I'mmmm back (on the airways that is). Sorry folks haven't had access to Internet in some of the remote areas, so have to update while we have it, could be a few days before we get it again. Don't forget to make comments, it makes interesting reading and I will be getting this blog made into a book as a momento. I have not uploaded a lot of photos because it takes a lot of Internet usage, so have put up some of the more interesting ones. I have heaps more.

Wed 13 April

We arrived mid afternoon in Swakopmund. It is a biggish town on the Western coast of Africa (still in Namibia). We checked into our fancy hotel. I'm liking this 'African wilderness in Comfort' trip! The accommodation has been superb, no complaints, very upmarket and quality plus - even the tents and chalets 4-5 star! The food equally as good.

We then had the rest of the day to wander around the town. Some of us went to the local craft markets. It was like being back in Bali (Kuta beach), where they chase after you for a sale. I bought a Giraffe, got it at a bargain price!

Thursday 14 April

Not a good day, a few of us (including myself) went down with a tummy bug. I spent the day between my bed and bathroom - not much fun! Fortunately I had my travel kit with medical aids and only lasted 24 hours. Thank god we were in that hotel for two nights, needed the time to recuperate. Unfortunately, I missed out on quad biking in the sand dunes and a dolphin cruise - that would have been more fun than doing the porcelain yawn! (sorry too much information?)

Friday 15 April

Feeling a bit better today! We travelled a a fair distance inland, a bumpy drive to a place in the middle of, again, what seemed like nowhere. It was only a place to stop overnight on our way to Etosha. The overnight stay was incredible it was called Ugab Terrace Lodge and was sat way up on a hill overlooking the valley. It was so steep to get up we had to leave the bus behind and 4 wheel drives (from the lodge) came to fetch us.

What a view! Still feeling poorly I turned in after dinner for an early night, (we are up and away from each place early each morning, getting out of bed most mornings by 5.30-6.00 am, days are long, but full of interesting stuff).

Saturday 16 April

We left the lodge and headed North East. After 2 hours, we stopped to visit a semi-nomadic tribe, the Himba tribe. Took lots of great photos and enjoyed finding out about the intricate women's hairstyles, traditional dress and culture.After a stop for lunch and to stretch our legs we arrived at Etosha National Park. Our overnight accommodation, again, superb! We did a short game drive before dark, spotted some Zebra, Wilderbeest, Springbok (very common now, have seen lots of them) and a couple of Giraffes.

It's getting exciting - we are in game country now and will be doing a few game drives (safaris) in the next few days.

Sunday 17 April

Up at 4:30 for breakfast at 5:00 am and then safari starts at 6 am, from the Western to the Eastern side of the park. Bring it on, we want lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, rhinos..............First game drive of the day. We saw lion just after a kill. They were sitting and guarding their breakfast. The sun has only just risen, what a magnificent site. Of course we couldn't get too close, but they were certainly in view.

On the drive for hours we saw plenty of the usual, Springbok, Wilderbeest, Ostrich, Kudu, Oryx, Impala, lots of antelopes and birds - bustards.

Later on in the day we came across a family of Giraffes, there were five adults plus two babies, so cute.

They came really close to our vehicle, they were sooo beautiful. It gave me goose bumps! Again, had to pinch myself, am I really here on safari in A F R I C A!

OMG, this is awesome!

When we were having lunch, I said (to our lovely guide) "Adam those Giraffe were spectacular!" everyone laughed and Adam looked embarrassed - apparently it sounded like I said "Adam your arse is spectacular!" So now I am the butt of all jokes! ROTFL!

Early evening we saw a white Rhino, yeah a real one. Unfortunately, didn't get a photo, wasn't quick enough with the camera and it went and hid behind trees, lots of trees - it was a big one. Hopefully will see more and get a photo later.

Well we did see another Rhino; we went down to the man made waterhole near our chalets after dinner and watched a Rhino flaunting around under spot lights - it was a site to be seen, you can spot him in my photos.

The journey IS the reward!

PS I still haven't had a decent cuppa in Africa - and no black coffee yet either!

Monday 18 April

Same deal, leaving early 6:00 am for a game drive then nearly 800 km drive to our next destination - Okavango River for two nights.

Adam tells us we have travelled over 4000 kms so far this trip. I have taken a photo of our journey on map (we update as we travel) in our bus/ truck. We saw lots of Zebra, Giraffe and antelopes again on the morning game drive. Hoping to see different animals in the next few days.

After another long bumpy (we are now calling some of these day trips bouncing boob roads, just imagine long rocky, corrugated dirt roads and you'll get it - almost need to wear a sports bra), we arrived at Okavango River about 5 pm where we stayed in lodges right on the river front, not as good as all the other accommodation so far, but okay.

On arrival they put me in a normal type camping tent way down the river, like in the middle of the jungle! Can you imagine me in a tent, camping in the jungle with Hippos, crocs and snakes - I nearly 'shat' myself. It was soon sorted out and I was in a nice lodge before bedtime, phew - lucky for me!