Blogs from North-West, Botswana, Africa - page 13

Victoria Falls to Kasane We lounged around camp the next day, getting ready for departure. We were amazed at the banking system in Zimbabwe. Fully expecting to do all transactions in cash (US$), because Zim's economy has crashed and there is no currency, we brought enough cash with us. However, this trip is costing more than we expected, and Richard likes to have a lot of cash in hand.  We were told that the ATM's were dispensing US$ and if you had the right card, you could get cash. So off we went, and much to our amazement, out came US$ by just using our bankcard! Gotta love Zimbabwe. They have figured out how to keep the tourist industry going. Nowhere else in Africa can you do this - the ATM's in other countries all dispense ... read more

Okavango - day 2 We are happy to start our days before sunrise, in order to enjoy the delta before the heat of the day, as it is very hot. At one point, Richard's little pack thermometer was near the top at a whopping 45 c (115 f) in the sun! And at this point we were on a very slow motor boat on the way to our houseboat, so we had an hour's ride in that heat with no protection from the sun. Whew! Back to early morning. After a lovely mokoro ride through papyrus and reeds, we arrived at Gau island, where our guides took us on a 2-hour walk. Our leader was very careful to say we might not see any game at all. Ha! There were elephants all over the place, so ... read more

It has been such a long time since I’ve written a blog. I’ve spent time writing in my journal and a few other scribbles here and there, but have missed connecting with all of you back home through the blog. The second year of service has its own set of challenges and rewards. Some of the challenges for me have been in the process of accepting that my impact seems to be smaller in scope than I first thought. I knew coming in that working in behavior change is a slow, uneven, and often mysterious process. As individuals, our capacity for change and the timing of that change is very unique. I think it is only magnified when looking at societal change. I know that I am making some differences one individual at a time, and ... read more

Saturday 25/7/10 Our final day on the Baz Bus and unfortunately another full day, we clambered on with a few extra bags following our recent purchases. With a quick stop in Nelspruit for lunch we arrived in Joburg for our predeparture Kumuka tour.We met our new crew Tour leader Celia, Driver Jay and Cook Henda and the fellow eighteen passengers a couple Germans, Canadians, Brits, a South African, and a shit load of Aussies. We followed the advice of our soon to be truck driver and headed to a local Portugese Restaurant with Robby, Nicole, Mark and Caz for dinner. Then retreated to the dorm ready for our early start the next day. Sunday Day 1 of Kumuka Southern Highlights Tour Up at 5.30am we did our best to sneak out of the dorm quietly and ... read more

After Etosha, we all part ways, but an abrupt change of plans means that I catch up with C in Rundu. My arrival prompts him to change his plans too and we both hitch into the once volatile Caprivi Strip before crossing the border into Botswana at Mohembo. From there it's a hot and hefty bus journey south to Maun, the tourist gateway into the world famous Okavango Delta, with a brief and abortive stop at Sepupa (which the LP erroneously claims to be a much cheaper - when actually it is much pricier! - alternative to access the Delta) along the way. I instantly feel a fondness towards the people of Botswana, and not just because we get a couple of free lifts on the way to Maun. Everyone is just so damn friendly. And ... read more