Photos - take 2

In the next 25 minutes - the bird from Soweto Backpackers appeared. He really liked beer!

Photo Blog

Wow! I just stared at the screen for 25minutes trying to patiently let the computer upload pictures. Right now, this is all you are getting! A picture of Victoria Falls at sunset, just before we saw the lunar rainbow!

This is too Zambezi!

While Alex stresses about paper work and other American trappings, I thought I'd catch everyone up, and have a Mosi Lager!  We're on our third night in Livingstone, Zambia, staying in the middle of town at Livingstone Backpackers!  We made our way by bus from Jo'burg to Gaborone, Botswana.  After a quick six hour ride (and an excellent Evangelical movie. Think Rambo-meets-Curly Sue, christian style!) we arrived in Gaborone, and were on our way to Mokolodi Backpackers.  We were greeted by the owner/operator, Hendrick, and thankfully- due to the rain- allowed to set up camp on his front porch!  He also helped us book our flight to Kasane and set up a meet and greet with the local domesticated cheetahs!  The following morning we awoke to the most entertaining collection of animals.  Shadow (a kitten found in a wheel well!), Jesse/Josie ( 2 great dane/pointer mixes who share both names!), and New Year (a pot belly pig!) headlined,  with an array of chickens, guinea fowl, and rabbits as the opening acts!  The next morning, after Alex was able to wrestle her socks away from Shadow, and New Year was happily fed, Jesse/Josie accompanied us on our 1.5 km walk up to the Mokolodi Animal Reserve where we were to meet our two friendly cheetahs.  Unfortunately, our four legged friends lacked the proper identification to get into the park, so it was back to Mokolodi Backpackers we went.  We returned later that afternoon without the dogs, and were quickly guided back to meet and hopefully pet Duma and Letotse.  We got exactly what we wanted!  First, spending some quality time with Duma, and next- after the two brothers bathed each other- getting to know Letotse!  That night we relaxed back at the backpackers, and having reached the zenith of cat zen, welcomed shadow into our tent for the night!  It was either that or listen to him try to tear it open all night!  The following morning we said goodbye to Mokolodi and headed to the airport.  We landed quickly in Kasane and were on our way to catch the ferry taking us into Zambia.  Using my Marine Corps death stare, and Alex's teacher voice, we were able to make the trek without any interference from the local drunken thieves.  They are easy to spot, as they all have only one eye open and sort of lean to the right slightly!!  Quickly hailing a "blue taxi" (also literal) we found ourselves at Livingstone Backpackers in no time.  Apparently, hearing of our eminent arrival, the staff had planned a braii (barbeque!) and a taping for their website.  Alex demonstrated her rockwall skills, while I showed everyone how to drink with five beers in each hand and not spill!  This of course led to a late night drum circle set to techno music until Alex and I decided we should rest before a full day of fun at "The Gorge".  The next day we went with a group of five Canadians to challenge our natural instincts to a game of risk!  We spent the day rappelling (abseiling/rap jumping), riding the zip line (fox flier), and swinging down, over, and across the 150 meter gorge.  Alex and I are very proud to announce we were the heaviest couple of the day!  Thanks to everyone who has invited us to dinners, parties, weddings, etc. throughout the past year....we have taken full of advantage of your hospitality!  After a day of adrenaline, we headed to Victoria Falls to catch a glimpse of a lunar rainbow!  This only happens during the full moon, and we were very lucky to catch sight of it.  Unfortunately, we weren't able to capture any good photos with the point and shoot, and we thought it best not to bring the Nikon.  Dad, you should appreciate that, because we had also decided to run across the bridge a couple of times, which left us completely soaked and shivering!  We headed back to Livingstone hungry and exhausted, and upon arrival treated ourselves to a terrible meal of psuedo-maccaroni, and even worse conversation with a condescending Kiwi who apparently has spent the last two years traveling Africa learning to save the world.  For the record, he is jobless and traveling alone....I liked him/Alex did not!!!  I found his directions on how to find New Zealand on the map particularly informative!  After an exciting, beautiful, wonderful day, we went to bed disappointed, with a grumble in our stomachs and Alex's throat!  Today, we revisited Vic Falls, spending most of the day walking the paths and laying out on the rocks.  We also waded in the river a bit, testing the current and wishing we could have rafted the Zambezi.  Unfortunately, it is the off-season.  The day was clear and beautiful, and the views were amazing.  We are now looking forward to a few nights at Jungle Junction on Bovu Island.  It is supposed to be an out-of-the-way quiet spot with plenty of activities.  Can't wait to tell you about it!

5 in 5 (The Big 5 in 5 days)

Graskop, ZA: base of Blyde River Canyon
We are relaxing in a mozambican cafe with wifi, good beer, a chess board, couches with comfy pillows, and a great soundtrack while the rain is drizzling outside.

We just finished a five day, self-drive safari through Kruger National Park, South Africa! The wildlife and the scenery were unbelievable!

After renting a car and a 4-hour trek from Soweto (and two speeding tickets!! Mike had to bribe each cop with 500rand to let us continue)- we were greeted at the Malelane gates by a family of elephants!!! We quickly forgot about the tickets and were excited to make it in the park before closing time! There are fancy campgrounds with restaruants, stores, and bungalows spread through the park that have strict gate opening and closing times-6am to 6pm! So glad we brought the tent!

We slowly made our way through towards our first camp, Berg-en-dal, wide-eyed and awed by the array and closeness of the animals! Elephants, kudu, rhino, impala, and birds! In our first thirty minutes - we had already seen 2 of the big 5!!

Over the next five days we covered much of the park, staying in four camps and catching sight of the big five (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, and leopard.) All in all- we saw countless impala, hundreds of baboons, warthog, vervet monkeys, wildebeest, ostrich, giraffe,crocodiles , hippos, birds, a water monitor, hyenas, vultures, bush buck, waterbuck, turtles, salamanders, chameleons, black-back jackal, zebra, and mongoose!!!

A more detailed account will follow, as we are typing this on an iPhone! Sorry for the lack of posts! We have been camping and without Internet!

Soweto, South Africa

After three days of travel, we are finally in South Africa! We landed in Jo'burg this morning, Wed. April 6th. We enjoyed our 9 hour layover in Frankfurt, Germany with authentic German foods and bier! Now - we are exhausted. Just as I was saying how happy we had our first night accomodation planned and a ride set from the airport, our "friend of an accquaintance" did not show!

So, next thing we know - we pull out the Lonely Planet and decide to head to Soweto, the SOuth-WEst-TOwnship outside Johannesburg. Townships were designed as a place for black South African to live in segregation from the white people of Joburg, yet still be close enough to work. Both Mandela and Tutu lived in Soweto. We are in a cute backpackers lodge with our tent set up! There are many drums, hammocks, and bikes! We are looking forward to posting up, catching some sleep, and planning our safari in Kruger Park.

Much love,
Alex and Mike

A new decade, a new adventure

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes! Thirty is going to be a great year!

I kicked off the new decade with a Safari Scavenger Hunt and Pub Crawl!!! It was a joint birthday celebration for me and Randy (another future orthopod). We hit 5 bars with five tasks at each bar! The costumes, the props, and the shots (drink shots and camera shots) made my night fantastic! Special shout out to Ryan Ash and the djembe drum which made our entrance into every bar dramatic!

Thanks to Mikey for helping design the Safari Hunt! Mom for hiding the leopard eggs! And Jessica Lea for being the time keeper! Thank you to everyone who bought me drinks! I am paying for it today. It was also a special treat to have my cousin Shannan in town for the hunt! The birthday celebrations will continue with Tarah, Nikki, and Mark tonight! 

Today, I am nursing a hangover and happy to be starting a new decade. Mike and I leave for Africa on Monday! And for the first time, I am trying out this blog thing. (Really, it is because my parents got spoiled by Vanessa's Travel blog when we were in Central America!)  So, here it is!