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Location Date South America 1300838400 Oceania 1296345600 Africa 
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Location Date Wed, 22 September 2010 1285159668 Sat, 18 September 2010 1284818340 Sat, 18 September 2010 1284818333 Sat, 18 September 2010 1284818324 Sat, 18 September 2010 1284818317 Sat, 18 September 2010 1284818262 Fri, 17 September 2010
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HI
We are now in Botswana having crossed the border from Zambia yesterday afternoon. It was supposed to be a relatively short day leaving camp at 8.30 on our wonderful new tour truck (has reclining seats, better windows, washing bowl and powder for clothes and generally new everything), to arrive at new camp by lunchtime. But T.I.A (This is Africa) we had to cross a section of the Zambezi on a chain ferry which are supposed to run constantly. We arrived at the small port just as a lorry had overshot the end of the ferry and was stuck hanging off the bow .. it was an hour and half before the ferry started to make the crossing from Botwana to Zambia then our truck didn;t fit on so that had to come on the ferry behind us. All in all it took 2 and half hours to get across. Then our new driver Colin stopped to show us an elephant on the side of the road, which was in itself ok but after we moved off we were chased and flagged down by some angry Police officers. Apparently he was supposed to have caused a road blockage by stopping (not ture as there were no other vehicles about) and he hadn't seen them in his mirror trying to flag them down. They said he had to pay a 1000 pula fine! He disagreed. So they confiscated his passport and driving licence and told him he would have to return to their office later. He dropped us off at the Immigration office and went back. It took him over an hour of haggling to get the issue sorted without paying any fine. It seems the Police are corrupt everywhere in this continent. Finally got to campiste about 5pm!!!
Today we had an early start 5.45am to go on a game drive in Chobe National Park. I awoke however, at 4am to the sound of hyiena and elephants!!! The elephants in particular sounded incredibly close. I bravely had a peep out of the tent to make sure they weren't that close before i could get back off to sleep. Fortunately, they were the other side of the fence which was about 30m from me. Colin slept under the stars and showed me their tracks at daybreak. They were a herd of about 20 apparently.
The game drive itself was fairly uneventful, I think we have been spoilt with the Maasai Mara and Seregeti but we did see a large herd of buffalo and a few hippo. This afternoon we are going on a river cruise where we should see plenty of crocodiles. We have 6 days in Botswana including a trip to the Okovango Delta. Really looking forward to that.
Hope everyone is well ... keep in touch it is great to hear from you.
xxxx
- comments
Rose Hi Anne, You seem to be having a wonderful time. Really jealous as I am sat here at work bored to tears. You were very brave with the thins you did on the Zambezi. I went white water rafting in America and we were allowed to get out and swim, but there were no crocs about, at least I don't think there were. Night are drawing in here and although we trained on Wednesday up Stodham Lane we had a job to see each other towards the end so next week I guess it will be back round the estate for 6 months, oh joy!! Take care. Rose x
Yvonne Grayson Ha Anne - yet another bored office worker relplying to your blog - As a little girl I used to camp by the Chobe river with my brother and Dad - don't know if there is that much to see in Botswana - but all you say about the police - fines etc - sounds pretty typical. They are keeping you pretty busy by the sounds of it - brrr it is getting bloody cold here now and had to cycle to work in leggings - Arrgghhhh - you look very happy and relaxed in the pics - don't pick a fight with any of the crocs! Await your next blog!!!
laurie Hi AnneLovely to read your blogs! Sounds like you are having a fabulous time! Incredible experiences.. I am sure these memories will last you a lifetime. We have sad news.. poor old Lucy had to be put to sleep last night. We believe she may have suffered a stroke as she completely lost the use of her back legs. Feels strange not to have a little black nose sniffing around for food to steal. Nights drawing in, leaves are changing and am tempted to dust off the log burner... Keep us posted.. love youxx Laurie Hi Laurie. So sorry to hear about Lucy ... She was a lovely dog and certainly gave us a few good stories. The Easter egg saga and chocoate cake episode spring to mind straight away. Strange to think that it's autumn over there now. 40c here phew! Hope everything else is ok. Think about you guys lots. Keep in touch. xxx
Leo Hi Anne. Your blogs are great, I could almost be there! It's Friday 17th Sept and the Goodwood Revival is on!. If I balance on climbing frames I can just see the odd Spitfire! I think I'm going as a 1950's Rocker on Sunday. Ha! Watch out for elephant poo ! Leo x
jennifer phillips Hi Anne, your journey sounds every eventful we had no such trouble but then we didn't have a brand new spanking bus either you lucky sod! I guess at the time you were all cheesed off but heh its a good story to remember. At least you didn't have a helicopter land on the roof of your truck that happened to another group that were travelling the same route us it was pretty serious but fortunatley no-one was hurt. I know what you mean about Chobe it didn't compare with the Maasai but it still really good. Well i am staying in a swanky boutique hotel in hanoi at the moment and it is totally luxury i have a computer in my room a massifffff bed and a jacuzui bath - just trying to make you jealous now ha ha. Hows tent life for you hee hee. and i am flying later today to bangkok to start my tour of Thailand. Only a few more weeks left boo boo. Anyways have fun, it sounds like you are which i am pleased about i would have hated it if i had encouraged you to do that trip and you didn't enjoy it! Jen Hi Jen, I can't believe your trip has only weeks left. I am really enjoying Africa but so very frustrated with the internet. Yet again today I've failed the facebook challenge and cant get on. Connections so slow which means I don't get time to read your posts either but I get the gist that you are having an amazing time. We really must make sure we meet up next year to compare notes. By the way, thanks for the pillow tip... it's my best mate!!! Take care and keep in touch xxx