Latest Update

F.A.Q'S

The Journey Home Begins

-

Conventional wisdom says that all good things must come to an end (I don't see why, but perhaps I am not conventionally wise!). We have started our journey southwards, at the end of which, is home.
We looked at various options; both different road routes and different methods of transport. We got quotes for shipping the Mog from Dar es Salaam to Durban, but the exorbitant Port fees in Dar ruled that out. Rail is not an option either (there isn't one), and so we back on the road!.

We have still not decided firmly on any one route; going through Zambia would be faster but they have a fuel crisis at the moment. Zimbabwe likewise has no fuel and the transit costs are high. That leaves Malawi and Mozambique. So, we are going in that general direction and will make finite decisions on the road.
-

-
But before we left Tanzania we had some artwork painted onto the Mog in traditional Tinga Tinga style. It's bright and colourful with the orange reflector standing in for the sun!
-

-
To this end we left Nairobi and headed south to complete one of the outstanding items on our "To Do" list - to see Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli National Park in Southern Kenya is reputed to be one of the best places from which to view the mountain - and it our case, it proved to be true!! Not only did we see the mountain, but is created the perfect background to herds of elephants, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, gazelles and ostrich.

-
In some places the Park is lush and green with swamps created from snowmelt from the mountain, while in the vast majority of the area, wind created dust devils mar the blue sky as thirsty animals cross the dry dusty floodplains in search of food. Amboseli really is a diverse park which offers excellent opportunities to see the predators, game and, of course, the mountain.
Unfortunately, we cannot say as many good things about the road to and from the Park; there is a signboard which states that it is going to be upgraded, but it does not say when!
-

The formalities at the border between Kenya and Tanzania were quickly finalised and we were heading back to Arusha when we came upon marching groups of Masaai people; all dressed up with their faces painted and bedecked with jewellery and traditional weapons. The women usually wear blue and the men prefer red; they say that lions don't like the colour red and so the Masaai feel safe when tending their cattle (I just hope the lions know that they don't like red!)

-
Our journey continues with a stop for a few days in Dar es Salaam, Baobab Valley and Kizolanza Farmhouse before getting to Mbeya; that's decision time... turn right for Zambia or turn left for Malawi. We'll let you know which it is was in the next update!
(continued below...)

Above: Sunset over Amboseli
Right: A giraffe wanders a barren floodplain

-
Update continued....
We have been on the move everyday since leaving Dar and have not been able to upload to our website at any of our overnight stops. So the latest information is that we chose the road through Malawi and Mozambique. I have to be honest and say that the prospect of diving in Mozambique had more bearing on our decision that the lack of fuel in Zambia! So, we are in Malawi and heading south towards Mozambique for a few days of diving.
-
Highlights:
Best meal: Cheese burgers with chips and a Lime Slushy (Konyagi, Vodka and a splash of lemonade and Lemon Twist, made in the usual slushy machine - yummy, but deadly!)
Best moment: Seeing Mount Kili as a background to a myriad of animals.
Worst moment: I would have to make something up as we really haven't had any bad moments at all!
Rotary: We attended a joint meeting of the Rotary Clubs of Dar es Salaam and Bahari,
Dar es Salaam on the occasion of the DG's visit.

Go to Home Page

Contact Us

Important Note:
No attachments on emails please!