8/12/2010

Had another free breakfast of scrambled egg, tomato relish and toast before leaving for Cape Maclear. Another pick-up ride and a bus to Monkey Bay for less than 3 quid, where we witnessed a drunk in one village try and board the bus but after being refused entry kicked off a fight, and as a result got botted in the face. Then came the worst pick-up ride ever to Cape Maclear.

With a huge cabinet strapped to the back, about 30 people on board, loads of bags and loads of crates of drinks, the driver decided to wait ages, then go back on himself to get petrol, then return to wait for more people (even though there was no chance of fitting more on!), then drove 5mph up the road, pulling over and talking constantly, then turning round to maybe get more people on, before eventually deciding to set off properly. I was getting to the end of my teather and Jack even asked how long is this going to take drive, because we want our money back if you don't get us there in 40 minutes!

Anyway, he got a wriggle on and we made it in about that time. Weirdly, he drove slow on the tarmac and then hammered it on the bumpy dirt track. Clueless. Mine and J's asses and feet were killing from hanging to the edge of the truck and with stuff on our feet, so we were relieved to see the signs of Gecko Lounge where we were staying.

It was an awesome accommodation, with views over the lake, on the beach, sunbeds, nice dining area, hammocks everywhere, big beautiful trees and nice dorms with fans and safes!

We ate out for cheap and walking back Jack bought chips from a small shack that said "McDonalds chips" on it! Whilst we waited a guy tried to sell us everything from paintings to duck bbq buffets to weed before we returned to Gecko Lounge.

Got chatting to 2 Norwegians (one with a broken leg) and went for a drink at Hiccups bar, where I got to see my first ever praying mantis on the wall (it was huge), geckos, spiders and more disturbingly the first rat we have seen on the trip (traversing and going up and down the walls!).

Woken up shortly after went to bed as somehow a cat had got into the dorm and everyone was trying to work together to get it out. The dumb animal kept jumping on our beds and everywhere and despite my calls to just kill it (jokes!) we just gave in and went to bed. Was annoying that it kept me-owing but eventually everyone conked out!