TravelStream™ news feed for member eamorley on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/eamorley en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:53:58 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218369060/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218369060/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218369060/tpod.html Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:53:58 -0400 Morley Tours Lost in Africa Experience

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Good flight to Schipol where Pat and I have camped out in the KLM lounge as we have a bit of a wait. We've used their showers, eaten their food drunk their dinks and used their wireless internet. Have made ourselves comfortable by the window watching the jets come and go. Think the staff are worries we may have moved in to live here.Gave pat the choice of getting the train in to Amsterdam and having a wander or staying here and looking at the shops and getting our money's worth out of the lounges. Bad mistake. She chose the shopping.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218281820/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218281820/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218281820/tpod.html Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:50:04 -0400 Morley Tours Lost in Africa Experience

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Bid a sad farewell to Tany and Janet. It had been really great to see them and set off for Cape Town. Planned to visit Robben Island today. Trusty sat nav took up to Cape Town Waterfront. This is another first we have not got lost once this trip, no u-turns going round in circles or arguments which is a general part of Morley tours. This was money well spent. Bad news however heavy swell meant that no trips were going across to Robben Island so had to settle for a look around the museum at Mandella Gateway.The waterfront was a very cool place however a crossy between Liverpool waterfront and Convent Garden. Lots of excellent buskers. Free concert exellent shops and restaurants, really good fod at very reasonable prices. Pat had Crayfish and I had oyseters and fresh local fish at a waterfront cafe that had wireless internet.Used the afternoon to visit Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden. Very lovely site well laid out and also good for a few birds. Flight not till 2325 so returned to the waterfron to enjoy the ambience and wander through the shopping centres. Set off for the airport and returned the car which had been superb value, although a bit new and unmarked for my taste, and the sat nav and went to the business lounge.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218194700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218194700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218194700/tpod.html Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:35:07 -0400 Morley Tours Lost in Africa Experience

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Greyton, South Africa

Nature's Valley certainly good for wildlife. There were lepoards and caracal in the area. We saw deer and lots of birds. The guest house cat had a bit of fur missing and her owner worried she may be scrapping with some of these animals but was clearly a survivor. Todays mission was to find the rare and endemic Knysna Lourie. This pigeon sized bird had a purple body, green head with red eye and white eye stripe green crest and red wings. I thought I may be able to identify this. Locals gave us some sites, which although nice forest walks didn't produce a Lourie. One our way back to Tony and Janets stopped in at Wilderness Nature Reserve and found the Louries in a tree at the reception. This was a nice area and it would have been worth renting a canoe for the day to explore tke lakes and waterways but no running out of time as it was a 400 km drive back to Greyton. Pat expressed no disappointment at this.Arrive Greyton just befor dark, a first for us arriving anywhere in the light. Went out with Janet and Tony for dinner in a local hotel. Just us there again. Had table next to a log fire and a nice evening. Stayed up late chatting and watching the olympic opening ceremony.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218105840/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218105840/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218105840/tpod.html Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:23:07 -0400 Morley Tours Lost in Africa Experience

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Storms River Mouth National Park, South Africa

Jonathan's birthday. Gave him a ring. Phone has been working well here although internet can be a struggle. The Badgers Lodge was a really taseful place with pool and lots of nice shady areas to sit when it was hot. Found in the guidebook there was a place on the way where you could rent a motor boat and sail up river near Plattenberg. Thought I would save this for a surprise. Nice drive to Plattenberg. There was one place renting sea kayaks to paddle out to get cloase to whales. Flatly vetoed by Pat. This is where I miss holidays with family and friends and there is always someone ready to share a mad adventure. After vetoing the kayaks Pat felt a bit obliged to go for the motor boat. Went to inspect it. Not the most impressive motor boat in the world I had to admit but it did have lifejackets as I helpfully pointed out to Pat. She tried to get me to rent the ferry that belonged to the hotel as she claimed it was a bit more of a boat. We bought a picnic and climbed aboard. By now Pat have left the guy who ran them in no doubt that her confidence in my marine ability was pretty low and this trip was a dingy version of the titanic. He became panicky and asked for the rent money in advance. He clearly thought we may not come back!The first bit was very shallow and tricky but the river went into a deep and tranquil gorge and there were picnic tables along the way so we could pull up and enjoy the tranquility. Even Pat relaxed. Set off for Stroms River Mouth, a wild and beautiful National Park that had a long foot suspension bridge over a deep gorge where the river meets the sea. A very famous spot and as far East as we planned to go. When we arrived disaster. Some oaf at the nearby golf club had clearly dropped a fag and burnt the whole area down including the boardwalk to the suspension bridge. There was no access. I was really looking forward to a photo of Pat on that. Headed back down the caost to Nature's Valley a wonderfully wild area. Booked into a farm guest house with wonderfukl views and heating which was a big hit with Pat. The local pub was the only place in the area that served food so went there after a walk on the beach. Interesting place. Good draught bitter and they had a log brazier going on the porch we all sat around and chatted to the locals. Very nice evening.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218018420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218018420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1218018420/tpod.html Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:43:14 -0400 Morley Tours Lost in Africa Experience

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Kynsna, South Africa

Entered Reserve early in the morning. Really nice area. Got some information where the zebra hung out from the rangers and set off to look for them. Americans passed us when I was examing antelopes through a telescope. They didn't hang round. Saw lots of rare antelopes but no zebra so set off for the dunes and beach where the whale trail was and what makes De Hooop famous. Saw whales as soon as we arrived. 17 in all, Southern Right Whales very close in. They meet here to breed and we saw them breaching and waving various appendages at each other. It was a remarkable sight.Had another go for the Zebra. Only 20 in an area the size of North Lincs so a bit tough but finally tracked one down. Remarkable animals. Not like Plains Zebra. They have very thin and close stripes and wide stripes on the flanks. Lots of nice birds including White pelican.Set off for the resort town of Kynsna which is built around a wide lagoon. Nice drive on the way. Arrived in the dark but the sat nav took us to a guest house listed in the rough guide. Nice place and we got a traditional roundal hut to ourselves with a huge bathroom. We had dinner in a coverted wharehouse on the waterfront that was also a shop and deli and very popular. Cold again in the night
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217966520/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217966520/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217966520/tpod.html Sun, 10 Aug 2008 05:45:15 -0400 Morley Tours Lost in Africa Experience

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

De Hoop National Nature Reserve, South Africa

In the morning saw wha a nice place Geryton is. It is a very historical town with some nice buildings and has become very popular with second home owners and people who have retired.It has its own little nature reserve and we all set off in the morning for a walk. As it happened the entrance had been retored after a bush fire and we arrived for the official opening. We all got our picture taken for the local newsletter. Had a very pleasant walk then lunch in another of Greyton's many restaurants. It also has many art galleries that were not very busy. It was low season but as the only painting I liked cost £3000 they clearly don't need many customers! Left our heavy luggage at Tony and Janets and arranged to see them on the way back for our alternative interpretation of the Garden Route. First stop De Hoop Nature Reserve. Mission to track down the critically endanged Cape Zebra and other rare animals. See whales from the beach (best place in the world for land-based whale watching) see a few birds and er... no boats by special request.Came across a flock of rare Blue Crane on the way. Wonderful elegant birds. Got very excited about this but was to see them all over the area. One had even flown over Janet and Tony's place.Arrive at De Hoop in the dark but found a lodge down a rough track. Pat was enchanted by this. It had individual thatched huts that Pat called 'Hobbit Houses'. and a nice restaurant with blazing log fire. Just us an an american family there who were not very talkative. I think they passed us when I was leaning over a fence with my scope which to them would have looked I had a excessive interest in sheep as the cranes were away from the road. I think they though I was a bit weird. Hut was really nice but really cold. Had a portable gas fire Pat and sat in fromnt of and hot water bottles. Just settled down to read from my refernce library when the bloody generator shut off at 9 pm so we had to go to bed early like it or not.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217878980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217878980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217878980/tpod.html Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:00:06 -0400 Morley Tours Lost in Africa Experience

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Greyton, South Africa

Said goodbye to the very nice couple who ran the guesthouse and drove to Table Top Mountain Cable Car. This had just re-opened and was a very flash affair that rotated as it went up for a 360 view. Pat liked this a lot to my surprise and liked walking about the top of the mountain. Weather was glorious and we had stunning views.On our return set off for the Cape of Good Hope National Park. This was a very interesting place with good birds and wildlife and empty windswept beaches. Called in at Boulders Beach on the return to see the thriving African penguin Colony before setting off for the substantial drive to Greyton to see Janet and Tony. Found the street and saw janet sitting in the House through the window whaich was fortunate. Very nice house and it was good to catch up with Janet and Tony. Later took them out to a little bistro in the town where we were the only customers. Turned really cold in the night. South African homes are not really built for this as we were to find out on our travels.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217766540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217766540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217766540/tpod.html Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:41:59 -0400 Morley Tours Lost in Africa Experience

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Cape Town, South Africa

Very windy in the night and wondered if the shark dive still on. They confirmed by text it was so set off for the 2 hour drive at 6 am. This is where the sat nav came in handy. Arrived with no problem and had breakfast before boarding the boat in the harbour. Looked a bit rough to me. Thought the chances of Pat keeping her breakfast down a bit slim. The boat really bounced about. Got to the shark site and the crew started pouring fish blood over the side. Pat and indeed a few others went green. Then they put out a big Tuna head on a rope and float. The captain cheerfully told everyone to throw up over the side if they felt ill as this also attracted sharks. Pat obliged and sure enough one appeared right in front of her. There are ot many who can say they have thrown up on a Great White Shark! Those of us diving squeezed into wet suits while falling over in the pitching boat. You had to be a very frendly terms as changing facilities were er.. limited. I was first in and got in the cage. Sea not as cold as I feared although they were heavy 7mm suits with hoods. The skipper saw a shark and pulled the bait towards the cage and shouted down. Under water there was like a slit in the cage to look through and the view was stunning. I could have touched it. Completely awesome. Unfortunately in the excitement I poked my bad foot through the cage and having limited movement in it couldn't get it back in. The shark looked interested. This was bad enough but we were free diving with no air tank and I had to surface to breath. With a struggle I freed it and surfaced well after the others who must have though I was just showing off.Weather comtinued to get worse and then all hell broke loose. One shark boat had lost its engines and had been washed aground on seal island. Someone had a heart attack on another boat which sped back to port another boat had a serious injury when someone hit his head in the pitching seas. Our boat left its cage anchored and with another set off to rescue the disabled boat. Ours put an anchor down for it while the other rescued the very scared looking passengers. The trip back was very rough. Some of our passengers had just changed out of their wetsuits into their clothes when a wave broke over the boat soaking them. One girl was too ill to take her wet suit off.Had lunch when we got back. Pat quickly recovered after some nice soup and drove back along the coast to see whales and dolphins and daft seals that floated on their backs with the flippers in the air causing great confusion. Lanlord told us 3 people had been killed recently when one of the boats was capsized by a wave. 2 were trapped inside and one eaten by a shark. Must have had really close views though.Still an astonishing experience and adventure. Drove back along the coast and saw whales close inshore. Had dinner that night in a scary part of town although it was very good and it was certainly lively.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217695740/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217695740/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217695740/tpod.html Sat, 02 Aug 2008 13:03:51 -0400 Morley Tours Lost in Africa Experience

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Had to set off from the hotel at 5pm in order to catch our 7 am flight to cape town via joberg. Not before Pat finally managed to find her Tanzanite Shop. It was locked when we approached although it did have two guys hanginging around outside with shotguns and rifles. Sadly when we looked through the locked grating over the door, we must have looked likely customers as someone unlocked it and we were beckoned in. Pat got her necklace and very glittery it is too prefering the style to the size of the stones. Phew!At airport suddenly realised I'd left my small digital camera and card reader carefully hidden in a draw in our room. Disaster! Phoned hotel and negotiating to have it sent by DHL to Cape Town. What a bummer! so no more pictures for a while. There was an offer on sat nav rental at the airport for a couple of pounds per day so had one. It's limited but did get us to our guest house when I got lost following the written instruction so in terms of stress and arguments paid for itself already. Tintagel guest house is pretty amazing. A 19th cebtury colonial building which is very stylish inside. We are the only guests and are left with the run of the house includng a decanter of port in our room. It's close to the town centre which we can walk to. wWather pretty cold and I realised that with working suits tropical and safari gear there was no room for cold weather gear. Shark people have texted to say we are off tomorrow. They say they have hot choclate and hot showeres. I think were going to need them!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217422140/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217422140/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eamorley/3/1217422140/tpod.html Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:53:56 -0400 Morley Tours Lost in Africa Experience

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Had an early breakfast and a bird watch before we were collected to get the plane back to Dar. This came early as it also had some other stops in other game parks. The pilot has also brought his girlfriend along for the ride. Picked up and returned to the Royal Palm hotel. The buffet was crab night which got Pat excited as did cotton sheets, king sized beds and no geckos or noisy animals. Proved too difficult to change our flights for an early departure to Cape Town so planning to move to the White Sands Hotel up the coast where I can do some diving and we can relax by the sea.
]]>