East Africa Observations....

* Most roads are dirt tracks, or if they are tarred are generally quite bad condition with pot holes and cracks everywhere.

* Women really do carry things on their heads!

* Children really do play with tyres.

* A lot of women have shaved heads. We never found out why, presumably due to the the heat, or maybe its because its easier to maintain, / wash, or not wash!

* Most villages / settlements have water pumps. I was both surprised and pleased to see this. Although often there is a fair walk to get to it.

*Some countries are quite bad at customer services, particularly tour guides. They aren't very communicative or worried about making sure you are happy.

* Generally however restaurant waiters and waitresses are better.

* Getting anything takes ages e.g. in shops or restaurants. You do well to have a lot if patience in Africa!

* Getting anywhere takes ages due to bad road conditions and traffic.

* Everything is a Rio off if you're a tourist. A lot of places have an African price and a Tourist price, You'd expect it from souvenir shops and activity places but the national parks and tourist attractions have inflates tourist prices too.

* In Kenya and Tanzania the people are quite unfriendly and very money grabbing. In Uganda, Malawi and Mozambique tho the people are lovely and friendly.

* No one in Africa seems to worry about Malaria. None of the tour guides we asked take any malaria protection, and have never had it.

* HIV is a major issue in Africa, with signs everywhere advertising treatments but generally poor education on how it spread.

* They love English football, particularly Man U and Chelsea and there are loads of shops called Old Trafford, and football car stickers on all the taxi buses. They have all the games on in the pubs, hotels and restaurants (the places that have TV's) and show games that we can't even get at home.

* A lot of South Africans move ton Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to set up businesses. Most of the hotels we stayed in were owned by South Africans, they are the ones that can afford to do it, as it so much cheaper to live in East Africa than South Africa.

* Its cheap to eat in East Africa but certain foods are really expensive, especially things like cheese and crisps. Toiletries are quite expensive too, especially conditioner and baby wipes! Presumably as it all has to be imported in.

* TIA is a popular saying meaning This is Africa, to locals its because they are proud of this their country, to Tourists it means you have to go with the flow as nothing normally goes to plan!