TravelStream™ news feed for member tach1983 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/tach1983 en-us Copyright ©2010 TravelPod.com Mon, 17 Jul 2006 11:49:16 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1150585080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1150585080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1150585080/tpod.html Mon, 17 Jul 2006 11:49:16 -0400 First two weeks in Taita/Rukinga Wildlife Conservancy, Tsavo Region, KENYA to work with Lions. After that, off to South Africa for another 2weeks!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Cape Town, South Africa

SURF SURF AND MORE SURF...that's what i've left behind in Jeffreys Bay unfortunately. The Billabong Pro Surf tournie was on and oh my goodness what an atmosphere...and yes it's just like how they show it on extreme sports etc! I didn't want to leave...i think i've definitely picked up a new hobby...
the guest house was tres tres lush.definitely felt spoilt....
Now in Cape Town after a marathon 800km drive from J Bay!!!It wasn't so bad though the roads are great and so is my driving!Rachit and i rented a car because the Baz bus would've taken us a wopping 15 hours to get back to Cape Town...i'm not spoilt guys, but that's just ridiculous!hehehehe
Good news from Karen and Kylie down in Aus...hope you got my message!
the Guest house here in Cape Town was a great choice...better than hotels in my opinion...good on the pocket, which is always a bonus.
Tomorrow rachit'and i might go to Newlands Stadium and see if we can pick up tickets for the footy game (man utd on tour to South Africa)...this is all a bit rushed as it's approaching 6pm and the reception shuts...so bidding goodbye again
all my love
xxx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152808800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152808800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152808800/tpod.html Thu, 13 Jul 2006 05:51:11 -0400 First two weeks in Taita/Rukinga Wildlife Conservancy, Tsavo Region, KENYA to work with Lions. After that, off to South Africa for another 2weeks!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

yes...second time round!Highest bungy in the world!216m...free fall for a total of 10seconds!only this time i dived off backwards...by far the best way to do it.and as a bonus Jacques (i think that's how you'd spell it) our instructor was lovely!hehehe.
the weather's been holding up..but today we've got a horrid wind coming across our way...which more or less leaves us with not a lot to do until we have to catch the Bus tonight at 6pm to Jeffrey's Bay...J bay!there's the Billabong surf tournie on...so we'll definitely have ourselves a treat!well i will anyway...
I booked myself a well deserved 1.5hour massage yesterday...felt fantastic after as always.right now though i'm going to have to love you and leave you...
p.s i know i'm being missed back home...i miss you too!
more from me later.
all my love
tach
xx
p.s mood amongst the group is fine...although over the last few days i made it a point to escape and find time for myself!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152658800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152658800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152658800/tpod.html Tue, 11 Jul 2006 12:54:06 -0400 First two weeks in Taita/Rukinga Wildlife Conservancy, Tsavo Region, KENYA to work with Lions. After that, off to South Africa for another 2weeks!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

For those of you thinking that i haven't written in a while because there's nothing to write about, i'm delighted to say that's not the case at all!It's been such a wonderful couple of days having left Stellenbosch on such a good note.
I've had to jot down a few notes in my diary just so i don't forget the crucial details!
So i start in Mossel Bay, which is about 3hours Bus Drive...I'm not sure if i've mentioned our mode of transport in much detail...it's the very famous 'BazBus'!It's a hop - on and - off concept which suits us perfectly!i'm not shy to admit that it's not exactly the most comfortable ride (especially if you've got a long way to go) as the leg room's extremely minimal! but otherwise, the service, the vehicle, and roads are superb and definitely no complaints there!
The backpackers was complete luxury compared to the Stumble Inn in Stellenb! The bunk beds were lovely...made from wood...certainly brought back childhood memories...in fact i think i miss having a bunk (ok ok maybe not)...
It was cold i must admit, but Stellen was colder tenfold. Neil, Rachit and I hit the beach on arrival...we're not really ones to waste a minute of good(ish) weather..and Neil wanted to catch a few waves...so we happily watched (both him and his belongings)..had a bite to eat and a few drinks of course...i'm hopelessly addicted to both the beer and Rooibos tea(bush tea)out here...probably why my last few months of fitness/diet discipline have gone completely out of the window...what with all the braai's and so on...it would be a complete shambles to even attempt anything healthy!And speaking of Braai's during our stay in Mossel Bay we had two Braai's! So in total that makes 3! (Braai is a bbq by the way...and consists of game meat (Kudu, Wilderbeast, Impala and so on)...chicken, pork, lamb and of course Boerewors...which is South African sausage meat...it's tres tres yummy! And you even get the dry version..much like Biltong...not better (Caitlin seems to think so, but I'm not so convinced..but it ranks second best for sure)...speaking of Biltong...oh my god I think I could be a piece of Biltong by the end of this holiday I've eaten so much of it! Biltong is dried meat guys...if you haven't had a taste...you are guaranteed to be envious and you should definitely try some!
Now where was I????oh yes, Braai at mossel bay backpackers! Excellent once again, but it didn't by any chance beat the Braai we had up at Nienke's parents...not least because Nienks and me were in the Kitchen...but it was genuinely a good effort!heheheh picked up a few tips which will come in handy...so thanks Nienks!
Second day in Mossel Bay...first surf lesson (not first ever...I'm no virgin surfer I'll have you know, I had a shot at it out in Aus last summer...so I had a head start on Cait and Rachit...) Leon our instructor was awesome..and no there were no alterior motives..no flirting..nothing of the sort...so wipe that suspicious grin off your faces pronto!.Unlike Aus I had a short board this time, and it worked well....much to my surprise I was good (if I say so myself)...I was up on that board almost straight away..ok ok only after being dumped, and tumble dried up the water a couple of times..but once you learn how to read the waves you're ok...I'm a fast learner what can I say! Oh listen to me...I'm so not showing myself off..i promise. Afternoon that day we hit the Nyaru (Buffalo in Aafrikans I think) National Park...Quad bike game watching...couple of interesting things to see..but nothing that beats the Tsavo wildlife I'm afraid....completely different too, as this time we were on Quad bikes....The camp was absolutely gorgeous..thatched roofs, beautiful interiors too! Taken pictures so again I won't go into much detail....Braai again that night....so far...it sounds as though I was a spectacular day doesn't it? Hmm I think so...but it only gets that much better....the footy final was on...so to have been able to watch it on a ranch was quite unique..but I can not for the life of me explain in words how delighted I was that my Italians beat France that night!They absolutely deserved it (not that France didn't...Zidane's sending off was just unfortunate I suppose....!!!)Amongst the boys - Dan, Kieran and Rachit...we had bets going on the score line..and it jst so happened that luck was on my side..i predicted that score line after the first 90mins and into extra time too!obviously I never doubted that Italy would win..and voila!!! Couldn't have asked for a more entertaining day really!At this stage though, I'm shattered!!!oh and p.s...our game drive was pretty cool...Rudolph the guide was extremely informative...and fit!!!Ernest the other oak was cool too...taught us the Aafrkans tradition of spitting springbok poo from your mouth as far as you can!!!didn't taste very pleasant but we all certainly had a go!!!(oak - bloke/guy...aafrikans slang)!!!
Our final morning started off with our second (and final) surf lesson..only this time I learned to turn and surf sideways along the wave! I make it sound as though I'm already a pro...I like to think so, but if truth be told I'm really not that good..i just think it's been a commendable effort...especially as Leon gave me a few thumbs up! Loved every minute...Caitlin and Rachit both did well...but Rachit openly admitted that surfing wasn't his sport at all.he managed the entire two lessons ok (Rachit just walked in the room, and read this little paragraph about his lesson..and insists he got the thumbs up too...so take his word for it I suppose, cause I didn't see it)!...and Caitlin got thumbs up from Leon too which was excellent! We're both planning on renting boards up in Jeffrey's bay...so I'll let you know how it goes!
Julianne....Caitlin's cousin joined us in Mossel bay...actually we joined her on the BazBus..(she was in Kenya prior to S.a...and got bumped off her flight from Zanzibar the previous day, so instead of joining us the day before we left Mossel bay like originally planned she had to sit on the bus from capetown from 7am that same morning)!!!she looks nothing like Cait...cool though and we seem to get on fine...which is more than I can ask for.her laugh is super contagious!...
Arrival in Plettenberg Bay was cool...the drive was scenic as usual...and we passed through Kysna..(very pretty town by the seafront)...pitty we couldn't stay..i have such wonderful memories of the place from two years ago...would've definitely been nice to be back!but Plett's gorgeous too...
We arrived about 6pm and headed straight for dinner...it was a general consensus to head to the seafood bistro just nearby..and it didn't disappoint either...I didn't head out after (yes, believe it or not I flaked on the others)...I was shattered and felt a wee bit of a flu coming on...that's no lie I promise. By the sounds of it (they stumbled in giggling...etc) they had a great time...
Rachit and I today, decided to head out for a round of golf....we played the the Goose Valley Golf Club...which was very much what I'd describe a fabulous golf course...it made it that much better as I played quite well...much to rachit's surprise of course! He lost two golf balls!hhehehe...again I'm not showing off, I just like to admit that I did well at something!
The showers were great! (hehehe you know me and my showers)...and the food was too...we each had a beer and salad....as we're heading out for yet another meal tonight...the food out here is soooo affordable...so works in out favour definitely! That gym membership will be 100%worth the fee when I get back I assure you!
So that was our day...and now I must leave you....i have a drink waiting for me at the bar...the backpackers here has prob (so far) won my vote for best abode...the couple running it have owned it for 10years and have made the most wanted place to stay away from home!
Lots of love
Tach
p.s pa we thought of you lots on the course..and all my other golfer fanatics..kaka, dada, krups (not a fanatic but appreciates it definitely)...aash...

it was really good to speak to those I did!Anne, Krupy, ma...pa and aash!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152291180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152291180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152291180/tpod.html Fri, 07 Jul 2006 06:04:39 -0400 First two weeks in Taita/Rukinga Wildlife Conservancy, Tsavo Region, KENYA to work with Lions. After that, off to South Africa for another 2weeks!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Stellenbosch, South Africa

where do i even begin!!!dinner was absolutely 110% worth every minute!!!it has by far won my vote for the best steak i have ever tasted in my life...but more than the steak, the wine was divine...what better way to start the evening off...three bottles i think it ended being. Merlot, chardonnay, adelberg and then another merlot..so yes, that'd make my maths completely incorrect!
Nienke joined us at about 9pm...had a few more drinks...Blow job, and springbok..and jaegermeister shots!!!! so at this stage (although i'm still surviving on 3 hours of sleep)i'm relatively awake!
We left James to finish his shift and drove into town...apparently a must do night out was the 'AFRIKAANS night and NuSa bar'...our equivalent of 'cheese night'. But the only difference here would be that none of us understood a single bloody word. Nonetheless, it was fantabulous!p.s at this stage we're all over the limit. Although i'm not quite sure what the limit is, seeing as we've been on some kind of marathon the last couple of days!
gorgeous day outside and we're heading out for breakkie with James and Nienks..after that it's straight to the Simonsig vineyard! i can't wait!
Oh and the absolute highlight of the day is the Braai happening over at Uncle Pieter's house (they're away and Nienks and James are house sitting....we'll be good i promise)..
so spk soon
all my love
xxx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152230040/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152230040/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152230040/tpod.html Thu, 06 Jul 2006 13:10:02 -0400 First two weeks in Taita/Rukinga Wildlife Conservancy, Tsavo Region, KENYA to work with Lions. After that, off to South Africa for another 2weeks!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

So last night we ended up at Mama africa's like i'd said...everything up to then went according to plan...but that was very much short lived! We ended up having a round of springbok to start off the night (on empty belly's) and then ordered more meat than i think i've ever seen in my life! Caitlin and i shared Game kebabs for starter and then she had a salad and i wisely opted for Springbok steak...DIVINE! i hate using the word orgasmic....so i won't! The boys feasted their hearts out! and to make things that extra bit special, we had a live african band playing for us...(by 'us' i do mean the entire restaurant)!
SO Obviously, the night doesn't end there...despite everyone catching a few zzzzz's walking on to the next pit stop! we end up watching the last half of the semi final between france and portugal...not quite sure if i'm disappointed but i certainly did predict an italian portugese final....but italians will do me proud..i feel it in my bones!
anyway to cut things short, we ended up back at the backpackers at 3am....bus was arriving at 7am to pick us up for Stellenbosch! so yes i've been surviving on 3 HOURS of sleep today..but it's been every bit worth it.
We arrived at the Stumble Inn...obviously our room's aren't ready and we're met with horrid weather..raining all day, but it did clear up in the late afternoon. Temperatures not pleasant though!
Rachit and myself decided against a film with the rest and instead got in touch with Nienke (Pieter's daughter.. Pieter's my dad's very good friend who owns a vinyard called Simonsig out here in stellenbosch - it's BEAUTIFUL).
She showed us around town and we then drove up to the mountain areas...Simonsberg mountain etc..and then she took us up to Pieter's home...ITs absolutely incredible up there...green, hilly, scenic views that are just fantabulous! Nienke has a horse and two dogs - Ray (horse), Pippa, and Indie the two sausage dogs...we made a trip to the stables after that where Nienke rides for about an hour..rachit and me had a run around with the dogs and simply just enjoyed the gorgeous atmosphere...i was allowed to ride Ray too..he's gorgeous! I've taken lots of photo's!
Now Nienke and James (her bf) are at work...they work at a tres nice restaurant just 15k outside stellenbosch so we're now heading out there for supper and some wine!
Tomorrow we head to Simonsig for wine tasting, uncle pieter organised it for us...
Until then Bye again
All my love
xxx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152138600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152138600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1152138600/tpod.html Wed, 05 Jul 2006 12:10:02 -0400 First two weeks in Taita/Rukinga Wildlife Conservancy, Tsavo Region, KENYA to work with Lions. After that, off to South Africa for another 2weeks!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Capetown, South Africa

hey again folks!
Well i'm not sure if you were slightly disappointed with my last entry..i certainly thought i'd have a lot more to share with you...well actually, if truth be told i STILL have plenty to tell, it's just having been away in the bush with no contact with the real world and then being bombarded with a million and one things to put straight before our (Caitlin, Rachit - twin brother and my) departure to Capetown two days later..i was a LITLLE subdued to say the least! it was very nice to be home though i must say. I showed Ms Malloy all the sights and even took her to my old school - she loved it just as much as i did...it seemed a lot smaller from the last time i was there, but it was lovely to meet old teachers..who only felt older after knowing how long it had been since they'd taught me...
Anyway, departure from nairobi was swift...flight started off ok.but only an hour after takeoff i suddenly feel nauseous!and yes I ended up sitting out most of my flight into Jo'berg in the lav at the back of the plane! Was not in the slightest impressed!
Arrival into jo'berg wasn't as pleasant as I'd expected either...customs had a queue almost inching outside the terminal! It was absolutely 10fold worse than anything I've ever had to put up with in....say India, Nairobi etc!
Arrival into Capetown was fantabulous...Neil and the boys (Dan and Keiron) had hired out a car as they'd been in capetown almost a week earlier than us..so Neil chauffeured us safely back to the backpackers...I had prepared myself to expect the least out of the hostel...given that last summer my stay at the Maize Backpacker's in Sydney was probably my worst nightmare come true!!! However, I was pleasantly surprised with the Sunflower Stop...but before I go on, can I just briefly mention the showers!!!! They're gorgeous...especially because I haven't had a decent shower for a while...NOOO I didn't say I haven't had a shower.....(just not as decent as I'd normally be used to that's all).....So anyway the Sunflower Stop...sounds dodgy I know, but it's pretty decent. It's tres tres clean..and if I haven't mentioned already..the shower's are fantabulous! Caitlin and myself get to share a huge double room and the boys...Keiron, Dan, rachit, Neil and there's two others...think Richard - from Ecuador who I can't, for the life of me, understand! And then there's Olly...Computer Science fella from Cardiff..but he's not young...taken a gap year between each of his three years!!! We only literally managed to set our bags down, sign in, pay a key deposit and that was about it...before we ummm started on a few drinks! So this is about 6pm the day we arrive! I on the one hand am still feeling apprehensive about the whole 'drinking so soon after I've been spewing my insides'...but I put on a brave smile and join the band wagon!....after one Savannah - South African Cider...I'm feeling quite light headed...obviously, I'm NO way mentioning this to anyone...'a girl needs to maintain a reputation' but if it's any consolation to myself...it was a WOPPING 340 ml..that went straight through an empty belly in approx 20 mins!and I'm only little ( I think...and judging by what everyone's told me so far..apparently I've lost a bit of weight....so yes, I'm little)!
I decide against another drink..and opt for my first shower...during which I pruned and wrinkled...I was in there a while!!!!!!! Prob trying to shower off any lightweightedness!! I short lived this good start to my holiday...and I was sick yet again...but this time I couldn't blame it on the flight...or anything else....i then was convinced I was coming down with something or had caught something...just so you know I'd stopped taking my Malaria pills in Tsavo as over dinner one night I was made aware of the SERIOUS side effects that Larium has!! I thought the pills I was prescribed were not Larium and was convinced so too! Only to go back to my tent and check and realise that they were in fact bloody Larium..apparently they give you serious depression (even once you stop the pills) and hallucinations and nightmares!!! Now living in a bush and ALREADY being quite scared of most oddly/peculiar looking things (if you consider scared to mean jumping out of your seat at the feel or sound of anything...and I mean ANYTHING crawling near or on you )....ESPECIALLY LOCUSTS AND GRASSHOPPERS!GROSSSS!
So anyway, I thought for a couple of hours after my shower (45mins I think it was - the shower) I kept having to refrain from being overly melodramatic and such a hypochondriac! I just went straight to bed at about 9pm..the boys and Caitlin went to a Cuban bar...and had lots of yummy food and too much to drink.I was STARRRVING...but again couldn't bloody eat a thing!...Caitlin walked into the room about midnight she says (so don't believe her) and walks into my bed...(her excuse first time round - NO lights and she couldn't see...absolute rubbish for someone with 20/20 vision..although there aren't any windows in the room so maybe she wasn't lying but she'd had about 5-6 savannahs so friend dearest was easily forgiven)..then she walked out headed to the bathroom and done the same thing again..TAKE2!hehehe..dropped her camera before tucking herself neatly into bed...with bare minimum clothing as she couldn't see in her bag to get her pj's out!!!!...Anyway, her and neil headed down the beach at the crack of dawn ( had I know I'd have joined them)...he caught a few waves and she met a new friend...and read a book...her friend..a golden retriever!
Headed to Granny feelgood's for breakki! Don't laugh it was FAB food....Dan and Keiron didn't make it..they had a lie in.. we headed to the waterfront after that...loved it....
Then the S.A Rugby museum after that..which was tres cool.
Noooow heading out to Mama Africa's for dinner..should be cool they serve plenty of game meat...
But the absolute highlight of my visit so far has been the ROOIBOS tea (bush tea) and the BILTONG! I'll bring back some for sure!
We head out to Stellenbosch tomorrow, so I'll keep you posted....
All my love
xxx

hey again folks!
Well i'm not sure if you were slightly disappointed with my last entry..i certainly thought i'd have a lot more to share with you...well actually, if truth be told i STILL have plenty to tell, it's just having been away in the bush with no contact with the real world and then being bombarded with a million and one things to put straight before our (Caitlin, Rachit - twin brother and my) departure to Capetown two days later..i was a LITLLE subdued to say the least! it was very nice to be home though i must say. I showed Ms Malloy all the sights and even took her to my old school - she loved it just as much as i did...it seemed a lot smaller from the last time i was there, but it was lovely to meet old teachers..who only felt older after knowing how long it had been since they'd taught me...
Anyway, departure from nairobi was swift...flight started off ok.but only an hour after takeoff i suddenly feel nauseous!and yes I ended up sitting out most of my flight into Jo'berg in the lav at the back of the plane! Was not in the slightest impressed!
Arrival into jo'berg wasn't as pleasant as I'd expected either...customs had a queue almost inching outside the terminal! It was absolutely 10fold worse than anything I've ever had to put up with in....say India, Nairobi etc!
Arrival into Capetown was fantabulous...Neil and the boys (Dan and Keiron) had hired out a car as they'd been in capetown almost a week earlier than us..so Neil chauffeured us safely back to the backpackers...I had prepared myself to expect the least out of the hostel...given that last summer my stay at the Maize Backpacker's in Sydney was probably my worst nightmare come true!!! However, I was pleasantly surprised with the Sunflower Stop...but before I go on, can I just briefly mention the showers!!!! They're gorgeous...especially because I haven't had a decent shower for a while...NOOO I didn't say I haven't had a shower.....(just not as decent as I'd normally be used to that's all).....So anyway the Sunflower Stop...sounds dodgy I know, but it's pretty decent. It's tres tres clean..and if I haven't mentioned already..the shower's are fantabulous! Caitlin and myself get to share a huge double room and the boys...Keiron, Dan, rachit, Neil and there's two others...think Richard - from Ecuador who I can't, for the life of me, understand! And then there's Olly...Computer Science fella from Cardiff..but he's not young...taken a gap year between each of his three years!!! We only literally managed to set our bags down, sign in, pay a key deposit and that was about it...before we ummm started on a few drinks! So this is about 6pm the day we arrive! I on the one hand am still feeling apprehensive about the whole 'drinking so soon after I've been spewing my insides'...but I put on a brave smile and join the band wagon!....after one Savannah - South African Cider...I'm feeling quite light headed...obviously, I'm NO way mentioning this to anyone...'a girl needs to maintain a reputation' but if it's any consolation to myself...it was a WOPPING 340 ml..that went straight through an empty belly in approx 20 mins!and I'm only little ( I think...and judging by what everyone's told me so far..apparently I've lost a bit of weight....so yes, I'm little)!
I decide against another drink..and opt for my first shower...during which I pruned and wrinkled...I was in there a while!!!!!!! Prob trying to shower off any lightweightedness!! I short lived this good start to my holiday...and I was sick yet again...but this time I couldn't blame it on the flight...or anything else....i then was convinced I was coming down with something or had caught something...just so you know I'd stopped taking my Malaria pills in Tsavo as over dinner one night I was made aware of the SERIOUS side effects that Larium has!! I thought the pills I was prescribed were not Larium and was convinced so too! Only to go back to my tent and check and realise that they were in fact bloody Larium..apparently they give you serious depression (even once you stop the pills) and hallucinations and nightmares!!! Now living in a bush and ALREADY being quite scared of most oddly/peculiar looking things (if you consider scared to mean jumping out of your seat at the feel or sound of anything...and I mean ANYTHING crawling near or on you )....ESPECIALLY LOCUSTS AND GRASSHOPPERS!GROSSSS!
So anyway, I thought for a couple of hours after my shower (45mins I think it was - the shower) I kept having to refrain from being overly melodramatic and such a hypochondriac! I just went straight to bed at about 9pm..the boys and Caitlin went to a Cuban bar...and had lots of yummy food and too much to drink.I was STARRRVING...but again couldn't bloody eat a thing!...Caitlin walked into the room about midnight she says (so don't believe her) and walks into my bed...(her excuse first time round - NO lights and she couldn't see...absolute rubbish for someone with 20/20 vision..although there aren't any windows in the room so maybe she wasn't lying but she'd had about 5-6 savannahs so friend dearest was easily forgiven)..then she walked out headed to the bathroom and done the same thing again..TAKE2!hehehe..dropped her camera before tucking herself neatly into bed...with bare minimum clothing as she couldn't see in her bag to get her pj's out!!!!...Anyway, her and neil headed down the beach at the crack of dawn ( had I know I'd have joined them)...he caught a few waves and she met a new friend...and read a book...her friend..a golden retriever!
Headed to Granny feelgood's for breakki! Don't laugh it was FAB food....Dan and Keiron didn't make it..they had a lie in.. we headed to the waterfront after that...loved it....
Then the S.A Rugby museum after that..which was tres cool.
Noooow heading out to Mama Africa's for dinner..should be cool they serve plenty of game meat...
But the absolute highlight of my visit so far has been the ROOIBOS tea (bush tea) and the BILTONG! I'll bring back some for sure!
We head out to Stellenbosch tomorrow, so I'll keep you posted....
All my love
xxx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1151859000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1151859000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1151859000/tpod.html Sun, 02 Jul 2006 04:50:49 -0400 First two weeks in Taita/Rukinga Wildlife Conservancy, Tsavo Region, KENYA to work with Lions. After that, off to South Africa for another 2weeks!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Nairobi, Kenya

Hey Hey!!
well, being cut off from the world for two whole weeks and not being able to speak with anyone (with the exception of my family) was fantabulous!!
i don't have enough time to go into all the details of the entire two weeks. But for now, all i can say is that i had a superb time. I loved every minute. The 8hour game drives a day, the atmosphere, the team, the camp, the bugs and creepy crawlies, the wildlife - 3cheetah, genet cats, Aardwolf, civet, melanistic cervel, grevy's zebra, zebra, over 300 elephants, giraffe...and lots more...ofcourse we tracked down lions...three in total!!! and the best part was that we go to name them!the weather was fabulous...which is always a bonus!

Now we're back home until the 4th of july...after that we head out to south africa! I will definitely be in touch before i leave...and i will update you with all the news from tsavo...

Until then...all my love and speak soon

p.s. there were a few birthdays i missed while i was away.. Farah, i assume you're in Canada...happy belated and hope you had a wonderful day. I'll ring you as soon as i'm back in London.
Aashul...happy belated! p.s i'm afraid the t-shirt's not going to be much use anymore!

krupy...i'm sure the game in germany last night was a massive disappointment but atleast you were there...soaked in the atmosphere and you must have had a great time in Antwerp and netherlands! Big hi to Jay! don't miss me too much will you.

xxx

Bye
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1150648200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1150648200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/africa2006/1150648200/tpod.html Sun, 18 Jun 2006 05:11:40 -0400 First two weeks in Taita/Rukinga Wildlife Conservancy, Tsavo Region, KENYA to work with Lions. After that, off to South Africa for another 2weeks!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Nairobi, Kenya

well! what can i say? For those of you who read my entertaining short stories while i was travelling in australia know what to expect. For those of you who didn't read, couldn't be bothered or just didn't know me at the time...then basically what happens is...i make you extremely envious and jealous of what i'm up to and keep making you wish i'd packed you in my rucksack!!!

I've been in Nairobi about a 2days, i arrived on friday night. I can't tell you how fantastic it is being home. just being with my parents, grandparents, 5dogs, lovely weather..and great food!
Rachit (my twin) arrived yesterday...he's going to be with me later when we head out to South Africa, but he opted out of Tsavo and working/trekking for Lions! Probably wise seeing as just yesterday we had an update from camp letting us know they'd spotted Lions at the camp where we're staying at...he's staying back with my folks..playing golf, getting fed and pampered..

Caitlin arrived this morning...i made it to the airport BANG ON TIME(unusual for me)...and as painful as it was getting up at 630 am we brought her home safe and sound! picked up breakfast on the way (indian breakkie...for those of you who know 'jalebi ghatia you'll know what i mean)....those of you who don't (majority i assume...it's savoury bites made from chickpea flour..and you eat that with cabbage that's slightly tossed in mustard seeds or something)!!

so now caitlin and i just finished packing for 2weeks in the national park. We're due to leave this afternoon at 2pm! we head for th first night to mombasa/the coast..and our Tour leaders pick us up bright and early tomorrow for a lovely 5hour drive to Tsavo national Park! TRES TRES excited...
A brief intro into what we'll be doing... as volunteer conservationists our main aim is to help the Leaders of the Earthwatch Project to carry out research on Lions living in the area. the research assists the team to find reasons why these big cats actually turn to humans as prey when for instance there's a drought or scarce game! So we'll be taking photographs with extremely complex (non-idiot proof)cameras, collecting different types of data...locating the lions and studying them in general!!! there's a lot of history behind these man eating lions in Tsavo. If any of you have read or heard about film the ghost and the darkness you'll have a vague idea of what i'm talking about. Also...there's been plenty written about these incidents as well...

Anyway, Caitlin (who if i haven't introduced yet...is no imaginery friend i promise. I've known her a Year now. We studid the Legal Practice Course together and basically will be travelling together for a month)..i'll have pictures of the group soon..but for the moment it's Caitlin and myself in Tsavo for 2 weeks...and we'll join the rest in South Africa soon!
obviously there will be no interent amenities out in the national park..so i'll tell you all about it when i'm back!
Until then...
Lots of love
Rach
xxx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/tach_aus_05/1124826000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/tach_aus_05/1124826000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/tach_aus_05/1124826000/tpod.html Tue, 23 Aug 2005 10:26:49 -0400 TO AUSTRALIA's beautiful east coast, one girl's wily adventures to far, far away!!!!!!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

London, United Kingdom

I'm back...unfortunately this is my last entry. Rhetorically not FOREVER, as I will definitely be travelling again. Sooner rather than later, so watch this space. I miss everyone incredibly. I miss the BUS...oh connections bus where art thou???? By the way there's a brilliant picture of my beautiful self giving the bus a goodbye smacker of A smooch...so hopefully i'll put it on for you soon...POSTCARD PICTURE!
We've already...SORRY..correction, POLLY WAFFLE (she got her name Waffle from me..i think... there's a chocolate bar sold on the shelf in Oz called Polly Waffle..) and then it became...Polly Wobble because she injured her leg...anyway, that tale is somewhat outdated now! WAFFLE has arranged a reunion up in Derby (where she lives)! We've got about 6-7 definites including myself which sounds promising. It would've happened sooner, but most members are still fortunate to be travelling! (lucky buggers)...
I'm home now..yes home sweet home. Only to be welcomed by typical BRITISH weather, which has now (luckily) taken a pleasant turn.
It's been a fantastic journey. I can feel a great change in both myself and my lifestyle. AND IT FEELS FABULOUS. Thank you again for sharing this experience with me...
All these entries will no doubt be included in my scrap book (which i will start once the pictures are printed) which you can all then have a look through.
Here's a quick list of everyone I was with

Tour - Sydney to Cairns
Sarah - Hostee
Mick - Driver
MORNING SONG - ARE YOU GONNA BE MY GIRL BY JET...
Polly, Andy, Nav, Katie, Katherine, Nicola, Caroline, Nicholas, Linda (tall), Linda (Small) Billyjean, Grannie, Anne, Abhiene (i need to check the spelling for that one), Maebh, Claire, Michelle, Marc, Tom, Tim, Andreas, Paul, Sarah, Monique, Laura, Gloria, Luis, Andrea, Michella, Frenchi 2 (i forgot her name...SHIT, i feel awful)...there are i think two more folks that i don't seem to remember the names of...but when i see the pictures i'm sure i'll know who they are.

Tour - Northern Territory
Trainee - Ian...A.K.A CASH (God knows why...but i can tell you HOW...Sheila, Eden and myself got quite drunk..and VOILA it became CASH...and Eden = PAGE)hhahaha
Driver - Mark (with his ...'cofffeeee' and look 'sexxxy' and 'how you travelling guys'!!! Oh Mark a.k.a MALCOLM...not sure how...or WHY!
and there's
DE - Hostee...my very own 'Mary Poppins'. I wrote a little something for her on her birthday actually remind me to stick it in the book...it's worth reading...It's her in a NUTSHELL basically! her birthday = 17th Aug
Massimo birthday = 18th Aug
JUST SO I REMEMBER......!!!
MORNING SONG - VOODOO CHILD (NO IDEA WHO IT'S BY BUT IT WAS A GREAT SONG)!
Polly, Linda (tall), Linda (small), Rachna, Maebh, Claire, Marc, Tom (Part of it), Paul, Sarah, Monique, Michelle (Dutchy), Andrea, Michella, Theresa, Eden, Sheila, Massimo, Valentina, Sabrina, Kerri, Rosemary, Alec, Sun (Darwin only), Eamer, Rachel, Marieka, Marc, Marieka, Nenka, Michelle (Oz)...i think that's everyone. Again i'll make amendments once i look back on the pictures.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/tach_aus_05/1124702400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/tach_aus_05/1124702400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tach1983/tach_aus_05/1124702400/tpod.html Sun, 21 Aug 2005 16:29:54 -0400 TO AUSTRALIA's beautiful east coast, one girl's wily adventures to far, far away!!!!!!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Singapore, Singapore

well...what is there left to say that hasn't been said already...ALAS, my holiday has arrived at it's final destination - HOME SWEET HOME. Thank you all for sharing this experience with me. It has exceeded all my expectations, in every way possible. To be honest it has been a life changing experience. The friends that i've made...some more guarded than others or more difficult to understand. Hence making it a lot more challenging for myself. However, constant perseverance and long hours spent together changed all that we all got along like a 'HOUSE ON FIRE'.
I must bid goodbye to this beautiful city - Singapore... and again CIAO TO AUSTRALIA! (rest assured that i will definitely revisit again in this life time)...
I'll see you all very soon.
All my love, hugs and plenty of kisses.

Tach
XXX
]]>