The tour has finally begun
Hello from Malawi
Well it has been some time since I have written on this blog..so I thought I would give you an update on whats been happening since I have started my trip.
Well, after arriving in Vic Falls and setting up camp we ventured off to Hwange National Park for a 3 day game drive. Hwange is a 3 hour drive away from Vic Falls and there were 6 of us that were taking part in this optional extra trip. We arrived in the afternoon and after setting up we went for an afternoon game drive through the park. In the space of an hour we had seen 3 of the big 5!!!. We arrived back at the camp and had a hearty African meal before having an early night as we had an early game drive the following morning.
So next morning we got up and went for a 2 hour game drive around the park and saw plenty of animals including a warthog mating. (apparently its mating season at the moment)
We had the afternoon to have a look around our accommodation and this place was a sad reminder of how Zimbabwe across all aspects of life has suffered the consquences of their presidents actions. ( A Zimbabwean girl I met on a boat cruise on the Zambezi told me her family has moved 8 times over the last few years after being booted off their farms.. like many whites up here this is their home and they are determined to make a life of it)
We did another game drive in the afternoon and the following morning before we headed back to Vic Falls. Hwange NP was fantastic, a beautiful part of the world as the guys at the bar were telling me tell your friends to come back to Zim as we need tourists to survive!! (Interesting no one will ever mention the current politics in a bad light for fear of retribution, all this in a so called democracy)
After arriving back at Vic Falls and exchanging more money.. current rate is $180 000 Zim for 1USD and rising.. I walked away with 5 million dollars.
That afternoon we had our first meeting with our tour to go through the program for the next 21 days. Walking up to the group, Adam and I felt like intruders on Big Brother as we were coming in halfway through the trip while the others had started in Cape Town. We met the group and they are seemed really cool, heaps of Aussies, English and other European nations. A few of us went out for dinner across the road for another average meal... then we went to the local bar for a few bevvies before we went to bed. Really looking forward to doing the tour with these guys.
The next morning we finally made it to Vic Falls and it was just amazing, I did go here last time but that was from the Zambian side.. the Zim side was so much better and photos just wont do it justice.. word of warning wear clothes that you dont mind getting wet cause you are staturated by the end of the walk. On the way back we had some lunch before we went back to the rest camp. That afternoon I was going to Think Well's house to meet his wife and children. (He was our guide on the tour and he invited me to his house and to have a traditional Zimbabwean meal) Unfortunately this is where I got into a little trouble. When we arrived I had a drink of a traditional African beer and unfortunately it didnt agree with my stomach. I stayed around for dinner to come but I could barely eat, I felt that sick... I felt bad too cause they may have thought that I didnt like the food! Thinkwell drove me back to the rest camp and I headed straight for the toilet and I spent the next 30 mins there by myself throwing up etc.. it was by far the worst case of food poisioning Ive had in my life.. it has taken me 3 days to properly get over it!! But hey, its Africa and these things happen.
Well the next morning we had an early start before we headed to Lake Kariba for a 3 day boat cruise (funny enough its owned by an Aussie guy from Shepparton) We arrived very late, partly due to the fact I was having trouble getting money out.. if you ever come to Africa bring USD that is all they are interested in!! We finally made it to the houseboat where we had some dinner and I sat around to properly get to know the other guys on the tour.. this of course is helped by a few drinking games.
Next morning we took the boat to a crocodile farm for a 4 hour tour. It was really fascinating an d great to get that close to a croc. The rest of the afternoon I just lazed on the boat before we had dinner and you guessed it.. more drinking games.. never ever came out for those out there that know it!!
The next 3 days we have been driving, driving and driving. Yesterday we did a 10 hour trip in the truck. We are now in Malawi in the capital Lilongwe where we are waiting for a couple of guys that are having visa problems. (That again is another issue, border crossings in Africa are very interesting!) We are now heading towards Lake Malawi where we spend the next 4 days and by all reports it supposed to be just amazing.
All in all, I feel like we are in the real Africa the further we travel up this superb continent. The scenery is postcard perfect and the spirit is alive and well - even in Zimbabwe.
I will write after we have experienced Lake Malawi. Got some exciting times ahead.
Troy
Well it has been some time since I have written on this blog..so I thought I would give you an update on whats been happening since I have started my trip.
Well, after arriving in Vic Falls and setting up camp we ventured off to Hwange National Park for a 3 day game drive. Hwange is a 3 hour drive away from Vic Falls and there were 6 of us that were taking part in this optional extra trip. We arrived in the afternoon and after setting up we went for an afternoon game drive through the park. In the space of an hour we had seen 3 of the big 5!!!. We arrived back at the camp and had a hearty African meal before having an early night as we had an early game drive the following morning.
So next morning we got up and went for a 2 hour game drive around the park and saw plenty of animals including a warthog mating. (apparently its mating season at the moment)
We had the afternoon to have a look around our accommodation and this place was a sad reminder of how Zimbabwe across all aspects of life has suffered the consquences of their presidents actions. ( A Zimbabwean girl I met on a boat cruise on the Zambezi told me her family has moved 8 times over the last few years after being booted off their farms.. like many whites up here this is their home and they are determined to make a life of it)
We did another game drive in the afternoon and the following morning before we headed back to Vic Falls. Hwange NP was fantastic, a beautiful part of the world as the guys at the bar were telling me tell your friends to come back to Zim as we need tourists to survive!! (Interesting no one will ever mention the current politics in a bad light for fear of retribution, all this in a so called democracy)
After arriving back at Vic Falls and exchanging more money.. current rate is $180 000 Zim for 1USD and rising.. I walked away with 5 million dollars.
That afternoon we had our first meeting with our tour to go through the program for the next 21 days. Walking up to the group, Adam and I felt like intruders on Big Brother as we were coming in halfway through the trip while the others had started in Cape Town. We met the group and they are seemed really cool, heaps of Aussies, English and other European nations. A few of us went out for dinner across the road for another average meal... then we went to the local bar for a few bevvies before we went to bed. Really looking forward to doing the tour with these guys.
The next morning we finally made it to Vic Falls and it was just amazing, I did go here last time but that was from the Zambian side.. the Zim side was so much better and photos just wont do it justice.. word of warning wear clothes that you dont mind getting wet cause you are staturated by the end of the walk. On the way back we had some lunch before we went back to the rest camp. That afternoon I was going to Think Well's house to meet his wife and children. (He was our guide on the tour and he invited me to his house and to have a traditional Zimbabwean meal) Unfortunately this is where I got into a little trouble. When we arrived I had a drink of a traditional African beer and unfortunately it didnt agree with my stomach. I stayed around for dinner to come but I could barely eat, I felt that sick... I felt bad too cause they may have thought that I didnt like the food! Thinkwell drove me back to the rest camp and I headed straight for the toilet and I spent the next 30 mins there by myself throwing up etc.. it was by far the worst case of food poisioning Ive had in my life.. it has taken me 3 days to properly get over it!! But hey, its Africa and these things happen.
Well the next morning we had an early start before we headed to Lake Kariba for a 3 day boat cruise (funny enough its owned by an Aussie guy from Shepparton) We arrived very late, partly due to the fact I was having trouble getting money out.. if you ever come to Africa bring USD that is all they are interested in!! We finally made it to the houseboat where we had some dinner and I sat around to properly get to know the other guys on the tour.. this of course is helped by a few drinking games.
Next morning we took the boat to a crocodile farm for a 4 hour tour. It was really fascinating an d great to get that close to a croc. The rest of the afternoon I just lazed on the boat before we had dinner and you guessed it.. more drinking games.. never ever came out for those out there that know it!!
The next 3 days we have been driving, driving and driving. Yesterday we did a 10 hour trip in the truck. We are now in Malawi in the capital Lilongwe where we are waiting for a couple of guys that are having visa problems. (That again is another issue, border crossings in Africa are very interesting!) We are now heading towards Lake Malawi where we spend the next 4 days and by all reports it supposed to be just amazing.
All in all, I feel like we are in the real Africa the further we travel up this superb continent. The scenery is postcard perfect and the spirit is alive and well - even in Zimbabwe.
I will write after we have experienced Lake Malawi. Got some exciting times ahead.
Troy
posted by Troy Aitken | 4:08 AM
4 Comments:
Glad you are okay you bloody Aussie, I was starting to worry! Enjoy Malawi and all those gorgeous sunsets xx
sounds like you are having the time of your life!! hope all is well.
post pictures soon!
kate
hi troy
look like all is going well. hows coachies going
ben w
Your trip sounds great and the pics of the smiling kids are great!!
Keep enjoying every moment!!!
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