Get Me Out Of Here

Northern Cape, South Africa (day 68)

I want to escape. I do not want to be on this big orange truck for a second longer. I feel like screaming, I feel like crying.

I just want to go home

The Desert

The Namib Desert, Namibia (day 61)

I have always had very romantic ideas about what the desert would be like.

The Namib desert fulfilled my every expectation. The deep red sand dunes climbing over 300m high, the sweltering heat, the fossilised trees and the mirage of water in the horizon. The desert is a spectacular place

When the War is Over

Skeleton Coast (Cape Cross) & Namib Desert (day 61)

Today was spent traveling through the Namib Desert towards the Skeleton Coast. The scenery and atmosphere was in complete contrast to anything else I have seen in Africa. When I imagine what the world would be like after war and atomic bombs had ravaged our planet this is what I see.  

The Skeleton Coast is where the Namib desert meets the coast line. The shore was scattered with bones, there was rocks and sand as far as the eye could see. A grave yard stood amongst this ery scenery. I kept thinking I would see my own name written on one of tomb stones like you would in a horror movie.

The Skeleton Coast is definately not somewhere I would like to be stranded alone at night.

Open Your Eyes

Twyfelfontein, Namibia (Day 60)

Being surrounded my beauty does not necessarily mean you are immune to depression. In fact the lack of sleep and nomadic lifestyle that are so entrenched in travel can leave you vulnerable. Then bang you feel like crap and you are not sure why.

It has been a massive few days full of frustration and beauty. Yesterday started out badly. We were camping in Okakeo near Etosha national Park. It was an early start as we were going to visit a Himba Village. I must have rolled out on the wrong side of the bed (sorry I mean tent). I was in a filthy mood. I was ready to hop back into the truck and go back to sleep. Unfortunately the truck would not start. We tried pushing the truck with no luck. Then an electric compressor (or something like that) was ordered to help the truck start. But of course the compressor broke down as well. So it looked like we were going to be stuck for a while.

Four hours later we were piled into mini vans for a long sweaty drive. The Himba Village was put off for the day. We drove straight to the Otjitongwe Cheetah park near Kamajab, Namibia. That night the group was split through the middle. half the group slept in tents (which flooded) an the other half slept in a shed (which also flooded). The storm that night was ferocious with lightning illuminating the dark cheetah park. I was cold, wet and pissed off. Consequently I did not sleep much.

By the time we arrived at Twyfelfontein I just wanted to sleep. People describe Twyfelfontein as a rock amphitheatre. A place that can take you back in time. Some of the etchings date back to the early stone age. To my detriment I walked around groggy, feeling sorry for myself. Then I overheard one of the girls on my trip (who is a seasoned traveler) say she had never seen anything like this. At that moment I decided that I needed to push past how crappy I was feeling and look around.

Finally I opened my eyes (and my mind) and began to appreciate what I was seeing. The etchings were remarkable. I gazed at this etching of a stone age classroom and it looked like artwork. I imagined tribal children squatting like chimpanzees while a holy man taught them about the world. The holy man would tell them stories about their culture as he etched into the rock face.

Now I am sitting on the hillside exhausted but content. The sun is setting above the mountains and green planes. I feel relieved that I did open my eyes.

Beautiful Africa

Etosha National Park, Namibia (day 57)

We just went for a game drive (safari) through Etosha National Park and what a sight. Zebras galloping, black and white rhinos charging, giraffes spreading their legs to drink from the waterhole.

Dark angry clouds coated the horizon as lightning illuminated the sky. I think everyone in the truck was memorised by this remarkable sight. it was like someone created it just for us

Fearless

Benjani, Namibia (day 56)

I used to be afraid. I was scared of dying, fearful of the dark and terrified of demons. I found life in general very frightening. My fear controlled me and imprisoned me. Since coming to Africa I have become stronger and more resilient. It's not that I don't get scared anymore (because I do). I just don't allow fear to control me or consume me anymore. Now I can sleep in a dark tent on my own in the middle of no where. I can bunjee jump despite being crippled with fear. I can travel across the globe independently not allowing my doubts to hold me back.

It is empowering to no longer allow my fears to control me.

Chobe National Park

Kasane, Botswana (Chobe National Park), day 52

It has been a spectacular day. It was an early start, I was jolted awake at 5am. I began to curse under my breath until I looked up. I was memorised by a million shining stars and a ring around the moon. I had a quick breakfast before we set of for a early morning game drive (safari). The morning was moist and beautiful and smelt fresh with rain. We drove along the river banks and crossed through fields and bushland. A pack of cocky of baboons were having a scruff, seemingly oblivious to the warthogs passing by. Three jackals attempted to hide in the bushes. Meanwhile impala after impala sauntered by acting like they were the most important animals in the park. After our game drive we returned to the camp grounds for a lovely lunch.

In the late afternoon we were hopped into the big orange Gecko's truck and set of towards the river. We boarded a small speed boat and cruised along the Chobe river. A fish eagle sat in a tree as he scanned the waters. a Hippopotamus family popped their heads out of the water to look around. Then submerged themselves back under the water. Crocodiles and goanna's baked in the last of the days sun.

We watched these water beasts as the sun set. It was a bonus when a herd of elephants sauntered down to the river. The grown up elephants drank and bathed in the water. The baby elephants hid under their mother legs. Two teenage elephants played in the mud. they inhaled the mud and sprayed it over each other in what appeared to be adolescent deviance.

The sun set over Botswana as we returned to dry land. Another amazing day in Africa.

Elephant Land

Kasane, Botswana (day 51)

I was having a nap in my tent when I heard a elephant trumpet. I jumped, my heart beating like an excited child's. I ran towards the camp ground fence. There 30 or so elephants were marching towards the river. I cautiously moved closer. They were swimming, drinking and spraying mud over themselves with there brilliant trunks. To be so close to these wild beasts in frightening, thrilling and intriguing.

Crossing Over

Zimbabwe/ Botswana Border (day 51)

I crossed the border into Botswana today. (Botswana is my forth African country so far) It was pouring rain. We had to walk over chemical infused mats which is part of the fight against foot and mouth.  I am still finding border crossings quite exciting. I am sure novelty of it all will most likely fade by the end of my trip.  

A Sexy Passport

Livingstone, Zambia (day 50)

By the time I return to Australia I would like a good looking passport. So I decided to take the a trip onto Zambian soil.

"What is the purpose of your visit" the immigration officer asked me. "I would like a sexy looking passport I replied" He giggled to himself as he stamped my passport.