very smokey.
Caught up with a couple of friends in Mutare and then took one of the boys from the church when I was there, with me. We had a great trip out and arrived at the orphanage to what felt like mid summer, dust and little water in the wells and to some excited workers who were surprised to see me, but happy as well. And as I was getting out of the car saw them digging and banging something with sticks under where they had the tractor - a puff adder (very poisonous snake) was being beaten to death wit h excited children looking on. Then the excitement of seeing the children. The first boy I saw and came running up for his hug was the boy I drove miles to pick up and bring there last year and then Linda was there all hugs - the girl who turned up one night at the door when she had been chased away from home. Then my little Moses - he is still 2 but remembered me and jumped into my arms and that was where he stayed the whole day I was there. Then of course ther!e were the other 30 to get their hugs as well, then the distribution of chicken pieces for lunch, peaches and oranges bought along the way. Even though I thought I may collapse kin the heat some of us went for a walk up,the rock mountain to where baboons were jumping rock to rock. They assured me they wouldn't tear me limb from limb! After spending time with all the children and many tears saying goodbye I went to see one of the gardening projects of growing beans a young man had started,mthen of course I had to meet his wife and small children!
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Kruger Park
Have just got back to J'burg having hired a car and driven the 5 hours to Kruger on Saturday and back today, via the centre of J'burg city as had to drop Prosper to the bus there - he is a young man who I got to know there and came down to come to Kruger with me as I certainly wasn't driving that far by myself! Talk about stressful driving - people and cars everywhere - having to dodge them and try to get in the right lane and dodge taxis coming everywhere and them having to dodge me as I tried to get into the right lane and work out where to go, as well as not being very comfortable being there as not the safest place to drive or be! However I finally made it then found the hire car place in the basement of an underground car park - go figure that logic - dropped my car and called a taxi back to where I am staying.
Kruger was great but nowhere near the animals in Kenya. Didn't see any cats although some who did the nite drive last nite saw leopard, lion and cheetah. We did our day and night safaris in the rain and freezing cold in an open vehicle! Maybe not the best time but with only 2 days didn't have much choice. But got to see a porcupine and other night animals as well as elephant, whole new experience having an elephant right beside the open vehicle at night.
The place we stayed had zebra and giraffe and kudu and warthogs joining us regularly and saw ostrich and baboons on our walk as well. Will post pics as soon as I am able.
Leave in the morning for Zimbabwe - have already talked to a couple of the kids I want to see so am very much looking forward to catching up with them. Stay tuned ...
Kruger was great but nowhere near the animals in Kenya. Didn't see any cats although some who did the nite drive last nite saw leopard, lion and cheetah. We did our day and night safaris in the rain and freezing cold in an open vehicle! Maybe not the best time but with only 2 days didn't have much choice. But got to see a porcupine and other night animals as well as elephant, whole new experience having an elephant right beside the open vehicle at night.
The place we stayed had zebra and giraffe and kudu and warthogs joining us regularly and saw ostrich and baboons on our walk as well. Will post pics as soon as I am able.
Leave in the morning for Zimbabwe - have already talked to a couple of the kids I want to see so am very much looking forward to catching up with them. Stay tuned ...
Friday, 14 September 2012
Lion Park 14/9/2012
Our Day in the Lion Park:
This magnificent white lion had the most amazing blue eyes
Only way to get over his fear of lions was to make him pat one
Not sure what was on this lady's shirt but it sure loved it!
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Africa 2012 - more adventures
Keep an eye on this page as soon the adventures will continue.
Well have made it to Nairobi for a day and night which after 24 hours of flying was a welcome place even though the traffic is as bad as I remember! Spent the day with some friends and getting my Internet sorted for the iPad and my phone. My friend driving me to my accommodation which we couldn't find so went to another less "posh" place!!, almost scared me to death. Will try to download pics here.
In South Africa now - like what I have seen so far on the drive from the airport. In a suburb which seems pretty up market some of the houses are amazing. Tomoro Lion Park where I am supposed to get to hug the cubs and then onto Kruger Park. Driving myself so should see plenty. Keep posted for more adventures - this is my 10 days holidays I figure I deserve!
Well have made it to Nairobi for a day and night which after 24 hours of flying was a welcome place even though the traffic is as bad as I remember! Spent the day with some friends and getting my Internet sorted for the iPad and my phone. My friend driving me to my accommodation which we couldn't find so went to another less "posh" place!!, almost scared me to death. Will try to download pics here.
In South Africa now - like what I have seen so far on the drive from the airport. In a suburb which seems pretty up market some of the houses are amazing. Tomoro Lion Park where I am supposed to get to hug the cubs and then onto Kruger Park. Driving myself so should see plenty. Keep posted for more adventures - this is my 10 days holidays I figure I deserve!
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