TravelStream™ news feed for member meganjohn on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/meganjohn en-us Copyright ©2010 TravelPod.com Sun, 09 Sep 2007 10:25:42 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1189347480/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1189347480/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1189347480/tpod.html Sun, 09 Sep 2007 10:25:42 -0400 One girls trip across Africa

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Swakomund, Namibia

since my last entry (which feels like ages ago) we have been through botswana and ended up in namibia. in botswana we went to chobe national park where we saw a pride of lions kill a baby buffalo. we also did a river cruise and saw our first crocdiles of the tour. after that we went to the delta which is the coolest place on earth. we got some mokoros (which are hollowed out sausage trees) and basically punted our way tot he middle of nowhere. we then set up camp with an elephant watching us from not too far away. in the afternoon we went walking and saw zebra, elephant and hippos. we were camping next to the water and as we went to bed we could hear an elephant splashing around. after that we came to namiba and went to etosha national park where our campsite had a cool waterhole that the animals visited throughout the night so we saw black rhino, lions, elephants (including two babys). there were also loads of jackals running through the campsite. last night we went to spitzkofe, which is in the middle of the desert. we climbed some rocks and saw the bushmen paintings and then camped out on the rocks under the starts adn I saw my first ever shooting star. TOday we are in Swakomund and tomorrow I'm going sandboarding and quadbiking up the dunes, which should be way cool.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1188214200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1188214200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1188214200/tpod.html Mon, 27 Aug 2007 07:45:19 -0400 One girls trip across Africa

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Livingstone, Zambia

spent the last few days on the road, trying to get from malawi to livingstone where we are spending the next few days. of course driving in africa finds its own way to be dramatic. we drive past overturned trucks on the side of the road all the time, but two days ago we went past one which had overturned and fallen down the side of the road a little bit. with 7 people and a baby inside the cab, which to be honest looked pretty crushed. it had only just happened so we stopped and helped get the people out. the first 5 and the baby came out really easily but there were two people left inside, including the driver whose legs were stuck under the steering wheel. they dont hvae the jaws of life out here and there was no cellphone reception so we managed to get them out using wheel jacks and a hacksaw. we hd two med students on the truck who were making bandages out of sleeping bags and all our first aid kits were finally getting used. after a couple of hours we got the last two people out, amazingly once cut free they walked out (we were all fearing the worst). we drove them to hospital where the doctor was on their break! they also managed to take some of our sleeping mattresses which we had used as stretchers! cant believe people take your stuff while your saving them. everyone else who drove past was just stood watching when we got there and asked why we were helping get them out. this country is weird.

anyhow, we get to do some activites while we are here, so tomorrow Ill be elephant riding, walking with lions, then on weds we'll be abseiling and flying over the falls. O yes, we are at victoria falls, which are massive and beautiful. watched the sunset there yesterday, which was spectacular
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1187789040/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1187789040/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1187789040/tpod.html Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:34:16 -0400 One girls trip across Africa

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Kande beach, Malawi

not done much since my last blog. went diving in zanzibar, which was amazin - I saw a pufferfish that was actually nearly as big as me. left Zanzibar with a big hangover and went back to tanzania. stayed in a really cool campsite up the hills which served hot chocolate with amarula. left tanzania for malawi where they have the most beautiful wooden carvings, so obvioulsy I bought a giraffe that I have no idea how I will get home! slep out side on the beach of lake malawi, under the stars. woke up to find a taod on my sleeping bag. went diving today in the lake, which is at altitude which is poretty cool. they say it is like an aquarium and they are not wrong! saw a catfish nearly as big as me. had another incident with an angry mob...they were on a bus and decided to get out and yell at our driver. it was sorted out pretty easily with a trip to the local police station as it may have been our fault as something was thrown from our bus that hit theirs. at least it broke up the journey a little bit. we are having a bad taste party tonight so we went to a local market and bought some horrific clothes. not much else to say. hope everyone at home is well xxx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1187250540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1187250540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1187250540/tpod.html Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:07:06 -0400 One girls trip across Africa

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Stone town, Tanzania

hey, I am actually in Zanzibar, but that is not an option on this so this entry is going to say I am in Tanzania. done lots since my last entry, went to the masai mara in Kenya, where we got to see some of the herds of migrating cattle. one of our groups buses got stuck in the mud so we had to tow it out. we then realised that while we were doing so we had been surrounded by a pride of 7 lions. saw lots of animals and got to stay in some jazz tents that had ensuite! after that we left kenya and headed to tanzania, which is my favourite country so far. we went to the serengetti, ngorogoro crater and oldepai gorge, which is where they found lots of fossils of early humans and prehistoric animals, which was pretty cool. at the serengetti and crater we saw two baby lions cubs, lots of cheetah (one of which walked past our car) elephants, hippos in and out of the water, baboons, impala, eland, hartbeast, wildebeest, vultures, hyena (including one with a gazelles head in its mouth). the trip was made more exciting by going to the toilet in teh middle of the night as one girl got attacked by a bat, one girl couldnt go as there was a buffalo in the doorway and the group before us saw lions as they left the toilets! after that we went to arusha and stayed in a place called snake park (they had lots of snakes there but all behind glass), it was awesome as they actually sold cider, which no where in kenya or uganda sold. we went on a little village walk to a masai village and got surrounded by kids jumping on us. then we came to Zanzibar, which is a little tropical island that I am falling in love with. we spent one night in Stone Town and went to the night fish market where I ate shark :( the next day we went on a spice tour and got to eat all the local fruit, which is so good. we are now in the north of the island chillaxing, I am going snorkelling today and then diving tomorrow. last night we went to a club that had sand all the way thru it and drank cocktails as they are 2.5 pounds only. hope all of you are well xxx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1185715500/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1185715500/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1185715500/tpod.html Sun, 29 Jul 2007 09:39:19 -0400 One girls trip across Africa

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Kibale, Uganda

So I have had my first mugging experience. While trying to get up to the place where you trek to see the gorillas from we got stuck in the mud by this village. The villagers told us the path further up was impassable and they helped push us out (an entire village of guys pushing the car!) we were sliding all over and most of the girls were pretty scared. after we had been turned around they asked 'where's my money?'. we actually didn't have much money on us at it was all in the safe on our truck which we had left behind and we didn't know what to do as our guides were on the other bus. we had to sit there for what seemed like ages while they told us we owed them and put rocks under the wheels so we couldn't drive off, opened the door (which I was sat next to), and then decided which ones of us they 'wanted'. they also lent in thru the windows and started stroking someones leg. it was pretty horrible. eventually our tour leader gave one guy some money and told the others that it was more than it was and it included their share, so they all ran after him and we were able to get away. when we made it to camp we found out they had taken some peoples sleeping bags, some sunglasses, one hiking boot and all of our bread. it was a pretty bad night.

yesterday I went gorilla trekking, we had to walk for about two hours through the rainforest, with loads of butterflies following us. my group got to see the entire group of 18 that was there, which is pretty rare as most people only see around 8. they walked past us on the path and were so close the guides told us to hold onto our cameras in case they snatched them. we saw a two week old baby as well, which was awesome. they were so human like. unfortunately on the way back my friend twisted her ankle and the guide tried to charge us $150 to help us get back which kind of spoilt it but we refused to pay and eventually they helped us get back without trying to take all of your money. the gorillas were so awesome and the place here is so beautiful, its just unfortunate that people shout 'money' at us when they see us go past and throw rocks at us. I'm glad I cam ehere for the gorillas but I don't think I'll be going back! x
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1185360540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1185360540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1185360540/tpod.html Wed, 25 Jul 2007 07:01:54 -0400 One girls trip across Africa

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Kampala, Uganda

I have started my overland trek from kenya down to cape town and the first stop is in uganda. tomorrow we are leaving to go to the campsite where we will be trekking to see the gorillas from, which should be fun. there are 15 of us on the trip and a huge variety of ages, but we are mainly aussies, brits and kiwis which is cool. on our first night camping we were at lake nakuru national park which has game in. we did two game drives and saw lions, rhinos, zebra, impala, flamingos, and i'm sure lots of other stuff that I can't remember about right now. we then got to our campsite which was actually in the park (I have never camped before in my life) we were told not to go to the toilet alone at night (I say toilet but it was a long drop, which smelt awful) in case we got attacked by the animals. the guides told me not to worry but as they said this a buffalo walked up to one of the tents. I somehow survived the night!

we then went onto another campsite with the most amazing bar, it was set out like a cave and was really cool. we then went to a place called jinja which was a campsite that overlooks the start of the nile and was so beautiful. they had showers overlooking the view. I went white water rafting for the first time and had so much fun, we did a range of rapids up to grade five. we flipped on the first grade five but made it through the next 11 ok and were the only group which made it through the final rapid which was awesome. we also got given free beer on the cattle truck home so it was a good trip all round.

today we are in kampala changing travellers checks and resting before our long drive tomorrow. most of the people on the tour are pretty fun though so i think we are going to play rugby while we wait to trek and I somehow said I would rugby tackle the truck driver, which I am really regretting now as he is much bigger than me oops!!

not sure how much internet access I'll have on hr trip but will try to update you on the gorrillas soon xxx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1184766840/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1184766840/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1184766840/tpod.html Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:02:22 -0400 One girls trip across Africa

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Cape Town, South Africa

So I arrived in Cape Town late last night but finally have a few bus free days which will be nice. I am staying at the volunteers house for the volunteers still actually doing something over here, which is a little bit weird. they are all really nice tho so it should be fine. today I went down to Simon's town to see the penguins at boulders beach (how could I not?) I went on the train and everyone looked shocked and said it was really dangerous but it was actually about as safe as the ones in the uk. although there were four police officers in my carriage at one point. later I am going to see if people want to go out for dinner at the waterfront as I have no food. tomorrow I fly to joburg and then on friday onto kenya. not sure what my internet access will be like after today but will try my best...xxx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1184592120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1184592120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1184592120/tpod.html Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:29:25 -0400 One girls trip across Africa

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Knysna, South Africa

I had so much fun in coffee bay (so called because a coffee ship sank there and loads of coffee beans washed up on shore). there is not much there but the backpackers is really well run with activities on everyday and most travellers heading on the bus from durban to capetown stop off there so it was pretty lively. the day before I decided it would be a good idea to be hungover for the next bus trip. it was not a good idea. we left the backpackers at 12, we then had to wait at a service station for our bus and I got into Port Elizabeth at midnight. I then left this morning at 7, although I got woken up at 6 :( and arrived in Knysna at lunchtime. Knysna is on the graden route so it is supposed to be a pretty little seaside town. however it is cloudy and cold. I have wandered round the shops and managed to find a new memory card for my cameras at 1/4 the price they tried to sell me one in durban. I am sending some pix home via cd and will ask my parents to upload them here as mostt internet cafes won't lt you do that here as they have weird download limits. I am only here for 24 hours before I leave to go to cape town for just over a day. so have just enough time to revocer! also, I am now 9897miles from home according to some sign here!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1184420820/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1184420820/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1184420820/tpod.html Sat, 14 Jul 2007 09:51:50 -0400 One girls trip across Africa

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Coffee Bay, South Africa

so my trip just started getting even better, I arrived in a place called coffee bay, which is really vibrant and full of lots of other travellers. I arrived at the same time as 3 girls and we are sharing a roundhouse together and get on really well which is nice. yesterday we went on a 3 hour hike to some hole in the wall, which was fun and the scenery is amazing as always. today was a beach day so I got another surf lesson and I managed to stand up! I had so much fun. just now we are going to watch teh sunset and haev some sundowners. I extended my stay here as I was having so much fun. tomorrow I head to Port Elizabeth and then to Knysner which is on the Garden route. when I get there I will try to write up a little more about here but for now I have no time left! eek.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1184159760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1184159760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meganjohn/africa_2007/1184159760/tpod.html Wed, 11 Jul 2007 09:22:16 -0400 One girls trip across Africa

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Ramsgate, South Africa

So I left Durban early this morning (my bus was supposed to arrive at 630, in true African style it arrived at 830) I am now in Ramsgate and moving along the sothern coast of Africa and will shortly join up with the garden route (as its something I ahev never done it seems a good way to spend my bonus holiday!). When I arrived I found out that I get free surk and kayak lessons so went down to the beach and did some of that. I have been told where to stay by the people at the previous backpackers so actually have no idea where I am headed. This backpackers is lovely but quite quiet, however, the next one should be party central. and the going price for beer in most backpakers is R5 which is 30p. however, a monkey just broke in and tried to steal my beer. they seem angry that I am not looking after them anymore...
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