The kids love to see their faces on the digital camera screen!
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy early 1st Birthday to Ben!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day!!!! (Photo Blog)
The kids love to see their faces on the digital camera screen!
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy early 1st Birthday to Ben!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
A flood in the desert
Swakopmund --> Sossusvlei, Namibia
We rented another car in Windhoek to travel around the desert for five days. It was quite a task on "Worker's Day" (Sunday, May 1st) considering it was a holiday. We managed to get the last car from the airport to start our journey to the premier beach town of Namibia - Swakopmund.
Being that it is the start of winter in Southern Africa, all of the locals are bundled up in leather jackets, fleece, and snow hats. Mike and I wore our swim suits every day in hopes of some beach time!
Rather, we waded knee deep in the water and picked through thousands of shells on the rough shore line.
We did sign up for a day of sandboarding on the dunes! They equip you with a refurbished snowboard and boots - and then you start walking! Basically, the snowboard is covered in Formica and you use standard floor wax on the surface of the board for each ride. It was a lot like snowboarding minus the chairlift. I still had the upper hand on riding, while Mikey was much better at hiking the sand dunes. We had a fun day meeting a family from Holland, a British sports fanatic, and an Ozzy mountain climber.
From Swakopmund, we headed south to Sesriem/Sossusvlei with the famous red sand dunes in the desert. Unfortunately, the rain follows Mike EVERYWHERE! So, we had a solid 14 hours of rain and desert floods before we could enjoy the dunes! Luckily, the skies eventually cleared and we were able to hike the red dunes and wade through the new formed "river".
Pictures will speak more than words - so, you will have to wait for more details.
Now, we have made it to Cape Town to enjoy the last few days of our adventure.
Much Love,
Alex and Mike
We rented another car in Windhoek to travel around the desert for five days. It was quite a task on "Worker's Day" (Sunday, May 1st) considering it was a holiday. We managed to get the last car from the airport to start our journey to the premier beach town of Namibia - Swakopmund.
Being that it is the start of winter in Southern Africa, all of the locals are bundled up in leather jackets, fleece, and snow hats. Mike and I wore our swim suits every day in hopes of some beach time!
Rather, we waded knee deep in the water and picked through thousands of shells on the rough shore line.
We did sign up for a day of sandboarding on the dunes! They equip you with a refurbished snowboard and boots - and then you start walking! Basically, the snowboard is covered in Formica and you use standard floor wax on the surface of the board for each ride. It was a lot like snowboarding minus the chairlift. I still had the upper hand on riding, while Mikey was much better at hiking the sand dunes. We had a fun day meeting a family from Holland, a British sports fanatic, and an Ozzy mountain climber.
From Swakopmund, we headed south to Sesriem/Sossusvlei with the famous red sand dunes in the desert. Unfortunately, the rain follows Mike EVERYWHERE! So, we had a solid 14 hours of rain and desert floods before we could enjoy the dunes! Luckily, the skies eventually cleared and we were able to hike the red dunes and wade through the new formed "river".
Pictures will speak more than words - so, you will have to wait for more details.
Now, we have made it to Cape Town to enjoy the last few days of our adventure.
Much Love,
Alex and Mike
Friday, May 6, 2011
R-V in Namibia Yet?!
Journey to Namibia
Hitchhiking is the most reliable means of public transport from Maun, Botswana to Windhoek, Namibia. Luckily - we found combi buses until 7km from the border. After waiting an hour for a ride, we opted to walk. An eccentric German joined our ranks - and only after crossing the border do we learn that he has zero money and a fishy story.
We part ways when we find a south African gentleman driving an RV who offers to take us to Windhoek. We think we are joining a family vactation until we reach the city and the ladies just start unloading! Weird! Oh! And this is after we ran out of gas about 30km from the city! The best part is we stopped at a petrol station about an hour earlier- but- he opted to not get gas!! The drive that we were expecting to take 3hrs took 5! Don't worry the only Namibian police we have seen showed up to take our driver to get fuel in empty, plastic coke bottles!
We did have a fun 5 day adventure through the desert- but it will have to wait. We are about to hop on a bus to Cape Town!
Hitchhiking is the most reliable means of public transport from Maun, Botswana to Windhoek, Namibia. Luckily - we found combi buses until 7km from the border. After waiting an hour for a ride, we opted to walk. An eccentric German joined our ranks - and only after crossing the border do we learn that he has zero money and a fishy story.
We part ways when we find a south African gentleman driving an RV who offers to take us to Windhoek. We think we are joining a family vactation until we reach the city and the ladies just start unloading! Weird! Oh! And this is after we ran out of gas about 30km from the city! The best part is we stopped at a petrol station about an hour earlier- but- he opted to not get gas!! The drive that we were expecting to take 3hrs took 5! Don't worry the only Namibian police we have seen showed up to take our driver to get fuel in empty, plastic coke bottles!
We did have a fun 5 day adventure through the desert- but it will have to wait. We are about to hop on a bus to Cape Town!
Monday, May 2, 2011
So much Water Such a Little Pula!
Maun, Botswana
Okavango Delta
Hitchhiking is the most common method of travel in Botswana. The highway system is riddled with potholes and elephants. Yet again, we hitched from Kasane to Nata. Then, found ourselves on an over crowded bus into Maun. With Mike, we brough the rain. We spent one lazy day reading and playing chess and preparing for our boat camping adventure into the Okavango Delta.
We lucked out with blue skies and sun the next day as we had an hour journey by motor boat into the delta and then another 3 hour macoro ride deeper into the delta!
Our guide, Magale, led us on morning and night bush walks, macoro rides, and a swimming adventure. There was much talk of vegan diet and the 2nd coming of Christ. More details will follow!
We are in Namibia! But, it is time to seize the day!
Okavango Delta
Hitchhiking is the most common method of travel in Botswana. The highway system is riddled with potholes and elephants. Yet again, we hitched from Kasane to Nata. Then, found ourselves on an over crowded bus into Maun. With Mike, we brough the rain. We spent one lazy day reading and playing chess and preparing for our boat camping adventure into the Okavango Delta.
We lucked out with blue skies and sun the next day as we had an hour journey by motor boat into the delta and then another 3 hour macoro ride deeper into the delta!
Our guide, Magale, led us on morning and night bush walks, macoro rides, and a swimming adventure. There was much talk of vegan diet and the 2nd coming of Christ. More details will follow!
We are in Namibia! But, it is time to seize the day!
Easter - African Style
April 23 - 25
Kasane, Botswana
We left Bovu Island to get dropped on the side of the road and hitchhike to the border (about 20km). In no time, we found ourselves in the back of a police truck hitching a ride to the Zambia - Botswana border. We had joined forces with another American traveler, Peter, to celebrate the Easter weekend in Chobe National Park, Kasane, Botswana. Of course - without any reservations - we had to check out 3 different campsites for the busy Easter weekend. For our lack of planning, we ended up at Ngina Safari Campgroups with the locals! And the locals celebrate Easter! We stumbled upon an Easter concert and dance extravaganza with the Motswanas and Black Label Beer. The highlight was a "tina-turner-esque" woman named Slizer and her son Bibo! There were dance acts and music booming until 3am. The Afrians love Mikey and we quickly had a group of friends led by a dude named Baby. Quite a hilarious night!
On Easter Sunday - we went on a morning game drive in Chobe National Park - then onto Catholic Mass! The priest had us introduce ourselves to the congregation! The acappella singing in Setswana was beautiful! Then, we had a delicious easter lunch buffet complete with impalla steaks and a bottle of wine! After lounging by the pool - we ended the day with a Chobe river crusie! We saw a lot of wildlife both on the drive and river cruise. We truly had a blessed Easter Sunday!
Kasane, Botswana
We left Bovu Island to get dropped on the side of the road and hitchhike to the border (about 20km). In no time, we found ourselves in the back of a police truck hitching a ride to the Zambia - Botswana border. We had joined forces with another American traveler, Peter, to celebrate the Easter weekend in Chobe National Park, Kasane, Botswana. Of course - without any reservations - we had to check out 3 different campsites for the busy Easter weekend. For our lack of planning, we ended up at Ngina Safari Campgroups with the locals! And the locals celebrate Easter! We stumbled upon an Easter concert and dance extravaganza with the Motswanas and Black Label Beer. The highlight was a "tina-turner-esque" woman named Slizer and her son Bibo! There were dance acts and music booming until 3am. The Afrians love Mikey and we quickly had a group of friends led by a dude named Baby. Quite a hilarious night!
On Easter Sunday - we went on a morning game drive in Chobe National Park - then onto Catholic Mass! The priest had us introduce ourselves to the congregation! The acappella singing in Setswana was beautiful! Then, we had a delicious easter lunch buffet complete with impalla steaks and a bottle of wine! After lounging by the pool - we ended the day with a Chobe river crusie! We saw a lot of wildlife both on the drive and river cruise. We truly had a blessed Easter Sunday!
Jungle Junction at Bovu Island
April 20 - 23
After enjoying Victoria Falls, we went to Bovu Island - a small getaway in the middle of the Zambezi River. It is only accessible by macoro (wooden canoe). We stayed in a small open air "fisherman hut." It was truly three days of VACATION! We enjoyed sleeping in, sunset macoro trips, family style meals, and partying with the other travelers in the riverside, self-service bar! We also visited the nearby village to see their homes, the distilery (an fire over a metal barrel, a pipe, and a wooden cooling trough), and share lunch with a family. The kids loved having their picture taken and seeing their face on the digital screen!
It was hard to say goodbye to the island and our friends John, Lizanne, and Ben - but, we needed to keep moving.
After enjoying Victoria Falls, we went to Bovu Island - a small getaway in the middle of the Zambezi River. It is only accessible by macoro (wooden canoe). We stayed in a small open air "fisherman hut." It was truly three days of VACATION! We enjoyed sleeping in, sunset macoro trips, family style meals, and partying with the other travelers in the riverside, self-service bar! We also visited the nearby village to see their homes, the distilery (an fire over a metal barrel, a pipe, and a wooden cooling trough), and share lunch with a family. The kids loved having their picture taken and seeing their face on the digital screen!
It was hard to say goodbye to the island and our friends John, Lizanne, and Ben - but, we needed to keep moving.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Photos - take 2
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