tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31928947648178802172024-03-13T10:58:04.354-07:00A Journey SouthHanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-79017431232093024592012-12-21T05:44:00.001-08:002012-12-21T05:45:16.225-08:00Madagascar<br />
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<b>Toliara 21.12.2012<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">It has been
almost a month since I last wrote to you from France, a month filled
with a lot of Madagascar, a lot of motorcycles and a great deal of heat. The
period can be divided into four parts. First the journey to Toliara, including
a night in Paris, a night in Antananarivo, two nights in Antsirabe and being
sick on the road to Toliara. The second part consisted mainly of repairing
motorbike(s), sweating, not being sick anymore and having mango breaks. The
third part, lasting only for four days (compared to the previous, lasting for
almost two weeks) consisted of the motorbike-trip, from Toliara, up the coast
to Marondava, and from there to Antsirabe. The last part is now, leaving Jeremy
in the highlands, and returning to Toliara to celebrate Christmas with the
whole family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Arriving in
Madagascar was, as usual, very nice. I have been in love with this Island for
quite some time, and even though I may forget why from time to time, I am
always reminded when I get back. The people are so nice, everything so
uncomplicated and then it’s Africa, or at least something quite similar to it.
In Antsirabe I have lots of friends, having lived there for five years, so
whenever I am there, I always have plenty to do. I had to show Jeremy around a
bit, and met up with Toky, my best friend up there, who makes his living as a musician
(you can see that on the picture). The drive from Antsirabe to Tloiara (800 km)
was not to enjoyable for me, because I had fever and felt very bad, but Jeremy
did the driving, and we arrived safely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">In Toliara
(town on the west-coast) the plan was to open the engine of my bike, replace
the broken parts (I brought new parts from France), and then head out on a
trip. We managed quite nicely, I would say, in opening the engine, and getting
all in place again. For me it was the first time to open an engine, but Jeremy
had done it before, and was thus the “first mechanic”, and I was the assistant.
When the engine was reassembled, with new piston rings, a new cam-shaft and a
new distribution chain, we tried to start the bike, but there was no way. It
took us several days, and the help of a mechanic, to find the problem, which
was a little missing thing that blocks the automatic decompression from turning
with the camshaft. This was of course discovered on a Saturday evening, and
there was need for a special machine to pull the automatic decompression off
the camshaft, so the bike was not ready before Monday in the evening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We left
early on Tuesday, and headed towards Morondava, first along the coast, with
plenty of sand, and later a bit inland. To reach Manja was not a problem, even
though the road was muddy in some parts. This area of Madagascar is very
remote, and there are few roads, few cars, and the roads are in partly very bad
conditions. The second day we actually wanted to do a count of cars (or any other
motorized vehicles) and ox-carts, to see what there would be most of, but we
got out of count with the ox-carts. With the cars it was much easier. For 200
kilometers of gravel-road we neither met nor overtook nor even saw anything
with an engine, except for our own bikes. This was understandable though,
regarding that the road was very bad, even for the cross-bikes, and we also
took a wrong turn, which cost us some hours of extra sweat. Crossing big
riverbeds in 35 degrees and sun is only partly fun, especially if you get
stuck, stall, and your bike does not want to start, like it happened to Jeremy.
I have never seen him as tired as he was after that river crossing, and I think
it will take some time before he agrees on another trip into deep sand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We did not
sleep in Morondava that night, but went out of town after a cold drink, to
spend the night in the famous baobab-alee, 18 kilometers from Morondava. It was
a beautiful evening, and the people were very nice, when we decided to camp 50
meters from their houses. Madagascar can be so incredibly beautiful, and then
it can be so damaged too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Between
Morondava and Antsirabe, there is a good tarmac-road. There is also the option
of taking a very bad gravel (or stone) road, which was our initial plan, but
when we had the option, the heat and the exhaustion made us choose the more
boring tarmac. On Friday we hit Antsirabe for a second time. My parents, and my
little sister arrived in Madagascar on Saturday, but their luggage did not, so
they waited until Monday with coming to Antsirabe, so we waited to. An accident
with Wombosi gave us another day delay, but on Wednesday we finally headed
southwards again with the whole family. Jeremy was sent his own ways, so
Mparany took the one bike, and Alma, my little sister came with us bikers too,
so that the rest could fit in the “little” Renault Laguna. Wombosi had to stay
behind because of the damage from the accident. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Now we are
set to do nothing for some days. Markus and Jacob, my nephews will get some attention,
and then it is Christmas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">For those
of you who don’t know Madagascar too well, I can tell you this much. Being south
of the equator, we have summer here now, meaning that it is very hot. Toliara
is one of the hottest and driest places on the island with approximately 11
days with rain a year, so even though the hot season is rainy season, Toliara
stays hot and dry most of the time. My sister and Mparany, her husband, have built
a house on a big plot here, so our main activity whenever we get here is to
plant trees, cut of branches and take care of the garden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"> I’ll be back in Norway on the fourth of January,
and wish you all a happy Christmas and a blessed new year.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVt2lF27LlI/UNRjYRR8iEI/AAAAAAAAAuc/l4V4y__Fg60/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVt2lF27LlI/UNRjYRR8iEI/AAAAAAAAAuc/l4V4y__Fg60/s320/1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toky</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kYhB1Oa8ic/UNRjlAd0O-I/AAAAAAAAAuk/-CYSNC-Yhcg/s1600/1_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kYhB1Oa8ic/UNRjlAd0O-I/AAAAAAAAAuk/-CYSNC-Yhcg/s320/1_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy before his haircut</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NU7RR2wUKSY/UNRjy80sYEI/AAAAAAAAAus/RUBdgYVxwtc/s1600/1_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NU7RR2wUKSY/UNRjy80sYEI/AAAAAAAAAus/RUBdgYVxwtc/s320/1_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Satroka ny papa" (the hat of the pope), between Antsirabe and Toliara</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Ya-xqokljQ/UNRj_oA0PQI/AAAAAAAAAu0/ILtQPsUY5L0/s1600/1_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Ya-xqokljQ/UNRj_oA0PQI/AAAAAAAAAu0/ILtQPsUY5L0/s320/1_3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mparany, Sophie and Jeremy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7Y5F5QBvgk/UNRkOySuI4I/AAAAAAAAAu8/FDcrbL3k86w/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7Y5F5QBvgk/UNRkOySuI4I/AAAAAAAAAu8/FDcrbL3k86w/s320/2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikes and Baobabs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MrkUV73a2UQ/UNRkjQ51RVI/AAAAAAAAAvE/FgH1MFHAR6Y/s1600/2_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MrkUV73a2UQ/UNRkjQ51RVI/AAAAAAAAAvE/FgH1MFHAR6Y/s320/2_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy is crossing a river...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPlDCjLDnYs/UNRk1N1qBBI/AAAAAAAAAvM/aLxPVn44XPQ/s1600/2_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPlDCjLDnYs/UNRk1N1qBBI/AAAAAAAAAvM/aLxPVn44XPQ/s320/2_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...before taking a mud-bath</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-quOn8V_mt4k/UNRlFikgEDI/AAAAAAAAAvU/Je3jmLL3hMM/s1600/2_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-quOn8V_mt4k/UNRlFikgEDI/AAAAAAAAAvU/Je3jmLL3hMM/s320/2_3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baobabs close to Morondava</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OLfxmrBr1TU/UNRlbPM6tTI/AAAAAAAAAvc/gcupm4IiZFc/s1600/2_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OLfxmrBr1TU/UNRlbPM6tTI/AAAAAAAAAvc/gcupm4IiZFc/s320/2_4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a place to camp</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctdJtpLQM48/UNRl52JlnQI/AAAAAAAAAvk/3BfX_5KgQA0/s1600/2_5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctdJtpLQM48/UNRl52JlnQI/AAAAAAAAAvk/3BfX_5KgQA0/s320/2_5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The destroyed mountains above Miandrivazo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnOzQjhHV7I/UNRmW5D29dI/AAAAAAAAAvs/bg8gf8GDBwY/s1600/2_6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnOzQjhHV7I/UNRmW5D29dI/AAAAAAAAAvs/bg8gf8GDBwY/s320/2_6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-84437070059501122002012-11-22T10:08:00.000-08:002012-11-22T10:08:34.701-08:00Cruising through France<h3>
<span lang="EN-GB">22.11.2012
Cassis, France</span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Tomorrow I
will be going to Paris, and on Saturday I’m off to Madagascar. It is almost two
years since I was there last, so I am of course very eager to be back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The time
between Cuba and Madagascar has not been wasted though. The days at my
grandparents were nice, and here in France we have had plenty to do. I have
been with Jeremy, who will also come to Madagascar with me, and have benefitted
greatly from both his means of transportations, and his local knowledge. We are
in Cassis, which is half an hour east from Marseille at the coast of the
Mediterranean. The location means that it is still warm enough to ride bikes,
so there has been a lot of that. If you remember when I met Jeremy about a year
ago, you will know that he was doing a trip similar to mine, but on a Honda
Afrika Twin (motorbike). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The longest
expedition we had was a four day trip on the bikes into the Alps. The highest
passes are closed for the winter, but we had plenty of nice roads at almost
2000 meters above sea level. Our route was east passing Nice, going through the
world’s most densely populated country, Monaco, and to Menton. From there we
went north to Sospel and into the mountains. We wanted to do the Cime de la
Bonette (the highest pass in the Alps, if you take the old road), but it was
closed, and as it was in the afternoon we decided not to try and sneak and run
the risk of being stuck up there in the night. Instead we went through some
gorges and canyons and all the way to the Mont Ventoux. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We also
dropped by Avignon to see the funny half bridge and the popes palace. For those
of you who have not studied history; Avignon was the seat of the “real pope”
for 67 years, between 1309 and 1376, and later there were two popes for a short
period (1978 to 1417). One in Rome and another one in Avignon, and both claimed
to be the real one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Regarding
that I am still trying to live on the cheap, we decided to camp on our trip.
This was not a problem, even though camping is more or less illegal in France. The
trouble was the cold, both in the tent and on the bikes. The last morning there
were three degrees under zero, and the comfort in my sleeping bag was limited. We
had to drive very carefully, but on the plus side we had lots of blue skies and
beautiful sights. The view from the Ventoux was enormous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">So now I am
off to my little island, to meet Wombosi again, to meet my family, and I bring
over 800 Euros of spare-parts for my Elefanta (motorbike in Madagascar). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gVtkVd0hmzE/UK5nygBN-wI/AAAAAAAAAss/vCSx15CWnHU/s1600/1_13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gVtkVd0hmzE/UK5nygBN-wI/AAAAAAAAAss/vCSx15CWnHU/s320/1_13.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An island off Cassis</td></tr>
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If you
wander why I don’t write anything about the French cultures and habits, it is
because I am very disappointed. I thought that when I came to France I would
meet many people with big noses who were unfriendly and talked French and ate
snails and frogs every day and drank a lot of wine and all looked like Gerard Depardieu,
but it seems that the only real difference from Germany to France is the
language they speak, and here south, the milder climate. France is beautiful,
and there are nice people here with normal noses. I am impressed by the nature,
and by the amount of nature (there is more space than in Germany), and even
though the towns are expensive, the nature is free and the roads are good.
Jeremy put it like this (and this is a direct quote): “in France, you can enter
a curve like a crazy-man”.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iEZv63NJLs/UK5n_w5AnOI/AAAAAAAAAs0/OThD0OlJN-c/s1600/1_100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iEZv63NJLs/UK5n_w5AnOI/AAAAAAAAAs0/OThD0OlJN-c/s320/1_100.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mont Ventoux behind Lavender feelds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6lbHeIfs1c/UK5oNrYv_yI/AAAAAAAAAs8/aub-v-uNfow/s1600/1_104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6lbHeIfs1c/UK5oNrYv_yI/AAAAAAAAAs8/aub-v-uNfow/s320/1_104.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Ventoux</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D3uftSNr0kQ/UK5oWGTi2TI/AAAAAAAAAtE/iBIPMGsOPYM/s1600/1_126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D3uftSNr0kQ/UK5oWGTi2TI/AAAAAAAAAtE/iBIPMGsOPYM/s320/1_126.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avignon, with the bridge to the left and the <br />papal palace to the right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptt9Zg1li5k/UK5ofZphCmI/AAAAAAAAAtM/wS6m-yvuXpg/s1600/1_22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptt9Zg1li5k/UK5ofZphCmI/AAAAAAAAAtM/wS6m-yvuXpg/s320/1_22.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bikes</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ah9ycKPihIQ/UK5opB9FY5I/AAAAAAAAAtU/rVgJPpMOn9U/s1600/1_62.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ah9ycKPihIQ/UK5opB9FY5I/AAAAAAAAAtU/rVgJPpMOn9U/s320/1_62.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCcgGgptWzI/UK5oyW3BgyI/AAAAAAAAAtc/qhbMRD_Sqa8/s1600/1_74.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCcgGgptWzI/UK5oyW3BgyI/AAAAAAAAAtc/qhbMRD_Sqa8/s320/1_74.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, my twin, Jeremy's twin and Jeremy</td></tr>
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<br />Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-1621995780346526142012-11-12T05:22:00.001-08:002012-11-12T05:24:49.650-08:00Three weeks in Cuba<b><span lang="EN-GB">Bernstein, Germany 10.11-2012</span></b><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">It is a
long time since I wrote here on my blog, so I think I have to come with a small
update about the latest developments in my life, before I start telling you
about my three weeks in Cuba. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">In July, I
earned myself a girlfriend. I was playing on the streets of Bergen, and she
decided to give herself, 20 kroners and an ice-cream, and what could I do
except saying thank you. Her name is Kristine, and she will soon play an
important role in this story. In August I lost whatever brief housing I had
over the summer, and started to look for a new job, as the season at my museum
drew to an end. In September I got bored with only getting crappy job-offers
and living on mercy, so I decided it was time to get “out there” one more time,
and then start studying after New Year. I have applied for a place at theology
in Bergen, and have gotten a room at Alrek, so I am ready for the next
semester. So, from one day to the next, I had three months to fill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The first
thing I did was to leave Norway for Germany. After some days at my grandparents’,
I went to the South-West, and locked myself into a small hut (once a mill)
owned by Wiebke, with my computer, and wrote for ten days. I wrote about the
Africa-trip that this blog is all about, but still have quite a lot of work
ahead of me before it is a book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Now over to
Cuba. Why would I go to Cuba? Many people have asked me that question, and to
be honest, I did not go to Cuba for Cuba’s sake. Kristine went there mid
September, to do parts of here nursery-school there, so I went visiting on the
18<sup>th</sup> of October. I came home yesterday (9<sup>th</sup> of November).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Cuba is an
Island, west of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, east of Mexico and south of
the United States. It was a Spanish colony until the liberation in the 1890s.
In 59 Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries got power, and since then it has
been a communistic country. Fidel is now a little old, so his younger brother
Raul Castro is leading the country. I have thought a lot about the communistic
system of Cuba, and could write a lot, but I think there is no space for it
here. I can say this much though. It works to the extent that everyone is more
or less equally poor, no one starves to death (not even during the crises
90-94), and people get quite lazy. I think people are not happy as it is, but I
think many will be unhappy, should the system be radically changed. The one
thing that seems to make the Cubans angry is that they were not allowed to
travel outside their country, but there is a brand new law on that now, so
starting at the 14<sup>th</sup> of January Cubans can leave the country (if
they have the money). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I visited
Cuba for the sake of seeing Kristine, and regarding that here school is in
Holguin (North-West), I was there for most of the time. I met here in Trinidad
though, and we tried to get a bit around during the weekends, but hurricane
Sandy made things a bit complicated. She did not destroy too much in Holguin
though. She broke a lot of branches and some trees were unrooted, but no houses
were damaged. Santiago was hit much worse, and even though I did not go there I
believe it when they say that most of Santiago was damaged. Kristine and I went
to Guardelavaca (40 kilometres from Holguin) only a day after the storm hit,
and when we eventually got there (we had to take some back roads, because the
main road was closed) we found it without water and electricity, and the big
beach-hotel (we did not stay there) had suffered badly with plenty of broken
windows. It must have been even much worse further east (between Santiago and
Baracoa) where Sandy went through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">This post
is a bit chaotic, but I cannot tell you about everything I did in Cuba
chronologically, and it would not be appropriate either. Last weekend, though,
we wanted to head east and towards Baracoa. We rented a scooter (we wanted a
motorbike, but there was nothing to get except 50 cc scooters) , and since top
speed was between 30 and 50 depending on the wind, and we had to walk and push
where the road was at its steepest, we never got that far. We got to Mayari and
up to Cuba’s highest waterfall (over 100 meters), but due to destructions by
the storm, the path leading to the foot of the falls was closed. It was also
very foggy, so we did not see too much. We had great fun though, pushing a
scooter through Cuba, but there was no use in continuing further east. Instead
we drove to Gibara, a nice little fisher-village. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The last
two days I spend in Havana, and two days was just enough to get a brief
overview of the old town, and visit two good art museums. Havana is a proper
beautiful capital city with plenty of beautiful old buildings, good museums on
every corner and saying has is that the nightlife is good too. It does of
course have a seaside avenue (the Malecon). I could say that Cuba has many things
that remind me of Africa, but I have not seen a town like Havana in Africa. Nor
have I seen art of the quality that you have in Cuba. I recon some suffering
and intellectuality leads you right there. Antonia Eriz’s the wall-styled
paintings (in the museum de belles artes de Cuba) talked straight to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">It’s funny
how I came to Cuba with three goals; first and foremost to see Kristine and
spend time with her. Mission accomplished. Secondly I came to learn some
Spanish. I can say I managed that too. Thirdly I wanted to see some of Cuba and
the communism. Off the three, I feel I managed this the least, but still that
is what I go on about passage after passage. Few trips have given me so many
new thoughts and ideas as this, which once again proves to me how the human
being lives and breathes of new experiences. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I will have
to add a little paragraph about my days in Holguin. That was after all the
biggest part of my trip. Holguin is a province-capital, and a fairly big city.
Kristine is there with nine other Norwegian girls to do three months there in
their nursery-study. Normally they have to live in a hotel, but while I was
there, Kristine was allowed to move out of the hotel and into a “casa
particulare”, private accommodation, with me. In stark contrast to the service
at the hotel, the service in the private rooms is good. Private stuff was a
long time completely forbidden in Cuba, but the last years small things like
taxis, small “cafeterias” and even some restaurants have been allowed, and a
family is allowed to rent out two rooms if they fulfil the requirements, being
a room with bathroom, air-condition and a fridge. We stayed at Lissie and her
family, and had a really good time there. Lissie and her husband Ronaldo were
very nice, and their granddaughter, Veronica (one year and four months), was
about the sweetest little thing you can imagine. She learned to walk while we
were there, and learned many new works. When I was at safe distance she looked
at me and peaked around the corners, but as soon as I came close she ran to
mummy or grandfather and hid and even cried as if I was a monster. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We spend a
lot of time wandering around town, looking for stuff to eat or things to buy.
Cuba has plenty of shops, but they usually don’t sell much other than
soft-drinks and cigarettes and a lot of alcohol. It’s strange to see a big shop
with many shelves, but nothing in them. We also spend some time with
schoolwork, and I could of course study while Kristine was at her school (some
few hours from Monday to Thursday). I brought a book for my study next spring,
and I finished it, not because I had to, but because it was so interesting
(thank you Sigvart!). I did not get many Cuban friends, but in the Norwegian
group I got to know Kristines three best friends, Tone-Lill, Cecilie and Liv. I
played for them two evenings (on the guitar), and we played volleyball and
card-games. I could even talk to them. Cecilie speaks Arab and has been in
Egypt and that area and could give me insight of that society from a woman’s
point of view. The other girls (the 6 I have not mentioned with name) seemed to
be most interested in dancing, drinking, nice dresses, getting shampoo and
boys. It is sad to see what people in Cuba think about when they hear Norway
(other than it being cold and having long days and nights depending on time of
year). One guy I met in Havana new one word in Norwegian. It was drita-full
(dead-drunk). It seems that most Norwegian that come to Cuba (or anywhere) end
up drita-full in some bar. Cubans like to party and dance themselves. After all,
they have a lot to forget, and they don’t need to go early to work, because
they get the same salary anyway. It makes me embarrassed to be associated with
Norway when I see how many Norwegians are, when the bottle of beer costs 6
kroners instead of 60 (or even in Norway when it does cost 60). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njfkE3ZutOY/UKD1qFq6x2I/AAAAAAAAAq4/1wMwsFhvK6c/s1600/0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njfkE3ZutOY/UKD1qFq6x2I/AAAAAAAAAq4/1wMwsFhvK6c/s320/0.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wiebke's mill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OO1Bn5A7n4s/UKD15oPl4lI/AAAAAAAAArA/sNozvT0f_oc/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OO1Bn5A7n4s/UKD15oPl4lI/AAAAAAAAArA/sNozvT0f_oc/s320/1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seaside in Havana</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--AqR4Ad-p5o/UKD1_sPQuYI/AAAAAAAAArI/DYzj6mYSZjI/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--AqR4Ad-p5o/UKD1_sPQuYI/AAAAAAAAArI/DYzj6mYSZjI/s320/2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristine does a little "guantanamera"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3zVCUxdLsC8/UKD2DYLqyUI/AAAAAAAAArQ/Qs_bgzAC99o/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3zVCUxdLsC8/UKD2DYLqyUI/AAAAAAAAArQ/Qs_bgzAC99o/s320/3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscape from the "Valle de los ingenios" by Trinidad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d9uEp7SqyWY/UKD2Mtk9jtI/AAAAAAAAArY/25XOgBsLCxU/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d9uEp7SqyWY/UKD2Mtk9jtI/AAAAAAAAArY/25XOgBsLCxU/s320/4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8iUaqz1RbEg/UKD2TYdCr_I/AAAAAAAAArg/gqy8cyFfMvQ/s1600/4_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8iUaqz1RbEg/UKD2TYdCr_I/AAAAAAAAArg/gqy8cyFfMvQ/s320/4_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a beauty! Kristine with Holguin in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu7iedAQ-fI/UKD2XFS7y3I/AAAAAAAAAro/_yJRIY2WS-s/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu7iedAQ-fI/UKD2XFS7y3I/AAAAAAAAAro/_yJRIY2WS-s/s320/7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gibara</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GHkKx9fbZFA/UKD2bY2KU4I/AAAAAAAAArw/7h1zLQSawdo/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GHkKx9fbZFA/UKD2bY2KU4I/AAAAAAAAArw/7h1zLQSawdo/s320/8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old american cars and Bici-Taxis in Havana</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPD5X0-VEyM/UKD2faAcbDI/AAAAAAAAAr4/mWCZwfL_ncI/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPD5X0-VEyM/UKD2faAcbDI/AAAAAAAAAr4/mWCZwfL_ncI/s320/9.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several forts in Havana</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Now I have
written too much already. Before I talk badly about something else it is time
to round up with telling you about the next two months. If you remember Jeremy,
it is good for you. I will go to France next week, spend ca ten days to drive
motorbikes with him there before we head to Madagascar together to drive
motorbikes there. My parents will arrive in Madagascar a week or so before
Christmas, and Jeremy will go back home. Christmas will be celebrated with the
whole family in Toliara, and on the second of January I fly slowly back to
Norway, coming to Bergen on the fourth. But most of this will be here on the
blog, so just stay tuned in!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-73221592476135707812012-06-27T07:55:00.002-07:002012-07-02T03:03:03.629-07:00Take it Back<br />
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<b><span lang="DE">27.06.12 Bergen<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">So now it’s
more than a months since I came back here to Norway, and I won‘t be preaching
about. I just want to share a memory from Africa that I couldn’t share then,
due to the superb African internet. It is a recording of a poem made by Roger
and me in Uganda. It was made as a result of when Roger lost in poker. Even
though illegal (at least in Norway), we played about money, and after keeping
our betting nice and low, Roger all of a sudden went mad and bet 10 000.
He lost, and had to continue to bet high to win his money back. That did not go
too well, so in the end he owed me 28 800. That disturbed him so much that he started to
write this poem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy5QvS8v9BJL9w1x5awuKL_r3YCf0v8AppdCE54jj0-JdW1MfVFXhGAm55HFTHEMWI8ka15qFx_ZhuqHdqV5A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I have also
added three pictures of a recent MC-trip through Norway. Enjoy, and have a nice
summer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b6GaWpdhHnU/T-seflfyNQI/AAAAAAAAAqI/p_EKEElpUnM/s1600/21+Sonia+on+the+pulpit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b6GaWpdhHnU/T-seflfyNQI/AAAAAAAAAqI/p_EKEElpUnM/s320/21+Sonia+on+the+pulpit.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sonia on the Pulpit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pPxrsnA6GdY/T-sehNHxnwI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/6hWEczIPqT0/s1600/21+Varhaug+kapell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pPxrsnA6GdY/T-sehNHxnwI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/6hWEczIPqT0/s320/21+Varhaug+kapell.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tiny church at Varhaug</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UUpikR0goSM/T-sejYKWaNI/AAAAAAAAAqY/8Sh_MWm5dCc/s1600/21+samlen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UUpikR0goSM/T-sejYKWaNI/AAAAAAAAAqY/8Sh_MWm5dCc/s320/21+samlen.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samlen and the Hardanger-Fjord</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">P.S: He
owed me 28 800 Ugandan Shilling, a sum equal to 70 NOK or 9.2 Euro, and he
has not paid it all back yet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-39559640424317650622012-05-22T15:57:00.001-07:002012-05-22T15:59:04.470-07:00Goodbye (Blue Sky)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvRjB3BA4n4/T7wHmSDaRVI/AAAAAAAAApM/fqPNSb6KMLM/s1600/1205++an+Island.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvRjB3BA4n4/T7wHmSDaRVI/AAAAAAAAApM/fqPNSb6KMLM/s320/1205++an+Island.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My island! I will be staying at the one to the left.</td></tr>
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<b>23.05.12 Bergen,
Norway</b><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">So, this is
where the story ends. I have arrived safely in Bergen, the city where the whole
adventure started, and I have even brought the good Weather. The drive from
Germany to Oslo was cold and fairly unpleasing, but could have been worse. I
did at least not have any rain. In Oslo I spend three days at my sister’s
place, playing with my nephews and looking at the capital with Mparany. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">On the 18<sup>th</sup>
of may I set of for a last small journey. I drove to Bergen, sleeping on a
beautiful place in the forest close to Gol. The Weather was also not too bad,
even if it was cold, especially over the mountains where I suspect that the
temperature was around zero degrees Celsius. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Being back
in Bergen is just fantastic. Yes, there are things about Norway I don’t like,
and I will get bored eventually, but right now, it is just good to be back in a
place where I have a network of friends and activities. I have been living with
Trygve until tonight, but will move to my island tomorrow, having organized a
boat today (or to be fair, Henning organized it for me). I would like to
mention Andreas Støland, a good mate, who was a bit forgotten on the last post.
He skyped with me regularly during the trip, and talking to him meant a great
deal, so thanks for that, Andreas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My plans
for the summer is to work at Troldhaugen, a museum on Edvard Grieg, while
living on a small island located only some minutes rowing from work. I will be
living in a tent, but plan to build some kind of shelter to keep my stuff dry.
If anyone would like to visit me on my island, they are very welcome. I will
actually get a visitor all the way from America. Sonia, whom I met in Uganda,
will be coming over very soon, so that’s something I look a lot forward too. When
fall comes, I will be looking for some other job, and a place to stay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Next sprig
I intend to head off for some adventure again, but just what it’s going to be
is unsure. I will come back to this when the time comes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Everyone
here asks me these questions of highlights and favorite country, and it is immensely
hard to answer partly because I’m not much of a story-teller, and partly
because Croatia is very different from Congo and Turkey from South-Africa. The
country that left most stories, and was the scariest in many ways was Southern
Sudan, but all the countries had things that made them special. In fact the
only country I would not recommend you to go is Egypt. Zambia is a bit boring,
but then again it was raining when I was there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">What I keep
from this trip, rather than the great palaces, landscapes or monuments is the
experience of traveling alone. It is an experience that I found really good. If
you’re scared it is no good, but if you’re not, you get the possibility to dive
into yourself. I feel like I have grown a lot, and become more radical in many
ways. I guess that a soul lives a lot on new experiences, and traveling like
that is just new experiences every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So, this is
the end of the blog for this time. I will need to give you a last Pink Floyd wisdom
today:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Look
Mummy, there’s no cloud up in the sky”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OTvjFEZ6sEc/T7wHxKza0eI/AAAAAAAAApU/_cwoWK3KIq4/s1600/1205+Gol.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OTvjFEZ6sEc/T7wHxKza0eI/AAAAAAAAApU/_cwoWK3KIq4/s320/1205+Gol.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My camping-spot close to Gol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qxsqmxljpos/T7wH4pzfSQI/AAAAAAAAApc/lWuV65bGOIs/s1600/1205+Jakob+und+Papa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qxsqmxljpos/T7wH4pzfSQI/AAAAAAAAApc/lWuV65bGOIs/s320/1205+Jakob+und+Papa.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mparany with Jakob</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oIIiebVp0Ao/T7wICZuDJnI/AAAAAAAAApk/l8VbKBDJ5Mk/s1600/1205+Quedlinburg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oIIiebVp0Ao/T7wICZuDJnI/AAAAAAAAApk/l8VbKBDJ5Mk/s320/1205+Quedlinburg.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful girls in Quedlinburg </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1l0rxuDtjE/T7wIKqxalRI/AAAAAAAAAps/5aLxl1p4t7w/s1600/1205+Sophie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1l0rxuDtjE/T7wIKqxalRI/AAAAAAAAAps/5aLxl1p4t7w/s320/1205+Sophie.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie, my sister</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fgVAZFy57cY/T7wIWxhWrUI/AAAAAAAAAp0/w1MOO4bQe-o/s1600/1205+Sweeden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fgVAZFy57cY/T7wIWxhWrUI/AAAAAAAAAp0/w1MOO4bQe-o/s320/1205+Sweeden.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere in Sweden. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GRDZB4OcOEk/T7wIe5yi38I/AAAAAAAAAp8/P4x_ypxoC8c/s1600/Markus+Und+Jakob_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GRDZB4OcOEk/T7wIe5yi38I/AAAAAAAAAp8/P4x_ypxoC8c/s320/Markus+Und+Jakob_3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Markus!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-39413545405572107182012-05-12T08:31:00.000-07:002012-05-12T08:31:09.339-07:00Breathe Reprise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRlfU-5kw9A/T65vMEoTn4I/AAAAAAAAAow/sHhxAGKH_sk/s1600/1205+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRlfU-5kw9A/T65vMEoTn4I/AAAAAAAAAow/sHhxAGKH_sk/s320/1205+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b>12.05.12 Bernstein
(Marktredwitz), Germany</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">There is
not very much to report about this week. I arrived here at my grandparents
place tired but safely and on time on Sunday. Monday was my days of rest, while
the rest of the week has been spend primarily in the garden, planting,
watering, grafting and just looking at the trees and flowers, talking with my
grandmother. Apart from the garden I have done some renovation-work in the
house. We are at the moment in the destruction-process, so I have had the
pleasure of taking apart furniture, removing wallpaper and so on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It’s been a
fairly good week with plenty of good weather. This place in Germany has been a
constant in my life. We have come here every summer as long as I can remember,
so there is always something special about coming here. There is a peace and
sleepiness here that I enjoy, at the same time as I have the slight feeling of
not doing anything, getting filled by stuff I don’t support, like TV. Anyways,
I recon I should enjoy and relish the opportunity to still be with my
grandparents. They are getting old. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This is
most likely not of interest for the most of you though, so I’ll get to the main
thing in this post. It is time to think about all the people that have made
this trip such a success. First and foremost (and traditionally/boringly) I
thank God for keeping me safe and healthy. Also I would like to thank all of
those that have prayed for me during these months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Secondly I
would like to thank the people that helped me in the preparation of the journey.
Patrick and Dani, who are the reason I got Wombosi, and also have been
available on the phone whenever I have had a car-related question. You have
made a big difference to my trip, giving me a sense of security, knowing that
help is there any time of day. My grandparents, who not just supported with
money, but also helped me packing and organizing, and my father who sponsored
the car and the deposit for the CdP and more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">A big
thanks goes to the visitors I have had, starting with Trygve in Bulgaria and
Turkey, Wiebke later on in Turkey, Roger in too many countries to mention,
Mparany in Namibia and Daddy on the final part from Windhoek to
Durban/Johannesburg. Having you with me certainly made a difference. I hope you
enjoyed it as I did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I have met
too many people along the road to mention (or remember) all, but I would like
to thank you all. Most notably my mates in Istanbul (Turkey) for a good
conversation, Ragnhild and her friends in Amman (Jordan) for a bed, pizza
civilized conversation etc , Said in Cairo (Egypt), Ahmed and Islam in Aswan
(Egypt), giving me a safe place to live for amazing two weeks. The group that
crossed the lake Nasser with me, Jeldau and Michael, the Danes and the bikers,
and of course Jeremy, who not just was a great support in the crossing and in
Wadi-Halfa, but whom I had the pleasure of meeting over ten times in total,
surviving grim Sudanese “police”, carrying the bike in Wombosi, waiting for
Congolese visa and experiencing the power of the weather in Tanzania. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Thanks to
my family in Addis giving me a good Christmas. The friendly man in Boma
(South-Sudan) who was like a salvation for me and Roger coming out of the
wilderness after two days of sweating in forty degrees, who gave us a place to
camp for free where we had showers and all. Margo who hosted us in Juba
(South-Sudan) and Ekke and Hendrik who did the same in Kampala (Uganda). Sonia
and the other girls in Kisoro (Uganda), giving us a different evening with
singing and playing and conversing for hours. Jack in Kigali (Rwanda), letting
us camp on his lawn. Monde with family in Lusaka (Zambia) not just letting me
sleep on their grounds, but spending the evening together with me around the
campfire. Morne in Ongwediva (Namibia) for having me around his office for a whole
week. Tracy being very friendly and helpful in Durban (south-Africa). Thank you
all for the kindness that you have shown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I think
that also my friend Jørgen (Haaland) deserves to be mentioned. If there would
be some kind of best blog-reader/commenter-prize, this prize would certainly go
to you Jørgen. Also, thanks to the rest of you reading this blog. Sharing my experiences
and knowing that someone cares has maybe been more important to me than to
anyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">All of you
that have been forgotten here are remembered. This is the second to last Post.
I will give you a last report in a Week when I am back in Bergen, before this
blog takes a break for some time, until there is some other crazy adventure
coming up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J_jSO84uCjA/T65vQi0C0zI/AAAAAAAAAo4/wI6F21dXvos/s1600/1205+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J_jSO84uCjA/T65vQi0C0zI/AAAAAAAAAo4/wI6F21dXvos/s320/1205+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOHhxbFPGDg/T65vU48D8hI/AAAAAAAAApA/Q09oPrE4Ikk/s1600/1205+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOHhxbFPGDg/T65vU48D8hI/AAAAAAAAApA/Q09oPrE4Ikk/s320/1205+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-49398570182935662422012-05-05T07:55:00.002-07:002012-05-05T07:55:47.735-07:00Time<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8jgdZ72UblE/T6UZjNGXvkI/AAAAAAAAAnc/ClJgT_6QCNY/s1600/1204+Aloe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8jgdZ72UblE/T6UZjNGXvkI/AAAAAAAAAnc/ClJgT_6QCNY/s320/1204+Aloe.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big aloe...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Py0BcfE1XMs/T6UZk3ugrlI/AAAAAAAAAnk/mWoWXic08eM/s1600/1204+In+bloom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Py0BcfE1XMs/T6UZk3ugrlI/AAAAAAAAAnk/mWoWXic08eM/s320/1204+In+bloom.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and small aloe in bloom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">05.05.2012 Johannesburg International Airport, South-Africa</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This is the last post coming over
from Africa. Yesterday was a sad goodbye to Wombosi. He was put in a container,
waiting for the vessel taking him to Madagascar in a week or two. I don’t know
how he felt about it, but I’m going to miss him a bit. I’ve lived in him and
driven him every day for the last eight months, and he has really been a good
partner. It’s a bit hard to put words on the feeling I am carrying at the
moment. It’s a bit sad to suddenly be finished in Africa. I have had such a
good time, and have no regrets using a year of my life (if including the time I
used earning the money) for this trip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At the same time I am glad I had such
a good time. There are so many things that can go wrong on an overland-trip
through Africa (or anywhere), and I feel happy about the achievement of having
managed to come through it all so well. It’s nothing I take much I take pride
in myself. It is much about luck. Sickness and disease that often can ruin a
trip is nothing I control, and damage on the car as well. Imagine I have had
zero punctures during the 43 000 kilometers I have been doing with
Wombosi. There is plenty to be thankful for, but I will do the thanking when
the trip is really over. Today I have a fascinating week to report about, so I
better get started. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After having posted last week we went
straight to the border between South-Africa (ZA) and Botswana. At first, coming
to ZA felt like coming to Namibia with big farms and fences and no people, but
after some hours things changed. ZA is a country of huge contrasts. Nothing I
have seen so far can compare. It is not just the contrast between “black” and “white”,
but the huge contrast between rich and poor, clean and dirty etc. It’s not like
being white means that you are rich and live in the clean “sorted” part of
town. Amongst the beggars you find people of both colors and among the rich
also. Towns seem to have a “tourist-area” with malls, banks, very clean paved
roads, but then they also seem to have a back-side, a part of town where no one
ever comes, where the streets are full of garbage and dirt, and ragged people
wander along (and you probably better not stop your vehicle, and keep your
doors locked). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On the first evening we intended to
sleep in a town now named Polokwane. As the road was long, it was well after
dark before we got there, and then we stumbled right into the back-side of
town, and I must admit that both I and my father were slightly shocked. That
night we ended up in a rather expensive hotel, because searching for a place to
sleep in a big town where you’ve never been and have no map of, it being dark
and all is not too easy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The following morning we cruised out
of town, and headed to the Blyde-River-Canyon, a beautiful piece of nature. The
landscape is very mountainous and green, even though much of the forest is
planted monocultures of pine. The next two days consisted hugely of driving. ZA
is big, so even with good roads it takes time. We mainly staid in
backpacker-places but wild-camped one night without being eaten or killed in
any other way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We arrived in Durban on Tuesday-afternoon,
the first of May. We had two missions in Durban, and did not look too much
forward to either of them. As “everything” on this trip, though, things turned
out to go much better than expected. Not only did we get our tasks done in a
satisfying way, we actually also enjoyed Durban. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The first task was to get Wombosi in
a good shape for Madagascar. Finding a suitable garage took us half a day, but
when we had found one, the service was excellent, the people competent, and
even if it made me many rand poorer, I am very happy with the work they did.
The main issue was the brakes, which really made a terrible noise the last 5000
kilometers, and were hard to drive with. Now Wombosi brakes like a goddess. There
were also a couple of minor issues that were dealt with, so I think Wombosi
will arrive in Madagascar almost as good as he was when I bought him in Germany
back in September. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The second task was of course the
shipping, and it turned out to be really easy. Tracy, the lady from the
shipping-company had everything prepared and ready, so all it took was a short
meeting, customs taking two minutes and putting the car into a container. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As things went so well, we had time
to drink coffee, stroll along the beach, visit the botanical garden and take
the cable-car to the top of the stadium. The time with my father has been very
good all over, and especially in Durban it was very good to not be alone. I am
happy he could join. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Friday after having said goodbye to
Wombosi the waiting started. After the waiting we took a night-bus arriving at
the airport here in Johannesburg ten to five. Then the waiting continued. My
father left around noon, my flight is at eight-thirty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now I have written a lot. Africa is
over for this time. The trip is not all over yet though. I will pick up my bike
in Germany, and finish as I started, driving back to Norway. Today is time for
some more Pink Floyd wisdom. Youngsters get out there and do something. You won’t
regret it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">You are young and
life is long and there is time to kill today<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">And then one day
you find ten years have got behind you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">No one told you
when to run, you missed the starting gun</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dCHvWAHNmE/T6UZmhGS2uI/AAAAAAAAAns/g1E6Vp5h_TI/s1600/1204+Poorer+quater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dCHvWAHNmE/T6UZmhGS2uI/AAAAAAAAAns/g1E6Vp5h_TI/s320/1204+Poorer+quater.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not everyone lives in a villa in South-Africa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pFt4i-8fJcU/T6UZqMCfs-I/AAAAAAAAAn0/kuwGomFEA7s/s1600/1204+View+over+the+Blyde-River-Canyon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pFt4i-8fJcU/T6UZqMCfs-I/AAAAAAAAAn0/kuwGomFEA7s/s320/1204+View+over+the+Blyde-River-Canyon.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View over the Blyde-River-Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPFg-hnQuHo/T6UZu8go0GI/AAAAAAAAAn8/37p_29dMGi4/s1600/1205+Botanical+Garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPFg-hnQuHo/T6UZu8go0GI/AAAAAAAAAn8/37p_29dMGi4/s320/1205+Botanical+Garden.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Durban botanical garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u487xUfT1Mo/T6UZ1C_Wb_I/AAAAAAAAAoE/8YYIm3Pteic/s1600/1205+Durban+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u487xUfT1Mo/T6UZ1C_Wb_I/AAAAAAAAAoE/8YYIm3Pteic/s320/1205+Durban+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zulu-Rickshaw in Durban</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_h6YLqq6qU/T6UZ6BsRoZI/AAAAAAAAAoM/-7G50UiRLp4/s1600/1205+Durban+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_h6YLqq6qU/T6UZ6BsRoZI/AAAAAAAAAoM/-7G50UiRLp4/s320/1205+Durban+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durban city. Note the fancy stadium to the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_HjC7EXFqY/T6UZ94lPHbI/AAAAAAAAAoU/W9TdqLfyDDg/s1600/1205+Fall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_HjC7EXFqY/T6UZ94lPHbI/AAAAAAAAAoU/W9TdqLfyDDg/s320/1205+Fall.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall in South-Africa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dnr4UoZbhgs/T6UaBTBRV_I/AAAAAAAAAoc/cL2SS9JMFlA/s1600/1205+Hadebra.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dnr4UoZbhgs/T6UaBTBRV_I/AAAAAAAAAoc/cL2SS9JMFlA/s320/1205+Hadebra.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farewell and goodbye</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wghckY5dCk8/T6UaHgOFOgI/AAAAAAAAAok/ZRzdGr5J6rc/s1600/1205+Skate-park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wghckY5dCk8/T6UaHgOFOgI/AAAAAAAAAok/ZRzdGr5J6rc/s320/1205+Skate-park.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durban skate-park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-39373428210074907482012-04-28T02:03:00.000-07:002012-04-28T02:07:49.623-07:00Money<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLvqTV3WOko/T5uu9E8zSYI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/2OGebl22Ttc/s1600/1204+Aloe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLvqTV3WOko/T5uu9E8zSYI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/2OGebl22Ttc/s320/1204+Aloe.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aloe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kz09Aw7cMt8/T5uvLMsXVLI/AAAAAAAAAmY/oA6V-uCE7jM/s1600/1204+Baobab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kz09Aw7cMt8/T5uvLMsXVLI/AAAAAAAAAmY/oA6V-uCE7jM/s320/1204+Baobab.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baobab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">28.04.12 Serowe,
Botswana</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s hard to label this week. It’s been a fair bit of driving, one major
disappointment and one major positive surprise. At the moment of writing (which
is not the moment of posting) I’m sitting in Khama Rhino-Sanctuary. When we
looked at the map this afternoon to plan approximately where to spend the night
we saw it marked on the map, and decided to give it a chance. We did a small
game-drive in the afternoon, seeing rhinos close up, in addition to the more
common zebras, giraffes, wildebeests and antelopes. Now I’m seated at the dying
camp-fire, the moon is just about to go down (it goes down early when it getting
bigger).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The week started with a drive to the north of Namibia and the
Caprivi-Strip. We wanted to enter Botswana from north, and pass the
Okavango-Delta on our way to Maun. The
drive was rather eventless, but nice and trouble –free as well. We wanted to
hit the famous delta from Maun. This proved to be a mistake. The Okavango is
famous for many things, including being the biggest inland-delta in the world,
having a big variety of wildlife and being uncommonly expensive. The problem
with the Okavango-Delta is that if you take the “cheap” option (which is still
more expensive than anything else you would do in Botswana) you won’t get far
into the delta and you’ll miss the wildlife. You do get to ride in a mokoro, a
dough-out canoe fueled by a long stick, rather than paddles. You get a decent
lunch and you do a walking-safari where you see some zebras. It is not bad. In
fact it is quite nice, but it just does not match the price by any means. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After Maun we needed a bit of a boost, and we got it in the salt-pans of
central Botswana. In general Botswana is an empty country, and this area
consists mainly of savanna and bush-forest, salt-pans and some gigantic
baobab-trees. We spend two days in the pans, navigating around on gps.
(Le)Kubu-Island was immensely beautiful, so we spend a night there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As this trip is closing in, I start thinking of what I am going to take
with me. The trip has certainly changed my life in several ways. I have grown a
beard, and I think I have learned plenty about myself. I guess I’ll elaborate
more on this when I’m back in Norway, but for now I’ll lend some of Roger
Waters’ words<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Money <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Money
it's a crime</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Share it fairly but
don't take a slice of my pie</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Money so they say</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Is the root of all
evil today</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">But if you ask for
a rise it's no surprise that they're giving none away</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQblOQfdMj8/T5uvZMG6G9I/AAAAAAAAAmg/_PCz8eZCsCQ/s1600/1204+Chapman's+baobab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQblOQfdMj8/T5uvZMG6G9I/AAAAAAAAAmg/_PCz8eZCsCQ/s320/1204+Chapman's+baobab.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A huge baobab. Note the size of my father <br />
compared to the tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSXTKt7gVsA/T5uvk_V38PI/AAAAAAAAAmo/ZXGakSOLOR0/s1600/1204+Mokoro-Man.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSXTKt7gVsA/T5uvk_V38PI/AAAAAAAAAmo/ZXGakSOLOR0/s320/1204+Mokoro-Man.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mokoro-"driver"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6G7wuMG-3U/T5uvyZQn3kI/AAAAAAAAAmw/A39GeAene88/s1600/1204+Papa+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6G7wuMG-3U/T5uvyZQn3kI/AAAAAAAAAmw/A39GeAene88/s320/1204+Papa+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy in a mokoro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TdU4qo7OJg/T5uv-N22q4I/AAAAAAAAAm4/wBz1-XK3qzc/s1600/1204+Rhinos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TdU4qo7OJg/T5uv-N22q4I/AAAAAAAAAm4/wBz1-XK3qzc/s320/1204+Rhinos.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhinos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3UjOoHR6J8/T5uwOM93i5I/AAAAAAAAAnA/ceJC1-HgBgw/s1600/1204+Savanne.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3UjOoHR6J8/T5uwOM93i5I/AAAAAAAAAnA/ceJC1-HgBgw/s320/1204+Savanne.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over the savanna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LSrLiBm_AFQ/T5uwdKp9dPI/AAAAAAAAAnI/3UXDOVpDzlY/s1600/1204+Wege.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LSrLiBm_AFQ/T5uwdKp9dPI/AAAAAAAAAnI/3UXDOVpDzlY/s320/1204+Wege.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8JT7Xpjmr5g/T5uwt4aALzI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/BnSiM79t2RA/s1600/1204+Zeltplatz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8JT7Xpjmr5g/T5uwt4aALzI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/BnSiM79t2RA/s320/1204+Zeltplatz.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice comping-spot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-33460176198389148862012-04-19T13:51:00.001-07:002012-04-19T14:03:53.961-07:00The Dark Side of the Moon<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bu9-ZexcOMk/T5B3W9cTbfI/AAAAAAAAAlY/Nwbe1XLMDrs/s1600/1204+At+the+Bloedkuppe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bu9-ZexcOMk/T5B3W9cTbfI/AAAAAAAAAlY/Nwbe1XLMDrs/s320/1204+At+the+Bloedkuppe.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Blutkuppe</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JJhVVN7qf-I/T5B3eaBunkI/AAAAAAAAAlg/4qveeIZ8pbQ/s1600/1204+Blikk+vom+Sp..hogte+Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JJhVVN7qf-I/T5B3eaBunkI/AAAAAAAAAlg/4qveeIZ8pbQ/s320/1204+Blikk+vom+Sp..hogte+Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscape</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b>Windhoek 19.04.12</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Finally comes the last post from Namibia. I have been here for one and a half months now, and start to feel quite at home. Still it is time to move on. This week has been further repeat from the 2010 trip, and after all, Africa still holds so many things that I have not seen before, so I better get out there. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">On our way from Swakopmund to Windhoek, Mparany and I passed the moon-landscape, a gigantic Welwitschia and climbed a huge rock/small mountain named Blutkuppe in the Namib-Naukluft National-Park (NNNP). We picked up Daddy one hour late at the airport on the 15<sup>th</sup>, and went straight west again to visit the most famous part of the NNNP, Sossusvlei. Sossusvlei is famous for its red sand-dunes. Entering early morning we got some beautiful pictures of some of them, did the obligatory climb to the first top of dune 45 (one of the highest sand-dunes in the world) and visited dead-vlei. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For me presumably the nicest things this week were the drives and the camping. Namibia has so many beautiful small gravel-roads, and the landscape is at times absolutely stunning. We were lucky with our pick of roads especially to and back from Sussusvlei. We also had some decent camping-spots. Even if you have to camp near to the road in Namibia because everything is fenced it does not have to be busy if you pick the right roads. With Mparany I had a camp in a riverbed where not a single car (or anything else) passed from the time we came there in the evening until we left the following morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Today Daddy and I drove Mparany to the airport. He is heading back to Norway, while Daddy stays with me for the remaining two weeks and some days. The two of us will head for Botswana having the Okivango-Delta as our first destination. After that we’ll see where the road leads us. Maybe to Chobe, maybe straight towards Gabarone and on to South-Africa (ZA). I’m not really looking forward to the last days in Durban doing the shipping, but this is not the time to worry about that. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">On Saturday the only side of the moon you’ll see is the dark side. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kWma-uYYRKU/T5B3k_eBpRI/AAAAAAAAAlo/5BA4lympQpk/s1600/1204+Dune+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kWma-uYYRKU/T5B3k_eBpRI/AAAAAAAAAlo/5BA4lympQpk/s320/1204+Dune+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8GzVxDTAhy8/T5B3o88J7WI/AAAAAAAAAlw/4bn8PEhcpA0/s1600/1204+Dune+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8GzVxDTAhy8/T5B3o88J7WI/AAAAAAAAAlw/4bn8PEhcpA0/s320/1204+Dune+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sossusvlei</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8IUSR1lKX9o/T5B3uz-z19I/AAAAAAAAAl4/mslJebXp5Ko/s1600/1204+Kirche.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8IUSR1lKX9o/T5B3uz-z19I/AAAAAAAAAl4/mslJebXp5Ko/s320/1204+Kirche.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christuskirche</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXOotbk8zYQ/T5B31aqtDSI/AAAAAAAAAmA/r1Lfzi_uL8k/s1600/1204+Landscape.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXOotbk8zYQ/T5B31aqtDSI/AAAAAAAAAmA/r1Lfzi_uL8k/s320/1204+Landscape.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emptiness</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Doz3hsmo4Vw/T5B38P-t0XI/AAAAAAAAAmI/Y7HgVrnxdrk/s1600/1204+Welwichia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Doz3hsmo4Vw/T5B38P-t0XI/AAAAAAAAAmI/Y7HgVrnxdrk/s320/1204+Welwichia.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 1500 years old Welwitschia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-77341453152608034682012-04-14T01:58:00.000-07:002012-04-14T01:58:12.086-07:00Yet Another Movie<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P62SH_1lb08/T4k04pbPXgI/AAAAAAAAAj4/ixk1taj8phU/s1600/1203+Camelion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P62SH_1lb08/T4k04pbPXgI/AAAAAAAAAj4/ixk1taj8phU/s320/1203+Camelion.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chameleon</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dduErIDwhE0/T4k1C-UNrNI/AAAAAAAAAkA/SDoRkFtn-fI/s1600/1203+Eichh%C3%B6rnchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dduErIDwhE0/T4k1C-UNrNI/AAAAAAAAAkA/SDoRkFtn-fI/s320/1203+Eichh%C3%B6rnchen.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squirrel</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b>14.04.12 Swakopmund, Namibia</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Time is flying. Not just has jet another week passed, I have also thought a lot back to those weeks in 2010 when I traveled the same Namibian roads as this week together with Ole, Roger and Trygve. It is all so fresh in my memory. The focus this week has been on seeing the African animals, which in Namibia is synonym with Etosha NP. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I picked up Mparany at the airport at five in the morning on Sunday, and we went straight north to Etosha. Monday and Tuesday were spent cruising around looking for Zebras, Lions, Rhinos, Wildebeests, Giraffes and other fellas. We were fairly lucky getting lions close up, seeing rhinos several times, and in general having a good time. Small surprises like a chameleon, a tortoise and very little shy squirrels colored the days. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Regarding the complete lack of elephants in Etosha in the rainy-season, we decided to head up to Sesfontein and down the Hoanib-River to find the desert-elephants, but then we surprisingly met elephants at the Grootberg-Pass, so we went south instead. There are few countries left I the world where one can camp for free having elephants 200 meters from the tent. In the evening a car came driving down the Pass, and he had to stop and back up and wait for quite some time because the elephants had blocked the road. Besides he had to be careful, he told me, because the back of his car was full of goats and the front of the car (I could see) was full of his wife. Together they made the vehicle rather heavy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So having earned a day from not heading north we went down the skeleton-coast, and not surprisingly it was cold and grey. The seals at Cape-Cross were noisy and smelly as always but the sight of 250 000 (or more) seals at the same time is impressive. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As it has to be, many of my thoughts go back to 2010. I told Mparany about when Roger saw the moon rise three times in one evening, how Trygve misjudged the fuel left in the car, how Roger and Ole fooled me to try to light a cigarette on hot rocks and how Ole failed to make a headstand. If you have three friends, take them to Namibia, rent a car and cruise around for ten days, and I can guaranty you a lot of fun!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For those of you who don’t know Mparany. Mparany is my brother in law, but he was a good friend of mine before he gained that lucrative title. We’ve had many adventures on our Honda xr400s’ (motorbikes) in Madagascar, and visited Zanzibar, Tanzania and Kenya in early 2009 together. It’s great to travel with Mparany. It’s tea in the morning real proper food in the evening and other great stuff. He is father of the two sweetest boys you find around, Markus and Jakob.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Tomorrow our team will grow to three, when father arrives, so we’re heading towards Windhoek to pick him up. Mparany leaves on the 19<sup>th</sup> but before that we’ll see the red dunes of the Namib-Desert.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-miy6Sfl9pRc/T4k1PHM5PQI/AAAAAAAAAkI/KnG_U9Zxq4o/s1600/1203+Elle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-miy6Sfl9pRc/T4k1PHM5PQI/AAAAAAAAAkI/KnG_U9Zxq4o/s320/1203+Elle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mZz6DjrIwq8/T4k1ckgjfFI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/PWNPvdhl_bQ/s1600/1203+Hapiness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mZz6DjrIwq8/T4k1ckgjfFI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/PWNPvdhl_bQ/s320/1203+Hapiness.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good team</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn3ulF5v80Q/T4k1o1B5yAI/AAAAAAAAAkY/ow4F7-_2060/s1600/1203+Hardrap-Dam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn3ulF5v80Q/T4k1o1B5yAI/AAAAAAAAAkY/ow4F7-_2060/s320/1203+Hardrap-Dam.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hardap-Dam</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQrhvZ76bZQ/T4k11gshptI/AAAAAAAAAkg/uWDieX2nuT8/s1600/1203+L%C3%B6ve+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQrhvZ76bZQ/T4k11gshptI/AAAAAAAAAkg/uWDieX2nuT8/s320/1203+L%C3%B6ve+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving lion-father</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1c6dcroOmEc/T4k2ABK7W4I/AAAAAAAAAko/65eh4t6QEwY/s1600/1203+Nashorn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1c6dcroOmEc/T4k2ABK7W4I/AAAAAAAAAko/65eh4t6QEwY/s320/1203+Nashorn.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhino</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9oraERqo3mQ/T4k2LCotucI/AAAAAAAAAkw/TmcvMdOU6MI/s1600/1203+Oystritch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9oraERqo3mQ/T4k2LCotucI/AAAAAAAAAkw/TmcvMdOU6MI/s320/1203+Oystritch.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ostrich</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hL68Xd9jwco/T4k2UqiHpxI/AAAAAAAAAk4/nMMqwXpQm4s/s1600/1203+Vogel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hL68Xd9jwco/T4k2UqiHpxI/AAAAAAAAAk4/nMMqwXpQm4s/s320/1203+Vogel.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOot4XmJGFc/T4k2g7VrkLI/AAAAAAAAAlA/6Crj1nGacWM/s1600/1203+Wildeb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOot4XmJGFc/T4k2g7VrkLI/AAAAAAAAAlA/6Crj1nGacWM/s320/1203+Wildeb.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildebeest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2Gd-jDI8f0/T4k2susRsmI/AAAAAAAAAlI/v--tdSz-eDA/s1600/1203+Wombi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2Gd-jDI8f0/T4k2susRsmI/AAAAAAAAAlI/v--tdSz-eDA/s320/1203+Wombi.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wombosi</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1NPuMQdAT4/T4k23-5qXjI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/9A8bDNMw7qQ/s1600/1203+_.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1NPuMQdAT4/T4k23-5qXjI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/9A8bDNMw7qQ/s320/1203+_.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-41683050822454425312012-04-06T06:47:00.000-07:002012-04-06T06:47:39.497-07:00Empty Spaces<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJWus9k9ceo/T36dAWtOFpI/AAAAAAAAAiw/ak5fnOMI9mY/s1600/1203+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJWus9k9ceo/T36dAWtOFpI/AAAAAAAAAiw/ak5fnOMI9mY/s320/1203+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscape</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-owxyqMcyrRw/T36dIrxigBI/AAAAAAAAAi4/5gShTYKqkoc/s1600/1203+Bahnhof.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-owxyqMcyrRw/T36dIrxigBI/AAAAAAAAAi4/5gShTYKqkoc/s320/1203+Bahnhof.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garub <span style="font-size: x-small;">railway-statio</span>n</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b><span lang="EN-US">Keetmanshoop, Namibia 06.04.12</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">First off all happy Easter too you all. I know I’m a bit early, but I’m writing today and not on Sunday, and as it happens I have peeked into the bible and figured what is going to happen on Sunday, so it’s going to end well also this year. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I’m still going strong in Namibia. Things are almost starting to get boring. It’s so easy to travel here in Namibia. There are good roads everywhere, lovely people, no one who comes to you heavily armed to check your passport, no angry Sudanese police who accuses you to drive in the desert when the whole thing is a desert. This week there haven’t been any angry elephants or scary snakes either, so I’m pretty safe here in Africa. It will be good to get some action with my brother in law, Mparanay coming to visit on Sunday. We’ll head straight to Etosha to find some crazy Elephants and rhinos and lions and all!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Most of the week has been spend in Lüderitz, an absolutely lovely little town on the south-west coast off Namibia. I came there on Saturday, and stayed there until Tuesday evening. It was time for jet another service of Wombosi. He has soon done 40 000 kilometers now since Germany. That’s quite an achievement for a fifteen year old Land-Rover. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Sunday was obviously not going to be service-day, so I went out into the Sperrgebiet (restricted-diamond-area) to the ghost-village Kolmanskop. Kolmanskop was settled around 1906 when diamonds were found in the area. Fifty years later the town was abandoned, and since then the sand and the wind has taken its toll on the village. The visit was ok. You need a permit to go there (it’s the only place in the Sperrgebiet you get to rather easily), but you get 45 minute guiding with two other tourists (in my case), and can walk and climb around the houses on your own as much as you please. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Monday was supposed to be service-day, but there was no place for us in the garages, so the service was done swiftly Tuesday in the morning. Monday I met a young man from Windhoek named Charles, who needed his broken minibus toed to Windhoek (over 800 kilometers). We sat talking all Monday and he was a nice guy, so I decided to help him, and offered to toe him. An absolutely crazy mission, but I had said it, so there was not really any way back. So after my service Tuesday I went to meet Charles and to get things settled, but after waiting a whole day I left Lüderitz alone. Things had not worked out for him, and I felt both a bit sad and relief. I would have loved to help him, but it would have been dangerous, and would have made numerous things far more difficult. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Wednesday I visited a group of wild horses, smoked a pipe and wrote two songs. Yesterday I came to Keetmanshoop early, but decided to stay in the area, because I need to call my two nephews who have their birthday today, and for that I need internet. So Yesterday I went out to the Quiver-tree forest and a place called the giants playground, a place with funny rock-formation a sunset, nice South-African tourists and these small rat-like animals that jump from stone to stone and look at you. I counted 15 at a time, but I recon there were plenty of them hiding too.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I have also done a fair bit of reading in the bible, regarding that I’m lagging far behind my initial plan. Besides, Easter is after all not mainly about skiing and eating chocolate, but about Christ dying for our sins. It’s pretty amazing that we, who would deserve death on a cross don’t have to face judgment, because God let his only son hang on that cross for us 2000 years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hS_BtFnifTY/T36dVdWSWWI/AAAAAAAAAjA/fhGG96xsDW4/s1600/1203+Bay+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hS_BtFnifTY/T36dVdWSWWI/AAAAAAAAAjA/fhGG96xsDW4/s320/1203+Bay+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bay of Lüderitz</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FO_qfxpLods/T36dd_7PjlI/AAAAAAAAAjI/LzZsDLF6qtI/s1600/1203+Creature.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FO_qfxpLods/T36dd_7PjlI/AAAAAAAAAjI/LzZsDLF6qtI/s320/1203+Creature.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some animal (not the rat-like thing)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNStyuFGx9s/T36dlaUxMGI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/LYi5PmN9glY/s1600/1203+Giants+Playground.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNStyuFGx9s/T36dlaUxMGI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/LYi5PmN9glY/s320/1203+Giants+Playground.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giants playground in the late evening-light <br />
and the almost full moon rising</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CPnaINY9Vvc/T36duPVEx9I/AAAAAAAAAjY/L277m2lyYm4/s1600/1203+Haus+in+L%C3%BCderitz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CPnaINY9Vvc/T36duPVEx9I/AAAAAAAAAjY/L277m2lyYm4/s320/1203+Haus+in+L%C3%BCderitz.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many nice old colonial houses in Lüderitz</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBpKLISfk2Q/T36d2Cj-4cI/AAAAAAAAAjg/G7WhOpiHjPU/s1600/1203+Kolmanskoop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBpKLISfk2Q/T36d2Cj-4cI/AAAAAAAAAjg/G7WhOpiHjPU/s320/1203+Kolmanskoop.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A house in Kolmanskop</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7oLnQgRLm8/T36d99nJb1I/AAAAAAAAAjo/PYHo20erBIU/s1600/1203+Quiver-tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7oLnQgRLm8/T36d99nJb1I/AAAAAAAAAjo/PYHo20erBIU/s320/1203+Quiver-tree.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiver-trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-We7WxFC9ESA/T36eFYZB13I/AAAAAAAAAjw/0wJEsleB_GQ/s1600/1203+ild+horses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-We7WxFC9ESA/T36eFYZB13I/AAAAAAAAAjw/0wJEsleB_GQ/s320/1203+ild+horses.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild horses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-19001053535677478492012-03-30T05:53:00.000-07:002012-03-30T05:53:53.071-07:00Careful With that Axe Eugene<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMDE8DCn5Uw/T3Wh-ZxVRzI/AAAAAAAAAhg/2_H-c52AVvQ/s1600/1203+Berg+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMDE8DCn5Uw/T3Wh-ZxVRzI/AAAAAAAAAhg/2_H-c52AVvQ/s320/1203+Berg+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UGCcXUnoNYM/T3WiSAy2CwI/AAAAAAAAAho/KwqX00StGec/s1600/1203+Berg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UGCcXUnoNYM/T3WiSAy2CwI/AAAAAAAAAho/KwqX00StGec/s320/1203+Berg.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some other "berg"</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b><span lang="EN-US">30.03.2012 Aus, Namibia</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So, another week has passed, and it has been another good one. The responses on the blog have not been so good though. When not even my most faithful man, Haaland, has left a comment, then it is a sign. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This week has been filled with enormous landscapes above all. The few people I have seen have almost all been friendly and nice, and even gave me a fish. Namibia is so beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">From Khorixas I went down to Brandberg, but did not visit the white lady. I went around the mountain, and slept at the west side of it, so that I could see the mountain in the evening light. Saying has it that the Brandberg-massif looks like it is on fire at sunset, but it was not really on fire. The evening was beautiful and the scenery stunning. From there I took a small fantastic road down to the sea (myl 105) and along the coast to Hentisbay. I slept on the beach, and in the afternoon I met some fishermen that gave me a fish. They said it was the best fish around for barbecuing, and it was very good. I left the coast the following day though, because it is cold. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">From Hentisbay <i> </i>I headed towards Spitzkoppe, slept in a desert/rocky place full of lizards, where I had the most amazing sunset I have ever seen. Next day I spend some time online, to get tickets back to Europe. I fly to Germany on the fifth, pick up my bike there, and leave for Norway a small week later. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Then there was a very rainy day, but then there was a beautiful day, and I happened to be at the Naukluft-Mountains, so I went trekking for a day. I trek much too seldom. It’s such a different and beautiful way to see the world. I felt like Bilbo Baggins. The scenery was not spectacular, and I met a very scary snake. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The scenery has generally been very beautiful though, also along the Namib Desert. I have taken so many landscape-pictures, as you can see. It has been hard to pick the good once. Tomorrow I’ll be heading down to Lüderitz, have Wombosi serviced, and then I’ll go slowly up to Windhoek to meet Mparany on the seventh. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__cDYhzKtBM/T3WiftG75sI/AAAAAAAAAhw/4HFs1su2yt4/s1600/1203+Hans+und+Brandberg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__cDYhzKtBM/T3WiftG75sI/AAAAAAAAAhw/4HFs1su2yt4/s320/1203+Hans+und+Brandberg.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlander</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxDqaClF1Tg/T3Wi0mFdQjI/AAAAAAAAAh4/krF_U-qDbn0/s1600/1203+Horse+in+the+evening.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxDqaClF1Tg/T3Wi0mFdQjI/AAAAAAAAAh4/krF_U-qDbn0/s320/1203+Horse+in+the+evening.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild horse in the evening-light</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOGg5Sg9UVw/T3WjGBmTteI/AAAAAAAAAiA/dK7j3DcgyL0/s1600/1203+Im+Nebel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="104" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOGg5Sg9UVw/T3WjGBmTteI/AAAAAAAAAiA/dK7j3DcgyL0/s320/1203+Im+Nebel.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainy day</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0cHLeTo2I4k/T3WjUhrDPlI/AAAAAAAAAiI/l2I59SSIn2g/s1600/1203+Morgen+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0cHLeTo2I4k/T3WjUhrDPlI/AAAAAAAAAiI/l2I59SSIn2g/s320/1203+Morgen+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--qriZtsm9mA/T3WjltuxwMI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/SBcHYRwWiqQ/s1600/1203+Morgen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--qriZtsm9mA/T3WjltuxwMI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/SBcHYRwWiqQ/s320/1203+Morgen.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1CP2jyI0vI/T3WkdvpGAyI/AAAAAAAAAio/0Wosgw_cpmk/s1600/1203+Wombosi+in+Mexico.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1CP2jyI0vI/T3WkdvpGAyI/AAAAAAAAAio/0Wosgw_cpmk/s320/1203+Wombosi+in+Mexico.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wombosi near Spitzkuppe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctzikHNWGS8/T3WkORfD-SI/AAAAAAAAAig/c9Dne2SdGLw/s1600/1203+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctzikHNWGS8/T3WkORfD-SI/AAAAAAAAAig/c9Dne2SdGLw/s320/1203+Sunset.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7_pkZ6RdUU/T3Wj61KpmNI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Q2oGSYNJRTA/s1600/1203+Naukluft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7_pkZ6RdUU/T3Wj61KpmNI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Q2oGSYNJRTA/s320/1203+Naukluft.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Naukluft-Mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-15000869035618316252012-03-22T06:37:00.000-07:002012-03-22T06:37:33.348-07:00Coming Back to Life<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLXvmFyrpwk/T2sYRYxvaSI/AAAAAAAAAgI/fYjxgVBAFI0/s1600/1203+Desert.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLXvmFyrpwk/T2sYRYxvaSI/AAAAAAAAAgI/fYjxgVBAFI0/s320/1203+Desert.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning in the desert</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNAtP3DKoLU/T2sYvaOkBnI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/YzhzEk1fbmg/s1600/1203+Elephant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNAtP3DKoLU/T2sYvaOkBnI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/YzhzEk1fbmg/s320/1203+Elephant.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot tempered elephant</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b><span lang="EN-US">21.03.2012 Wilderness, Namibia</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">What a fantastic week! What last week had of nothingness, this has had of fullness. Everyday has presented me with something else, everything as beautiful or interesting in its own way. The spring arrived on Friday around noon, and Wombosi was ready to hit the road 20 minutes later. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">First I got to tell about the most touching thing that happened last week in Ongwediva. I had been street musician for one day, and earned 47 Namibian Dollar in more than four hours, which means about one euro the hour. So, I did not get rich by being a street-musician in Namibia, but there was one very sweet incident that happened. While I was playing, three young school-boys who were on their way home from school stopped some meter away from me. They stood there for a long time, maybe twenty or thirty minutes. When they figured they had to go, they started digging in their pockets to find some money. It was evident that these boys did not have too much money. In the end they found some coins and put them together, and one of them came over to me and threw them into the guitar-case. I muttered “thank you”, being in the middle of a song that was all I could do, but it really warmed me to get those coins. Compared to money in general, what they gave was nothing, but compared to what they had I think it was a lot. It is good to see that part of Africa also, and remember it when people stop me, and I think they want to hitch, and then they ask me for cigarettes, and when I say that I don’t have any, they ask for sweets. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Leaving Ongwediva made me very happy and First stop was the Ruacana-fall. There is a dam above the fall, and normally in the rainy-season it should be open and the fall full of water, but because of lack of reins, the dam was locked. This meant little water in the fall, but the possibility to swim in it. That was very refreshing after living a week on some dusty parking-lot. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">From Ruacana I went south to Opuwo to hook up with Morne from the tourist-information in Ongwediva, and three Norwegians he guided around northern Namibia. Together we went to a Himba-Village. The Himbas are a people closely related to the Herero-People, but the Himbas have preserved their traditions and way of living uncommonly well. Visiting a Himba-Village with three Norwegin tourists is like going to a zoo, only with humans instead of animals. I tried to keep distance, and be modest and polite, at the same time as I of course had to shoot plenty of pictures. I had after all paid for visiting the village (something I do extremely seldom). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">While Morne and the Norwegians returned to Opuwo to find themselves some lodge with a swimming-pool, I decided to stay camped in the village, and that was very good. The Himbas returned to their everyday-life and put away the handicraft they had tried to sell us. I did not really blend in, regarding that I don’t speak a word Himba-Language, and none of the village people spoke any English, and that I look pretty different. I stayed together with them, let them do their things, and did mine. In the evening I entertained them with playing some songs for them, something they seemed to enjoy. The next morning I shot some last pictures, before I headed north to the Epupa-Falls.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Epupa-Falls were fantastic. Here, there was no shortage of water. I spend that afternoon lying in the shade of a tree on a small island in the falls, reading, smoking pipe or just closing my easy and daydreaming. A soft mist cooled me down occasionally when the wind came my way. Of course I had to take a bath both in the evening and in the morning. When you walk up on the hill from the falls you get a splendid view of the whole falls in the evening light (at least if you do the walk in the evening). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The following day was as close as you’d get to eventless, but on Tuesday I headed into the riverbed of the Hoanib-River to track down desert-elephants. The desert-elephants are thinner than normal elephants, because they have less to eat and to drink, so they tend to look bigger, but are just the same size as the once you find in Etosha. They have much bigger feet, to make it easier for them to walk in the soft desert sand. In the evening I only spotted one Elephant who was a bit boring, but the place I camped was about the most beautiful place you can imagine (see picture of Wombosi). There I read the book “the curious incident of the dog in the night-time” by Mark Haddon, and what a book that was. I did not manage to put it away before I had it read through. Thank you very much, Elisabeth, to give me this book.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">While the evening-encounter with the desert-elephant was rather boring; the morning-encounter was not. I was driving back, and was already out of the riverbed and on my way towards Sesfontein when I saw an elephant coming towards me on the road. I thought “perfect”, parked the car two meters away from the road, 25 meters away from the elephant and waited. First the elephant waited a long time too, but then he started to continue his walk straight towards me as I had hoped. I thought he would walk straight past me, considering that I had put the car out of his path, but at some point I realized that that might not be happening. When the elephant had reached Wombosi, he turned towards me and took a step forward. He was now about one meter away from me, and I could have reached out and touched him through the open window, something I of course did not do. It did not look too happy, and my heart was starting to beat very fast, so I started the engine, something that surprised the elephant, and made him take half a step back, and Wombosi soared off. Luckily the elephant was too lazy to chase Wombosi in the desert-sand, and continued his slow walk, so when my heart was beating normally again I pulled around and could enjoy him a bit more, this time on safe distance, and with the engine on. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Afterwards I figured how stupid I had been. I don’t have any insurance foe Wombosi here in Namibia, and elephants don’t usually buy third-party insurances either, even if they are a great danger to fellow travelers, so I’m glad nothing happened. An elephant can easily push a car over to the side or all around to the roof. These animals are big.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Today is today, and this will be posted tomorrow, after I have seen the Twyfelfontein (doubtful spring) rock-art. But, Today is today, and the 21<sup>st</sup> of March is not any day here in Namibia. Today, 22 years ago in 1990 Namibia gained their independence from South-Africa. I celebrate it by camping in northern Damaraland close to a waterhole, where Zebras, antelopes and Gemsboks (Oryx) have tried their best to entertain me the whole afternoon. Life is good!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">22.03.2012 Khorixas, Namibia<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Just a small add for today. Twyfelfontein was not really much to write about, but I just wanted to make a remark about the rainy-season, regarding that it is raining heavily now. I’ve been mainly lucky with the rains, and they have been modest and not every day, and the sunsets and sunrises are just much more beautiful in the rainy season. Also, what I really wanted to say is that the night-sky here is absolutely magnificent. Namibia is famous for having one of the clearest night-sky in the world, but when we were here last time (dry season) it disappointed us. Now it is just stunning. The sky is full of stars from horizon to horizon, and due to the new-moon (today), they shine even brighter. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yz5YUqGz6vY/T2sZWydZC_I/AAAAAAAAAgY/8hJ7se3eHvg/s1600/1203+Epupa+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yz5YUqGz6vY/T2sZWydZC_I/AAAAAAAAAgY/8hJ7se3eHvg/s320/1203+Epupa+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Epupa-Falls</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bxnmOT9IuI/T2sZ2smTmhI/AAAAAAAAAgg/FGLjegNSaB0/s1600/1203+Epupa+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bxnmOT9IuI/T2sZ2smTmhI/AAAAAAAAAgg/FGLjegNSaB0/s320/1203+Epupa+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mist</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cn5UABBWhE/T2saXMcu4GI/AAAAAAAAAgo/45zEMPEoyjA/s1600/1203+Epupa+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cn5UABBWhE/T2saXMcu4GI/AAAAAAAAAgo/45zEMPEoyjA/s320/1203+Epupa+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning at Epupa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--G79O9N0hlE/T2sa3oXROkI/AAAAAAAAAgw/9K0FD4PCN6k/s1600/1203+Himba+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--G79O9N0hlE/T2sa3oXROkI/AAAAAAAAAgw/9K0FD4PCN6k/s320/1203+Himba+10.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Himba-Girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7W91gRqytjk/T2sbQd3WtYI/AAAAAAAAAg4/9iVQofiREgw/s1600/1203+Himba+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7W91gRqytjk/T2sbQd3WtYI/AAAAAAAAAg4/9iVQofiREgw/s320/1203+Himba+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QiPI8mc_yE/T2sbp0ciPgI/AAAAAAAAAhA/0EXkXZ9LP_E/s1600/1203+Himba+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QiPI8mc_yE/T2sbp0ciPgI/AAAAAAAAAhA/0EXkXZ9LP_E/s320/1203+Himba+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Himba-Kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuTkEJmCW1A/T2scAgLQ4YI/AAAAAAAAAhI/l5by4K7snFs/s1600/1203+Himba+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuTkEJmCW1A/T2scAgLQ4YI/AAAAAAAAAhI/l5by4K7snFs/s320/1203+Himba+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unmarried Himba-Girl, anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl9G5mMIzOk/T2scxubDW6I/AAAAAAAAAhQ/d_3yU1LhEOY/s1600/1203+Wombosi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl9G5mMIzOk/T2scxubDW6I/AAAAAAAAAhQ/d_3yU1LhEOY/s320/1203+Wombosi.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wombosi</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C-EnC9baQXQ/T2sdgnUAC0I/AAAAAAAAAhY/j6WUZNWSpfU/s1600/1203+w.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C-EnC9baQXQ/T2sdgnUAC0I/AAAAAAAAAhY/j6WUZNWSpfU/s320/1203+w.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening over the Hoanib-River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-80945501878208383622012-03-15T05:47:00.000-07:002012-03-15T05:47:09.299-07:00Any Color You Like<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vtfIwXddsu4/T2Gxh7p05yI/AAAAAAAAAfI/-ZlnORZbLus/s1600/1203+Any+colour+you+like+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vtfIwXddsu4/T2Gxh7p05yI/AAAAAAAAAfI/-ZlnORZbLus/s320/1203+Any+colour+you+like+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0CnP12cvgNc/T2GyM7c3GtI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/9ZRyKDzbkSw/s1600/1203+Any+colour+you+like+1_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0CnP12cvgNc/T2GyM7c3GtI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/9ZRyKDzbkSw/s320/1203+Any+colour+you+like+1_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b><span lang="EN-US">15.03.2011 Ongwediva, Namibia</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">One week without moving is a new record. In Giseniy, we could at least go on day trips, but this week, Wombosi has not moved a millimeter. I have been lazy myself and have not moved too much either. It’s not been that bad though. I’ve met lovely people here, so I’ve been offered house and bed from several different people. I have said no to all of them, because I don’t want to leave Wombosi alone, and he simply cannot move with only three tires. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Half my days I’ve spend in the tourist-information-office. It’s run by an incredibly friendly and helpful man, so I’ve been able to use internet and electricity here and even got myself a hot shower. To have internet has given me the opportunity to catch up with my friends a bit, so there has been some skyping and some mailing. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KngGLlbeQLk/T2Gypq-FSoI/AAAAAAAAAfY/vCyI0dx7XK4/s1600/1203+Any+colour+you+like+1_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KngGLlbeQLk/T2Gypq-FSoI/AAAAAAAAAfY/vCyI0dx7XK4/s320/1203+Any+colour+you+like+1_3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The rest of the time has been filled with reading, playing the guitar, taking pictures and talking to the folks around here. Due to the lack of spectacular photo-motives, I’ve chosen to do some more artistic shots this week. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I've used a small part of my time as a street musician. Income was not to high, but people seemed very happy about it, and had fun. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Today I would have a lot of space to elaborate on some strange philosophy or African mind-set, but I can’t think of anything, so you’ll have to figure out something for yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8z85-6jtIQ/T2GzO5R0tzI/AAAAAAAAAfg/Ip7CiZa5INA/s1600/1203+Any+colour+you+like+1_5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8z85-6jtIQ/T2GzO5R0tzI/AAAAAAAAAfg/Ip7CiZa5INA/s320/1203+Any+colour+you+like+1_5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red II</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSf9RFkIuxM/T2Gzw83v0RI/AAAAAAAAAfo/-ZJOHw299UI/s1600/1203+Any+colour+you+like+1_6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSf9RFkIuxM/T2Gzw83v0RI/AAAAAAAAAfo/-ZJOHw299UI/s320/1203+Any+colour+you+like+1_6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue II</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j2PI9kGpp1Y/T2G0MUMBHmI/AAAAAAAAAfw/9hoEjTOwhjM/s1600/Any+colour+you+like+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j2PI9kGpp1Y/T2G0MUMBHmI/AAAAAAAAAfw/9hoEjTOwhjM/s320/Any+colour+you+like+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green II</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yHuS5r8JEPs/T2G0wFgNDxI/AAAAAAAAAf4/zCralSdNHSk/s1600/Any+colour+you+like+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yHuS5r8JEPs/T2G0wFgNDxI/AAAAAAAAAf4/zCralSdNHSk/s320/Any+colour+you+like+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wMoX80XNa4g/T2G1MGQ1wkI/AAAAAAAAAgA/RHKniYyruGM/s1600/Any+colour+you+like+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wMoX80XNa4g/T2G1MGQ1wkI/AAAAAAAAAgA/RHKniYyruGM/s320/Any+colour+you+like+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue III</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-48097839755443601072012-03-09T05:50:00.000-08:002012-03-09T05:50:08.635-08:00Stop<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xgf4dXjqJxI/T1n-prsF1vI/AAAAAAAAAdY/eEdABYyRuF8/s1600/1203+Attention.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xgf4dXjqJxI/T1n-prsF1vI/AAAAAAAAAdY/eEdABYyRuF8/s320/1203+Attention.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am a stupid German tourist... haha</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BnR0i9Q47_c/T1n_GDyHVTI/AAAAAAAAAdg/07cg4dKx8H4/s1600/1203+Baby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BnR0i9Q47_c/T1n_GDyHVTI/AAAAAAAAAdg/07cg4dKx8H4/s320/1203+Baby.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b><span lang="EN-US">09.03.2012</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">And finally Wombosi let me down properly. Not as bad that I’m stuck in no-man’s-land with guerilla and wild animals all around me, but still. I am stranded in northern Namibia in a town called Ongwediva because of a broken spring. It broke quite close to Rundu I think, but I couldn’t locate the strange sound the car made in bumps before 100 km later, so I continued here. There are plenty of garages here, but no Land-Rovers. The new spring has to be ordered from South-Africa, and apparently it takes five working-days to transport it here. It is supposed to arrive next Thursday. I hope it does. Before we decided to order from SA we searched all the scrap-yards in the area to find a similar piece, but without luck. It seems Wombosi’s suspension is bigger than anything you have here in northern Namibia. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Before the spring captured my attention my week was rather unspectacular, but nice. The whole Caprivi-area and northern Namibia (with the exemption of the very west) is uncommonly flat, so you see the straight strip of tarmac in front of you, and to the two sides you see five to ten meters of cleared land, and then the forest and the fences start, so then you see no more. The nice thing is that you can stop anywhere without being bothered. You can camp along the road. There are resting-places (see picture) every twenty kilometers along the road where you can take breaks or even sleep safely. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Namibia is very different from the rest of Africa. It is so ordered, like South Africa I presume, but the big difference to South-Africa is the lack of criminality. Not that there are too many people that can be criminal, but still. Namibia has a population of about two million, and a big country. As a matter of fact, Namibia is one of the least densely populated countries in the world. As soon as Wombosi is good to go again I’ll be heading into the Kakoaveld (North-West), one of the last remaining great wildernesses of Africa. There you can still camp around and stumble across desert-elephants and lions without paying for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The majority of the pictures are from Zambia. I spend two evenings in the village close to Livingstone with this incredibly friendly man named Louis, and the pictures are from there. It was nice to become part of the village-life the tourists usually only see from outside. And ugali can be VERY good! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">When I wrote last time I still had planned to do Botswana, but it didn’t make sense in the end. It is rainy season, so I would have been bound to the main-roads, and those I’ll do with my father in less than two months, so I left it until then. Namibia has so much to offer anyway, so I won’t be bored. It’s a shame that the Fish-River-Canyon is closed until the first of May. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">That’s it for today. Not too exiting I guess, but the week has simply not been too exiting. I hope I can do some good here while I wait and that Wombosi will be cured until next time you hear from me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9LPtq3wxnNk/T1n_qNMPVSI/AAAAAAAAAdo/VDthUxQVW5g/s1600/1203+Camp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9LPtq3wxnNk/T1n_qNMPVSI/AAAAAAAAAdo/VDthUxQVW5g/s320/1203+Camp.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My camp the next week</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-inIi3TYqIOQ/T1oAD6IRDYI/AAAAAAAAAdw/YVj2LV1IdRk/s1600/1203+Doves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-inIi3TYqIOQ/T1oAD6IRDYI/AAAAAAAAAdw/YVj2LV1IdRk/s320/1203+Doves.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice roof</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IihW4VNtSFc/T1oAcGtXd_I/AAAAAAAAAd4/6YTfpAQnimY/s1600/1203+Hans+and+Ladys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IihW4VNtSFc/T1oAcGtXd_I/AAAAAAAAAd4/6YTfpAQnimY/s320/1203+Hans+and+Ladys.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and the ladies</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zg-2wwXhp2c/T1oA3kKWpFI/AAAAAAAAAeA/eYucKcSpFhE/s1600/1203+Hut+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zg-2wwXhp2c/T1oA3kKWpFI/AAAAAAAAAeA/eYucKcSpFhE/s320/1203+Hut+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hut</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N0QfRr1sLyA/T1oBO1FCaGI/AAAAAAAAAeI/WIGGbLMDqTw/s1600/1203+Hut+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N0QfRr1sLyA/T1oBO1FCaGI/AAAAAAAAAeI/WIGGbLMDqTw/s320/1203+Hut+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundry</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mo-MBPU_oAI/T1oBm5lXOoI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/q_IWJ2r5_ig/s1600/1203+Hut+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mo-MBPU_oAI/T1oBm5lXOoI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/q_IWJ2r5_ig/s320/1203+Hut+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hut with solar system</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pX2Nbji36fs/T1oB8IQ0RvI/AAAAAAAAAeY/n6UfdaSyvnI/s1600/1203+Old+Lady.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pX2Nbji36fs/T1oB8IQ0RvI/AAAAAAAAAeY/n6UfdaSyvnI/s320/1203+Old+Lady.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Properly old lady for Zambian standards</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ogbqe-_aOMg/T1oCS4DSUgI/AAAAAAAAAeg/LqF_7s9rAQw/s1600/1203+Oxen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ogbqe-_aOMg/T1oCS4DSUgI/AAAAAAAAAeg/LqF_7s9rAQw/s320/1203+Oxen.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oxen drink in the Kovango-river. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9pBlKgmv-DA/T1oCgvizayI/AAAAAAAAAeo/C24ckIjHIyE/s1600/1203+Portrait+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9pBlKgmv-DA/T1oCgvizayI/AAAAAAAAAeo/C24ckIjHIyE/s320/1203+Portrait+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjdjE9_bV00/T1oC4Wq4hgI/AAAAAAAAAew/JLpBMd1h6OM/s1600/1203+Portrait+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjdjE9_bV00/T1oC4Wq4hgI/AAAAAAAAAew/JLpBMd1h6OM/s320/1203+Portrait+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cock</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixhXnpa63jo/T1oDVA2ULAI/AAAAAAAAAe4/LzWGmHm9Wi8/s1600/1203+Rastplatz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixhXnpa63jo/T1oDVA2ULAI/AAAAAAAAAe4/LzWGmHm9Wi8/s320/1203+Rastplatz.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping alongside the road</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6wQlDDr-8Y/T1oDuFXJanI/AAAAAAAAAfA/fsmpnEPHoao/s1600/1203+Scrapyard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6wQlDDr-8Y/T1oDuFXJanI/AAAAAAAAAfA/fsmpnEPHoao/s320/1203+Scrapyard.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No spring for Wombosi in this scrapyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-38225151995194632572012-03-02T02:13:00.000-08:002012-03-02T02:13:11.458-08:00Delicate Sound of Thunder<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YvqmmjIR2vI/T1CVtC9-gQI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/YO7QFHGDbZ8/s1600/1202+At+camp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YvqmmjIR2vI/T1CVtC9-gQI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/YO7QFHGDbZ8/s320/1202+At+camp.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundry Camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQXwk7t7G0I/T1CWIki7dgI/AAAAAAAAAcY/VyomrwQeEjY/s1600/1202+Bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQXwk7t7G0I/T1CWIki7dgI/AAAAAAAAAcY/VyomrwQeEjY/s320/1202+Bridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b><span lang="EN-US">Livingstone 02.03.2012</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Zambia! Zambia is a nice place to be. The once who said that the Malawians were the most friendly people of Africa missed by some kilometers. My time in Zambia has been filled with mainly rain and “boredom” seen from an attractions-aspect, but I’ve met nice people wherever I have been. Zambia has two big attractions, the game and the Victoria Falls. The game is no good in the rainy season, because you don’t see it, and you don’t even get to the parks because roads are of the bad kind, so that leaves the falls, which you don’t watch forever. But Zambia has so nice people that you can spend some time here really on the cheap, and have good time. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Situation one: You’re tired. You’ve been driving a couple of hours, and then been searching for tires in Lusaka, a city of 1.3 million people. Now you’re looking for a place to sleep, and because you live on the cheap, and want to meet people (not tourists) you don’t want to go to a hostel. So you cruise around town to see if you find a place that looks appealing, but haven’t seen anything good the 20 minutes you’ve been looking. About to give up you drive into a compound that looks a bit official and has an open gate and park the car. Straight after you, another car enters the compound, and a smiling man comes out and says “good evening, how are you”. You answer that you’re good, ask the other the same, and then you say you’re looking for a safe place to camp for the night, if you could stay. The answer is a big smile and “sure” (in beautiful African English).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">You get shown around and meet the young man (20) who sleeps there as a kind of guard. You decide to make a campfire with the wet (because of heavy rain) wood you’ve brought, and after some time and help from the young man you get it burning nicely, so you take out your pots, and make macaroni and meat for the two of you. During dinner a second young man (23) comes with a guitar and joins you. He happens to have an amazing voice, fair skills on the guitar and also a talent for writing songs, not so unlike the writer of this blog, so you start playing. He plays his songs, and you add backing vocals and picking on the guitar (or you surprise with your melodica or harmonicas), and you play your songs and he joins in. Like this goes the evening around the fire (with the night sky and stars as a ceiling) until it is late and time to go to bed. That’s just not what you’d imagine would happen when you were out there driving, looking for a place. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Situation two: You have yet again been driving some hours, and you are sleepy behind the wheel, so you decide to stop for the night at a quite nice place along the road. You park, take out your chair, and sit down to enjoy the beautiful sunset (see picture). You’ve put on Eva Cassidy’s “songbird” and smoke your pipe while the African sky turns red. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It’s a bit later and you have retreated into your car to write an e-mail when motorbike comes and a friendly Zambian man greets you. He asks politely if you have planned to sleep here, and you say yes. He then sais that you are free to stay where you are, but if you want to you can come to the gate of the farm only 500 from the place in which you are, to be more safe. You accept and drive there. Without being more bothered you finish your writing and sleep well. The next morning you are offered a shower and a good talk before you set off to a blue sky (something that I have learned is not to be taken for granted in the rainy season).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Put shortly, Zambians are stunningly welcoming. What I’ve been doing since I came from Malawi is as follows. From Chipata (near the Malawian border) I went north for 250 kilometers to find game for free. The only thing I found was mud and rain, so I returned. From there I went slowly toward Lusaka where I did some shopping of food supplies and got myself a pair of new back tiers. The old once were really finished, with the metal looking out at some places already, but still, I did not get a single puncture on them. The new once are called Pirelli scorpion mud. They are real Pirelli, but produced in South-Africa, so unlike the real real Pirelli that last 60000 km, these should last between 30 and 40 thousand, but that’s the best you get it seems. From Lusaka I have cruised down here to Livingstone and the famous Victoria falls. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Victoria Falls did not disappoint. The pictures are not that good, because of all the water, and thus smoke, but the falls were the more impressing. I’ve made some friends, so I actually sleep at the tourist village; for free! I also had to cross the bridge to Zimbabwe, so even if I haven’t been there officially, I have at least been on Zimbabwean soil. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Now the question is where to go. There are three options. I can go directly to Botswana via that terrible ferry. I can go to Botswana via Zimbabwe, which would be exciting for the stamp in the passport but expensive because of Visa and carbon-tax for the car. I could also go via Namibia to Botswana. What I’ll do is still open, but being shirt on USD, the only currency working in Zimbabwe at the moment, I think the route via Namibia is the most likely. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So that’s this week. Rain, sun, nice people, long emails, muddy roads, guitar, a big waterfall and Wombosi with new boots. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a84q1oxx63Q/T1CWm7SHSnI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Ga7Q5EO_ldk/s1600/1202+Dirty+landy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a84q1oxx63Q/T1CWm7SHSnI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Ga7Q5EO_ldk/s320/1202+Dirty+landy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dirt-Camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J7yPMaUJ2is/T1CW9y5c8kI/AAAAAAAAAco/U-cdhB1-HGI/s1600/1202+Falls+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J7yPMaUJ2is/T1CW9y5c8kI/AAAAAAAAAco/U-cdhB1-HGI/s320/1202+Falls+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicate Sound</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5DN7mZrBl0/T1CXXfg598I/AAAAAAAAAcw/dKXYkP5AYG4/s1600/1202+Falls+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5DN7mZrBl0/T1CXXfg598I/AAAAAAAAAcw/dKXYkP5AYG4/s320/1202+Falls+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of Thunder</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yadpamoNCyM/T1CXybVanrI/AAAAAAAAAc4/cA2W5jUkGQ0/s1600/1202+Fluss.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yadpamoNCyM/T1CXybVanrI/AAAAAAAAAc4/cA2W5jUkGQ0/s320/1202+Fluss.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y4RWixDtImU/T1CYa-6GpRI/AAAAAAAAAdA/oiYVy8fo91A/s1600/1202+Grashopper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y4RWixDtImU/T1CYa-6GpRI/AAAAAAAAAdA/oiYVy8fo91A/s320/1202+Grashopper.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasshopper</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jly-VgHyIIs/T1CY12oJugI/AAAAAAAAAdI/IgcVx_E1GyA/s1600/1202+Onkel+E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jly-VgHyIIs/T1CY12oJugI/AAAAAAAAAdI/IgcVx_E1GyA/s320/1202+Onkel+E.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiley</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rvlu23uVF3Q/T1CZb8FSQXI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/pFZ1Wlxwvmk/s1600/1202+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rvlu23uVF3Q/T1CZb8FSQXI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/pFZ1Wlxwvmk/s320/1202+Sunset.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over the Rainbow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-81296415867981058472012-02-24T06:57:00.000-08:002012-02-24T06:57:17.894-08:00Shine on you Crazy Diamond<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24kS-nvPK3s/T0egoWdnDRI/AAAAAAAAAa4/PtFSAjk--Lc/s1600/1202+15_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24kS-nvPK3s/T0egoWdnDRI/AAAAAAAAAa4/PtFSAjk--Lc/s320/1202+15_4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabulous camping spot</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhp9uL04Iz8/T0eg4qM664I/AAAAAAAAAbA/UILq2bbl8Hg/s1600/1202+19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="114" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhp9uL04Iz8/T0eg4qM664I/AAAAAAAAAbA/UILq2bbl8Hg/s320/1202+19.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thunderstorm</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b>Lilongwe 24.02.2012</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">And suddenly I’m all alone again. The last week has gone extremely fast. We’ve had many kilometers to do, so it’s mainly been driving. Initially we wanted to go west through Tanzania, but we soon figured, that way might not be too passable in the rainy season, so in the end we decided for the long way around, getting all the way east to Morongoro. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">One of the pleasant things with this decision was that we had some more time with Jeremy, who unexpectedly caught up with us at the border between Rwanda and Tanzania. Things had not worked out for him in Gisenyi. We split in Morongoro, after having witnessed a beautiful evening light with thunderstorm all around us, and the following night, a thunderstorm with hail of several cm. diameter. It’s beautiful, but not always practical when all gavel-roads turn into mud, and your tent is wet every morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">From Morongoro we went via Iringa to the Kitulo NP. We were a bit annoyed by the pricing-system, where you pay 20 USD for 24 hours in the park, but camping is 30 USD, so effectively you pay 50 USD for 24 hours, or as we did camp outside, and only spend the day (fee is for single entry, so they really make life hard for you). Kitulo is not the typical NP with game and the likes. It offers good trekking-opportunities, and now in the rainy-season it is supposed to be bursting with flowers. We saw some flowers, but not the colored fields we had hoped for. The area is nice though, but overpriced. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The last two days we spend in Malawi. We had one afternoon at the lake, with was lovely. The beach is nice, like in Gisenyi, but the water is much warmer, and more pleasant to lie in. If you avoid being eaten by a crocodile or crunched by a Hippo, you’ll have a good time. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Wombosi has been a good boy, staying strong, now when we could not afford much time-loss. Roger has naturally also been a good boy. We’ve managed to spend almost two intense months together without any fighting. For him the highlights were being in South-Sudan, meeting Ekke and climbing an active volcano in Congo. We (Wombosi and I) will miss him a bit. Usually I am glad to be on my own again, because a (short) visit “disturbs” the routines you have, but after such a long time I guess we’d made different routines. Still it’s going to be good to be in solitude.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Ahead lays Zambia. I’m going to take it slowly, fuel being a big expense, so doing 300-500 km every day, like the last week, is not in the budget. Zambia has not much to offer except for NPs though, and those I’ve done, and will do with Daddy and Mparany, so the Victoria-Falls will make the next highlight. I will just go slowly and live the overlander’s life. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Next week;)<o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZguU1nE-dk/T0ehGgZZ-2I/AAAAAAAAAbI/JHYvvpAWoRY/s1600/1202+20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZguU1nE-dk/T0ehGgZZ-2I/AAAAAAAAAbI/JHYvvpAWoRY/s320/1202+20.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky landscape</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNwkWr1YbYo/T0ehU4hx4II/AAAAAAAAAbQ/0qMmI-AK6pU/s1600/1202+21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNwkWr1YbYo/T0ehU4hx4II/AAAAAAAAAbQ/0qMmI-AK6pU/s320/1202+21.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy with proof of hail</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IkgosNvygiA/T0eiVisGbeI/AAAAAAAAAbY/q5Okh8iY2zE/s1600/1202+Cool+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IkgosNvygiA/T0eiVisGbeI/AAAAAAAAAbY/q5Okh8iY2zE/s320/1202+Cool+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tJMUqqfwbU0/T0ei2j3G5ZI/AAAAAAAAAbg/shGfbMNkhkk/s1600/1202+Cool+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tJMUqqfwbU0/T0ei2j3G5ZI/AAAAAAAAAbg/shGfbMNkhkk/s320/1202+Cool+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqqBH-Yht1k/T0ejD-tDoMI/AAAAAAAAAbo/8M58aWQfySA/s1600/1202+Mongolia_.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqqBH-Yht1k/T0ejD-tDoMI/AAAAAAAAAbo/8M58aWQfySA/s320/1202+Mongolia_.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Kitulo NP</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHQOc-qaTjA/T0ejVrkvpBI/AAAAAAAAAbw/ouxskrXw4Y8/s1600/1202+Orchid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHQOc-qaTjA/T0ejVrkvpBI/AAAAAAAAAbw/ouxskrXw4Y8/s320/1202+Orchid.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchids</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrdbiRApn8M/T0ejj71qG-I/AAAAAAAAAb4/QJ4WHNEFXfQ/s1600/1202+Roger+enjoys+the+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrdbiRApn8M/T0ejj71qG-I/AAAAAAAAAb4/QJ4WHNEFXfQ/s320/1202+Roger+enjoys+the+view.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger enjoys the view</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TpHKQwBRndo/T0ej4VHSyFI/AAAAAAAAAcA/BhhIulDxw2w/s1600/1202+Simon+and+Grafunkle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TpHKQwBRndo/T0ej4VHSyFI/AAAAAAAAAcA/BhhIulDxw2w/s320/1202+Simon+and+Grafunkle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bookends</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPUOqBE2m8Q/T0ekKmcsEQI/AAAAAAAAAcI/0YIz1TDIB5A/s1600/1202+Sun.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPUOqBE2m8Q/T0ekKmcsEQI/AAAAAAAAAcI/0YIz1TDIB5A/s320/1202+Sun.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over Kitulo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-4827161276873266792012-02-15T22:58:00.000-08:002012-02-15T22:58:05.124-08:00Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rsmw0BMQ2zg/Tzyjr3d-eGI/AAAAAAAAAZY/B9NorBBfI3I/s1600/1202+Jermy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rsmw0BMQ2zg/Tzyjr3d-eGI/AAAAAAAAAZY/B9NorBBfI3I/s320/1202+Jermy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7l7ldDGWu7Q/TzykGh3cZzI/AAAAAAAAAZg/8CLASVxP2jI/s1600/1202+Kid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7l7ldDGWu7Q/TzykGh3cZzI/AAAAAAAAAZg/8CLASVxP2jI/s320/1202+Kid.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing kid on the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b>Kigali 16.02.2012</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This Week has been a lot of waiting, but we got a nice reward in the end, so to sum it up, it hasn’t been too bad. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We planned to climb the Niarangongo on Saturday the 11<sup>th</sup>. Jeremy arrived in Gisenyi on Friday in the evening, so everything was set except for the Visas. Roger and I got our Visas on Saturday, but Jeremy’s did not come at all. On Monday we finally got confirmed something we’d expected for some time. They had messed up with Jeremy’s Visa application, and forgotten to send it to the authorities, so the process was not even started. At that point we’d already decided to go without Jeremy on Tuesday if he couldn’t come by then, and so we did. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">But waiting was not all we did in Gisenyi. Being camped on the beach of course gave us a lot of “beach-time”, but due to personal preference and rather chill and rainy weather we dropped the common beach activities like sun/water-bathing. A lot of time was spent reading, some repairing tent and chairs and some cutting my hair. I gave Jeremy a go, who’d never cut someone’s hair before, and demanded half-long overland style. First he made it half-long, and then he tried to make the overland style. In the end he said I’d gotten the half-long hardcore overland style, which was fine with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We also used the time to do two trips around Gisenyi, along the Nile-Congo-Trail, a trail along the Lake Kivu. The landscape was beautiful and we found a hot spring and a waterfall. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Tuseday we were finally set for Congo. Jeremy was sadly left behind at the border, while the two of us and Wombosi crossed cost (except prepaid Visa) and hassle-free. Soon after, we were standing at the foot of the Niarangongo, Roger in his Istanbul-shoes, which gave him quite some trouble, and I in my Namibia-shoes who behaved much better. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">And off we went with two rangers to climb from 1900 meters altitude to 3470 meters. Getting up took us about four hours, and at first sight we were disappointed at the sight. Instead of watching the volcano, we relaxed and sent out a couple of Valentine-sms’, because you’re not in DRC too often. When night came, we gave the volcano another go, and this time it really impressed us. The Niarangongo is not an active volcano in the sense that it spits and grows, but it has the biggest lava-lake in Africa, that glows and smokes. We obviously spend some time sitting on the edge of the crater taking plenty of pictures, until we got really cold and crept into our sleeping bags. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Yesterday we got up early, and descended in only two hours. Before noon we were back in Rwanda after yet another trouble free border crossing. We said goodbye to Jeremy and headed for Kigali, were we first went to the genocide-memorial, and then found a nice American pastor who let us camp in his garden. If everything goes smoothly, we’ll be in Tanzania tonight. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Genocide-memorial here in Kigali is a really good museum (even to European standards), and it is free of charge. It tells the story about the Rwandan genocide, where the Hutus (a people) slaughtered 800 000 or more Tutsis (another people) within only three months. The story is terrifying, but to see how Rwanda has managed to get up after this incident in 1994 is incredible. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">What happened here was really bad, and can easily be compared with the holocaust in Europe or what the Red Khmer did in Cambodia, which is systematically whipping out a people (or group of people) in the cruelest way without regarding gender or age. Many Tutsis were cut up with machete, kids beaten to death and women raped in front of their children, and yet the Rwanda you find today is peaceful and quiet. There has been a lot of focus on Rwandans as one people, and healing the wounds not by revenge, and it works. Rwanda is really a remarkable country to African standards, with a history and a present that impresses. We’ll leave Rwanda with a positive feeling. The land of the thousand hills in friendly. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8FEY5YRPcxQ/TzykWW_xecI/AAAAAAAAAZo/jmTB2zkrats/s1600/1202+Kigali.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8FEY5YRPcxQ/TzykWW_xecI/AAAAAAAAAZo/jmTB2zkrats/s320/1202+Kigali.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kigali</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fK2Gr6QuXYQ/TzykwrcpY_I/AAAAAAAAAZw/Pdrx-wyIDdw/s1600/1202+Lava+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fK2Gr6QuXYQ/TzykwrcpY_I/AAAAAAAAAZw/Pdrx-wyIDdw/s320/1202+Lava+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lava-lake 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-43kKSsMlojE/TzylG40swGI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/HqFFpbcciTg/s1600/1202+Lava+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-43kKSsMlojE/TzylG40swGI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/HqFFpbcciTg/s320/1202+Lava+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lava-lake 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nm9K5Hs7s_g/TzylZppba4I/AAAAAAAAAaA/QV_NuWtf3-M/s1600/1202+New+Hairstyle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nm9K5Hs7s_g/TzylZppba4I/AAAAAAAAAaA/QV_NuWtf3-M/s320/1202+New+Hairstyle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the haiscut</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CQuxO95WlI/TzylxcQ3l1I/AAAAAAAAAaI/alLPnnu9Jhg/s1600/1202+Plane+graveyard+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CQuxO95WlI/TzylxcQ3l1I/AAAAAAAAAaI/alLPnnu9Jhg/s320/1202+Plane+graveyard+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plane-grave-yard in Congo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ifgJE5Ip7Bc/TzymFFl2-YI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/TDS70iQZnzE/s1600/1202+Platz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ifgJE5Ip7Bc/TzymFFl2-YI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/TDS70iQZnzE/s320/1202+Platz.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our spot on the Gisenyi-beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CYMGifiId1w/TzymkNY3YGI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Ydrf2Le8qb4/s1600/1202+Roger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CYMGifiId1w/TzymkNY3YGI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Ydrf2Le8qb4/s320/1202+Roger.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger at the top of the Niarangongo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWnFsJVL7Hg/Tzym1ORTC8I/AAAAAAAAAag/FMwlf675qjc/s1600/1202+Shores+of+the+lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWnFsJVL7Hg/Tzym1ORTC8I/AAAAAAAAAag/FMwlf675qjc/s320/1202+Shores+of+the+lake.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Kivu</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y4Q8QCoxkBs/TzynODPTOeI/AAAAAAAAAao/J9dvELyJZY4/s1600/1202+The+land+ot+the+hills.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y4Q8QCoxkBs/TzynODPTOeI/AAAAAAAAAao/J9dvELyJZY4/s320/1202+The+land+ot+the+hills.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The land of the thousand hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jE0sTEzo4aY/TzyndgqNzcI/AAAAAAAAAaw/0-sG2cQdevs/s1600/1202+Up+up+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jE0sTEzo4aY/TzyndgqNzcI/AAAAAAAAAaw/0-sG2cQdevs/s320/1202+Up+up+up.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-59582782010715489092012-02-09T10:33:00.000-08:002012-02-09T10:33:20.134-08:00Time<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9dsmutmh9Dg/TzQOcyhUX-I/AAAAAAAAAYY/cLUP37C33c8/s1600/1201+Fully+loaded.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9dsmutmh9Dg/TzQOcyhUX-I/AAAAAAAAAYY/cLUP37C33c8/s320/1201+Fully+loaded.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full as usual</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eo0ayCg1ciM/TzQOikKWINI/AAAAAAAAAYg/z2d5c-0aDIo/s1600/1201+G3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eo0ayCg1ciM/TzQOikKWINI/AAAAAAAAAYg/z2d5c-0aDIo/s320/1201+G3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The banana carrier</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b><span lang="EN-US">Gisenyi (Rwanda) 09.02.2012</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We left Kampala and the crazy boda-bodas (moped-taxis) on Friday. On Thursday we had visited the Mabira-Forest with Ekkehard (Ekke). The Forest itself was a disappointment, presumable because our guide took us to the wrong way, but the day was great. We spent a couple of hours in a beautiful café in the forest, drinking tea, talking well and watching the apes jumping from tree to tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">To be back on the road was fantastic. It is hard to describe how immensely I enjoy driving through Africa at a medium pace, looking at the people and the landscape, listening to music, talking or just enjoying the quiet. It’s such a worry-free life. Hakuna matata, even though the breaks still don’t work properly. Hakuna matata, even though the swamps were too expensive and the cave not accessible at dusk and dawn when the bats come and go. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So off we went to Fort Portal, full of ideas of what Uganda had to offer. That things turned out to be too expensive for us or not available at all was surprisingly enough more to our amusement than to our disappointment. What we did have, was an amazing camping-spot just outside Queen Elisabeth NP, in the wilderness. Some whiskey made the spot even better! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The following morning we met an elderly Englishman with an elderly Land-Rover at the gate to the Ishasha part of Queen Elisabeth. Instead of visiting the tree-climbing lions, we tried to help the gentleman figuring out what was wrong with his Landy. That afternoon we had a beautiful drive along Bwindi Impenetrable NP. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The rest of our week has been spent figuring out the easiest way to climb the Niarangongo, the active volcano in Congo (DRC). We spent two days in Kisoro, organizing, and have now headed to Rwanda, to cross the border to Goma on foot. We’ll probably be climbing the mountain on the 11<sup>th</sup>, if we get our Congolese visa until then. Jeremy will be joining us, caching up with us here in Gisenyi on the 10<sup>th</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">In Kisoro we were so lucky to stumble across a group of American girls. On Monday evening we sat until after one in the night outside our tent (easily the latest evening we’ve had) talking and (of course) playing guitar and singing. It was refreshing to meet a different kind of people than what we’ve met the last weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Rwanda has also been a good experience so far. The border was very smooth, and the landscape beautiful. For African standards Rwanda is an extremely clean and ordered country. Ekke described it as Africa’s Singapore, and that’s not too far from the truth considering that plastic-bags are forbidden, and you can be fined having one=). The first night here, we camped on a beautiful spot in the forest, and now we’re camped on the public beach of Gisenyi, and (it seems) legally so. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This morning we were woken by the alarm of Wombosi. We raced out of our tent to see that one of the back windows had been opened. The thief had disappeared, and with him Rogers Leatherman. We were lucky though, not to lose more. He could have grabbed one of the camera-bags, and if it had not been for the alarm we’d be much poorer now. The rest of the day has been beachy; swimming, sun-beading, reading e.t.c.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The last week has for me been one of the best, not because of what we’ve seen, but because of the time we’ve had, the people around me (Roger of course most importantly) and the enormous feeling of freedom and safety. The blessings to take it slowly many westerners have forgotten, these days. Good temperature and nice sceneries add to it. It is incredible how good package-soup and noodles taste, even the third evening in a row. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjIeIPiR6CY/TzQOoXD2suI/AAAAAAAAAYo/sDNPKEuHVg4/s1600/1201+Long+Horns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjIeIPiR6CY/TzQOoXD2suI/AAAAAAAAAYo/sDNPKEuHVg4/s320/1201+Long+Horns.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looooong horns</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zc2kRYrwpz0/TzQOszvF36I/AAAAAAAAAYw/P5e9sfnMxlo/s1600/1202+Ape+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zc2kRYrwpz0/TzQOszvF36I/AAAAAAAAAYw/P5e9sfnMxlo/s320/1202+Ape+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger in beach mode</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htgge42wI88/TzQOxD7zqzI/AAAAAAAAAY4/S6fJB3uWTP8/s1600/1202+Ape.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htgge42wI88/TzQOxD7zqzI/AAAAAAAAAY4/S6fJB3uWTP8/s320/1202+Ape.JPG" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ape</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9Rrx4MK6wk/TzQO4X0TVTI/AAAAAAAAAZA/mESXpGl05cM/s1600/1202+Brilliant+campind+spot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9Rrx4MK6wk/TzQO4X0TVTI/AAAAAAAAAZA/mESXpGl05cM/s320/1202+Brilliant+campind+spot.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brilliant spot to camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-prAEGGuTe7k/TzQO8XTIf-I/AAAAAAAAAZI/liT4iVMiUok/s1600/1202+Ekke.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-prAEGGuTe7k/TzQO8XTIf-I/AAAAAAAAAZI/liT4iVMiUok/s320/1202+Ekke.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ekke</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bzX2UFvw5E/TzQPD6CwY-I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/xV6lDo7YNXo/s1600/1202+Stranddag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bzX2UFvw5E/TzQPD6CwY-I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/xV6lDo7YNXo/s320/1202+Stranddag.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-69290535576621566302012-02-01T09:45:00.000-08:002012-02-04T00:55:49.220-08:00The Happiest Days of Our Lives<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fVEVbZpCREQ/TylxAoomZSI/AAAAAAAAAXA/Fp0xWZLm1i8/s1600/1201+_.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fVEVbZpCREQ/TylxAoomZSI/AAAAAAAAAXA/Fp0xWZLm1i8/s320/1201+_.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful guy</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b>Kampala 01.02.2012</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Uganda is an absolutely beautiful country. You get gas and bread everywhere, the landscape is nice, the wildlife good and the Ugandans themselves are incredibly friendly. I’ve heard that they are thieves and liars as soon as money is involved, but my own experience down here has been splendid so far. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We had a relaxing day of planning in Juba last Tuesday, getting our clothes washed, the car clean and reading guidebooks and maps. Our first destination in Uganda was the Murchison-Falls NP. We got there on Thursday and spend two full days in the park. The main attraction is the fall, which was impressive enough. The other thing, that I enjoyed at least as much was the game. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We did two game-drives, and even if we were unlucky with the cats (we only spotted some lions quite far away in the grass) we had some nice encounters. The absolute highlight was a meeting with a small group of Elephants. They crossed the Road only two or three meters ahead and behind of the car. We had turned off the engine, and were surrounded by the huge animals for some minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">In the park we also met doctor Ekkehard, a German doctor on tropical medicine, who has been around in Africa for over 30 years, and has worked in as many African countries. He actually joined us on our second game-drive, and could tell us amazing stories. He has also given us a lot of ideas and inspiration on what to do here in Uganda. It’s a shame that our time here is quite limited due to Roger’s flight from Lilongwe. I think I’ll have to come back here and track around for some weeks or even months. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Ekkehard has also organized the place we’re living here in Kampala. We have stayed here for some two or three days to fix Wombosi a bit. He needed a general service, and the breaks finally needed some tending to. We’re staying at a friend of Ekkhard’s place. They’re both crazy about African art, so this place is full of sculptures and statues.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As you can read between the lines, we have had a splendid time. Not just have our western friends (Margo in Juba and Ekkehard here) been an absolute blessing, but also the Ugandans have made our time great. They are always smiling, asking how you are doing and helping us out with whatever little we need. In the evenings we have not wild-camped (in its proper sense), but have went to a Church or School or other compound and asked if we could stay there for the night, and not one time have we been rejected or asked for money for it. People even come to us and thank us for staying at their place. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Tomorrow we are heading on a day trip to some semi-primary forest, with those gigantic trees with Ekkehard. We’ll also use it as a test-drive for Wombosi. We have fixed the vacuum-pump of the breaks, but the breaks are still not functioning as they are supposed to, but they might just need some time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The plan ahead is to use some more days here in Uganda, focusing on the mountains in the South-West. We might even wander across the border to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to an active volcano called Niarangongo. That would be absolutely fantastic! After that we’ll be heading into Rwanda, stay there a few days before we hit Tanzania. Tanzania will probably be a bit of a drive-through. We just don’t have the time to appreciate everything as much as it should be, but I guess that says a lot about how blessed we are. Anyways, you’ll hear from me before that time, so you can see how it evolves for yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4wNo4mHH_fE/TylxJgW-dKI/AAAAAAAAAXI/bmZ5-OMDZRw/s1600/1201+Buffalo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4wNo4mHH_fE/TylxJgW-dKI/AAAAAAAAAXI/bmZ5-OMDZRw/s320/1201+Buffalo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boooo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w3TndAMjf10/Tylxa_FiWaI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/tNG21F0EESo/s1600/1201+Elle+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w3TndAMjf10/Tylxa_FiWaI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/tNG21F0EESo/s320/1201+Elle+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful Elephant! Boom boom</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wXm6H04SN4/Tylxl7akoCI/AAAAAAAAAXY/FV23brpKcgA/s1600/1201+Equator.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wXm6H04SN4/Tylxl7akoCI/AAAAAAAAAXY/FV23brpKcgA/s320/1201+Equator.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we met at the middle...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PAjSvxmTfA4/TylxxCYNYtI/AAAAAAAAAXg/7bl5spDEPsk/s1600/1201+G3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PAjSvxmTfA4/TylxxCYNYtI/AAAAAAAAAXg/7bl5spDEPsk/s320/1201+G3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrXuKksSnAI/Tylx7s2_qZI/AAAAAAAAAXo/HY2xynZXTnU/s1600/1201+Roger+with+new+LPN.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrXuKksSnAI/Tylx7s2_qZI/AAAAAAAAAXo/HY2xynZXTnU/s320/1201+Roger+with+new+LPN.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"New" license-plate-number</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0psG3LBbho/TylyIlTNVFI/AAAAAAAAAXw/enGlOk7a_4o/s1600/1201+Roger_Jesus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0psG3LBbho/TylyIlTNVFI/AAAAAAAAAXw/enGlOk7a_4o/s320/1201+Roger_Jesus.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCECfWgiZNM/TylyXUXx4KI/AAAAAAAAAX4/j5FxhKIEa4g/s1600/1201+Tompson_.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCECfWgiZNM/TylyXUXx4KI/AAAAAAAAAX4/j5FxhKIEa4g/s320/1201+Tompson_.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thompson</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSeNT92YxdI/TylyiRPsfXI/AAAAAAAAAYA/ucjSrHhGQ6w/s1600/1201+Warthog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSeNT92YxdI/TylyiRPsfXI/AAAAAAAAAYA/ucjSrHhGQ6w/s320/1201+Warthog.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird riding a warthog</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Dh1aDlWICI/TylyxS8l53I/AAAAAAAAAYI/fJ4J9viHIDw/s1600/DSC_2912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Dh1aDlWICI/TylyxS8l53I/AAAAAAAAAYI/fJ4J9viHIDw/s320/DSC_2912.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wave</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6dKxVEc9uEs/Tyly-t6W-6I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/lm2skaUlUNI/s1600/DSC_2925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6dKxVEc9uEs/Tyly-t6W-6I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/lm2skaUlUNI/s320/DSC_2925.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshly "showered" by the falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-56813961753845356532012-01-23T12:20:00.000-08:002012-01-23T12:20:49.901-08:00Learning to Fly<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zXifexjpvvQ/Tx25q4lnGzI/AAAAAAAAAVg/Kk_0NIVzQJU/s1600/1201+Ajaj+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zXifexjpvvQ/Tx25q4lnGzI/AAAAAAAAAVg/Kk_0NIVzQJU/s320/1201+Ajaj+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajajaj, look at the wheels</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krX_hrU4dXM/Tx25-xwK-DI/AAAAAAAAAVo/eQ8UDcVn8mU/s1600/1201+Ajaj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krX_hrU4dXM/Tx25-xwK-DI/AAAAAAAAAVo/eQ8UDcVn8mU/s320/1201+Ajaj.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After almost five hours we prepared for a last try</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HYMMZNxyQe4/Tx26lfDcZvI/AAAAAAAAAV4/Ldw06GEY_X4/s1600/1201+Filling+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HYMMZNxyQe4/Tx26lfDcZvI/AAAAAAAAAV4/Ldw06GEY_X4/s320/1201+Filling+water.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling water</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lXUlo6mK7sk/Tx26RxTNdKI/AAAAAAAAAVw/RHK_6eO3e4o/s1600/1201+Ethiopian+forest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lXUlo6mK7sk/Tx26RxTNdKI/AAAAAAAAAVw/RHK_6eO3e4o/s320/1201+Ethiopian+forest.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethiopian forest after Mizan-Teferi</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PzJcayb9qx8/Tx262Y2Q2rI/AAAAAAAAAWA/fKxiIrqNefc/s1600/1201+John.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PzJcayb9qx8/Tx262Y2Q2rI/AAAAAAAAAWA/fKxiIrqNefc/s320/1201+John.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John, one of the two soldiers who joined from Boma to Juba</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuSfRJ5l57s/Tx27HjX3xxI/AAAAAAAAAWI/CyxZkNYQv1I/s1600/1201+Last+camping+in+Etiopia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuSfRJ5l57s/Tx27HjX3xxI/AAAAAAAAAWI/CyxZkNYQv1I/s320/1201+Last+camping+in+Etiopia.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last camping in Ethiopia, 30 km. from the border</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ5oiGAN61E/Tx27WTclTrI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/st7hDRnVav8/s1600/1201+Morning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ5oiGAN61E/Tx27WTclTrI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/st7hDRnVav8/s320/1201+Morning.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A church in South-Sudan, early morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDEhxdm-6VI/Tx27oqh5vqI/AAAAAAAAAWY/dby0-IbGOG8/s1600/1201+Roger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDEhxdm-6VI/Tx27oqh5vqI/AAAAAAAAAWY/dby0-IbGOG8/s1600/1201+Roger.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-geMibuATsfA/Tx28HutjcWI/AAAAAAAAAWo/qBC542bCuyM/s1600/1201+To+the+border.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-geMibuATsfA/Tx28HutjcWI/AAAAAAAAAWo/qBC542bCuyM/s320/1201+To+the+border.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wombosi at dusk</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5cqq77BZEs/Tx273cgQkaI/AAAAAAAAAWg/sgugUPTNZG4/s1600/1201+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5cqq77BZEs/Tx273cgQkaI/AAAAAAAAAWg/sgugUPTNZG4/s320/1201+Sunset.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset in Ethiopia</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Kapoeta 22.01.2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This extended week has been so full of adventure that it is hard to begin telling anything. It has been filled with many hours in a car with partly working breaks on nonexistent roads, being the first tourist crossing the border at Raad between Ethiopia and South-Sudan ever (according to the local authorities) and the fist car to cross a 95 kilometer long stretch of “road” since July. It has been a lot of car and driving, but it has also been meeting the South-Sudanese people, that are truly amazing. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1iUfJfVs4zw/Tx28gqm0vGI/AAAAAAAAAWw/l9y_8pJA4rg/s1600/Filling++Diesel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1iUfJfVs4zw/Tx28gqm0vGI/AAAAAAAAAWw/l9y_8pJA4rg/s320/Filling++Diesel.JPG" width="214" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling Diesel</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">To start at the start: We left Addis when all the preparations were taken with high hopes. Already after half a day a diesel-tube in the engine broke. We managed to fix the tube alright, but it had spilled diesel on the master-cylinder of the breaks, and ruined the brake servo. We had to do our customs in Jimma, over 400 km. before the border. This went smoothly on Monday. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Tuesday we wanted to get all the way to Sudan, but when the servo broke again between Mizan-Teferi and Dimma, that plan was spoiled. I fixed the problem while Roger hitched to Dimma and came back with transmission/servo-fluid 4 hours later. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The next morning we came to the border at Raad. The road from Mizan to Raad is good gravel all the way now. The Border was OK. The Ethiopians were not very friendly, but let us pass after some inspection (even if the customs were finished). The South-Sudanese were a complete contrast. They were super-friendly, asked us to sit down and really helped us. We couldn’t get an entry stamp at the border, but they radioed the next town, Boma, so they knew we would be coming, and would give us the stamp we needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The following 95 km- were a big adventure. The road was not driven for half a year, and the grass was three meters high so it was a blessing that we had a local soldier with us. The vehicle that had moved there last were huge trucks that had left deep tracks our “small” Wombosi couldn’t drive in. It is unnecessary to say that we got stuck plenty of times. Thursday morning we used five hours to cross a small river, and both we and Wombosi were very tired when we finally reached Boma that evening. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">In Boma we met a man working for Joint Aid Management (JAM) who offered us to camp on JAMs compound. Friday we got our stamp and used the rest of the day to clean and repair Wombosi who had suffered damage on the track rod (steering) and the track-rod protection was broken. He also had some minor damage on his brakes. That night we met a lady from New-Zeeland working for the UN, who offered us to stay at here place in Juba when we got there, so now we are heading there to try our luck as street-musicians in the world’s youngest capital. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The track from Boma to Kapoeta has taken us one and a half day, heavily bending the track-rod one more time, sleeping in a church compound, driving through a lake with water to the bonnet, eating biscuits to lunch (the rest of our bread being rotten) and, believe it or not, meeting some young Norwegians working for the Peace Corps in the area. This time we took two soldiers who wanted a lift to Juba. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It’s been a very fascinating week. I would not recommend this route to other quite yet, unless they are hardcore and have luck as we had, but in some years the roads will be much better and the route will be a good alternative to the typical Moyale route. Huge thanks for making it goes to Roger who has proved physically strong and maybe more importantly mentally positive when I had my moments when things looked really black. We wouldn’t have made it without the good help we have gotten from our South-Sudanese friends either, who really have helped us out, even if we had no Sudanese pounds to pay them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">South-Sudan is a hot country with bad roads, but a very colorful people with the decorations and bare breasts that have made south-west Ethiopia so famous. It’s hard to imagine that this country has been through the longest lasting civil war in African history, and still continue fighting their neighbors in the north and among themselves. They have an incredibly ability to show love and happiness towards us strangers. I really wish this young country all the best and many years of peace and prosperity.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOcYegDKQBY/Tx28j8Zu6lI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Pu-2koNiNcE/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOcYegDKQBY/Tx28j8Zu6lI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Pu-2koNiNcE/s320/Untitled.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For your orientation</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Juba 23.01.2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The last stage to Juba went well this morning. The afternoon, we spent earning some money playing music. We got 38 South-Sudanese pounds (ca 10 USD) in two hours, and were very happy with that. We’ll stay here tomorrow, and then head towards Kampala, were we hope to spend some more time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-16691470594595955522012-01-10T13:19:00.000-08:002012-01-10T13:19:08.751-08:00The Hero's Return<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><u><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">By guest-writer Roger Drange<u></u><u></u></span></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Well, I finally got my silky Norwegian body to Addis, to join Hans on his splendid adventure. I must say it has been a marvelous first week, and I am glad that my beloved Hans let me join him, me being such a lousy student and all.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I arrived on Wednesday the 5<sup>th</sup>, and was very satisfied when my mentor, Hans, picked me up at the airport after that humpy bumpy flight. The flight was alright, except from that I was not allowed to go to the toilet to spread my water for three harsh hours because of terrible weather and turbulence and all. For those of you who know me, you surely understand that it is not “only only” (as we Norwegians put it) for me to sit several hours without letting out my water.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Me, Hans, and Klaus went on an expedition north to Lalibela from Friday to Monday. We saw a lot of crazy nature and buildings and people and animals and all.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The road we chose was kind of not the one that we wanted to choose, but after seeing the road we didn’t want to choose for some 150 km on gravel we kind of wanted to choose it anyway, so we chose it, and for that I am very glad. We made camp on the first night on 3500 meters above sea level, which was quite cold, but very beautiful. The valleys took the breath out of all of us.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We arrived in Lalibela on Sunday morning. Lalibela is well known for its rock-hewn churches, and I must admit that they were fascinating. The journey to Lalibela was even more fascinating, though. We didn’t stay in Lalibela, but had to head back towards Addis the same afternoon.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Before we left Lalibela, Hans got a phone call from his friend Jeremy (the one that he traveled through Sudan with). Jeremy had some major problems with his motorbike. We decided to be good Samaritans, and offered our help, and ended up with the motorbike (Africa Twin 800) inside Hans` lovely Wombosi, and transported the beautiful bike to Addis. Jeremy himself stayed up north, and will travel around for some more days before he comes to Addis to pick up – and fix – his bike.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We will now wait in Addis for some days, trying to get a visa for South Sudan. We hope that we will get out visas, so that we can visit this rather new country.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">That is all for now. Do as we do, take care.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><u><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Afterword by Hans<u></u><u></u></span></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It is indeed a pleasure to have Roger here with me, and our first expedition was very good. The nature in northern Ethiopia is grander than anything I have seen, probably with the exception of the Alps. It was also good to get some days traveling with daddy, having planned to have a lot more time together with him all the way from Khartoum to Addis.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Blogspot is blocked here in Ethiopia, so I cannot access my blog. This means that I will try to publish this post by sending an e-mail to my Blog. Having never done this, I don’t know how the post will look. I can’t answer your comments either, but look forward to read them as soon as I am in South-Sudan.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Wombosi has got himself a roof-rag, and if the Visa goes swiftly we’ll leave town next weekend. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span></span></div></div>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-78221678743725988612012-01-03T02:41:00.000-08:002012-01-03T02:41:13.185-08:00Welcome to the Machine<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>329</o:Words> <o:Characters>1876</o:Characters> <o:Company>Luk Corporations Inc</o:Company> <o:Lines>15</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>2201</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>14.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>NO-BOK</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Addis Ababa 03.01.2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Happy New Year!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2012 has started, and man, it’s going to be a real exciting year. Today I visited the South-Sudanese embassy and it seems I can go that way. The road (if existent) is not passable at the moment because of rain, but if the rain has stopped (as I think), it might be possible in about two weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The people who expected me to have a lot of time to sit around and read over Christmas (me included) were very wrong. On the 27<sup>th</sup>, the whole family climbed into Wombosi, and we set out for the west. I got to admit that I feared a lot of crying and problems with Sophie’s two boys, Markus (2 years and 8 month) and Jacob (8 month), but they were angels, sleeping most of the time, even on 14-hours-in-in-the-car days. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We went to Boji (West of Nekemte) and down to the Blue-Nile-Valley and back. We were back in Addis after dark on New-Years-Eve. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The trip was very nice. It is different to travel with a family of 8 people, including small children, but nice for some days. My parents work in this area, so we could sleep in the company’s guest-houses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ethiopia is a wonderful country, at least to look at. When coming from Sudan, the Ethiopians seem almost evil. This is, partly because they aren’t a very friendly people, and partly because the Sudanese are. The scenery here though, is fantastic, and I’ve only seen it in the dry season, when everything is somehow grey. Baboons and other apes are often seen, and we even stumbled across a hyena crossing the road. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wombosi was jet again a very good boy, but on the way back he lost some of his exhaust on a bad stretch of road. Having some hundred kilometers to go, Mparany offered his belt, and we tied up the rest of it. Tomorrow the whole thing will be welded back into place. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The days here in Addis are full of program. Wombosi needs some attention, gathering information on the newest state in the world does, and of course I want to spend time with the family too. Next weekend I might be heading north to Lalibela with daddy and Roger. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 195.85pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The title of this post is of course referring to the arrival of Roger. He arrives on Wednesday, and we’ll be driving all the way to Lilongwe in Malawi together.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 195.85pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
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</div><!--EndFragment-->Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-19170239596192104442011-12-24T02:35:00.000-08:002011-12-24T02:35:00.757-08:00Remember a Day<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cv9UHnrQn9M/TvWjg8XizBI/AAAAAAAAAR0/s3mjW-EFYtQ/s1600/1110+On+the+barge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cv9UHnrQn9M/TvWjg8XizBI/AAAAAAAAAR0/s3mjW-EFYtQ/s320/1110+On+the+barge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wombosi on the barge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Addis Ababa 24.12.2011</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I wish you all a merry Christmas. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Believe it or not, I made it to Addis in good time before Christmas. I arrived here already Thursday (22th) at noon, which means that I drove 2500 kilometers in four days. Wombosi has been a very good boy, so I could drive from dawn to well after dark every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ULC3doPNU-0/TvWmn3mU4cI/AAAAAAAAASg/7ABtdPB8DQw/s1600/1110+Desert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ULC3doPNU-0/TvWmn3mU4cI/AAAAAAAAASg/7ABtdPB8DQw/s320/1110+Desert.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert in Sudan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FRfapGsAcK0/TvWmzoA8QhI/AAAAAAAAASo/rcrrRAto7B4/s1600/1110+Jeremy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FRfapGsAcK0/TvWmzoA8QhI/AAAAAAAAASo/rcrrRAto7B4/s320/1110+Jeremy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy eats breakfast in Wadi-Halfa</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtqAfi86KFM/TvWm_OITzzI/AAAAAAAAASw/eJjzMkb0fL4/s1600/1110+WH+west.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtqAfi86KFM/TvWm_OITzzI/AAAAAAAAASw/eJjzMkb0fL4/s320/1110+WH+west.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "slum" in Wadi Halfa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset x</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-US">The cars were clear of the customs on Sunday at noon, so we still had a half day of driving that Sunday. I went together with Jeremy, and got to ride his Africa-Twin (motorbike) a couple of kilometers. While looking for a place to camp, we got in trouble with the police, so it was late before we settled down that night. Still we lit a campfire, and talked well into the night. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The following morning we split up, and the rest of Sudan was solemnly driving. The border crossing was smoother than expected, even if I had to wait two hours for a cashier who was praying and eating. The Ethiopian side was very swift and free of charge!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Driving in Ethiopia was much slower than in Sudan. Sudan is an empty desert, while Ethiopia is full of Ethiopians, and they have plenty of donkeys and oxen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Now I’m half the way, and of course it’s good to be with the family and the kids. On the other hand, as my trip will soon be over, I have to start thinking of what to do after Wombosi has come to Madagascar. Should I study, or should I continue the life on the road? To be honest, the latter appeals much more to me than the first. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Today is Christmas-Eve, and as usual, I’m not in a Christmas mood. This year I missed the “foreplay”, with advent and carols, so it’ll come down hard on me this time. The weather in the Ethiopian highland is blue skies and 20 degrees. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arqBCZN3K2w/TvWp-jlLSNI/AAAAAAAAATE/hmJrC3T2iYI/s1600/1112+Stone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arqBCZN3K2w/TvWp-jlLSNI/AAAAAAAAATE/hmJrC3T2iYI/s320/1112+Stone.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What is this?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HEqyYevRMbI/TvWqNYeq9xI/AAAAAAAAATM/DeVQonfRUbg/s1600/1112+Stroh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HEqyYevRMbI/TvWqNYeq9xI/AAAAAAAAATM/DeVQonfRUbg/s320/1112+Stroh.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-US">Enjoy your Christmas, wherever you celebrate it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192894764817880217.post-558119066684495392011-12-17T01:51:00.000-08:002011-12-17T01:59:37.039-08:00Waiting for the Worms<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><b>Wadi Halfa 17.12.2011</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">I’ve been long enough in Africa; one should think- that I know about African time. If someone or something is supposed to arrive at a certain time, you can normally add some hours, and then it will come. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Still, this barge and the Sudanese officials have managed to exceed my expectations of African time. The barge arrived Thursday evening, and yesterday was Friday – no one working. Today is Saturday, so they don’t work today either, so hopefully things will happen tomorrow. When they came with bad news the first days, I got a little bit angry, and tried to push things to happen, but now I just smile. I feel powerless.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The time is not that bad though. Even the ferry trip was better than expected, much thanks to the great people I have around me. We are in total ten people who wait for our vehicles- five bikers, Wombosi and two other Land-Rovers. Jeremy, one of the bikers, is also traveling alone, and we have camped in the desert these days. During the day we sit in town and read our books, or walk the few kilometres to the harbour to see if something happens. If we would have known that nothing would happen before tomorrow, we would have done some trips, but every day they say something might happen, and then nothing does…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">I don’t want to give a bad impression on the Sudanese people. They are very friendly, and we feel better here than in Egypt, but it is just that we’d like to see something else than just Wadi Halfa in Sudan. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">This time I won’t try to make any prophecy on when I’ll be in Addis, but I’ll let you know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540517005418015377noreply@blogger.com5