tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57477406203733477722024-03-13T01:43:49.231+00:00Synno's Awesomeo Africa TripIf you want to see what I'm up to over the next 5 or 6 months (until I run out of monies), well then this is the place to be! Starting in The Garden Of Ireland, the plan is to drive in a gorgeous '93 Toyota Hilux Surf across Europe to Turkey, down to Egypt and all the way down to South Africa. Got my tent, sleeping bag, rucksack and baby-wipes, lots of baby-wipes...Let's get it OONNNN!Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-32674272626037572222011-01-05T21:12:00.017+00:002011-01-11T02:02:30.131+00:00Chrimbo and New Years, the final post...<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >MOSSEL BAY</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">After getting the jeep fixed and finally making it down to Mossel Bay, we spent Christmas with Paul and Linda in their house at Pinnacle Point.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpWnuudAgI/AAAAAAAAAqY/kkkMrzGUFts/s1600/Dinner.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpWnuudAgI/AAAAAAAAAqY/kkkMrzGUFts/s400/Dinner.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560351930500055554" border="0" /></a> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Podge, Janer, Me, Linda and Paul</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Check out the awesome view from the balcony...<br /><br /></span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpWm2RYwRI/AAAAAAAAAqA/qkSR4hH-Xeo/s1600/Mossel%2BBay.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpWm2RYwRI/AAAAAAAAAqA/qkSR4hH-Xeo/s400/Mossel%2BBay.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560351915345756434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">We had an absolutely amazing Chrimbo with them with shit loads of pressies including knives, shambocks and pepper spray. TIA. Look at the sheer joy in Janer's eyes as she opened her $1,000,000,000,000,000 Zimbabwian Dollar Mr. Price voucher.<br /><br /></span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpWnHelawI/AAAAAAAAAqI/y5YIgpKwOyo/s1600/Pressies.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpWnHelawI/AAAAAAAAAqI/y5YIgpKwOyo/s400/Pressies.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560351919964515074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">To say we were spoiled rotten by Paul and Linda is an understatement. Linda's up there with Nigella Lawson in the kitchen and Paul pours the wine and whiskey with a heavy hand so we had to be pretty much rolled out of there after the week. Christmas dinner was unreal. Here we all are on the big day...<br /><br />Chriimmmmbbooooooooo......<br /><br /></span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpWnaBtdCI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/amFmsaaiHv8/s1600/Pressies2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpWnaBtdCI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/amFmsaaiHv8/s400/Pressies2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560351924943680546" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >CAPETOWN</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Our final stop on the long trip down was the beautiful city of Capetown...</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpfq7By7rI/AAAAAAAAAr4/oiRlhY098j0/s1600/Capetown.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpfq7By7rI/AAAAAAAAAr4/oiRlhY098j0/s400/Capetown.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560361880946667186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We stayed in Maxie and Collette's apartment beside Century City. Gorgeous place with a bird sanctuary out the back...<br /><br /></span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpW50smVDI/AAAAAAAAAqo/fu9HFTzcH3k/s1600/Back%2Bof%2BApt.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpW50smVDI/AAAAAAAAAqo/fu9HFTzcH3k/s400/Back%2Bof%2BApt.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560352241340535858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> and a class view of Table Mountain...<br /><br /></span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpWnrhD3LI/AAAAAAAAAqg/YUdJfIjcVFI/s1600/Table%2BMountain.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpWnrhD3LI/AAAAAAAAAqg/YUdJfIjcVFI/s400/Table%2BMountain.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560351929638575282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> As well as us, Podge's brother Ro with Nessa and Fia were down there with Nessa's sister Emer, her husband Alan and Nessa and Emer's mum Maureen.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpW73p9eqI/AAAAAAAAAq4/Yaxf2PosuBk/s1600/Amile%2Band%2BAlan.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpW73p9eqI/AAAAAAAAAq4/Yaxf2PosuBk/s400/Amile%2Band%2BAlan.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560352276494514850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Amile and Alan</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpW8P7wphI/AAAAAAAAArA/Qzlifd7I4XA/s1600/Jane%252C%2BNessa%252C%2BRo%252C%2BFia%2Band%2BPodge.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpW8P7wphI/AAAAAAAAArA/Qzlifd7I4XA/s400/Jane%252C%2BNessa%252C%2BRo%252C%2BFia%2Band%2BPodge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560352283011622418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Janer, Nessa, Ro, Fia (in the pram) and Podge</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpXwWmYYRI/AAAAAAAAArY/fXH-Jt7Xb-U/s1600/Me%252C%2BAmile%252C%2BJaner%252C%2BPodge.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpXwWmYYRI/AAAAAAAAArY/fXH-Jt7Xb-U/s400/Me%252C%2BAmile%252C%2BJaner%252C%2BPodge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560353178154197266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Myself, Amile, Janer and Podge</span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">One of the days we went to some place where there's wild penguins. After a lot of searching, we found two of the little guys hiding in a bush beside a restaurant. Not exactly their natural habitat I'm guessing? I'll have to send David Attenborough an email to be sure.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">They're the little black and white things beside the crisp packet. Crisps are indigenous to this region of South Africa and a natural bedding material used by penguins for centuries.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpW8d-UtxI/AAAAAAAAArI/PLKhNdV7hm8/s1600/Pingu.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpW8d-UtxI/AAAAAAAAArI/PLKhNdV7hm8/s400/Pingu.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560352286780471058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">We all brought in the new year back at the apartment and watched the fireworks in the distance down by the waterfront. Great craic and very messy :). Myself and Podge were up till 5.30 finishing off all the black label.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpXwh8To5I/AAAAAAAAArg/bLHDdeqKGKQ/s1600/NYE.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpXwh8To5I/AAAAAAAAArg/bLHDdeqKGKQ/s400/NYE.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560353181198951314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span>Alan, Ro, Nessa, Emer, Me, Janer and Podge.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >BACK TO REALITY</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Sooo, after an amazing trip all the way down to South Africa, I finally had to returned home to the Emerald Isle where I was met with the beautiful sights of Dublin. Isn't she just glorious, and not at all depressing looking...</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpXw3xb39I/AAAAAAAAAro/rA4vdT0KzTA/s1600/Dublin.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpXw3xb39I/AAAAAAAAAro/rA4vdT0KzTA/s400/Dublin.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560353187058933714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The last few months in Africa have shown me how to behave around dangerous wild animals so at least if I come across one of Ireland's deadliest predators I think I should be OK. Look at the blood lust in this little critter's eyes, scary...</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpXxdIVQ6I/AAAAAAAAArw/iw0y2J-c4Y4/s1600/badger.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 335px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TSpXxdIVQ6I/AAAAAAAAArw/iw0y2J-c4Y4/s400/badger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560353197087081378" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >- EPILOGUE -</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">All good things must come to an end, even Synno's Awesomeo Africa Trip...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Throughout our tim<span style="font-family:verdana;">e in Africa, I can't say we didn't see malnourished, starving and very sick people all living in dismal conditions. TIA. However, it's not all as bad as Bob Geldof says.</span> We<span style="font-family:verdana;"> had a great time, saw some unbelievable things and met some really amazing people. I'd definitely recommend the trip to anyone who doesn't mind sweaty car seats, greedy mossies and the odd night in a tent.</span> DOOO IT!!!!!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">THE END :)<br /></span></span></div><br /></div>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-84501291812325710032010-12-06T06:43:00.028+00:002010-12-24T15:47:16.289+00:00Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >...LEAVING TANZANIA</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><br />After an amazing week in Dar with Wookie and Marty we headed on our way south. Taking a leaf out of Janer's book, I got stopped for speeding on the way to the border. After a quick chat about the fine, the policeman said what has to be the quote of the trip…<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">“<i>TZS 10,000 for forgiveness, TZS 20,000 for a receipt</i>”<br /><br /></div>...TIA!<br /><br />So, we paid the man and we were back in business. After that we adopted to using our manual speed trap detector...<br /><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPyG9jClBsI/AAAAAAAAAkk/xxymiKQ4cWo/s1600/Speed%2BTrap%2BDetector.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 374px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547457232949806786" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPyG9jClBsI/AAAAAAAAAkk/xxymiKQ4cWo/s400/Speed%2BTrap%2BDetector.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Podge finally got a haircut)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana">We still managed to get in some wildlife on our way to the border at the side of the road like elephants, giraffes, water buffalo and... a new kind of monkey, the yellow baboon just sitting there havin' an afternoon snack…</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPyG97G7-pI/AAAAAAAAAks/Ng-5oHWUDRo/s1600/Baboon.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 501px; display: block; height: 281px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547457239410539154" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPyG97G7-pI/AAAAAAAAAks/Ng-5oHWUDRo/s400/Baboon.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">ZAMBIA</span> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, we finally made it into Zambia, a gorgeous country with green everywhere and hardly any people. For such a big country, there are only 11 million people (who mainly live in the cities). The life expectancy here is only 33 because of AIDS. There's loads of billboards with this clever little caption (makes a difference from speed kills back in Ireland…</p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><b><i>SEX THRILLS, AIDS KILLS!</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">We’d heard northern Zambia is pretty boring from people we met, they weren’t completely wrong. We drove for about 1000 kilometers with pretty much trees to look at…<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPyG-5FdnTI/AAAAAAAAAk8/EwCwz69rQHo/s1600/Road.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 501px; display: block; height: 281px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547457256047353138" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPyG-5FdnTI/AAAAAAAAAk8/EwCwz69rQHo/s400/Road.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Zambia<b> </b>has pretty good roadsin general. But in the north, when they’re bad, they’re really bad…<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPyMEi7n4vI/AAAAAAAAAlE/7KDAxcUp2vI/s1600/Bad%2BRoad.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 501px; display: block; height: 281px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547462850737857266" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPyMEi7n4vI/AAAAAAAAAlE/7KDAxcUp2vI/s400/Bad%2BRoad.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547462855126028754" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPyMEzR2EdI/AAAAAAAAAlM/NTidNyjG4PQ/s400/Podge%2BPeeing.JPG" border="0" /><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPyN2Wr5TxI/AAAAAAAAAlU/h7rB_CeAowk/s1600/_41104956_zambia203.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 292px; float: left; height: 218px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547464805955751698" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPyN2Wr5TxI/AAAAAAAAAlU/h7rB_CeAowk/s400/_41104956_zambia203.jpg" border="0" /></a>One thing that is true about Zambia is they have really corrupt cops at so many checkpoints throughout the country. We were stopped by one guy who got us for not having white reflective stickers on the front and red on the rear of the jeep.<span style="font-size:0pt;"> </span>They wanted to charge us 10 Euro for each missing sticker even though the lights have reflective strips in them at the back and the front has a pretty reflective chrome bumper and bull bars. They tried to give us a receipt on a scrap of A4 paper. We ended up after about half an hour settling it for about 6,000 TZS (3.50 Euro). The guy was a complete douche.</p><p class="MsoNormal">We were also stopped at an army checkpoint where your man says... “<span style="font-style: italic;">so what have you got for me</span>”. Got through that one with a ten cent coin. At least in Tanzania they were honest about bribes and were saving you money.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">LIVINGSTONE</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We went on down to Livingstone spending one night in Lusaka (the capital city) where we even went to the cinema!!! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TP0A6k7LLdI/AAAAAAAAAl0/9fCScYGRnOY/s1600/Vic%2BFalls2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 225px; float: right; height: 400px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547591322334604754" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TP0A6k7LLdI/AAAAAAAAAl0/9fCScYGRnOY/s400/Vic%2BFalls2.JPG" border="0" /></a>After arriving at the Jollyboys campsite in Livingstone we met a load of guys we’ve met previously along the way… Pete (SA), Neil (UK), Cam and Craig (NZ). We had a few drinks with them and a load of others staying here from America and Brazil.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">After one day on the couch, we headed the following day to see the awesometastic Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world I'm told.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">When we got to the falls we found that there was hardly any water. It's not the rainy season yet but it meant we could walk across the falls towards Zimbabwe. On our way we met two S. African girls staying at our campsite who joined us on the falls. Absolutely class place...<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPz_84_yEmI/AAAAAAAAAlc/aF5E-rsI0rk/s1600/Vic%2BFalls.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547590262570750562" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPz_84_yEmI/AAAAAAAAAlc/aF5E-rsI0rk/s400/Vic%2BFalls.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">That night after a few to many drinks we all decided to go white water rafting on the Zambezi River. One of the most amazing experiences we've had so far on the trip...<br /></p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSZjvz6h6I/AAAAAAAAAnY/cUHcUy7VRNM/s1600/Rafting5.png"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 490px; display: block; height: 307px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554233079863347106" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSZjvz6h6I/AAAAAAAAAnY/cUHcUy7VRNM/s400/Rafting5.png" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSZjHbpK5I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/kHXCGjI62j4/s1600/Rafting4.png"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 490px; display: block; height: 306px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554233069024127890" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSZjHbpK5I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/kHXCGjI62j4/s400/Rafting4.png" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSZiBRjZwI/AAAAAAAAAnI/pZj9BqHIqME/s1600/Rafting3.png"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 489px; display: block; height: 305px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554233050191324930" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSZiBRjZwI/AAAAAAAAAnI/pZj9BqHIqME/s400/Rafting3.png" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSZhS3hc0I/AAAAAAAAAnA/nPSQEutpHSc/s1600/Rafting2.png"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 490px; display: block; height: 306px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554233037734114114" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSZhS3hc0I/AAAAAAAAAnA/nPSQEutpHSc/s400/Rafting2.png" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSZhO-1XKI/AAAAAAAAAm4/nBmTW-rBSjo/s1600/Rafting1.png"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 490px; display: block; height: 306px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554233036691037346" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSZhO-1XKI/AAAAAAAAAm4/nBmTW-rBSjo/s400/Rafting1.png" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">BOTSWANA</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal">The next day we headed for Botswana and only 5 minutes into the place we saw a herd of elephants on the side of the road. There's so many wild elephants there, we must have seen 50 in a couple of hours...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSklcnu7YI/AAAAAAAAApw/ggqdQ6hDRV8/s1600/Elephant%2BBy%2BRoad2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 499px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSklcnu7YI/AAAAAAAAApw/ggqdQ6hDRV8/s400/Elephant%2BBy%2BRoad2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554245203699625346" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSklNfQCHI/AAAAAAAAApo/7Uk7JgOyM3c/s1600/Elephant%2BBy%2BRoad.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSklNfQCHI/AAAAAAAAApo/7Uk7JgOyM3c/s400/Elephant%2BBy%2BRoad.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554245199637514354" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">We only spent three nights in Botswana on our way to the final stop...</p><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);" class="MsoNormal">SOUTH AFRICACACACACA!!!!!!</p><p class="MsoNormal">Oh what a glorious site...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbmiHDY7I/AAAAAAAAAo4/jrbDAaR7k2c/s1600/SA%2BBORDER.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554235326748386226" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbmiHDY7I/AAAAAAAAAo4/jrbDAaR7k2c/s400/SA%2BBORDER.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">...we had reached the promised land, we were finally on our holidays. </p><p class="MsoNormal">First stop was Camp Africa in the small town of Louis Trichardt in the north to visit Dave Van Graan who we met in Egypt and Sudan. Camp Africa, Dave's bar...<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSawmaYafI/AAAAAAAAAnw/K8Mt_sKHCnQ/s1600/Camp%2BAfrica.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554234400190261746" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSawmaYafI/AAAAAAAAAnw/K8Mt_sKHCnQ/s400/Camp%2BAfrica.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">The evening we arrived, they were having a fancy dress party for Lani birthday who works for Dave. Great craic and a very messy night. Here's myself and Podge's last minute attempts at dressing up...<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSn3FFaG-I/AAAAAAAAAp4/A8jVkyIprpY/s1600/Lani%2527s%2BBday.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSn3FFaG-I/AAAAAAAAAp4/A8jVkyIprpY/s400/Lani%2527s%2BBday.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554248805154167778" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A Masai Warrior and a Doctor... the tube's for colonics<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">We had an absolutely amazing few days with Dave, his wife Jacqui and Davey Junior. Here's us outside Dave's house just before we unfortunately had to leave...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSaxusFwWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/Yp4sqJ8u5DM/s1600/Dave%2527s%2BHouse.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554234419591889250" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSaxusFwWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/Yp4sqJ8u5DM/s400/Dave%2527s%2BHouse.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Janer, Podge, Me, Jacqui, Midnight (the dog), Jacqui, Dave and Lani.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">After having to drag ourselves away from Louis Trichardt, we headed for the coast to Richards Bay to visit Frans and Carlie. They were traveling with Dave around Africa.</p><p class="MsoNormal">We stayed with them in their gorgeous house on the river right beside the Richards Bay Sailing Club...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbKronTKI/AAAAAAAAAoI/M1E-MGz1DwY/s1600/Frans%2B%2526%2BCarlie%2527s.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554234848268733602" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbKronTKI/AAAAAAAAAoI/M1E-MGz1DwY/s400/Frans%2B%2526%2BCarlie%2527s.JPG" border="0" /></a>The next day Frans and Carlie took us out deep sea fishing on his monster Catamaran to catch Marlyn. Martin and Charles helped us with the rods, cos lets face it, when it comes to fishing, I don't know my arsienda from my elbow (that's a sailing joke by the way)...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbLd7xr5I/AAAAAAAAAoo/Gl3q9F6Xr90/s1600/Martin%2Band%2BCharle.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554234861770878866" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbLd7xr5I/AAAAAAAAAoo/Gl3q9F6Xr90/s400/Martin%2Band%2BCharle.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Martin and Charles</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">And here's Frans kickin ass on the back...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbK3d3wDI/AAAAAAAAAoY/-wcT-INaPLs/s1600/Frans%2Band%2Brods.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554234851444899890" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbK3d3wDI/AAAAAAAAAoY/-wcT-INaPLs/s400/Frans%2Band%2Brods.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Poor auld Podge and Janer were feeling a bit sea sick on the boat, but we had such a great time.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbmQcH3HI/AAAAAAAAAow/Mprc_qUt8Zo/s1600/Podge%2Bon%2BBoat.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554235322004921458" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbmQcH3HI/AAAAAAAAAow/Mprc_qUt8Zo/s400/Podge%2Bon%2BBoat.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSaxOSEYDI/AAAAAAAAAn4/STBbhlKJOuU/s1600/Carlie%2Band%2BJaner.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 499px; display: block; height: 280px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554234410892812338" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSaxOSEYDI/AAAAAAAAAn4/STBbhlKJOuU/s400/Carlie%2Band%2BJaner.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbKzgW3hI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/L7gQlUhuKgQ/s1600/Frans%2Band%2BMe.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554234850381585938" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbKzgW3hI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/L7gQlUhuKgQ/s400/Frans%2Band%2BMe.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">After hearing about my steermaster experience in Dar, Frans let me man the wheel and do a spot of steering, Arrrrrgghh...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbmsxQ1sI/AAAAAAAAApA/J16ap7k9r_E/s1600/Steer%2BMaster.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554235329609782978" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbmsxQ1sI/AAAAAAAAApA/J16ap7k9r_E/s400/Steer%2BMaster.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">After a day on the open sea with 2m high swells, I managed to get a Blue Dorado (rainbow dolphin) on the line for about 30 secs. Here's what it would have looked like if I caught actually caught it, but more real looking...<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSawXLXq3I/AAAAAAAAAng/E2n3eCHnEvs/s1600/Blue%2BDorado.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 260px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554234396100766578" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSawXLXq3I/AAAAAAAAAng/E2n3eCHnEvs/s400/Blue%2BDorado.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">We had an awesomeo time with Frans and Carlie in Richards Bay,, thanks guys! Alas, we had to leave and head south to Mossel Bay. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">DISASTER STRIKES... BUT EVERY COULD HAS A SILVER LINING, THE JOUBERTS...</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">On our way down, disaster happened. The poor little auld Hilux overheated, the radiator burst open at the top, the head gasket blew and cracked the cylinder head. Oh the humanity. Really puts breaking your flippy floppies in perspective!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSawk0J4kI/AAAAAAAAAno/BSQniRLgyG4/s1600/Breakdown.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554234399761490498" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSawk0J4kI/AAAAAAAAAno/BSQniRLgyG4/s400/Breakdown.JPG" border="0" /></a> After hitching a life with a detective to a guy with a tow truck and coming back, he told us the jeep was too heavy and had to call in a flatbed truck from 50 k away. Again, Oh the humanity...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbm7HWloI/AAAAAAAAApI/1KsezsjA3Js/s1600/Tow%2BTruck.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554235333460530818" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbm7HWloI/AAAAAAAAApI/1KsezsjA3Js/s400/Tow%2BTruck.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The view from the back of the flatbed</span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbmzv6U7I/AAAAAAAAApQ/BVlhCfZVQqs/s1600/Tow%2BTruck2.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 374px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554235331483161522" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRSbmzv6U7I/AAAAAAAAApQ/BVlhCfZVQqs/s400/Tow%2BTruck2.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">When we arrived at the garage, Diesel & Industrial Engineering, we were greeted by Phil, our saviour. Phil and his wife Tracy took us in for a week and treated us like family...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRScUCLsvII/AAAAAAAAApg/n8FoD7W1KvM/s1600/Phils.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554236108451921026" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRScUCLsvII/AAAAAAAAApg/n8FoD7W1KvM/s400/Phils.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">He ordered in our new cylinder head from Durban and arranged everything to get the jeep fixed down the road by a mechanic called John. They let us stay up with them on their farm and even brought us up to their holiday challet in Underberg at the weekend with their daughters Jess and Mel...<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRScUHnIkvI/AAAAAAAAApY/cd3pJ1r_gpA/s1600/Jouberts.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block; height: 281px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554236109909168882" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TRScUHnIkvI/AAAAAAAAApY/cd3pJ1r_gpA/s400/Jouberts.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tracy, Jess, Phil and Mel</span></span></p>We were honest to God blessed to meet them and will hopefully see them again. Thanks guys!<br /><br />So we left Kokstad and finally headed south about 1000 km to Pinnacle Point in Mossel Bay with Paul (Podge's uncle) and Linda for Christmas<br /><br />...come on Santa, do your worst :)<br /></div>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-26146352956965185942010-11-27T12:48:00.035+00:002010-11-29T21:32:58.511+00:00Tanzania - "Boats 'N Hoes, Arrrrggh!!!"<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >TANZANIA<br /><br /></span> <div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">After our few weeks with Maxie & Collette, we finally left Kenya and headed for Tanzania. After being pretty much mugged by Tanzanian immigration (US$100 each for visas and $130 for the jeep), we were in!!!</div><div face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Only a few miles in and we came across our first bit of wildlife, a massive hyena…</p><div face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPELrcGuLQI/AAAAAAAAAf0/xPlLKkn77m4/s1600/Hyena.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPELrcGuLQI/AAAAAAAAAf0/xPlLKkn77m4/s400/Hyena.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544225457176456450" border="0" /></a></p><div face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">…I have to say though; he was looking a bit under the weather and the bang of death off him, my God!</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">NGORONGORO CRATER</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Anyway, we ventured on and camped for one night in Arusha. We made the big decision the next day to head to the Ngorongora Crater, a wildlife reserve. It’s an unbelievable looking place, a huge open plain around 600 m below the rim of the crater. It’s the big field behind us…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPELrssp32I/AAAAAAAAAf8/TBj2-mUthBU/s1600/Us%2BIn%2BNgorongoro%2BCrater.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPELrssp32I/AAAAAAAAAf8/TBj2-mUthBU/s400/Us%2BIn%2BNgorongoro%2BCrater.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544225461630525282" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">We were there before the gates even opened at the crack of dawn, first in line. In the words of Marc (Holland); <i style="">“if you’re not first, you’re last”</i>… those Dutch, sorry Marc ;)!</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPELsM8qM3I/AAAAAAAAAgE/NjeyPbvlDNY/s1600/Gate.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPELsM8qM3I/AAAAAAAAAgE/NjeyPbvlDNY/s400/Gate.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544225470287590258" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Before we even reached the bottom of the crater we’d already seen an elephant and loads of water buffalo. Not long after we came across a pride of lions eating the shit out of a Wildebeest. Poor auld Mr. Wildebeest seems to always get the short end of the stick…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPELsw00_4I/AAAAAAAAAgM/dvruzGGntGo/s1600/Lions%2B%2526%2BWildebeest1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPELsw00_4I/AAAAAAAAAgM/dvruzGGntGo/s400/Lions%2B%2526%2BWildebeest1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544225479918419842" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPELtBneRxI/AAAAAAAAAgU/_58u7hLg7Sc/s1600/Lions%2B%2526%2BWildebeest2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPELtBneRxI/AAAAAAAAAgU/_58u7hLg7Sc/s400/Lions%2B%2526%2BWildebeest2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544225484425807634" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">We were only about 2m away from them with the windows down when one of the females hopped up and growled at another. It scared the living daylights out of us. Luckily they were more interested in their dinner than us.<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Anyway, we spent the whole day driving around the crater looking for this and that when we finally spotted number four of the big five, the black rhino… </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEN5KIEPQI/AAAAAAAAAgc/TX5Mp8koM6w/s1600/Black%2BRhino.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEN5KIEPQI/AAAAAAAAAgc/TX5Mp8koM6w/s400/Black%2BRhino.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544227891891682562" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">In the Masai Mara, you can do what you pretty much want and drive off the tracks. Unfortunately, you actually have to stick to the roads in the Ngorongora Crater so we couldn’t get any closer. Having just gotten given out to by a Ranger a few minutes before hand for going off the main route, we couldn’t really do it again. Instead we had to settle for looking at it through binoculars, or squinting eyes. Probably better off seeing as we blatantly would have driven right up to it.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Even rarer than the elusive black rhino, the mysterious leopard, or even the obscure dodo, we may have spotted one of Ireland’s most famous exports! Non other than the main man himself, one of Ireland’s big five, Mr. Briano McWestlife-McFadden (and his big fancy camera)... </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEN5O9jGmI/AAAAAAAAAgk/SLyGLLObjvs/s1600/Brian%2BMc.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEN5O9jGmI/AAAAAAAAAgk/SLyGLLObjvs/s400/Brian%2BMc.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544227893189745250" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">…I’m still waiting for my 20,000 Euro from the Sun for this exclusive snap.</p><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Anyway, we also saw a few other things in the crater…</p><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Mr. Masai Warrior herding his cattle (walking around where there’s loads of lions)…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEN5UX1tFI/AAAAAAAAAgs/uSVMACUh-HM/s1600/Masai.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEN5UX1tFI/AAAAAAAAAgs/uSVMACUh-HM/s400/Masai.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544227894642193490" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Mr. Eland Hidin’ behind a tree…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEN5nBL2AI/AAAAAAAAAg0/NVFIVkSjk3M/s1600/Eland.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEN5nBL2AI/AAAAAAAAAg0/NVFIVkSjk3M/s400/Eland.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544227899647449090" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Mr. Hippopotamus chillaxin’ with his homies in the mud…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEN6OI8TdI/AAAAAAAAAg8/GpicLOKTqTY/s1600/Hippos.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEN6OI8TdI/AAAAAAAAAg8/GpicLOKTqTY/s400/Hippos.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544227910148967890" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Mr. Zebra doing some “stretching” exercises. Jaysus, he’s a big fella…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEOeiQGm5I/AAAAAAAAAhE/Xn8wjVFgyM4/s1600/Zebra.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEOeiQGm5I/AAAAAAAAAhE/Xn8wjVFgyM4/s400/Zebra.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544228534023003026" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Mr. Wildebeest eatin’ some grass…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEOfQSb6uI/AAAAAAAAAhM/QcNN5gJkW34/s1600/Wildebeest.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEOfQSb6uI/AAAAAAAAAhM/QcNN5gJkW34/s400/Wildebeest.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544228546380819170" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Mr. Elemephant also eatin’ some grass …</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEOf_1Q2LI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Inc6f_dIE8Q/s1600/Elephant.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEOf_1Q2LI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Inc6f_dIE8Q/s400/Elephant.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544228559143360690" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Mr. Eagle hangin’ out up in the sky…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEOgDR67aI/AAAAAAAAAhc/OcRi6tGfGGM/s1600/Eagle.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEOgDR67aI/AAAAAAAAAhc/OcRi6tGfGGM/s400/Eagle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544228560068865442" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">And last but not least, Mr. Blue Balls himself, just doin’ his monkey thing…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEOgYKBTEI/AAAAAAAAAhk/2i1MPJDs3DI/s1600/Monkey.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEOgYKBTEI/AAAAAAAAAhk/2i1MPJDs3DI/s400/Monkey.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544228565672873026" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">To coin a phrase from Tony the Tiger... "Monkies, they’rrre great!"</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Anyway, the next day we headed south towards Dar es Salaam. We camped one night on the way in a complete dump with three overlanders on motorbikes we saw in the Ngorongoro Crater the day before, sound lads. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We continued on to Dar making great time. Then, the unthinkable happened… Janer got caught speeding. Yes, speeding! </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEPHHT6W5I/AAAAAAAAAhs/SRMxOEdDs9Y/s1600/Janer%2B%2526%2BCops.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEPHHT6W5I/AAAAAAAAAhs/SRMxOEdDs9Y/s400/Janer%2B%2526%2BCops.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544229231165856658" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We kept telling her, “Janer, it’s better to arrive 5 minutes late in this life than 5 minutes early in the next”, but she just wouldn’t listen. TZS 10,000*... Oh the humanity. (<span style="font-size:85%;">*5 Euro</span>).</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEPHbGS3cI/AAAAAAAAAh0/K-iUT1-qV_M/s1600/Janer%2B%2526%2BTicket.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEPHbGS3cI/AAAAAAAAAh0/K-iUT1-qV_M/s400/Janer%2B%2526%2BTicket.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544229236477451714" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">DARRRRRR - "<span style="font-style: italic;">That's good, now say Arrrgh</span>"<span style="font-size:78%;">...Eric Cartman</span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We finally arrived in Dar es Salaam (known as Dar) after a long days driving. It’s HOT, soooo HOT and humid! We stayed the first night on South Beach camping on the sand, beautiful place…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEPIllcr4I/AAAAAAAAAh8/FdzmZyuWT3M/s1600/Sunshine%2BBeach.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEPIllcr4I/AAAAAAAAAh8/FdzmZyuWT3M/s400/Sunshine%2BBeach.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544229256472342402" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We met up with Simon "Wookie" Wall, an old friend of Janers from home and his friend Marty 'Shamrock" O'Leary who just moved over last week. They’re both sailing instructors in Dar es Salaam Yacht Club, <span style="font-style: italic;">Arrgh</span>, it’s a tough life.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Here's the yacht club from the water...<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEPI6BynII/AAAAAAAAAiE/jidRj2FtyW8/s1600/Dar%2BYacht%2BClub.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEPI6BynII/AAAAAAAAAiE/jidRj2FtyW8/s400/Dar%2BYacht%2BClub.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544229261959928962" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">This is what the bar looks like, great craic...</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPNNb94uYdI/AAAAAAAAAi8/nBAI3t0WwcI/s1600/Dar%2BYacht%2BClub.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 279px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPNNb94uYdI/AAAAAAAAAi8/nBAI3t0WwcI/s400/Dar%2BYacht%2BClub.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544860709087502802" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Everybody, in your best pirate accent - "Arrrrgh, and a round of glug for me maties"</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEPT1D80nI/AAAAAAAAAiU/tiUi7XP1ivE/s1600/Mossie%2BBites.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEPT1D80nI/AAAAAAAAAiU/tiUi7XP1ivE/s400/Mossie%2BBites.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544229449605370482" border="0" /></a>We spent the night drinking triple Konyagi, “<i style="">the spirit of the nation</i>” (very very cheap Tanzanian gin), and fizzy bubblach. I’ve no memory of getting back to my tent, but I must have passed right out and forgot to close the zip or do my routine mosquito check. Woke up the next morning with about 20 mossies flying over me resulting in just over 100 bites, I even got one on my eye lid! I f@?&*$g HATE mossies, they’re such greedy little bastards! Here’s an example of some on my left arm. Pure torture.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">The following day we left South Beach and moved to the Dar es Salaam Yacht Club (as you do). Wookie and Marty took us under their wing and really looked after us. They took us sailing on a yacht (The T<span style="font-style: italic;">rue Mist</span>; she's a fine vessel) with a big cooler box of Kilimanjaro, great day. My first time on a yacht too, and they even let me park at the mooring (it's a big orange thingameebob thing that stops the boat from floating away, genius). Isn't she GLOORIUS...<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPKqVX13DI/AAAAAAAAAkU/TyXzfDQO_YM/s1600/True%2BMist.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPKqVX13DI/AAAAAAAAAkU/TyXzfDQO_YM/s400/True%2BMist.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544998394863672370" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEPJK1lHKI/AAAAAAAAAiM/JSwY9XstwjE/s1600/I%2527m%2Bon%2Ba%2Bboat.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPEPJK1lHKI/AAAAAAAAAiM/JSwY9XstwjE/s400/I%2527m%2Bon%2Ba%2Bboat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544229266472115362" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i style="">Janer, Wookie, Marty, Podge and Me</i></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">In the words of the Lonely Island Crew & T-Pain… <i style="">“I’m on a boat. I’m on a boat. Everybody look at me cause I’m sailing on a boat.”</i> (This is a family show so I won’t continue).</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Interesting fact about Dar, Roald Dahl lived here years ago and across the bay in the distance is the cement factory that inspired him to write Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. Suppose it does have a mysterious aura about it in the distance...</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPERQoFsw0I/AAAAAAAAAik/EAVQ3HxO-gE/s1600/Chocolate%2Bfactory.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPERQoFsw0I/AAAAAAAAAik/EAVQ3HxO-gE/s400/Chocolate%2Bfactory.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544231593606693698" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We went out that evening to an Ethiopian restaurant called 'Addis In Dar' for Wookie’s friend, Seb’s birthday. Great craic and another messy night which ended up with Podge picking up and hugging two Masai Warriors outside the bar. What are they doing there you might ask. There was a drought that killed a lot of their cattle so they came down here to do security. Who’s going to mess with a man with a spear (and two mobile phones)?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPNMaA_kqoI/AAAAAAAAAis/wfvDWQn1hUY/s1600/Masai.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPNMaA_kqoI/AAAAAAAAAis/wfvDWQn1hUY/s400/Masai.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544859576050166402" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We spent the next day chilling in the pool and watching the rugby matches up in the bar. Mike, one of the members offered to bring us out sailing and fishing the next day on his massive catamaran. <span style="font-style: italic;">Arrrggh</span>!</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Mike's catamaran, the <span style="font-style: italic;">Oscar Charlie</span> is another glorious vessel...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPKqOuHucI/AAAAAAAAAkM/EUX2wPXKJDY/s1600/Oscar%2BCharlie.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPKqOuHucI/AAAAAAAAAkM/EUX2wPXKJDY/s400/Oscar%2BCharlie.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544998393078069698" border="0" /></a>and here's the main man himself...<br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPNMa1flZ9I/AAAAAAAAAi0/2LRgfexP8zg/s1600/Mike.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPNMa1flZ9I/AAAAAAAAAi0/2LRgfexP8zg/s400/Mike.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544859590143076306" border="0" /></a></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >I could definitely get used to this...<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPN0M7vqe_I/AAAAAAAAAjc/7ZTmC5LU8TM/s1600/Tough%2BLife.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPN0M7vqe_I/AAAAAAAAAjc/7ZTmC5LU8TM/s400/Tough%2BLife.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544903331768073202" border="0" /></a>Later on the infamous Cap'n Marty arrived with Cam and tried to take over the ship, <span style="font-style: italic;">Arrrggh</span>. These are the most pirate infested seas in the world, and a lot of the boats moored at the yacht club can't leave the area because of them. <span style="font-style: italic;">Arrrrggh, tis a pity</span>!<br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPNQXiMWVxI/AAAAAAAAAjE/hC3vdMc6UxE/s1600/Marty.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPNQXiMWVxI/AAAAAAAAAjE/hC3vdMc6UxE/s400/Marty.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544863931469027090" border="0" /></a>Just before sunset, Wookie arrived in a dingy and treated us to an evening of jazz flute, honest to God it was absolutely amazing...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPNQYQaWRGI/AAAAAAAAAjM/em5qQLTB6nQ/s1600/Jazz%2Bflute.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPNQYQaWRGI/AAAAAAAAAjM/em5qQLTB6nQ/s400/Jazz%2Bflute.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544863943875773538" border="0" /></a>Ron Burgundy ain't got shit on him. Pibbidy boo bo bibbidy bo booo booooo (that's what a jazz flute sounds like). <span style="font-style: italic;">Arrrrggh</span>!<br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">We were also treated to a little Irish dancing from Janer on the Arsehienda (arse end) of the boat, a first for the Ocean Cruiser...<br /></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPN0Mf1NsLI/AAAAAAAAAjU/1UP1UzWkO1c/s1600/Janer.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPN0Mf1NsLI/AAAAAAAAAjU/1UP1UzWkO1c/s400/Janer.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544903324275159218" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">On our last day in Dar, we all went on a big adventure on the swashbuckling high seas to Bongyo Island (or something like that)...</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPFswYSYtI/AAAAAAAAAjk/3cODhkP8K88/s1600/Bongoyo%2BIsland.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 282px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPFswYSYtI/AAAAAAAAAjk/3cODhkP8K88/s400/Bongoyo%2BIsland.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544992938914898642" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We had Cap'n "Man the Jib" Marty batten down the hatches on the <span style="font-style: italic;">True Mist</span>, pulling out the main sheet and drinking cans of Kili. He loves his beer does our Marty!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPGZKKQPGI/AAAAAAAAAj0/sGKxBJ3Ql10/s1600/Capn%2BMarty.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPGZKKQPGI/AAAAAAAAAj0/sGKxBJ3Ql10/s400/Capn%2BMarty.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544993701749603426" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We also met up with Wookie & Marty's friends Ian and Byron near the island; two really really cool guys. Here they are trying to catch some fishes...<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPI7l-eheI/AAAAAAAAAkE/sPFcSXs9ACQ/s1600/Byron%2B%2526%2BIan.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPI7l-eheI/AAAAAAAAAkE/sPFcSXs9ACQ/s400/Byron%2B%2526%2BIan.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544996492355208674" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">They brought us all from the True Mist to the beach on Boyngo Island in their speed boat where we had a bit of an auld wander. No buried treasure to report, but we didn't exactly do any digging.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPHsEU3INI/AAAAAAAAAj8/_9iP0YCdtX0/s1600/Boyngo%2BBeach.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPHsEU3INI/AAAAAAAAAj8/_9iP0YCdtX0/s400/Boyngo%2BBeach.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544995126112624850" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">So much sailing over the past few days I don't know myself, I'm now a qualified steer master according to Marty (means I can steer the boat, AND park it)...<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPFtGaAxJI/AAAAAAAAAjs/OHBQqIDv9Ck/s1600/Steer%2BMaster.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TPPFtGaAxJI/AAAAAAAAAjs/OHBQqIDv9Ck/s400/Steer%2BMaster.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544992944827712658" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Seriously though, there's nothing to it. It's all a piece of piss ;). Just man the jib and steer the rudder, pull the tiller, way anchor and you're set... it's that easy (and yes, sail boats actually have rudders, I know. I found it hard to believe too).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Anyway, we had to bid farwell to Wookie and Marty and head further on south towards S. Africa. Dar, what a place. Thanks a million guys for making Tanzania a great and memorable experience :). We'll see yis back in Ireland, <span style="font-style: italic;">ARRRRRRRRGGH</span>!!!<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </p>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-33898712790869062722010-11-20T20:01:00.012+00:002010-11-25T15:01:23.106+00:00Bye bye Maxie & Collette :(<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1</style><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOgxpH-iJ4I/AAAAAAAAAdc/h_HAokSEjmo/s1600/Monkey.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 315px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOgxpH-iJ4I/AAAAAAAAAdc/h_HAokSEjmo/s400/Monkey.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541733924065126274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">As in life, all good things must come to an end. Maxie and Collette are leaving us all alone in Africa. Oh the humanity.<br /><br /></span> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We spent the last few days at <a style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);" href="http://www.campcarnelleys.com/">Camp Carnelley's</a> (check out the website, it's pretty awesome) right on Lake Naivasha only about an hour outside Nairobi.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It’s an amazing campsite run by Chrissy & Lovat Carnelley who are sound out. Chrissy (originally Chrissy Carney) is actually from Rathfarnham Park in Dublin and knows Collette’s niece Sarah really well. Small world, hey? Camp Carnelleys... great bar, great food, and great people. Oh, and loads of monkies too. The monkey on the left lived in the trees above our tents. If you're going to take a picture of one, it's not advisable to stand directly underneath them. They poop a lot!<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Here’s us with Chrissy & Lovat outside the bar…</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg0IB60JYI/AAAAAAAAAdk/hSMzRxJBKus/s1600/Camp%2BCarnelley.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg0IB60JYI/AAAAAAAAAdk/hSMzRxJBKus/s400/Camp%2BCarnelley.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541736654038115714" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Chrissy, Lovat, Janer, Maxie, Collette, Podge and Me</span></span><b style=""><br /></b></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">On our first day there we went out on the lake in a boat looking for hippos and flamingos. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg0JB0p32I/AAAAAAAAAd0/gR35r1LpzPw/s1600/P%2526J.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg0JB0p32I/AAAAAAAAAd0/gR35r1LpzPw/s400/P%2526J.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541736671192145762" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hippos everywhere, you gotta hold on tight…</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg0JXkr_LI/AAAAAAAAAd8/5dth_kP5OfA/s1600/I%2527m%2Bon%2Ba%2Bboat.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg0JXkr_LI/AAAAAAAAAd8/5dth_kP5OfA/s400/I%2527m%2Bon%2Ba%2Bboat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541736677030755506" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The guy driving the boat was great, brought us through the weeds to see the birds…</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg0J_ZN9OI/AAAAAAAAAeE/72P204HOixc/s1600/Pelicans.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg0J_ZN9OI/AAAAAAAAAeE/72P204HOixc/s400/Pelicans.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541736687720068322" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">…then when we were beside the hippos he started revving the engine and a massive one started coming towards us looking a bit pissed off, as you'd expect. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg2oxKzQsI/AAAAAAAAAeM/kWWsCzAFvhk/s1600/Hippo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg2oxKzQsI/AAAAAAAAAeM/kWWsCzAFvhk/s400/Hippo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541739415500702402" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">That night, myself and Podge got absolutely rat arsed in the bar and decided to go hippo hunting at about 2 am. There’s a one-foot deep ditch at the end of the campsite to stop the hippos coming across. I know, one foot, but they’ve got little legs. Anyway, we went right down to the edge of the water and shone the torch into it. Right in front of us was a massive hippo, all we could see were his eyes. He jumped up and let an almighty roar and sent the two of us sprinting back over the ditch. After another little excursion down to the water’s edge and another roar, we called it a night and fell asleep on the grass by the ditch. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The next day we went into the Hell’s Gate national park and saw some more animals, nothing major to report. Saw some baboons and a blue-balled monkey…</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg2pQGVlQI/AAAAAAAAAeU/VzkJmW2MGMc/s1600/Baboons.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg2pQGVlQI/AAAAAAAAAeU/VzkJmW2MGMc/s400/Baboons.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541739423803479298" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg2psx6Z_I/AAAAAAAAAec/Aib7ZZlEEl4/s1600/Monkey2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg2psx6Z_I/AAAAAAAAAec/Aib7ZZlEEl4/s400/Monkey2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541739431502440434" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In case you didn’t make it out, here’s a close up. They’re the strangest colour ever…</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg2qHdlfjI/AAAAAAAAAek/R2XK3hqXe38/s1600/Blue%2Bballs.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg2qHdlfjI/AAAAAAAAAek/R2XK3hqXe38/s400/Blue%2Bballs.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541739438664941106" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The day before we left Naivasha, we went to another Lake (can’t remember the name) and looked for flamingos. We only found a few, but had a great time there…</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg2qoqxsuI/AAAAAAAAAes/OFGIKsKSd8w/s1600/Flamingos.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg2qoqxsuI/AAAAAAAAAes/OFGIKsKSd8w/s400/Flamingos.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541739447578637026" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg3csvu45I/AAAAAAAAAe0/_tkFPyOVCAw/s1600/Maxie%2B%2526%2BCollette.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg3csvu45I/AAAAAAAAAe0/_tkFPyOVCAw/s400/Maxie%2B%2526%2BCollette.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541740307666625426" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Collette & Maxie</span></span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We had a great last night in Camp Carnelleys with Chrissy & Lovat, very very memorable mini safari ;). For further details, ask me in person. All I can say is, God bless John Jameson for its wonderfully spectacular magical tastiness! However, it makes you do crazy crazy things. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Here's where it all started, what a place...<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg6ecjH1VI/AAAAAAAAAfE/SUyeN9u9ER8/s1600/bar3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 333px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg6ecjH1VI/AAAAAAAAAfE/SUyeN9u9ER8/s400/bar3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541743636213388626" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg6dXc0gfI/AAAAAAAAAe8/tE07tMU1r5w/s1600/bar1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOg6dXc0gfI/AAAAAAAAAe8/tE07tMU1r5w/s400/bar1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541743617664909810" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hopefully, when Chrissy & Lovat come over to Ireland next, we’ll all meet up and go absolutely bananas!<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Anyway, goodbye to Maxie & Collette who’re heading back to Ireland. It's been so great to have you guys over here for the few weeks. We’ll really really miss you :(. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hakuna matata Kenya, onwards to Tanzania and beyond!!!</span></p>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-6444556145629278202010-11-15T15:09:00.016+00:002010-11-15T17:32:43.128+00:00Jambo Kenya, Hakuna matata :)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kenya is without doubt one of the best countries I’ve ever visited. The first encounter I had was with some locked lad who came up to me in the jeep to welcome me to Kenya. “</span><i style="font-family: verdana;">Jambo! Caribou! Welcome to Kenya</i><span style="font-family:verdana;">”. I must have shaken his hand about 30 times before he finally staggered off home, brilliant.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">MOYALE TO NAIROBI</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" face="verdana" class="MsoNormal">We entered Kenya at the border town of Moyale, and spent our first night free camping with Marc & Dela in the back of a massive police compound. You couldn’t get more secure or cheap, especially after the campsite we planned on staying in wanted to charge us US$15 each. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" face="verdana" class="MsoNormal">The next day we drove to Marsabit in convoy with Marc & Dela, which took us 10 and a half hours to drive just 250 km. The dirt road from Moyale to Marsabit is the worst road we’ve driven on to date. The surface is in absolute bits and full of:</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Corrugations (series of regular bumps with short spacing in the road surface), which shake the jeep like a kid's rattler...<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFOWrr2IAI/AAAAAAAAAZU/BoE4GEaR0ek/s1600/Corrugation.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 378px; height: 506px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFOWrr2IAI/AAAAAAAAAZU/BoE4GEaR0ek/s400/Corrugation.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539795168233136130" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">…hard & soft sand…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFOYMrQPtI/AAAAAAAAAZk/C4dpGDjr5WM/s1600/Sandy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 749px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFOYMrQPtI/AAAAAAAAAZk/C4dpGDjr5WM/s400/Sandy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539795194268892882" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">…and gravel & rocks…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFOXZfdcNI/AAAAAAAAAZc/6oDMM3D6-Bw/s1600/Rocky-Gravely.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 336px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFOXZfdcNI/AAAAAAAAAZc/6oDMM3D6-Bw/s400/Rocky-Gravely.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539795180529217746" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFREIMsvRI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/OpDyFutYGfo/s1600/Jerry%2BCan%2B-%2BWheelnut.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFREIMsvRI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/OpDyFutYGfo/s400/Jerry%2BCan%2B-%2BWheelnut.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539798148004494610" border="0" /></a>We lost a wheel nut, the jerry can holder underneath broke from bottoming out, one of the batteries leaked, steering fluid leaked and the back window motor and brakes got so caked in dust they barely worked. Poor Podge was in the horrors with what the road was doing to his baby! </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">After spending the night in Henry’s Camp in Marsabit, we continued along the bad road to the <a href="http://www.umojawomen.org/">Umoja women’s camp</a> in Samburu traveling the last few km on glorious glorious asphalt. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The Umujo Uaso Women’s Group is made up of about 60 women who escaped from brutally violent and abusive domestic situations. They set up a village and campsite in the area where the motto is “<i style="">Where Women Rule</i>”. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">On our second day there I woke up with what I thought was the worst hangover I’ve ever had. As the day went on my entire body started aching and I was feeling like complete crap. Spent that day and night in my tent with a whopping fever hoping I hadn’t caught malaria. The next day I found out I had Rift Valley fever from a mosquito bite... not nice! </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The next morning when we were getting ready to leave, we met an amazing girl from Nairobi called Dola. She had an old guitar with her and after hearing we were leaving said she’d give us a quick performance. Brilliant musician with an amazing voice and really infectious personality. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFTB7onSOI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/MSFAGW4kYEU/s1600/Dola%2BPerforming.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFTB7onSOI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/MSFAGW4kYEU/s400/Dola%2BPerforming.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539800309295433954" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">When she finished playing I said I’d swap her something for one of her CDs. When I produced my guitar case from the back of the jeep she actually fell on the ground screaming. I had intended leaving the guitar in Africa anyway and though this was the perfect person to give it to. So after sticking an Irish flag on it and signing it, she gave us a quick tune of Jambo Bwana (absolutely class song!!!). It was great to see my very first guitar go to a good home.<span style=""> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFTC1s12BI/AAAAAAAAAaE/XuYGhPvga8w/s1600/Guitar%2BFlag.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFTC1s12BI/AAAAAAAAAaE/XuYGhPvga8w/s400/Guitar%2BFlag.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539800324882421778" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFTDyZJrNI/AAAAAAAAAaM/ZiwjeAzArTo/s1600/Guitar%2BSigning.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFTDyZJrNI/AAAAAAAAAaM/ZiwjeAzArTo/s400/Guitar%2BSigning.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539800341174398162" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">NAIROBI</span><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">After our memorable encounter with Dola, we all headed south to Nairobi. Almost all overlanders going through Nairobi stop off at a place called Jungle Junction (JJs). It’s a compound/hostel/campsite/garage located in the Embassy belt of Nairobi and owned by a sound German guy called Chris. After the terrible road from Moyale, most people generally need to get a few repairs done to their jeeps/motorbikes and what better place to choose. As nice as the area is, there were two gunshots one night down the road where two guys were shot dead trying to break into a compound. At least we knew we were safe :).</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFTEL1pglI/AAAAAAAAAaU/E6puv_jHaIc/s1600/Jungle%2BJunction.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFTEL1pglI/AAAAAAAAAaU/E6puv_jHaIc/s400/Jungle%2BJunction.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539800348004811346" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">At JJs myself, Podge, Michael (Germany) and Mark (England) decided to do ‘the kilo challenge’ as you can get a 1 kg fillet of beef for about 5 euro in the local butcher. I made my famous pepper sauce to accompany it. As tasty as the meat was, it was a hell of a lot of work. We all managed to finish it, however it proved to be a bit too much for poor Mark who fell short with about 200 g left. Still, he put up a valiant effort for an English man ;). Sorry Mark!<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFTFJULgOI/AAAAAAAAAac/DF_tYmfAFHo/s1600/Kilo%2BChallenge.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 751px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFTFJULgOI/AAAAAAAAAac/DF_tYmfAFHo/s400/Kilo%2BChallenge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539800364507431138" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Myself, Mark, Podge and Michael</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately Mark and his dad Tony had to cut their Africa trip short and head home after Tony crashed his motorbike in Rwanda breaking his leg in three places. They’re two lovely lads we first met in Egypt a few months ago. Get well soon Tony!</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">After a week in JJs (and a lot of steak), Collette and Maxie (Podge’s parents) flew into Nairobi to travel around with us for a few of weeks. It was great to have the newest members of the Global-Slacker team on board. Our first outing was to the giraffe sanctuary in Nairobi. You can feed them and they even give you a kiss if you’re lucky, scooorrrre… </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""> </b></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFUhsOJ94I/AAAAAAAAAak/cQTxfgheb8U/s1600/Giraffe%2BKiss.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFUhsOJ94I/AAAAAAAAAak/cQTxfgheb8U/s400/Giraffe%2BKiss.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539801954425370498" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">After finally seeing some semi-wild animals, we wanted to see more. So the following day we set off for the Masai Mara game reserve. A long drive on crap roads, but soo worth it.</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">MASAI MARA</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The Masi are a tribe who live beside the reserve. They all wear a red tartan garment over their shoulders and carry spears to protect themselves from wild animals. Here's a fine example... </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFUh4C031I/AAAAAAAAAas/n4Eb_Kanubc/s1600/Masai%2BMan.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFUh4C031I/AAAAAAAAAas/n4Eb_Kanubc/s400/Masai%2BMan.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539801957599076178" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">We spent two days in the reserve driving around in the jeep. Unbelievable experience. You could easily spend a month in the place.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFkBOe_0RI/AAAAAAAAAdE/OHW6ORphuUw/s1600/Masai%2BHunting.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFkBOe_0RI/AAAAAAAAAdE/OHW6ORphuUw/s400/Masai%2BHunting.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539818988873175314" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFUivvRxMI/AAAAAAAAAa0/k2VXcW-MEd4/s1600/Us%2BIn%2BMasai%2BMara.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFUivvRxMI/AAAAAAAAAa0/k2VXcW-MEd4/s400/Us%2BIn%2BMasai%2BMara.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539801972549469378" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Me, Maxie, Podge, Collette and Janer</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Here are some of the amazing things we saw (watch out National Geographic)…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">- Elephants & hippos (me thinks hippos are scared of elephants)…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFWEfgj2sI/AAAAAAAAAa8/_r_9zgzLupc/s1600/Elephant%2BRiver.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFWEfgj2sI/AAAAAAAAAa8/_r_9zgzLupc/s400/Elephant%2BRiver.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539803651819952834" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">- Crocodiles sitting in the sun. Crocodiles are only found in two places on earth; the northern and southern hemisphere…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFWE9YepBI/AAAAAAAAAbE/uqn_ARTCQwY/s1600/Croc.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFWE9YepBI/AAAAAAAAAbE/uqn_ARTCQwY/s400/Croc.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539803659839120402" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">- Vultures eating the shit out of a wildebeest...</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFWFD9YrnI/AAAAAAAAAbM/5AGirj2UY1o/s1600/Vultures.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFWFD9YrnI/AAAAAAAAAbM/5AGirj2UY1o/s400/Vultures.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539803661604531826" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">- Water buffalos eating the shit out of grass…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFWFooye-I/AAAAAAAAAbU/-0GLW1w-ffI/s1600/Water%2Bbuffalo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFWFooye-I/AAAAAAAAAbU/-0GLW1w-ffI/s400/Water%2Bbuffalo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539803671450254306" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">- Wildebeest crossing the Mara River…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFWGaPHx5I/AAAAAAAAAbc/kae_4OupQt0/s1600/River%2Bcrossing.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFWGaPHx5I/AAAAAAAAAbc/kae_4OupQt0/s400/River%2Bcrossing.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539803684764370834" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">- Wilder beasts that never made it across the Mara River getting the shit eaten out of them by more vultures…</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFXqX3-qSI/AAAAAAAAAbk/O1Gb5rt3nVE/s1600/River%2Bnot%2Bcrossing.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFXqX3-qSI/AAAAAAAAAbk/O1Gb5rt3nVE/s400/River%2Bnot%2Bcrossing.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539805402117351714" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">- A cheetah…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFXrUsmswI/AAAAAAAAAbs/UP7fEJARJwY/s1600/Cheetah.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFXrUsmswI/AAAAAAAAAbs/UP7fEJARJwY/s400/Cheetah.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539805418444206850" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">- A gazelle…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFXsVI02-I/AAAAAAAAAb0/eap9kkSTq2w/s1600/Gazelle.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFXsVI02-I/AAAAAAAAAb0/eap9kkSTq2w/s400/Gazelle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539805435742444514" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">- A cheetah chasing a gazelle…</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFce08BwiI/AAAAAAAAAb8/mj_lTPdFN9E/s1600/Cheetah%2BChasing.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 283px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFce08BwiI/AAAAAAAAAb8/mj_lTPdFN9E/s400/Cheetah%2BChasing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539810701318668834" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">…a cheetah killing a gazelle…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFcfiltU5I/AAAAAAAAAcE/IWk1KfKytyU/s1600/Cheetah%2BKilling.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFcfiltU5I/AAAAAAAAAcE/IWk1KfKytyU/s400/Cheetah%2BKilling.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539810713573086098" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">…and cheetah cubs eating a gazelle…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFchUC27cI/AAAAAAAAAcM/ATTt56lMlVI/s1600/Cheetah%2BEating.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 282px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFchUC27cI/AAAAAAAAAcM/ATTt56lMlVI/s400/Cheetah%2BEating.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539810744028556738" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">- Lions; menacing and terrifying, they have been menacing and terrifying people for over a decade… </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFciU8mdRI/AAAAAAAAAcU/wymx5zQLRdo/s1600/Lion.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFciU8mdRI/AAAAAAAAAcU/wymx5zQLRdo/s400/Lion.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539810761450616082" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">- And monkeys, lots of monkeys. Interestingly, researchers believe that monkeys make up over 80% of the worlds monkey population…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFcikBzPII/AAAAAAAAAcc/6NOO9-tRbTI/s1600/Monkey1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 282px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFcikBzPII/AAAAAAAAAcc/6NOO9-tRbTI/s400/Monkey1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539810765498956930" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFgtv0wM8I/AAAAAAAAAck/fSuutC0rnm8/s1600/Monkey2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFgtv0wM8I/AAAAAAAAAck/fSuutC0rnm8/s400/Monkey2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539815355690529730" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Anyway, all good things must come to an end and we headed back to JJs in Nairobi and watched Ireland v S. Africa in a hotel in the city… the less said about that the better. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Next day, we headed for the coast stopping one night at Red Elephant campsite in Voi. Here’s David from the campsite. I told him I’d put him on the blog. He’d some great stories about Kenya.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFgt9WZCtI/AAAAAAAAAcs/jezLp1kcM_0/s1600/David.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFgt9WZCtI/AAAAAAAAAcs/jezLp1kcM_0/s400/David.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539815359321279186" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">TIWI BEACH</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">After two days on the road, we arrived at Tiwi Beach just south of Mombasa… pure paradise; white sand, palm trees, warm sea, coconuts to drink, fresh fish on the campfire and good auld Tucker beer. Marc & Dela were already here when we arrived. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFguGD8BLI/AAAAAAAAAc0/3Sur629h0SQ/s1600/Tiwi%2BBeach.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFguGD8BLI/AAAAAAAAAc0/3Sur629h0SQ/s400/Tiwi%2BBeach.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539815361659798706" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFnXb_ThaI/AAAAAAAAAdU/6oKGq_JQxk4/s1600/Africa%2BPool.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 376px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFnXb_ThaI/AAAAAAAAAdU/6oKGq_JQxk4/s400/Africa%2BPool.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539822668990350754" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFnXISnKyI/AAAAAAAAAdM/NjOlfk0S2Ic/s1600/Maxie%2BFire.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFnXISnKyI/AAAAAAAAAdM/NjOlfk0S2Ic/s400/Maxie%2BFire.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539822663702620962" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We all loved it so much we spent a whole week and celebrated Janer’s 25<sup>th</sup> birthday Saturday night…</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFkA6JeFAI/AAAAAAAAAc8/ZlD44Hj-kJs/s1600/Janer%2527s%2BBday.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TOFkA6JeFAI/AAAAAAAAAc8/ZlD44Hj-kJs/s400/Janer%2527s%2BBday.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539818983414174722" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We’re just back in Nairobi today and heading off to some lake and game reserve with Maxie and Collette tomorrow. It's a tough life, but someone's gotta do it!<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </p>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-73311416014590279202010-10-26T15:30:00.047+01:002010-10-28T12:38:05.330+01:00"Denah Nachu Ethiopia"… Monkey Magic, Goat Sacrifices and Machine Guns :)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Before I start, this is a really long blog entry as the Internet is pretty much non-existent in Ethiopia so I had to wait ‘till Nairobi to post it all. Here’s a brief outline of our route through Ethiopia…</span><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">---ETHIOPIA---</span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcC_4t_6-I/AAAAAAAAATY/D9WMxMYRaMA/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-10-26+at+18.41.24.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 325px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcC_4t_6-I/AAAAAAAAATY/D9WMxMYRaMA/s400/Screen+shot+2010-10-26+at+18.41.24.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532393963828276194" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal">So, one day after leaving Khartoum (Sudan) we finally made it across the border and into Ethiopia. It's so green and so mountainous, a welcomed change from the desert and heat of Egypt and Sudan. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcDuuSyg0I/AAAAAAAAATg/_2WDBaxivCw/s1600/Mountains.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 502px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcDuuSyg0I/AAAAAAAAATg/_2WDBaxivCw/s400/Mountains.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532394768483648322" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">No matter where you drive here there are people, they’re absolutely everywhere (population <span style="">~</span>90,000,000). Every corner you go around you have to expect someone with a herd of cattle, goats or donkeys, or even just kids sitting in the middle of the road (as you do). It's very poor too.<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcDvMk-kAI/AAAAAAAAATo/dZgIeSPD6s0/s1600/Road.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcDvMk-kAI/AAAAAAAAATo/dZgIeSPD6s0/s400/Road.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532394776612999170" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcDvfCbcjI/AAAAAAAAATw/GP7V9S7ZB00/s1600/House.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 376px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcDvfCbcjI/AAAAAAAAATw/GP7V9S7ZB00/s400/House.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532394781568365106" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcEOy2aIRI/AAAAAAAAAT4/GYDLnw7OJO4/s1600/Rain.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcEOy2aIRI/AAAAAAAAAT4/GYDLnw7OJO4/s320/Rain.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532395319462600978" border="0" /></a>Our air-con that we spent two whole days getting fixed in Khartoum a couple of days before hand only worked properly for about 30 minutes ($120 well spent), so it was a blessing to finally have a bit of cold. As we started to climb higher and higher through the mountains, we could even drive with the windows up. Then it rained, yes rain!!! Just like back in Ireland…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">When you drive in Ethiopia, kids run up to the car from everywhere shouting ‘<i style="">you you you you you</i>’ and ‘<i style="">money money money money</i>’. They’re so used to NGOs and aid workers giving them stuff for nothing. They can be pretty aggressive little feckers too, but generally just don’t know any better. As soon as they see you, without even thinking their hand flies out. Check out this fella…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcME_DzzyI/AAAAAAAAAUw/PkLXMq5pWtA/s1600/You+You+You.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcME_DzzyI/AAAAAAAAAUw/PkLXMq5pWtA/s400/You+You+You.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532403947034365730" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">TIM & KIM'S, LAKE TANA</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcFlwubG8I/AAAAAAAAAUI/vv7tSPHw1VI/s1600/Tim+%26+Kim%27s+Place.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 258px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcFlwubG8I/AAAAAAAAAUI/vv7tSPHw1VI/s320/Tim+%26+Kim%27s+Place.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532396813540858818" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;">We eventually arrived at our first destination… <a href="http://www.timkimvillage.com/">Tim & Kim’s Village</a>. Its a campsite in Gorgora, two hours from Gondor right on Lake Tana; the source of the Blue Nile. Tim & Kim are a lovely Dutch couple and great craic. Its such a gorgeous place. We were only going to spend one night and ended up staying for a whole week.<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Supposedly, there’s a lot of wild life around the area including baboons, snakes, scorpions, hippos and hyenas to name a few. At nighttime you could even hear the hyenas howling on the hill. Kind of a woooOOOO-OPPP sound... I'm sure you're trying it right now!<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">When we pulled up to Tim & Kim’s we were greeted by Marc & Dela (Holland/ Germany) who we stayed with in Wadi Halfa along with the South Africans and Michael (German Fireman on motorbike who we met on Aswan-Wadi Halfa ferry). Try remember those names, they feature throughout. Later on we had goat for dinner that had been killed that day followed by a tonne of the local beer, St. George (50 cent a bottle)... a great first night in Ethiopia. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcNwF1SR9I/AAAAAAAAAU4/dx9X8k0ukKA/s1600/BBQ.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcNwF1SR9I/AAAAAAAAAU4/dx9X8k0ukKA/s400/BBQ.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532405787098499026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Tim on BBQ duty</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">On our second day, Janer and myself went for a long walk through the hills in search of some of this amazing wildlife we heard so much about… we saw two ducks! </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcNwE_PM5I/AAAAAAAAAVA/fsIPYErPVpI/s1600/Ducks.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcNwE_PM5I/AAAAAAAAAVA/fsIPYErPVpI/s400/Ducks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532405786871804818" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcHR3k8P-I/AAAAAAAAAUY/uyfvGD2570s/s1600/Ducks.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">On our second night in Tim & Kim’s I had a near death experience when the German family arrived in their massive tuck in the dark. The track up to Tim and Kim’s is very rough, bumpy and narrow. Myself and Marc were standing outside and could hear the truck coming in the distance, and Guido (the owner) shouting at some local lads… “<span style="font-style: italic;">get the f@$% off my truck and leave us alone”</span>. There were 3 lads hassling them all the way from the village for money and climbing all over his truck... absolute arshenheimers. Lucky there were armed guards at the gate! Anyway, as the truck came in, I was standing beside it when the back right wheel went over a huge rock about one and a half foot high. It banked over about 40 degrees towards me and I was convinced it was going to turn over on its side.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">This is the truck...<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcboToq6yI/AAAAAAAAAVY/DaUpG7B61RA/s1600/Truck.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcboToq6yI/AAAAAAAAAVY/DaUpG7B61RA/s400/Truck.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532421046527519522" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: right;">… it’s bleedin’ massive.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;">Podge was at the back and ran out of the way picking up one of the local Ethiopian lads like a rugby ball who was standing in his path. I just stood there staring at the big side of the truck getting closer and closer thinking ‘this is it Johnny, it’s been real’. For some reason, instead of jumping out of the way, I just put my hand up as if I’d be able to simply pop it back over. Thank God it flopped back down and I’m still here to tell the tale… I’m sure you’d all miss the blog!!! </p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">The following day we all went for a long with Tim hoping to see some hippos and baboons. Again, we only saw birds but it was still class.<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcNwlaq71I/AAAAAAAAAVI/LLY3dZW01o4/s1600/Group+Walk.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcNwlaq71I/AAAAAAAAAVI/LLY3dZW01o4/s400/Group+Walk.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532405795576803154" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i style="">Tim, Myself, Podge, Janer, Fabien, Guido, Tania and Lilly</i></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcbR9nqmGI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/PF7O0CWO_Pc/s1600/Flippy+Floppies.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 175px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcbR9nqmGI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/PF7O0CWO_Pc/s400/Flippy+Floppies.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532420662660601954" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">About an hour into the walk with Tim we had a serious casualty. One of my trusty flippy-floppies that I got fixed in Aswan broke. Naturally, I was devastated. However, luckily Podge just happened to have a trusty role of electrical tape in his pocket. Take note Bear Grills, even electrical tape can save someone’s life/flip-flops. I did a quick MacGyver job on them and they actually turned out to be pretty comfortable for the rest of the trek. I had to Pikey my spare pair back from Podge though when we got back.<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMccBcDsNWI/AAAAAAAAAVg/EgVBIU3QXmE/s1600/Canoing.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 170px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMccBcDsNWI/AAAAAAAAAVg/EgVBIU3QXmE/s400/Canoing.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532421478285063522" border="0" /></a>On our last day at Tim & Kim’s, we went for a nice paddle in some local papyrus boats. They’re not waterproof, but the papyrus itself floats. Hence you get a pretty wet arse! Very difficult to handle, but somehow I managed to not fall in. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">We had an amazing first week at Tim & Kim’s and it was a brilliant introduction to Ethiopia, but all good things must eventually come to an end. We’ll definitely miss them… </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcf10ukSUI/AAAAAAAAAVo/ud-Ef7zv7pc/s1600/Group+Photo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 283px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcf10ukSUI/AAAAAAAAAVo/ud-Ef7zv7pc/s400/Group+Photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532425676795431234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><i style="">Kim, Tim, Janer, Podge and yours truly (getting knocked over by Podge)</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">GONDOR/DEBARK</span><i style=""><br /></i></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Next stop was Gondor. We had another casualty the day we arrived… Podge made a balls of trimming his beard and had to shave the whole thing off…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMchykTEnfI/AAAAAAAAAVw/iB6mrDdeojo/s1600/Podge+Shaved.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 283px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMchykTEnfI/AAAAAAAAAVw/iB6mrDdeojo/s400/Podge+Shaved.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532427819868790258" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">The next day we visited the Castle in Gondor, then headed north for the town of Debark high up in The Simyen Mountains (around 3400 m). </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcifBmx3HI/AAAAAAAAAV4/jXOnJZ2nvec/s1600/Gondor+Castle.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 283px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcifBmx3HI/AAAAAAAAAV4/jXOnJZ2nvec/s400/Gondor+Castle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532428583650319474" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">SIMIEN MOUNTAINS</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">The Simien Mountains are breathtaking (although maybe that has something to do with the altitude, wha, wha, see what I did there???? Wha???). The road up to them was terrible and certainly put the jeep to the test. We were accompanied by an armed scout called Bran to keep the ‘you you yous’ away and make sure you behave in the park. We also had a guide called Amara. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcsbqCQpUI/AAAAAAAAAWA/eHDnRrmXBX0/s1600/Scout+%26+Guide.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcsbqCQpUI/AAAAAAAAAWA/eHDnRrmXBX0/s400/Scout+%26+Guide.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532439520899802434" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcuWEy7VpI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/iLIlnlNsgOM/s1600/Simien1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 283px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcuWEy7VpI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/iLIlnlNsgOM/s400/Simien1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532441624027289234" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcs0zYt0KI/AAAAAAAAAWI/6Q6wB75ZHFY/s1600/Simien2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 283px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcs0zYt0KI/AAAAAAAAAWI/6Q6wB75ZHFY/s400/Simien2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532439952906637474" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Finally we got to see some decent wild life, small deer called klipsprings and onyxs, eagles, vultures, hawks and baboons, lots of baboons. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMfBN3VJtfI/AAAAAAAAAYI/AHQiM5IvfdU/s1600/Klipspring.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 340px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMfBN3VJtfI/AAAAAAAAAYI/AHQiM5IvfdU/s400/Klipspring.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532603111183070706" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">The baboons were class, you could walk among them no bother and they just picked away at the grass as if you weren’t there.<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Can you spot the odd one out?…</p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcxWn2NBAI/AAAAAAAAAWg/_KbzEL-H6Sk/s1600/Me+%26+Baboons.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcxWn2NBAI/AAAAAAAAAWg/_KbzEL-H6Sk/s400/Me+%26+Baboons.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532444931971154946" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMcxXLWhncI/AAAAAAAAAWw/Ti0lezum2w0/s1600/Baboon2.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">The next part is Rated-R, so any children or animal lovers reading this, avert your eyes or scroll past!!! I was taking a picture of the male baboon, when out of the blue a female ran up to him. Before you knew it they were making monkey magic, absolutely hilarious. David Attenborough would have been proud...</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dy3K33oXT2U?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dy3K33oXT2U?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">That evening we drove back to Gondor and after few Amirullas mixed with Macchiatos (which we christened African-coffees) we went out on the piss in a local bar and had a little bop with the locals. Brilliant fun, but no photos unfortunately.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">BAHIR DAR</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">After Gondor, we traveled south spending a night in Bahir Dar (in a complete dump called the Ghion Hotel). My camera broke :(, casualty number three in Ethiopia. Went to see the Blue Nile falls (the start of the Blue Nile river) before heading down to the capital city of Addis Ababa.<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMc08Myi2CI/AAAAAAAAAW4/VIHZFJ4gpSI/s1600/Blue+Nile.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 376px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMc08Myi2CI/AAAAAAAAAW4/VIHZFJ4gpSI/s400/Blue+Nile.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532448876077963298" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">On our way south, we met some baboon on the road and threw one a few peanuts. Look at him, he was delighted with himself...<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMc2P7ngFgI/AAAAAAAAAXI/G2KTqkUJs1I/s1600/Monkey+Nuts.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 348px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMc2P7ngFgI/AAAAAAAAAXI/G2KTqkUJs1I/s400/Monkey+Nuts.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532450314577253890" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">ADDIS ABABA</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMc4YhHE66I/AAAAAAAAAXo/yRIGpSdanp0/s1600/Wim.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMc4YhHE66I/AAAAAAAAAXo/yRIGpSdanp0/s400/Wim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532452661104012194" border="0" /></a>Addis Ababa, referred to as ‘Addis’ if you’re cool was the next stop. My Mum says I’m cool, so I’m calling it Addis!<span style=""> </span>Anyway, we stayed in Wim’s Holland House in the middle of the city. When we arrived, Michael (German, motorbike) was there, and afterwards, Marc & Dela (team Holland/ Germany) arrived. We started drinking early and had a great first night. All lovely people! Wim with the Dutch delicacy, bitterballen --><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Spent a few nights in Wim’s and managed to get rid of the fleas we picked up a few days before. Yes, we had fleas! Unfortunately, its an inevitability in Ethiopia. However, in the words of Michael, “<i style="">Ich bin floh frei</i>”. This became the general drinks toast for the rest of Ethiopia… “<i style="">floh frei</i>” (flea free)! It's still popping up in Kenya.<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">KARKARO BEACH, LAKE LANGANO</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">After Addis, we drove south to Lake Langano to a hotel where we’d arranged to meet Michael, Marc & Dela. The only problem was, the hotel was closed down. We managed to find another campsite off the beaten track called Karkaro Beach and you’ll never guess who we met there… Michael, Marc & Dela! </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMc3zhLmNyI/AAAAAAAAAXg/jEvMZTFupsU/s1600/Pirates.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 390px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMc3zhLmNyI/AAAAAAAAAXg/jEvMZTFupsU/s400/Pirates.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532452025467811618" border="0" /></a>Karkaro Beach is run by Eddie Murray and his wife Jasmine, both soooo nice. Eddie’s a retired Major in the US Special Forces who then studied cuisine with a Michelin star chef for a few years. His wife Jasmine (originally Ethiopian) is a pharmacist, a medical doctor and hotel manager. Lovely lovely people. Camping right by the water, Eddie’s jaw dropping war stories, Jasmine’s Ethiopia stories and their unbelievable food, what more could you want? </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We went canoeing in the lake (this time in real canoes) and had a great pirate battle between Myself & Podge in one boat and Michael & Marc in another. Lets just say we didn’t represent Ireland very well and spent most of the time in the water, sometimes knocked in, but mostly through our own lack of balance. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Eddie and Jasmine bought a goat for us for dinner one night who I christened Billie. Look at her, she hadn’t got a clue what was about to happen! Again, children and animal lovers, avert you eyes for the next few pics...<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMc3VxG251I/AAAAAAAAAXY/aUZu7hp1P4s/s1600/Me+%26+Billie.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 376px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMc3VxG251I/AAAAAAAAAXY/aUZu7hp1P4s/s400/Me+%26+Billie.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532451514346825554" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Before she knew it Abu (an ex-corporal in the Ethiopian army) had Billie on the ground with a knife to her throat. It was some sight! They then strung her up by one leg, removed the skin etc. and started cutting it up. When the meat was in the bowl, you could still see the muscles flexing. It was cooked over an open fire (by another man with a gun of course) and eventually ended up on our plates tasting amazing… thanks Billie!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMc5MtId1HI/AAAAAAAAAXw/VOG9Cgifb8o/s1600/From+Goat+to+Plate.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 564px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMc5MtId1HI/AAAAAAAAAXw/VOG9Cgifb8o/s400/From+Goat+to+Plate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532453557684262002" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">While the cooking was going on we had a slingshot competition and a little fun with the guards guns, what can I say, boys will be boys…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMlaf6aUA-I/AAAAAAAAAYY/aMLlBIXWLr4/s1600/Boys+Will+Be+Boys.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMlaf6aUA-I/AAAAAAAAAYY/aMLlBIXWLr4/s400/Boys+Will+Be+Boys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533053121503429602" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We were all leaving the following day when Guido and his family in the big truck (the one that nearly fell on me) arrived, so we decided to stay another day along with Michael. Marc & Dela headed on to Arba Minch. Those Dutch, always have to be first…sorry Marc ;-). We repeated the whole thing again the next night with Billie No. 2 and a few crates of good old St. George, as the Dutch say…“<i style="">Lecker</i>”.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">KONSO</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">After Lake Langano we spent a night in Arba Minch on our way to Konso. In Konso, we visited a local mountain village where they pretty much live the same way as they did hundreds of years ago. The road up to it was pretty much impassable in a norml car. Our guide <span>Gurasho</span> made it a great experience and even joined us for breakfast the next morning at our campsite.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMlcAsh501I/AAAAAAAAAYg/JszBZx3JpxE/s1600/Village.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMlcAsh501I/AAAAAAAAAYg/JszBZx3JpxE/s400/Village.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533054784224482130" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMlcAx32htI/AAAAAAAAAYo/e4w8qPZH1Io/s1600/Village2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TMlcAx32htI/AAAAAAAAAYo/e4w8qPZH1Io/s400/Village2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533054785658717906" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">MOYALE</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">The following morning we all headed for Moyale on the Ethiopian/Kenyan border and crossed that evening so we could make an early start the next day.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Ethiopia was an absolutely amazing experience, lovely lovely people and so different to anything I expected. Tough going at times, but definitely worth it.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Anyway, as they say in Ethiopia… “Ciao Ciao”!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;">_____________________________________<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">BTW, Podge's Syria2Jordan video is now up on the Global-Slacker site, do it...</p> <div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16228873" frameborder="0" height="281.25" width="500"></iframe></div>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-12163088033971402202010-09-28T19:08:00.018+01:002010-09-28T19:36:40.239+01:00Sudan... feeling hot hot hot!<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Getting from Egypt to Sudan with a jeep is a very costly and awkward thing to do. After a week of coming and going organising the boat from Aswan to Wadi Halfa and after a lot of waiting, the day finally arrived for us to go to the ferry.</span><br /></div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIv5sQac0I/AAAAAAAAARQ/AuHMDYtK5MI/s1600/Convoy.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIv5sQac0I/AAAAAAAAARQ/AuHMDYtK5MI/s400/Convoy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522028761288700738" border="0" /></a></span>We (us, seven other overland jeeps, a massive German truck and about 9 motorbikes all doing a similar Africa trip) all had to meet at the police station in Aswan at 8.30 in the morning. After about two hours of sorting things out from a helper of Daves (from South Africa), we all drove in a police escourted convoy to the port. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">After a few more bribes from Dave at the port, we avoided getting the jeep searched and about 4 hours later finally got the jeep onto the barge. We then got onto the separate passenger ferry for our overnight trip to Wadi Halfa down the Nile. Our first class cabin was certainly not first class with a pretty pungent smell, but at least it had air-con. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIwDzqhxZI/AAAAAAAAARY/alm677K3tLo/s1600/Barge.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIwDzqhxZI/AAAAAAAAARY/alm677K3tLo/s400/Barge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522028935075972498" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIwLNQPTGI/AAAAAAAAARg/-Wtnha3yblk/s1600/Me+on+Barge.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIwLNQPTGI/AAAAAAAAARg/-Wtnha3yblk/s400/Me+on+Barge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522029062204116066" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="GA">Arrived in Wadi Halfa the next afternoon, what a sight, absolutely nothing there...<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIwXBNYx5I/AAAAAAAAARo/NUbX3pLJP5g/s1600/Wadi+Halfa.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 502px; height: 376px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIwXBNYx5I/AAAAAAAAARo/NUbX3pLJP5g/s400/Wadi+Halfa.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522029265129359250" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIwkUCkiKI/AAAAAAAAARw/g_zK6DbGT4s/s1600/TucTuc.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 212px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIwkUCkiKI/AAAAAAAAARw/g_zK6DbGT4s/s400/TucTuc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522029493522565282" border="0" /></a><span lang="GA">Got off the boat and after going through customs, we finally headed outside and into Sudan. The guys got in the back of an old land rover and I got into a Tuc Tuc with Dave and Magdi and went to Magdi’s house.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="GA"> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span lang="GA">The next day the barges arrived with the jeeps; however Podge had to wait there all day to get the jeep off. Since he was gone so long, I sorted out a couple of other options just in case...</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">We ended our last night in Wadi Halfa with some gorgeous whiskey smuggled in by Stan and Frans… a perfect treat in a dry country. South Africans and the Dutch/Germans are all such a lovely group of people and hopefully our paths will cross further on down through Africa. We promised Dave we’d call into him when we get to South Africa, and I’ve to return a book I borrowed from him.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIwtCEDPQI/AAAAAAAAAR4/G9XxIOcCIx0/s1600/Group+Photo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 504px; height: 377px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIwtCEDPQI/AAAAAAAAAR4/G9XxIOcCIx0/s400/Group+Photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522029643315756290" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-style: italic; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Stan, Lenie, Frans, Carline, Dave, Magdi, Anita,</span></p><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-style: italic; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Me, Dela, Marc, Janer, Podge, and Coen.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">The next day we left Wadi Halfa and drove for hours through the desert. Throughout the trip myself and Podge have been having discussion after discussion about how long it would take to climb up certain mountains we pass. So when we passed one in the desert I was finally asked to put my money where my mouth was. I said it wouldn’t take more than an hour. Podge said I wouldn’t make it up in under two. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">So, I popped on my trusty Yassir Arafat scarf, a white t-shirt and took two and a half bottles of water, oh and a Dioralite too, just in case. I’ve been up sugarloaf loads of times so not a bother. However the Sugarloaf is not in the Sahara, not as high and doesn’t have the midday desert sun beating down on you. It was HOT. HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!!! I have to say, Sudan is the hottest country I’ve ever been in. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Anyway, I set off feeling very optimistic with a spring in my step. Half way up I passed a small cave with the biggest bats I’ve ever seen coming in and out. They were monsters. It was getting hotter and hotter and I was sweating buckets wondering what the hell had I gotten myself into? A man and his pride!!! Anyway, after about 42 min I was nearly at the top….</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIx8Oy9cKI/AAAAAAAAASA/jn0ff6ObW9k/s1600/Mountain.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIx8Oy9cKI/AAAAAAAAASA/jn0ff6ObW9k/s400/Mountain.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522031003943399586" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">I found an overhanging rock and crawled into it for some well-needed shade, a sachet of Dioralite and a few minutes to contemplate life.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIya6sCNhI/AAAAAAAAASI/250b2oEPeEo/s1600/Mountain2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIya6sCNhI/AAAAAAAAASI/250b2oEPeEo/s400/Mountain2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522031531121587730" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIyqCEMKAI/AAAAAAAAASQ/4-R2oT2FBCI/s1600/Mountain5.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 376px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIyqCEMKAI/AAAAAAAAASQ/4-R2oT2FBCI/s400/Mountain5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522031790799988738" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">When I finally crawled out to continue, I quickly realised I had been defeated by a cliff. If I had managed to climb up there, there’s no way in hell I would have gotten back down. So the little voice in my head said; I think that’s enough Johnny and I started the long descent back down. Probably one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done in my life. Destroyed my runners and got some whopper blisters too. Podge, enjoy your $1. Here’s a view from my last stop with the Nile in the background…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIy011oDuI/AAAAAAAAASY/A7ZuED8dCz8/s1600/Mountain3.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIy011oDuI/AAAAAAAAASY/A7ZuED8dCz8/s400/Mountain3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522031976496238306" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">…and one of the jeep. It’s the little dot under the arrow…</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIy9lRyafI/AAAAAAAAASg/ewUniw9f63Q/s1600/Mountain4.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 502px; height: 376px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIy9lRyafI/AAAAAAAAASg/ewUniw9f63Q/s400/Mountain4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522032126669777394" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Oh, did I mention it was HOT!!!</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">That evening it got eerily dusty and you could barely see the sun as we drove further and further south. I was so dehydrated and completely knackered. We free camped in the desert and surprise surprise, it was hot. When I got into my tent, the ground was roasting. Worst nights sleep ever!</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIzIcu1VnI/AAAAAAAAASo/DpW01EiGD8o/s1600/Dust+Storm.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIzIcu1VnI/AAAAAAAAASo/DpW01EiGD8o/s400/Dust+Storm.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522032313354245746" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Got up the next day and drove few hours to the pyramids in Nuri, which were actually built by Tutankamun, I think? Don’t quote me on that one!</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIzTGql2dI/AAAAAAAAASw/qqQjL0YoiCE/s1600/Pyramids.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 502px; height: 376px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIzTGql2dI/AAAAAAAAASw/qqQjL0YoiCE/s400/Pyramids.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522032496409434578" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Headed further south towards Khartoum and free camped again in the desert where Podge caught us some dinner. Janer tried her best, but it still tasted like shit.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIzbF3aFjI/AAAAAAAAAS4/hT1nyyyK8ak/s1600/Dinner.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 502px; height: 376px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIzbF3aFjI/AAAAAAAAAS4/hT1nyyyK8ak/s400/Dinner.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522032633633707570" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIzlzcDJ5I/AAAAAAAAATA/Xr2Lf3Ml610/s1600/Desert+Camping.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKIzlzcDJ5I/AAAAAAAAATA/Xr2Lf3Ml610/s400/Desert+Camping.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522032817665681298" border="0" /></a> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">As soon as it got dark we were joined by a load of bats flying around our heads, if you were on your own you’d be brickin’ yourself.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">After a lovely long sleep in the desert with some interesting noises coming from outside, we finally headed for the capital, Khartoum. Stopped off at some other pyramids on the way but weren’t that impressive. As we got closer to the city, the landscape changed from sheer barren desert into more desert/savannah like landscape with massive flat white grassy areas and those African trees that grow wide with spikey leaves you see in programs about Africa funnily enough.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKI0c5fLGII/AAAAAAAAATI/5747OKyg1Hw/s1600/Garage.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TKI0c5fLGII/AAAAAAAAATI/5747OKyg1Hw/s400/Garage.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522033764182202498" border="0" /></a>Finally we reached Khartoum, but had to wait until Tuesday to go the the Ethiopian embassy and get our visas. So, spent all day yesterday trying to get the air-con fixed in the jeep and after a lot of sweating and waiting, they told us to come back again today. Applied for visas this morning, then spent the rest of the day again back in the garage part of town (cars everywhere). Very productive day as we also picked up new straps for the roof rack and a shovel. Lots and lots of hard haggling though!!!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Roll on Ethiopia with its cold cold climate and those kids who throw stones at your car... Podge is going to go mental!</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> </p>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-36462234244889444252010-09-19T12:26:00.020+01:002010-09-19T16:07:32.514+01:00Egypt Part Deux - Luxor & Aswan<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYktcvPLvI/AAAAAAAAARA/Mx-aQYGn2CM/s1600/Wedding+car.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 349px; height: 196px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYktcvPLvI/AAAAAAAAARA/Mx-aQYGn2CM/s400/Wedding+car.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518638756616154866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">On our last night in Luxor, we were all invited to attend an Islamic Egyptian wedding by a guy called Mohamed who Podge met in a garage. Supposedly it’s an honour to have a foreigner at your wedding over here, so they got three for the price of one.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" face="verdana" class="MsoNormal">He picked us up about nine and drove us to a large building across town that’s used just for weddings. It was the ending ceremony on the second day of the wedding. Out of about 1000 people, Podge and I were the only two guys in shorts, and surprisingly, only a few people stared at us. We did wear shirts too though... Well, Podge wore a shirt; I wore a pajamas top, as I didn’t have one... Classy!</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The bride and groom called Hamada and Shareen pulled up in a jeep with a load of bridesmaids all dressed in really bright colours. They held a framed picture of the bride and groom up behind them as they walked in. It was only taken a few minutes before hand which seemed a bit odd?<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYhJatj6eI/AAAAAAAAAQo/nKIBqSXQH_w/s1600/Happy+Couple.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 283px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYhJatj6eI/AAAAAAAAAQo/nKIBqSXQH_w/s400/Happy+Couple.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518634839062079970" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Anyway, the place was mental outside with fireworks and lads flying up and down the road on motorbikes and on the roofs of minibuses cheering and shouting, complete mayhem. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYf45WUpQI/AAAAAAAAAQg/91h51u5E6m4/s1600/Outside+Wedding2.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYf45WUpQI/AAAAAAAAAQg/91h51u5E6m4/s400/Outside+Wedding2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518633455716705538" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The happy couple danced with only women around them. Mohamed brought us up beside them and shoved Janer into the middle of it, so she had a little bop with the bride... it’d be rude not to. Then after the couple were seated on the stage in a big fancy couch, Mohamed brought us up immediately and we were the first to shake their hands and say Mabrook (congratulations in Arabic).<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYiy_K8zrI/AAAAAAAAAQw/WfNx3QjZi0Y/s1600/Janer+dancing2.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 283px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYiy_K8zrI/AAAAAAAAAQw/WfNx3QjZi0Y/s400/Janer+dancing2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518636652735286962" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Next morning we packed up the jeep, including 2 crates of beer, and headed down to Aswan through the Western Sahara. You see the strangest things in the desert; possible relations of Turkish Kelly on their way to guard some Aswan brothels...<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYFHm9SBsI/AAAAAAAAAQY/cMSEiOYnE6Y/s1600/Camels.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYFHm9SBsI/AAAAAAAAAQY/cMSEiOYnE6Y/s400/Camels.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518604021663925954" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">When we arrived in Aswan, we checked into the Hathor hotel right on the Nile. It had a pool right on the roof, so we headed straight up for a few cans, met three bang on Canadians, Todd, Jackie and Jill up there and ended up putting a serious dent in our Sudan supply of beer. Unbelievably, it was only our third night on the sauce since leaving Ireland.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJX2CVSe2SI/AAAAAAAAAPw/5zs7eXUON64/s1600/Aswan.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJX2CVSe2SI/AAAAAAAAAPw/5zs7eXUON64/s400/Aswan.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518587438347245858" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">After a late night, we got up the next morning and headed with Todd and Jackie to The Great Temple of Abu Simbel (3 hours drive away going 120 km/h). On our way there we were stopped at a police checkpoint just outside Aswan and told we couldn’t continue unless we travelled in an armed convoy. Supposedly, there’s a risk of armed rebels out in the desert that shoot at the cars that pass through. Anyway, we had to go back to the town, register with the police and wait until 11.30 for the convoy to leave. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">After about 2 hours of driving across the desert in convoy, we had to pull over and throw a jerry can into the tank because the light had been on for about 50 km. While we were stopped, a tour bus going by also stopped and a police man hopped out with his machine gun looking none too pleased to tell us we weren’t allowed to stop. So we jumped back in and continued post haste. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">At the Temple of Abu Simbel, there were 20 m high statues of Ramses II and some smaller ones of his wife Nefertari. Look at him, he's bleedin' massive!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJX44Sdo0BI/AAAAAAAAAP4/mG3mBqFxoJo/s1600/Abu+Simbel.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJX44Sdo0BI/AAAAAAAAAP4/mG3mBqFxoJo/s400/Abu+Simbel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518590564324921362" border="0" /></a>Inside the temple, there were huge carvings in the walls and loads of small chambers covered in drawings and hieroglyphics. No cameras allowed inside the temple, so don't tell anyone I took this....<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJX5KOyUd4I/AAAAAAAAAQA/QK5wLG-L9HU/s1600/Abu+Simbel+Inside.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJX5KOyUd4I/AAAAAAAAAQA/QK5wLG-L9HU/s400/Abu+Simbel+Inside.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518590872575571842" border="0" /></a>...especially not this lad...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYmwT02XAI/AAAAAAAAARI/ymESi-mzi3E/s1600/Me+at+Abu+Simbel.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYmwT02XAI/AAAAAAAAARI/ymESi-mzi3E/s400/Me+at+Abu+Simbel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518641004786637826" border="0" /></a><br />Just beside The Temple of Abu Simbel was The Temple of Hathor. A bit smaller, but still pretty impressive.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJX5aEdsfqI/AAAAAAAAAQI/h-3-0LtGK5g/s1600/Hathor.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJX5aEdsfqI/AAAAAAAAAQI/h-3-0LtGK5g/s400/Hathor.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518591144682618530" border="0" /></a>According to the ever knowing Lonely Planet, these temples were dismantled and winched to higher ground in the 1960s so they weren’t covered by the rising Lake Nasser. As good as they were, it was a hell of a long way to go for just an hour and a half as we had to return with the convoy immediately afterward.<br /><br />As luck would have it, on our way back to Aswan, the jeep ran out of fuel again. We were told at the police checkpoint there was a petrol station 15 min outside Abu Simbel, so we thought we’d fill up there rather than get the two full jerrycans out which can be a bit of a hassle. As usual, our information from the police was complete bull. After about 100 km, no sign of any station, the tank ran out of fuel and we had to pull over and lash in the remaining 2 jerry cans. The bus ahead of us came back when they realised we weren’t behind them and again, even though we told them we ran out of fuel, we were still told we couldn't stop. However, this time it was by some pissy little arsehole of a Spanish tour guide and about 50 pissed off Spanish tourists. The policeman on their bus was pretty sound though, didn’t even get out. </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYAX3P8reI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/FuK2e_o4gWs/s1600/Aswan+Ferry.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TJYAX3P8reI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/FuK2e_o4gWs/s400/Aswan+Ferry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518598803356954082" border="0" /></a>So, we spent the past couple of days sorting out the jeep to get it onto the barge for Sudan. Very very complicated procedure. However, Dave our South African friend has been extremely helpful in getting us through all the paperwork and red tape. It's meant to be complete mayhem...<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Hopefully, all things going well on Monday morning, we'll get a police escort to the harbour then our jeep, 4 S.African jeeps, 3 Dutch jeeps, 1 German motorbike and 6 Australian motorbikes should all be out of here and on the way down the Nile to Wadi Halfa in Sudan. We have to go on a separate passenger ferry that gets there 2 days before the cars.!<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Before I go, I have some awesome news. I'm sure everyone will be delighted to hear I finally managed to get my old flippy floppies which broke in Syria fixed. Two strips of leather, a bit of thread and a few well placed nails... absolutely amazing. Oh, there was also a cobbler involved too. I could hardly do it myself now!<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> </p>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-21729463574365734022010-09-14T12:40:00.015+01:002010-09-14T13:37:11.291+01:00Egypt - Land of the Pharaohs... and the Tourist Leeches<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">After the extortionate cost of getting from Jordan to Egypt (350 Euro, including the clever Jordanian ‘leaving tax’), we were faced with a 4-hour wait and even more fees in Egyptian customs (around 200 Euro along with having to give the police man a sneaky $30 bribe). However, we were finally in Africa, and I had a chance to try out my brand spanking new Yasser Arafat scarf I picked up in Syria!!!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9gjDq9wCI/AAAAAAAAAOA/IRyo_lW5ON0/s1600/Paradise.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9gjDq9wCI/AAAAAAAAAOA/IRyo_lW5ON0/s320/Paradise.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516734223949348898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">We found an amazing beach place called Salem’s Big Surf in Neweiba with huts right on the sand about 5 metres from the sea. Spent the next 4 days doing absolutely nothing chillaxing on the beach. It was the most laid-back place I’ve ever stayed in, pure paradise.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Other than a cat running away with Janer’s fish at dinner one night, and a guy trying to sell me some home grown weed and opium, it was a pretty uneventful week.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">However, all good things must come to an end and we headed for Cairo to get our Sudanese visas and see the pyramids. My good friend Soly (a native of Cairo now living in England, and the only person from Cairo I would trust) gave me the best advice ever…</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">“<span style="font-style: italic;">Don’t buy anything you don’t want to buy</span>”</span>.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Seems obvious, but it’s really something you need to keep constantly in the back of your mind. They’ll try selling you anything.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">The first person we encountered when we got into the city was some little scrote outside a car park. We stopped at the roadside looking for parking and he came straight up to us and said he’d take us to a cheap car park. We assumed he worked for one as he was beside it. Anyway, he hopped into the jeep and we drove around for about 5 minutes then he pointed and said, “hey, park there”, and by “there” he meant by the side of the road. He wanted 25 Egyptian pounds (about 3 euro) for one days parking. Obviously, we told him we’re not paying him to show us a dodgy parking spot on the side of some random road. While he was arguing with us about it, he then tried to swipe a 10-euro note from the ashtray. When we kicked him out, he then wanted some money for his troubles. What a complete douche bag! This was the first of many of Cairo’s complete chancers we were to encounter in the city.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9hVeu4NjI/AAAAAAAAAOI/Am3XMl28q5A/s1600/Shisha.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9hVeu4NjI/AAAAAAAAAOI/Am3XMl28q5A/s320/Shisha.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516735090206979634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Anyway, we were shown a hotel and a place to park by another guy called Sheref, who after took us down the road to a café and got us some Egyptian tea and a good auld smoke on a Sheesha. The less said about ‘an fear seo’ the better! The Dire Straits song; <span style="font-style: italic;">Money For Nothing</span> comes to mind!</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Next day we went to the Sudanese Embassy in Cairo, a mental place. There was an African woman who was mad as a hatter... completely off her bean. She started coming up and talking to us, then mid sentence would wander off babbling to herself. She reminded me of the crack-ho who lived down the street from Tre and Doughboy in <span style="font-style: italic;">Boyz ‘N The Hood</span>. Anyway, Podge was standing at the passport counter and she was standing beside him (blatantly skipping the queue) with her daughter. Podge smiled at the daughter, and your one immediately covered the girls head, then moved her face right in front of Podge’s and gave him the evilest stare ever. He still hopes she didn’t put a gypsy curse on him.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />After then heading over to the Irish embassy (where the Egyptian police man guarding it was fast asleep) we got our letter of intention and headed back to the Sudanese embassy. After only two hours… bada bing, bada boom, we had our visas. All the blogs on the Interweb say it’s chaos and can take a week to get…. Luckily for us, not true!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9iQdEUg0I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/yYKwBBHdYC8/s1600/King+Tut.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9iQdEUg0I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/yYKwBBHdYC8/s320/King+Tut.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516736103372325698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">The following day we went to the Egyptian museum and saw all the old stuff they took out of the pyramids. I have to say; King Tut’s display was pretty class. He was buried in a big mask made of gold with his face on it so the Gods could know what he looked like when he was reincarnated. He was placed in a solid gold casing shaped like his body, then this was put in a wooden coffin covered in gold, and this was placed in another bigger stone tomb, and this in another and all in a pyramid or something like that, bit like a Russian doll… hence he’s all so well preserved. We also saw the mummies of some old kings and soldiers. No cameras at all allowed inside, so here’s us outside. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9jAai7DRI/AAAAAAAAAOY/SZwjjtyaetg/s1600/Egyptian+Museum.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 433px; height: 576px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9jAai7DRI/AAAAAAAAAOY/SZwjjtyaetg/s400/Egyptian+Museum.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516736927329094930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I would have taken the picture above of King Tut's mask if I was allowed a camera inside. Just pretend I took it... I am!</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9kQSakQEI/AAAAAAAAAOg/R4dQjeJnkOQ/s1600/Pyramid.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9kQSakQEI/AAAAAAAAAOg/R4dQjeJnkOQ/s400/Pyramid.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516738299536097346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Before we left Cairo, we just had to visit the pyramids at Giza. I couldn't be bothered photoshoping my bunny ears, thanks Podge...<br /><br />As expected in Giza, some Tourist Leech arsehole tried to get some money from me as soon as I went in. Before I knew it he was taking my picture and getting me to stand beside a camel. We all know, if you take a picture of a camel, you have to pay, so I said no way. I kept telling him I’d no money over and over (even though I blatantly had), and then he wanted me to open my pocket to show him my wallet. I said there was no way that was happening, rooted through my pockets and ended up giving him an old lighter from Lidl. Again...an arsehole!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">So, in summary… not a big fan of Cairo. It’s a shame for people from there that are genuinely nice, because all the Tourist Leeches ruin it for them.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9lFsa2WhI/AAAAAAAAAOo/NYy_AekG2Ms/s1600/Pyramids.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 491px; height: 368px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9lFsa2WhI/AAAAAAAAAOo/NYy_AekG2Ms/s400/Pyramids.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516739217049672210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">After the pyramids we headed south along the Western Sahara road through the desert and free camped out there that night. It was an unreal experience, lots of stars. Found out after that it’s illegal, supposedly you need a permit which is very hard to get.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9nx7XhykI/AAAAAAAAAOw/UazFJzwlKhs/s1600/Sahara.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 493px; height: 369px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9nx7XhykI/AAAAAAAAAOw/UazFJzwlKhs/s400/Sahara.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516742175999773250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Got up the next morning after an absolutely savage sleep and drove about 8 more hours through the desert to Luxor. On our way, Podge had a momentary lapse of sanity and decided to pull off the road ending up going straight into deep sand and we got stuck. Luckily a couple of sound Egyptian guys in a lorry pulled over and after 5 attempts (the rope broke 4 times), we finally got it out… with some sterling driving from Janer.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9oPLFUkZI/AAAAAAAAAO4/gPCaHdZGURI/s1600/Stuck.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 375px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9oPLFUkZI/AAAAAAAAAO4/gPCaHdZGURI/s400/Stuck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516742678434582930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">The two lads totally redeemed our faith in the Egyptian people and even gave us a cake too. Before we left, Podge got a nice big wet kiss on both cheeks from the driver. Podge was wearing one of Janer’s headbands, so may have been sending the wrong signals. You can only imagine what would have happened if he was wearing his pink t-shirt too???</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />We arrived in Luxor that evening, crossed over the Nile and arrived at a campsite called Rezeiky Camping.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">On our second evening there, 4 South African overland jeeps pulled in. We had already met one of them when we were in Petra in Jordan.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9ojJQF5uI/AAAAAAAAAPA/TPBz_J__tG0/s1600/Guys+from+S.Africa.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 504px; height: 377px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9ojJQF5uI/AAAAAAAAAPA/TPBz_J__tG0/s400/Guys+from+S.Africa.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516743021540271842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Such a really nice and really friendly group of people. They’ve already driven up through Africa on the west coast, up through Europe and are pretty much going the same route back down to South Africa as us. Their trip organiser Dave (check out his website above: Masazane) is bang on with some great stories and tips about Africa. He’s helping us get sorted with the boat from Egypt to Sudan which is meant to be a complete nightmare. Now we just have to wait and see how much it’ll cost.<br /><br />Few days left here in Luxor, then down to Aswan. Next stop… Sudan!</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Before I go, I feel I need to confess something or else I'll have a dirty conscience…<br />I did the Walk Like An Egyptian walk while at the pyramids. I know, I know… I’m only human. Janer made me!!!</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9pW3a-bEI/AAAAAAAAAPI/J7f2qzCDSFY/s1600/The+Walk+Of+Shame.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 425px; height: 318px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TI9pW3a-bEI/AAAAAAAAAPI/J7f2qzCDSFY/s400/The+Walk+Of+Shame.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516743910107278402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />The video for Europe and Turkey is up on Global-Slacker.com courtesy of Podge. Definitely worth a look…</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.global-slacker.com/1/Toyota1.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://www.global-slacker.com/1/Toyota1.html</span></span></a></div></div>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-57508704089601020542010-09-01T20:17:00.034+01:002010-09-01T21:23:47.287+01:00Syria & Jordan (the country)<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:595.0pt 842.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6rMnRFEDI/AAAAAAAAALo/UsOaPe--3bY/s1600/syria-large-flag-sy.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 43px; height: 27px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6rMnRFEDI/AAAAAAAAALo/UsOaPe--3bY/s200/syria-large-flag-sy.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512031227135463474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Syria</span>
<br />
<br /><o:p></o:p> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6noqvyz8I/AAAAAAAAAKg/l_oHG2A_7Fs/s1600/Anto.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 215px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6noqvyz8I/AAAAAAAAAKg/l_oHG2A_7Fs/s320/Anto.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512027311059423170" border="0" /></a>After finally crossing the border into Syria (not a great experience) the first thing you notice is the massive pictures of their president absolutely everywhere, even in the back of car windows. Because of his nice ronnie, we christened him Anto. I think he’s about 70 now, God knows, he might even be dead? The second thing is, the border town looks exactly like you were in Call Of Duty 4.
<br /></p><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">That night we stayed in Aleppo in a hotel/dump, but at least it had a bed!<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">The next day we drove to the city of Lattikia which is right by the sea. As we were driving along, a guy in a taxi pulled us over and asked us if we wanted to stay in his Shallet. We said why not, and followed him to a place right by the sea. Lovely apartment, but it was actually his friend’s. They tried getting us to pay 100 US dollars per night but we got them down to 100 dollars for three nights. Not bad haggling, but we still probably paid well over the local price. Then the taxi guy then wanted us to give him 500 syrian pounds (about 8 euro) just for bringing us to the apartment. So we got him down to 300 syrian pounds (a fiver) and sent him on his merry way. The apartment was class! AIR-CON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every now and then we tried to venture outside but quickly changed our minds.<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6ofWULj8I/AAAAAAAAAKw/Mi-srulF5xU/s1600/Apartment.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 372px; height: 277px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6ofWULj8I/AAAAAAAAAKw/Mi-srulF5xU/s320/Apartment.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512028250467700674" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >Check out the big screen TV!!!</span>
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6orFk0t3I/AAAAAAAAAK4/S4E4FOghcp4/s1600/Bear+Beer.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6orFk0t3I/AAAAAAAAAK4/S4E4FOghcp4/s320/Bear+Beer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512028452132534130" border="0" /></a>For the next couple of days, we pretty much just sat around the apartment with the curtains pulled, the aircon on full watching the biggest pile of crap possible on our 4 English speaking channels (CSI Miami is definitely included in that). On the third day, Flinn and Megan arrived. We all decided to go outside and ended up getting completely rat arsed. We started with overpriced Heineken and finished with some horrible stuff called Bear Beer from Germany.<o:p></o:p> It was 12% and tasted like it probably came out of a bear.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Flinner was so happy with his Bear Beer purchase, and I'm sure the shop keeper was happy with his hug…<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6o-TDE-eI/AAAAAAAAALA/AxvtFcKkYCw/s1600/Flinner+buying+beer.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 451px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6o-TDE-eI/AAAAAAAAALA/AxvtFcKkYCw/s320/Flinner+buying+beer.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512028782166604258" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6wSQdq6gI/AAAAAAAAANI/3XxwgzYtgFk/s1600/Podge+Bear+Beer.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 444px; height: 333px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6wSQdq6gI/AAAAAAAAANI/3XxwgzYtgFk/s320/Podge+Bear+Beer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512036821651614210" border="0" /></a>After a while sitting outside a kebab place talking complete shite, these two guys about 50 years old pulled up in a car with sirens, yes sirens! But they blatantly weren’t the police. They’d almost no English, but great craic.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6pei33ayI/AAAAAAAAALI/8vKq2gAuFBs/s1600/xxl"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 92px; height: 100px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6pei33ayI/AAAAAAAAALI/8vKq2gAuFBs/s320/xxl" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512029336170359586" border="0" /></a>Then myself and Flinner hopped in the back and we went for a drive around with the sirens on. Looking back the next day, it was probably a pretty stupid move on our parts. Still, we did get a free can of XXL which was like red bull mixed with vodka in a can. Anyway, after about 10 minutes they dropped us back and we returned to the apartment with it’s glorious air-con for some more beers and at the end of the night, Flinn said: “guys, lets suck it up and watch an episode of Entourage”, so we did. What a show!<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">We stayed an extra day to recover from the night on the town! So… 4 days just 20 meters from a beach and none of us went down there once! <span lang="GA"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">As in life, all good things must come to an end. We had to leave our air-conditioned lair and head further south. We only had a week in Syria in total because of the high diesel tax, so we headed on down to a 7000 year old castle in Crac de Chevalier (spelling probably way off) near Damascus. When we were about to set off, the jeep wouldn’t start as our battery was dead. That was about the 4<sup>th</sup> time it had happened. After a good push, we were on our way, but we finally had to give in and buy a new one. We arrived at the castle just as it was closing, so we camped on the roof of a restaurant up the road and visited it the next day.<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6p2zmdbgI/AAAAAAAAALQ/xCQrDuCnISU/s1600/Castle.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 436px; height: 327px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6p2zmdbgI/AAAAAAAAALQ/xCQrDuCnISU/s400/Castle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512029752977616386" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Have to say, it was an awesome castle. Would make a great place to play hide and seek, it's massive. Unfortunately, afterwards we had to say fare well to Flinner and Rootster again as they were heading off to Lebanon and Dubai for a few weeks. to see Flinner's sister and meet up with his brother Barry, the 6th Global-Slacker! Still, our paths will cross again very soon in Africa. Miss you guys!!! <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6qTZYlORI/AAAAAAAAALY/irPtmmz00VI/s1600/Tractors.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6qTZYlORI/AAAAAAAAALY/irPtmmz00VI/s320/Tractors.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512030244156291346" border="0" /></a>On our way to the Jordanian border we had no fuel, no Syrian pounds and nowhere accepted credit cards.<span style=""> </span>Eventually we got to one garage and the guy changed US dollars into Syrian pounds for us, but then told us he had no diesel. Lot of good that was. So we headed across the road to another garage but there was a massive queue of tractors and trucks, all trying desperately to get some diesel. When we drove up, the guy in charge called us over, blocked everyone else and let us into the top of the queue. Brilliant, 1000 Syran Pounds for a full tank of fuel (15 euro), and a lot of angry farmers. Good By Syria...</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6yvcgFkII/AAAAAAAAANQ/IATMo39hTGQ/s1600/Good+By+Syria.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6yvcgFkII/AAAAAAAAANQ/IATMo39hTGQ/s400/Good+By+Syria.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512039522122436738" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Next stop was Jordan...<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6rUwFj8oI/AAAAAAAAALw/nIkW0FyEkb0/s1600/jordan-map.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 38px; height: 28px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6rUwFj8oI/AAAAAAAAALw/nIkW0FyEkb0/s200/jordan-map.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512031366942028418" border="0" /></a>Jordan</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The border crossing into Jordan went relatively smooth, except for a 15 minute wait in the middle as absolutely everyone working there took a break because of Ramadan. Nothing can cross their lips from 4.30 am until 7.15 pm, not even water.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">We then drove to Jerash to a hotel called the Olive Branch. As it was impossible to find, we had to ask a guy in a restaurant for directions. He had very little English but said he’d come up with us in the jeep. After I dropped him back, the cheeky little bastard wanted 15 dollars. Needless to say, my choice of words to convey my disagreement with his proposal were not very Christian. So we camped out in the front of the hotel, ate some absolute muck from their kitchen and hit the hay. Next morning, we just relaxed in the pool and messed about on the auld interweb in the lobby until the guy behind reception began to become quiet agitated with our lack of checking out. So we left.<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Onwards to Petra. On our way there, we decided to have a dip in the Dead Sea. It has Jordan on one side and Israel on the other, hence the number of military check points. Swimming in it is one of the weirdest experiences I’ve ever had. The water was really warm, and it was like swimming with Styrofoam strapped to your body. You couldn’t keep your legs under you they just flew back up to the surface. You could honestly go for a nap in it on your back and not get a drop of water on your face. The only down side is when the salt gets in your eyes… It really really really stings, I’m talking like when you’re a child and you get shampoo in your eyes stinging!!!! No amount of blinking can cure it. Still, it’s something I would definitely recommend for everyone to try once… the floating, not the stinging! <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6r3tFlLyI/AAAAAAAAAL4/rf3grTcgrT8/s1600/Dead+Sea.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6r3tFlLyI/AAAAAAAAAL4/rf3grTcgrT8/s400/Dead+Sea.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512031967432224546" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">After that we filled up at a station up the road, and after about 3 miles, the engine died as the morons had put petrol in instead of Diesel, even though we emphasised Diesel. After a lot of F-ing and Blinding, we took out the empty jerry cans from under the jeep, and I crossed the road to try hitching back to the station. While I was doing this, Podge hopped under the jeep and worked his magic by emptying the petrol out of the tank. I never knew you could do that!
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6tNZstibI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/y2m5auF95lU/s1600/Petrol+On+Ground.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6tNZstibI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/y2m5auF95lU/s400/Petrol+On+Ground.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512033439696390578" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Anyway, after many attempts to stop a car (I obviously don’t have the legs), I stopped the worst car possible… the police. <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6swFrOgHI/AAAAAAAAAMI/M-meP53uUb0/s1600/Police+and+Truck.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6swFrOgHI/AAAAAAAAAMI/M-meP53uUb0/s400/Police+and+Truck.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512032936105246834" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">I couldn’t tell it was them as they had their headlights on. Anyway, the universal thinking on dumping a full tank of petrol onto a road is, it’s pretty dangerous… especially in a country where it’s so hot. After trying to get them to give me a lift back to the station (which they wouldn’t do as they weren’t licensed to carry passengers) they noticed what was going on under the jeep. In broken English, one of them waved his finger at me and said “no, no, no, very dangerous, very dangerous”. They were really sound though and let us continue draining it as it was almost done. Anyway, they stopped a diesel truck going by and we bought enough to fill the two jerry cans.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6tcx5P0MI/AAAAAAAAAMY/T1t17P5g8eU/s1600/Me+buying+diesel.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6tcx5P0MI/AAAAAAAAAMY/T1t17P5g8eU/s400/Me+buying+diesel.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512033703889457346" border="0" /></a>After throwing a bit of sand over the fuel on the road, we were back on our way. <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The next obstacle we encountered were the directions to Petra we got from a few soldiers at a military checkpoint down the road. He said, “Petra… go left for 8 km, then right for about 50 km. The road’s not the best, but with your jeep you should be fine”. “Not the best” was the biggest understatement of the century. It started as a dirt track, then got a bit better for a few km, and then turned into a mountain pass that’d make the Sally Gap look like the M50. <o:p></o:p>After about an hour of twisting and turning in 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> gear, we eventually made it to Petra, very tired and weary. We checked into a cheap hotel and hit the hay for some well needed sleepy sleep. <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Petra is one of the new 7 wonders of the world and more than two thousand years old (from the info book). They say you need to spend two or three days exploring it, but we had one. <o:p></o:p>We were just in the gate and a guy on horseback showed us a different route to the normal tourist one.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6uHQCUh7I/AAAAAAAAAMg/z7DeTicTkJM/s1600/Petra+Guide.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6uHQCUh7I/AAAAAAAAAMg/z7DeTicTkJM/s400/Petra+Guide.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512034433535084466" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Seeing as a bus load of tourists were ahead of us, we said sure why not. It turned out to be class. We were walking around up and down cliffs completely off the beaten track for about 3 hours before we saw anyone else other than a goat herder and his goats. <o:p></o:p></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH61fb2bHuI/AAAAAAAAANY/NutqptPzuBw/s1600/Petra3.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH61fb2bHuI/AAAAAAAAANY/NutqptPzuBw/s400/Petra3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512042545604665058" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH61pFMCwrI/AAAAAAAAANg/CQ_NJxiUsss/s1600/Petra2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH61pFMCwrI/AAAAAAAAANg/CQ_NJxiUsss/s400/Petra2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512042711320019634" border="0" /></a>
<br /><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">It was unreal. Then, by the time we got around to the end of the tourist route, almost everyone had left so we pretty much had it to ourselves. The carved facade that made Petra famous is called The Treasury (or Al-Khazneh as they say in Arabic) and was used in <i style="">Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade</i>. <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6vCKieOYI/AAAAAAAAAM4/w04MW-6PtIk/s1600/Petra.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 482px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6vCKieOYI/AAAAAAAAAM4/w04MW-6PtIk/s320/Petra.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512035445671606658" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">You know, the one with Sean Connery and the Holy Grail? See...</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6vxYLea2I/AAAAAAAAANA/h8eqRqD8DlI/s1600/Indiana+Jones.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 272px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TH6vxYLea2I/AAAAAAAAANA/h8eqRqD8DlI/s320/Indiana+Jones.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512036256787098466" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Anyway, after about 5 long hours of walking about in flippy floppies, we drove back into town for some well earned dinner!!!! Spent the night in the same hotel as last night. Expensive couple of days (ticket for Petra was around 38 euro each), but sooo worth it. Next stop… The Land Of The Pharaohs!!!<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-74406098137445050302010-08-30T21:05:00.017+01:002010-08-30T22:01:40.727+01:00A memorable last night in Turkey, cheers Mahmet!<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After a long enough drive from Malatia to a national park we were going to go to, we were still too far away to be bothered so we headed for the Syrian border planning to free camp. We stocked up on kebabs and coca light and headed for the border town of Akcacle.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"> </div><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When we got there it </span>was starting to get pretty dark and the place was just vast areas of flat wet farmland, not good for free camping. We eventually pulled over to assess the situation and a car pulled up in front of us with two men. They came up and we asked them if they knew of anywhere to camp and one guy said… “no no, you come my house, come to my house”. So after a super fast discussion, we all agreed and followed. <o:p></o:p><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">When we got there we were directed up onto his roof terrace. It was a small single story farmhouse with most of it still under construction. We were instructed to sit down on long rugs with big pillows behind us, very Turkish, but in a few minutes he had his daughters bringing up westerner table and chairs. Nothing but the best for the weary travellers. Then they started giving us cigarettes, and as it’s impolite to refuse hospitality, we thankfully accepted (by the end of the night though the ciggies were really starting to take their toll). <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwS8m8uXRI/AAAAAAAAAJI/rcYpqFH6bEQ/s1600/Dinner.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwS8m8uXRI/AAAAAAAAAJI/rcYpqFH6bEQ/s320/Dinner.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511300876451339538" border="0" /></a>Pretty soon after we got there, it seemed everyone in the area had heard about our arrival and came up to say hello. We found out then that they were pretty much all his extended family. The main people we were ‘trying’ to talk with were Mahmet (the owner), his brother Hussein and his nephew.<span style=""> </span>While we were using half a page of Turkish in the crappy Lonely Planet as our only means of communication, the women of the family were down stairs cooking away like mad. After about an hour or two they arrived up with an absolutely gorgeous meal of salad, barbequed chicken, roasted peppers and bread. <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">A while later, Podge got the guitar and we <span style="font-style: italic;">tried</span> to sing a few songs... but quiet badly. I don't think they were very impressed. I think the strings must have been old or something like that. Yeah that's it, old strings. Mahmet looks like he's about to leave...<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwTmo9qXzI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/gQ3YU-nSW9A/s1600/Jammin%27.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 445px; height: 333px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwTmo9qXzI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/gQ3YU-nSW9A/s320/Jammin%27.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511301598546648882" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">I have to say though, they were the nicest people ever. Here’s a few snaps we took during the night. They loved the camera, but the women just wouldn’t smile in any photos.</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwVRC-bk0I/AAAAAAAAAJY/uZ2hUn46b6U/s1600/Mahmeds+Family.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 455px; height: 340px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwVRC-bk0I/AAAAAAAAAJY/uZ2hUn46b6U/s400/Mahmeds+Family.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511303426595328834" border="0" /></a><br /><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><o:p style="font-family: verdana;"></o:p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">At the end we finally got a shot of most of the fam’ together…<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwV4hfmysI/AAAAAAAAAJg/yUH1vFKlR34/s1600/All+the+gang.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 456px; height: 341px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwV4hfmysI/AAAAAAAAAJg/yUH1vFKlR34/s400/All+the+gang.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511304104802437826" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify; font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Back Row: Mahmet's son, Mahmet, Podge, Mahmet's brother, a nephew, Me, Hussein (great craic), and another brother.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Front Row: a nephew, another nephew, and Mahmet's nephew we were talking to (sound guy).</span></span><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwWhnx5UMI/AAAAAAAAAJo/PdR3FKjzMAc/s1600/Our+bed.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwWhnx5UMI/AAAAAAAAAJo/PdR3FKjzMAc/s320/Our+bed.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511304810864398530" border="0" /></a>That night we slept outside on another part of the roof. They gave us a massive rug with mattresses and the nicest fleece blanket I’ve ever felt. I was so tempted to sneak it out. Even though we were outside, after 28 days of sleeping in a tent, it was unreal to finally sleep in 'a bed'. <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The next morning, even before the sun came up there were roosters cockadoodledooing all over the place. After getting back to sleep, I was surprisingly woken up by a goat stepping on my foot as he made his way across the roof to get some food in the corner…it was pretty strange! <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Eventually, we went down stairs and were given breakfast. A grand cup a chi (tea) and a savory bread called chickley, or something like that. Tasted exactly like liga or rusk… unbelievable! Anyhoo, after saying goodbye, Janer got a local scarf from the mother, Mahmet’s wife. Lovely woman, but again, no smiley in photos!<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwXaN02V3I/AAAAAAAAAJw/-waiQVX0zj0/s1600/Janer+and+Mahmet%27s+wife.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 308px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwXaN02V3I/AAAAAAAAAJw/-waiQVX0zj0/s320/Janer+and+Mahmet%27s+wife.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511305783150008178" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Mahmet, being the sound guy he is then brought us back to the main road and we were on our way to Syria. <o:p></o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwZK7rC__I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/8WEi8baJnF4/s1600/Mahmet+driving.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/THwZK7rC__I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/8WEi8baJnF4/s320/Mahmet+driving.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511307719602274290" border="0" /></a>After such an amazing experience, the balance of the world just had to kick… Johnny was not feeling the may west at all. In the wise words of Homer Simpson… “Don’t make friends with salad!!!!!” (unless it’s washed with industrial strength bleach anyway).<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">After all that we were then refused entry at the border as there were no visas available. So we had to drive 200 km west to another border crossing where we finally got into Syria. Gobble Gobble Turkey, I'll see you at Christmas!!!</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-34688741461620764542010-08-20T08:36:00.063+01:002010-08-21T18:17:29.527+01:00Tourkey!!!<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG530xAaIII/AAAAAAAAAII/bX9cHqt8D-0/s1600/Tourkey.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG530xAaIII/AAAAAAAAAII/bX9cHqt8D-0/s200/Tourkey.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507471142712647810" border="0" /></a>At last, after almost two weeks in Greece, we headed for Turkey (the sign was clearly designed by a northsider)! At the border, everything went fine; we had our log book, we got our Green Card (international insurance for the jeep) and were on our way. Before we left the checkpoint, we got an unexpected hitchhiker...</div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><o:p style="font-family: verdana;"></o:p><b style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></b> <p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" face="verdana" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG4wzp5tRQI/AAAAAAAAAE4/lE4L9O-5iHU/s1600/polis.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 144px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG4wzp5tRQI/AAAAAAAAAE4/lE4L9O-5iHU/s320/polis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507393058300052738" border="0" /></a>We were given the pleasure of having an armed police escort with us in the jeep as far as<span style=""> Kesan</span>. Nice guy, but spoke very little English. According to Podge and Janer, I was 'supposedly' swerving all over the road when I was looking at the ipod. I'm not sure if that's true; I wasn't paying attention. At one point I noticed I was doing about 80 km/h in a 50km/h zone, so I sort of looked at him and looked at the speed sign, back at him, back at the speed sign... and being the sound guy he was, he just waved his hands upwards and said "no no ok, go faster faster". We dropped him off about an hour later at the Kesan police station and headed on down towards the famous city of Gallipoloi. Not that impressive a place, but we did accidentally miss all the big monuments and sites!<o:p></o:p></p> <p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5w5-fLOhI/AAAAAAAAAH4/NVV2x-t4gXk/s1600/Boat.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5w5-fLOhI/AAAAAAAAAH4/NVV2x-t4gXk/s320/Boat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507463535649307154" border="0" /></a>We took the boat (half hour trip) from Gallipoli to Lapeski to avoid the long drive around the water. The boat had the biggest messers ever working behind the bar. As soon as they found out we were Irish they all came over, sat down beside us and started getting us to take photos with them. One lad put on Janer's sunglasses and hat. Then he says… “Irish… aaah, Robbie Keane, ahahahahaaaa, I liiike”! <o:p></o:p><br /></p><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">TROY...</p><p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">After that we drove to Troy (or Troia as they call it in Turkey)... I hadn’t got a clue it was in Turkey! It was a big change from Popmpei, which is so touristy. It’s pretty cool, with a massive Trojan horse outside. <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG4yNqg-y2I/AAAAAAAAAFA/DL4zAXTm3AE/s1600/Troy.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 407px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG4yNqg-y2I/AAAAAAAAAFA/DL4zAXTm3AE/s320/Troy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507394604653005666" border="0" /></a></p> <p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">After walking about the ruins for a couple of hours, we camped on the front lawn of a campsite down the road. Myself and Janer had a great chat with the owner's dad who was the first ever tour-guide in Troy. We had a traditional Turkish dinner cooked by his lovely mammy… Salad (with tomatoes grown right across the road) followed by Turkish meat balls and a yellow traditional Turkish rice, all washed down with Efes Turkish beer. Class!!!</p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG4y3shLEiI/AAAAAAAAAFI/1kNJWTesbVg/s1600/Troy-Uran.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG4y3shLEiI/AAAAAAAAAFI/1kNJWTesbVg/s400/Troy-Uran.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507395326745186850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Myself, Janer, Uran, Uran's dad, Podge, Uran's mum.</span><br /></div><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p face="verdana" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">After dinner, we had a few drinks with Uran. Great end to a great day. The 5.30 am call to prayer from the local mosque... not so great!<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">FOCA/IZMIR...<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The next day we had a long enough drive south to Izmir. While traveling along, we were coming up to traffic lights, and saw two lads in the grass verge having a full on scrap over what looked like a fender bender. I guess you don't mess with the Turks. From what we've seen driving around, they're very proud of their country 'cause there's Turkish flags everywhere!<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5s8CNwSrI/AAAAAAAAAHI/hSE6uR9BCg8/s1600/Statue.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5s8CNwSrI/AAAAAAAAAHI/hSE6uR9BCg8/s320/Statue.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507459172963207858" border="0" /></a>In the evening, we were still a good bit from Izmir, so we decided to head for a seaside town called Foca and camped in a site by the sea which was full of complete Pikeys, still beggars can’t be choosers! On our way there we passed through a small village with a massive figure of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (the first president of Turkey in 1923) on top of a hill. His statues are everywhere in Turkey, especially like the one on the left <---. </p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Anyway, after seeing what we thought were roads up to the figure, we thought; why not, lets go check it out. Thank God for 4WD. The only tracks up there were left by diggers with caterpillar tracks. Going up was tough, and going down even tougher. The last slope we descended was about 45 degrees and got a hell of a lot steeper near the bottom, but we made it as you can see.</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5t2I0V2KI/AAAAAAAAAHY/QpSG5uBUmLQ/s1600/Steep+Slope.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5t2I0V2KI/AAAAAAAAAHY/QpSG5uBUmLQ/s320/Steep+Slope.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507460171168077986" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">We went to Izmir <span style=""> </span>to following day to see the markets and bazzars. and perhaps haggle for a few rugs and pots. While driving through the city we passed a huge carving of the famous Mustafa in the side of a mountain; looked a bit like Mount Rushmore, not that I've ever been to Mount Rushmore, but you get the idea. </p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5zg_n6hGI/AAAAAAAAAIA/l7CB5KRJH6o/s1600/Mustafa+Kemal+Atat%C3%BCrk.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 284px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5zg_n6hGI/AAAAAAAAAIA/l7CB5KRJH6o/s320/Mustafa+Kemal+Atat%C3%BCrk.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507466404992549986" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">He must have been some man for one man!<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5QkO1BQ-I/AAAAAAAAAGo/osCYTlxuNB0/s1600/Izmir-P%26M.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 344px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5QkO1BQ-I/AAAAAAAAAGo/osCYTlxuNB0/s320/Izmir-P%26M.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507427977706685410" border="0" /></a>After many unsuccessful attempts in Izmir to get a respectable photo of myself and Podge, this is what we settled for. Notice he has his guard up after carrying out a sneaky sack tap on yours truly. <----<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">I had pictured an Izmir market to be like something out of <i style="">Indianna Jones And The Last Cruisade</i>, but it turned out to be more like a cross between Henry Street and Moore Street. There were some very persistent salesmen who follow you down the street trying to get you into their shops. When one guy heard we were from Ireland, he said... “Aaah Jaayssus, I luuve Ireland I do”. Even though his Bill Cullen impersonation wasn't half bad, we still didn’t buy anything from him!<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">This is the best photo I could get of Podge and Janer; she must have had a huge mosquito on her face and Podge was just swatting it off...<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5BXdRET6I/AAAAAAAAAFY/3ZYfzOWkKMM/s1600/Izmir-P%26J.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 442px; height: 331px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5BXdRET6I/AAAAAAAAAFY/3ZYfzOWkKMM/s400/Izmir-P%26J.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507411265569705890" border="0" /></a>Later on we headed across the peninsulla to the town of Cesme to meet up with Flinner and Rootster. After about two and a half hours of searching campsites and asking people if they’d ever heard of ‘Adrenaline Camping & Cafe’ where Flinner said they were, we finally found it (another Pikeyesque campsite) ...and there they were, in the flesh, after driving all the way from China... <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5CkEPA99I/AAAAAAAAAFw/AqwR6tU0d-s/s1600/Flinner+and+Megan.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 441px; height: 330px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5CkEPA99I/AAAAAAAAAFw/AqwR6tU0d-s/s400/Flinner+and+Megan.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507412581700138962" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Finally we’d met up, and it was big hugs all round!!!!!! <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">EPHESOS...<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">We set off in convoy the next day heading to the ruins at Efes/Ephesos (which the lovely Efes beer is named after) and had a good auld wander. It's a big ruin with a huge old amphitheater and old buildings...<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5NNLGvyeI/AAAAAAAAAGY/tUJuLZ5eC60/s1600/Ephesos.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 408px; height: 305px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5NNLGvyeI/AAAAAAAAAGY/tUJuLZ5eC60/s320/Ephesos.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507424283035421154" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5NVgmVl_I/AAAAAAAAAGg/BXAxMvoV9eU/s1600/Ephesos2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 308px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5NVgmVl_I/AAAAAAAAAGg/BXAxMvoV9eU/s320/Ephesos2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507424426244020210" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5v5x6q33I/AAAAAAAAAHw/nZ709lNvlXE/s1600/Podge+on+the+toilet.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 412px; height: 309px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5v5x6q33I/AAAAAAAAAHw/nZ709lNvlXE/s400/Podge+on+the+toilet.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507462432763338610" border="0" /></a>After Podge completed his little bit of business, we went to a little campsite up the road where Chef Janer cooked up an awesome chicken and cashew nut surprise. The five of us finished off the evening with a few cans and some Scotch courtesy of Flinner (which was in turn courtesy of his friend Scanlan) Thank you Scanlan!<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5Tr-mYFqI/AAAAAAAAAG4/JxrggcD_KVw/s1600/Mary%27s+Wall.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 231px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5Tr-mYFqI/AAAAAAAAAG4/JxrggcD_KVw/s320/Mary%27s+Wall.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507431409324136098" border="0" /></a>The next morning myself, Podge, Janer and a bang on Italian guy from the campsite called Julio drove up a mountain to the house where Mother Mary lived before she died and is thought to be buried. <o:p></o:p>You get a real overwhelming feeling when you’re inside, hard to describe. No photos allowed in the house so if you want to see it you'll have to go!!! Outside there’s a wall where you write prayers to Mary and stick it into it. There must have been hundreds of thousands in it.</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">PAMUKALE...<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">We then drove about 4 hours south to Pamukale and didn’t arrive until about midnight. Pamukale (meaning ‘cotton castle’) is a massive hill with hot limestone springs that deposited minerals over the rock giving it the white look. Up top is a large ancient city’s ruins and a club med type limestone pool. It's unbelievable to see, it's like you're on another planet while walking up it.<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5ueYZxJRI/AAAAAAAAAHg/OpV5p6EacGU/s1600/Pamukale1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5ueYZxJRI/AAAAAAAAAHg/OpV5p6EacGU/s400/Pamukale1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507460862546355474" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5uoiNwxHI/AAAAAAAAAHo/USlI1vdRZkE/s1600/Pamukale2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5uoiNwxHI/AAAAAAAAAHo/USlI1vdRZkE/s400/Pamukale2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507461036979045490" border="0" /></a>A couple of days before hand (in the campsite where we met Flinner and Rootster), an old lady told us there was a campsite right outside the entrance to Pamukale, so when we arrived there late the night before, we were beckoned into a campsite by a guy on the side of the road and assumed it was it... Brilliant! Our suspicions that we might be in the wrong place started to set in almost immediately. We were the only people there and there was a massive camel sitting in the corner who we named ‘Kelly’. Needless to say, there was a strong smell of camel poo poo/pee pee in the air, nice! There was a swimming pool about 2 feet deep with a thick layer of slime across the top, even though there was a constant flow of water into it. There were about 6 rooms beside our tents and we were shown into one of them to use the toilet and shower. The room had a filthy mattress and a few rags thrown on it, and the bathroom wasn’t much better.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Anyway, we set up our tents and sat down for a few cans before bed. After a few minutes, Flinner caught a flash of boob through one of the bedroom windows, and then we started to notice some strange behaviour. There were women coming from the bar area into the rooms with young lads for very short periods of time... Yes, we were camping right beside ... a whore house! <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5HKuicgNI/AAAAAAAAAGA/iQXBp7hccGI/s1600/Kelly.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 492px; height: 369px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG5HKuicgNI/AAAAAAAAAGA/iQXBp7hccGI/s400/Kelly.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507417643937464530" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Either that, or they were running a party shop because there were a few funny looking old balloons on the floor in the toilets... I know, I'm confused too!<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Still, it wasn't all that bad. Kelly agreed to pose for a few photos, but after a while, she turned nasty and tried to bite me. Hence the speedy retreat and the fear of God in my eyes.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG6NzfIEZ1I/AAAAAAAAAIY/jn0nNY-SlrU/s1600/Kelly1-5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 241px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG6NzfIEZ1I/AAAAAAAAAIY/jn0nNY-SlrU/s400/Kelly1-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507495309988882258" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Eventually, Flinner had a word with her, and sorted things out. It's all good now. We forgive you Kelly!<br /><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">CAPPADOCIA/GEROME...<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">After our Pamukale experience, we parted ways with Flinner and Rootster for a few days. They headed south to a house on the coast and we headed over to Gerome in Cappadocia (11 hour drive) where there are houses carved inside the chimney rocks.</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG_h7WF0FPI/AAAAAAAAAIw/jRbcOd2SQIQ/s1600/Gerome.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 512px; height: 492px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG_h7WF0FPI/AAAAAAAAAIw/jRbcOd2SQIQ/s400/Gerome.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507869278955902194" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">These formed after a volcanic rock was eroded over tens of thousands of years. The landscape here is unreal. Here's me standing on a rock beside Podge. I'm bleedin' tiny...</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG_jU7yiL4I/AAAAAAAAAI4/N1XKK_EKFnQ/s1600/Gerome-me%26Podge.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 517px; height: 387px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG_jU7yiL4I/AAAAAAAAAI4/N1XKK_EKFnQ/s400/Gerome-me%26Podge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507870818083942274" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Nice to finish off the day with a tiny cup of Turkish coffee. Check out the pinkey action. One can tell one wasn't dragged up. I say old boy, jolly nice stuff this...</p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG_jxguJLfI/AAAAAAAAAJA/-N-uDUTpbrw/s1600/Turkish+Coffee.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 516px; height: 386px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TG_jxguJLfI/AAAAAAAAAJA/-N-uDUTpbrw/s400/Turkish+Coffee.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507871309033975282" border="0" /></a>Anyway, another few days left hanging out in Turkey, then it's on to Syria and Jordan.<br /><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-49271409338501592892010-08-14T06:56:00.001+01:002010-08-14T07:05:11.773+01:00Smell ya later Greece!<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">We finally got the jeep’s Log Book in the post on Wednesday from the lovely Geraldine Nugent in the Department of Transport back in Ireland, thanks a million Geraldine!!!<br /><br />Yesterday, we collected our Carnet de Passage (which allows us to enter African countries with the jeep) from a DHL office in Xanthi about 100 km away. Well, Podge and Janer collected it, I fecked about in the campsite on the beach. I’m feeling a bit institutionalised and may find it difficult to leave if I don’t get out soon. It’s like Goundhog Day, but without the Groudhog, snow, Bill Murray, and each day is a different day of the week. Ok, it’s nothing like Grounghog day. But you get my meaning!<br /><br />Today (Saturday) we can at last get on the move again and head into Turkey! Good bye Greece, it’s been real!!!<br /><br />P.S. We may be back yet; we have to get across the border first, but fingers crossed! Come on the Turkey; first stop Gallipoli (the place where the war happened where all the thousands of Ozzies were slaughtered in WWI), remember the film… Mel Gibson… before he had an American accent? No? Then we’re heading on to Troy just below it … Brad Pitt … Eric Banner?<br /><br />Oh, on another note, I finished my book, Birds Of Prey. Swashbuckling tales from the high seas, amazing! Then I embarrassingly read a book Janer had; Percy Jackson. It’s the ‘new Harry Potter’. Yes, I am ashamed, but I’d nothing else to read! We watched the movie version last night, what a complete pile of steaming poo.<br /><br />Hmmm, it appears I’ve gone on a bit of a rant. I’ll leave it here so. God speed. Onwards to Turkey!!!<br /><br /></div>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-86555925721767022562010-08-11T18:50:00.005+01:002010-08-11T19:18:14.997+01:00Still in Greece!<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> <meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment-->So basically, the past few days since Friday have been a blur. It’s Wednesday now and all I’ve been doing every day is existing in the town of Alexandropolis.
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TGLmivbKUUI/AAAAAAAAAEw/h5Gt-BI5Xec/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-08-11+at+10.21.13.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TGLmivbKUUI/AAAAAAAAAEw/h5Gt-BI5Xec/s400/Screen+shot+2010-08-11+at+10.21.13.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504215179120496962" border="0"></a>
<br />My daily routine consists of waking at about 9 am and getting out of the tent as the sun turns it into an easy bake oven. Get a little bit of breakfast (bowl of muesli) and go straight to the beach for a bit of danger tanning, then straight under the umbrella (which also lets the sun through I unfortunately found out) to read my book. I’m reading Birds Of Prey by Wilbur Smith, and although my literary recommendations don’t have nearly as much influence as Oprah Winfrey, I like to think they’re not far behind! I defo’ recommend it though.
<br />
<br /><o:p></o:p></div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Anyway, after that we usually partake in a spot of luncheon on the beach (with Lidl’s finest culinary delights) or at the campsite eatery, which although not that bad, it’s not that good either.<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Finally, after a tough day under the umbrella, having to constantly move your seat into the shade, we generally retire to the tent side to marvel at the delights Janer has prepared. Then, this is often followed by a doovde while trying not to be devoured by the mossies. Only two bites in the past 4 days, not too shabby I must say!!!<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Last night, after all our slothly ways, myself and Podge finally decided to go for a 30 min run along the road outside the campsite. Though going, but got through it in the heat and with the odd blast of exhaust fumes filling the lungs. When we got back to the campsite, it was cold showers all round. I’ve never been so hot in my life!! That was the first time I’d been out of the campsite since we got here last Friday. I haven’t really left an area the size of 2 acres since getting here. <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">There you go, that’s what we’ve been up to for the past 6 days… pretty much nothing. Hopefully we’ll get to head for Turkey (again) by the weekend and finally get out of Greece!<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-58970643484539761512010-08-07T19:41:00.030+01:002010-08-08T15:26:54.201+01:00Greece - Dedicated to our friend Choncho<div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2xB3qULDI/AAAAAAAAAEA/JET1sJ3NgWM/s1600/Glaros.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2xB3qULDI/AAAAAAAAAEA/JET1sJ3NgWM/s320/Glaros.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502748965396032562" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">We arrived in Greece after a long ship journey, and it was absolutely scorching hot. After driving for about two and a half hours we found a little gem </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">of a camping spot near Athens, Glaros camping. </span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Our tents were about 10 meters from the sea. It was amaaaziiinnng!! Popped up to the shops, bo</span>ught a few spuds and boiled them in a pot on the campsite barbecue. Yes, we did get a few stares! Still, our first hot dinner we've cooked ourselves since we left Ireland. After that, went for a little dip in the sea and watched Toy Story 3. After having a sneaky nap in the middle of the film, I then went for the best night sleep I've ever had, ever!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2pnPTW2mI/AAAAAAAAACo/bUUIlT9QsNs/s1600/Canal+Boat.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 287px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2pnPTW2mI/AAAAAAAAACo/bUUIlT9QsNs/s320/Canal+Boat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502740811304327778" border="0" /></a>The next morning, we got up earlyish (10am) and headed straight for the city of Karynthos to post Old Man Flinn back his passport (we were supposed to leave it for him in Ireland, sorry Flinner). After about 40 min of queuing, we got it finally sent. 35 hour guaranteed door-to-door delivery, boo ya! As we found out later on, that guarantee was as reliable as a Pikey tarmacking your driveway! Anyway, on the way back we passed over a huge canal with a massive ship being towed through it, pretty class looking I have to say. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;">After that we got back to the campsite, went for a swim, had some homemade Janer burgers cooked on our brand spanking new stove. As usual, awesome dinner Janer!!! Later on, just went to bed. Pretty uneventful day really, but very very relaxing.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;">After feckin about for two days in Glaros, we decided to do some touristy stuff and headed for Athens (or Athena as the Greeks call it) to see the Parthenon on the Acropolis. of Athens. Athens is a complete tourist city. It's ginormous with 5 million people, most of whom are trying to sell you something; for example, a statue of a penis with wings we saw in one shop right beside a statue of Mary...classy!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2qG6O-3-I/AAAAAAAAACw/ZZrycHA0-R8/s1600/Acropylous.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 477px; height: 357px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2qG6O-3-I/AAAAAAAAACw/ZZrycHA0-R8/s400/Acropylous.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502741355404648418" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;">Greece is one of the hottest places on earth. It's soul destroying. When we were in Athens and saw the hill up to the Acropolis, we ended up getting the tourist train (similar to the old Mickey D's train in Bray seafront years ago) because we just couldn't be arsed walking up the hill. Myself and Podge got into the Acropolis for free cause we had our student cards with us. After all those years of being a drain on the Irish taxpayer, I got the opportunity to stick it to the Greeks too! On another note, check out Podge's T-Shirt above...yes, it is pink!!!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2rRstbJWI/AAAAAAAAAC4/K1Vae84M_fw/s1600/Acropylous2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 480px; height: 360px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2rRstbJWI/AAAAAAAAAC4/K1Vae84M_fw/s400/Acropylous2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502742640264422754" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;">Athens, and most of Greece is pretty dirty with rubbish everywhere and tonnes of graffiti. Luckily for us, one of the Banksy wannabes favorite places to tag are the English markings on the sign posts. Lots of guess-work required when driving through a city over here.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2tND_BdmI/AAAAAAAAADI/LL9dnf0YKCI/s1600/Ship.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2tND_BdmI/AAAAAAAAADI/LL9dnf0YKCI/s320/Ship.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502744759636162146" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><---- Here’s a fine example of how the Greeks just dump stuff. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;">After Athens, we headed up north and as the majestic sun began to slowly set behind the cavernous mountainside (you like that?), we decided to pull off and camp up for the night, free style. This was our first night not in a campsite, we were in what looked like the middle of nowhere, like a desert. It was beautiful; however, as with most things that have happened so far, it didn't go as smoothly as we'd hoped. After having a quick walk around to check our surroundings were ok, we saw a little dog walk down towards us. How cute! When he got near us, we quickly realized he must have been an abandoned dog and the poor little guy’s right ear was hanging off with a massive open wound. I've never seen a more diseased looking animal in my life. Poor little Choncho, he was not looking pretty. The photo doesn't show his ear, you don't want to see it. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF63P0a1brI/AAAAAAAAAEI/xRNQVQdJvgM/s1600/Choncho.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF63P0a1brI/AAAAAAAAAEI/xRNQVQdJvgM/s400/Choncho.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503037277090442930" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Needless to say, the most humane thing to do was crack him over the head with a big rock and put him out of his misery! It had to be done. We held him down and found the sharpest rock we could find, and with one swift blow…No we didn’t, I can’t believe you think we’d do that!!! …We did think about it though. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;">That night in our tents, with all the other weird sounds going on outside, we could hear footsteps coming towards us at pace (scary shit), but good auld Choncho who was resting under the jeep started barking like mad and scared off our potential intruder. Lets just say, I didn't get much sleep that night with my trusty axe to keep me company!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2t9fi9HhI/AAAAAAAAADQ/Jo6eDsZPqa0/s1600/George+Hamilton.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2t9fi9HhI/AAAAAAAAADQ/Jo6eDsZPqa0/s320/George+Hamilton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502745591668350482" border="0" /></a>After that interesting night in the Barron landscape, we gave poor little Choncho his fill of water and some food (bread and Janer’s spaghetti bolognese), and headed off on our way up along the coast where we stopped at a beach for some lunch and some seriously needed swimming and sunbathing. I have to say, I'm quiet shocked that my Moroccan ancestry hasn't payed off yet as my tan is still a mile off looking like George Hamilton's --->.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;">...All in good time, all in good time!!! After our little siesta by the sea, someone turned the sun up to eleven. I've never experienced such heat. God bless Mitchum and it's 48hr protection. We continued up the coast (sweating buckets) to see Mount Olympus, but with all our chattering, we completely missed it and ended up camping for the night in a campsite on Stakonda beach (or something like that). <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">We started off early the next day (around 1 pm) and headed for the Turkish border making great time; however, after about 50 km or so, I realized I'd left my phone charging back at the campsite. Our amazing progress went right out the window. Sorry Podge, sorry Janer!!! Drove back, got phone, back on the road towards Thessaloniki (what a hole), and on to Turkey. All that driving can get a little boring...</p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF66a3pDxwI/AAAAAAAAAEg/vrsz1UOw2Bc/s1600/Janetler.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 269px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF66a3pDxwI/AAAAAAAAAEg/vrsz1UOw2Bc/s320/Janetler.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503040765468854018" border="0" /></a>...we convinced Janer to bleach her ronnie after seeing this photo.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">We camped up freestyle that night in the hills near a town aptly called Drama. Our camping area was dotted with goat shit with a nice aroma of horse piss in the air and situated beside a nicely placed pile of dumped rubbish, how very Greek. <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2vBIhUVWI/AAAAAAAAADY/cdUcN0udHtU/s1600/DUMP.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 291px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2vBIhUVWI/AAAAAAAAADY/cdUcN0udHtU/s320/DUMP.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502746753718572386" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Still, as usual Janer saved the day with some spectacular mac and cheese and some diced chorizo which we accompanied with a 3L plastic bottle of wine we picked up in Italy for 3 euro. Bliss! <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2v1xEM8fI/AAAAAAAAADg/Z7CZ0BYUwz0/s1600/Turkey.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2v1xEM8fI/AAAAAAAAADg/Z7CZ0BYUwz0/s320/Turkey.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502747657955504626" border="0" /></a>The day finally arrived for us to get on our way to the Turkish border with visions of dining on kraukalash and cans of crab juice. After a couple of hours on the road, and filling up the tank and two jerry cans with some cheapy cheap diesel, we finally reached the Turkish border. Flew through the Greek security, crossed the long bridge past all the heavily armed soldiers and on into no man’s land. When we got to the Turkish checkpoint, everything was going rosey. Got our 90 day visas for a bargain basement price of 15 euro. Turkey was in our sights.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2wTDyuTwI/AAAAAAAAADw/GrSBcCwFRoU/s1600/Total+gridlock.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF2wTDyuTwI/AAAAAAAAADw/GrSBcCwFRoU/s320/Total+gridlock.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502748161198673666" border="0" /></a>Then on to the next checkpoint which was for the jeep. As usual, nothing can go as smooth as we planned. Unfortunately we didn’t have a log book for the jeep; so no log book, no Turkey. The guys at the border were the biggest knob ends we’ve ever met, thank God they haven’t been let into the EU yet. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;">After that we had to join the massive queue of people entering Greece from Turkey which looked something like the Mexican border. <o:p></o:p></p><b style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></b> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;">It was tough going… 4 and a half hours to cover about 2 km with 34 degrees heat, no breeze and no air conditioning.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;">We eventually made it back into Greece and settled down in a nice posh camp site right on the beach for the next week. All we can do now is wait for the log book to be issued from the department of transport in Ireland (we won’t hold our breaths) and get it sent out as soon as possible. Caoimhe, we’re counting on you!!! All that’s left to do now is chillax the cacks and work on my complexion... Let the danger tanning commence!!! <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF63uK_M4JI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/TRYFbPeomEM/s1600/Le+Beach.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 512px; height: 383px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TF63uK_M4JI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/TRYFbPeomEM/s400/Le+Beach.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503037798544629906" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="GA"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-49652399673925924912010-08-02T18:10:00.016+01:002010-08-02T19:16:56.712+01:00Le France & Italia...Do it!<div style="text-align: justify;">One of our main objectives on this trip was to save money, but that went right out the window our first night on the boat over to France. After spending sweet FA on our dinner thinking we'd done such a great job, we thought we'd celebrate by going for one sneaky pint. Several hours later we were absolutely locked chatting with the band from the cabaret bar and two other travelers (not the caravan kind); James from Dublin and a lovely girl called Courtney with midwestern values from Missouri. Jimbo joined us on our leg to Paris although I think he'd have been a bit quackier on the train, and much more comfortable! Anyway, after getting through Paris we camped on our first night in some place by a river. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFb-VjoPcqI/AAAAAAAAABI/QQ2oQ39FrHQ/s1600/DinnerDay1.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 245px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFb-VjoPcqI/AAAAAAAAABI/QQ2oQ39FrHQ/s320/DinnerDay1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500863641174373026" border="0" /></a>Got the tents up grand and settled down for our first dinner on French soil. Le fromage au le crackers avec trois boutille de cider in a champagne bottle (3 euro a pop, classy!). C'est bon!!! You can clearly tell we've been practicing our French! However, as soon as it cones time to actually talk to Frenchy, we pussy out and end up gibbering something in English in a French accent. If it worked for Uncle Albert, I don't see why it should work of us. Day one done and done!</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFb-zvijkKI/AAAAAAAAABQ/Vx_G0dVd1a0/s1600/Me+%26+Podge.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 269px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFb-zvijkKI/AAAAAAAAABQ/Vx_G0dVd1a0/s400/Me+%26+Podge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500864159767826594" border="0" /></a>As much as it kills me to admit it, France is an absolutely gorgeous country. Definitely worth a drive around, but stay off the motorways unless you want to get completely raped by Frenchy! He takes no prisoners… 35 euro for one tunnel, but in fairness, it was a class tunnel. After lost of searching, we set up camp in a deep gorge, absolutely amazing looking place just below a little village called something like Oncieu (google map it). It was like going back in time. We pulled up beside some young French lad on his porch and told Podge to say "Ou et el camping" and Podge sticks his <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFb_CqgUQVI/AAAAAAAAABY/HXhb15zkRvg/s1600/Me+%26+Janer.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 254px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFb_CqgUQVI/AAAAAAAAABY/HXhb15zkRvg/s400/Me+%26+Janer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500864416114295122" border="0" /></a>head out the window and shouts "CAMPING, CAMPING?" so your man's mum comes out and Podge repeats… "CAMPING" to which Mrs. Frenchy replies… "Oooh, LE camping" in a French accent of course. Then the young Frenchy started speaking English and gave us directions. I'm sure Mrs. Frenchy was so proud!<br /><br /></div>Sooo, after spending our last night in le France, we headed for Italia.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Our first port of call was the city of Genoa (or Genova as the Italians call it (an absolute hole, don't go there)). I ended up driving up a one way street to avoid a traffic jam with la Polizia staring right at me. Some auld lad was coming down the street and kept blocking me by driving right up to our bumper and making an X with his fingers. The police man just stood there having a smoke and a chat as I tried to reverse back. We eventually managed to get out of there and on towards Roma. We drove till about 1 am and pulled off the motorway trying to find a sneaky place to camp but ended up coming across a camping site., hallelujah, or so we thought. . Unfortunately, like Frenchy, the Italians decided to rape us too. 60 feckin euro for the night. Ma nadge a San d'Antone!<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFcA-IE4NhI/AAAAAAAAABg/w8ektluaJoE/s1600/Pompei.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 202px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFcA-IE4NhI/AAAAAAAAABg/w8ektluaJoE/s400/Pompei.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500866537176184338" border="0" /></a><br />The next morning, we set off from our Rapist campsite in the north of Italy to Pompei in the south.<br /><br />After a lot of motorways and a nap or two we eventually ended up at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, and found a class camp site; 'Spartan Camping', directly across the road from old Pompei (<---that's the only picture I took there, I forgot my camera when we went to the ruins). Dave, an Auzzie who was camping beside us joined us on our third 1.10 euro bottle of gorgeous red wine. A few glasses later, Myself, Podge and Dave hit the local Italian bar and ended up barking at some psycho dogs through a fence. on the way home...when in Rome! I'm never drinking again. Woke up at eight and thought I was in an oven. Worst hangover I've ever had. We spent most of the morning in the shade before before heading over to do the touristy stuff in the ruins. After Pompei we headed across Italy to Bari/Brindisi in the south east.<br /><br />By the time we got there it was already dark so we decided to camp on the beach. Great idea at the time; we set up our tents, Janer cooked a savage tomato, basil and mozzarella salad (thanks Janer) and we all headed to bed early for a good nights sleep. However, we were all woken up about 3am with the tents literally taking off. There was an absolute howler of a wind and sand was going everywhere. With every blast of wind, I got a nice big heap of sand on my face, then the zip got stuck on the door so I couldn't close it, complete and utter disaster. Had to just grin and bear it and try get a few winks of sleep. Podge took the other option of collapsing the tent, wrapping his sleeping bag around his head and pretending it never happened. You live and learn! <br /><br />After the beach disaster, we packed our shit and drove around Brindisi taking it really easy. No more long trips in one day. We drove down the coast a bit and got an unbelievable cappachino and some breakfast in a little place in the middle of nowhere, right by the sea...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFcIopkpEXI/AAAAAAAAACY/SkF3slOJ37c/s1600/Morning+Coffee.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 257px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFcIopkpEXI/AAAAAAAAACY/SkF3slOJ37c/s400/Morning+Coffee.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500874964303679858" border="0" /></a>This gave us the perfect opportunity to start taking some messy photos... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFcIB2BjJ_I/AAAAAAAAACQ/jPLRBdxM9eM/s1600/Podge%26Janer.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 258px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFcIB2BjJ_I/AAAAAAAAACQ/jPLRBdxM9eM/s400/Podge%26Janer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500874297631254514" border="0" /></a>of course some seriously arty photos…<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFcESRS_y0I/AAAAAAAAACA/mxnWMbXzmqg/s1600/Arty.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 555px; height: 415px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFcESRS_y0I/AAAAAAAAACA/mxnWMbXzmqg/s400/Arty.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500870181783587650" border="0" /></a>Wait till I change this one to black and white, it's going straight up on the bathroom wall!!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">After breakfast we headed around a bit more and found a class beach and did some well deserved sunbathing and swimming, then onwards to the Brindisi town (bit of a dumpsky) to get the boat. Our tickets said our seats were on the deck, so we thought it was just some weird boat term for lounge? However, when we got on board we were directed further and further to the back of the boat with the rest of the paupers, and yes, we spent the night outside on the deck… At least we had a tent! That ended our week of non stop driving. Ciao Italia. Next stop…Greece!!!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFcE2LM3tEI/AAAAAAAAACI/-8KZAxVMPc4/s1600/Leaving+Italy.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 297px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TFcE2LM3tEI/AAAAAAAAACI/-8KZAxVMPc4/s400/Leaving+Italy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500870798622569538" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-37178616137998733322010-07-24T18:57:00.000+01:002010-07-24T19:20:46.505+01:00Two severly wounded in freak accidentsJust got the roof rack welded together (thanks Stew) and myself and Podge put the finishing lick of paint on it. Tomorrow we should be ready to rock and roll.<br /><br />Before we've even started, we've acquired two casualties. Yesterday, Podge decided to attack some bushes with his machete. He then mistakenly thought his shin was a branch and took a good swing at it...lots of blood. That's what he gets for giving out to me for messing with it over the past week! Then today, when I was down with Stew in Ashford getting the welding done, I just happend to walk into the corner of an open window and put a massive gash in my shoulder. At this rate, there won't be much left in the first aid kit by the time we get to Africa.<br /><br />Anyway, I better start packing now.<br />LET'S GET IT OONNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!<img src="file:///Users/john/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///Users/john/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" />Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747740620373347772.post-76472486201257793782010-07-19T14:00:00.001+01:002010-07-19T14:54:34.567+01:00Sooooo...<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TEROK12EycI/AAAAAAAAAAw/gtPFUSaTn2U/s1600/The+Beast.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TEROK12EycI/AAAAAAAAAAw/gtPFUSaTn2U/s320/The+Beast.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495603393458391490" border="0" /></a>We were supposed to be starting off on the big adventure today, but due to unforeseen circumstances (roof rack on the beast not finished yet and we are sooo unorganised), we postponed it 'till next Sunday. This of course means plenty of extra time to pack and get our shit together, and generally relax for a few more days. It also gave me time to start this blog :).<br /><br />I have to say, Podge is doing a sterling job doing this and that to the jeep. He's replaced the... and the... and fixed the... (I've no idea what he's done, I'm mechanically retarded).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TERXLAAybzI/AAAAAAAAAA4/OWXUoLx4oR0/s1600/Africa+Trip.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 403px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMK-kWW6vEk/TERXLAAybzI/AAAAAAAAAA4/OWXUoLx4oR0/s320/Africa+Trip.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495613291792330546" border="0" /></a>Hopefully Mr. Flinn/ Flinn dog/ Keemosabe will allow me to attach this to his most amazingly fantasticly wonderiferously spectacular Global-Slacker.com?????? Fingers crossed!!! He's such a nice guy!!!!!!<br /><br /><--- On the left is a sort of general outline of the route we're taking. Thank you Google maps and red pen in photoshop for helping to make this picture a work of art. <br /><br />God speed, 'till next time, <br />Synno. </div>Synnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07460223498930574514noreply@blogger.com0