Advertisement
Published: July 12th 2006
Edit Blog Post
Hi all,
Sorry it's been a while, things in Croatia a little antiquated (hence the photos didn't come through properly), then we were travelling and it's taken us until now to catch our breath.
Back to Croatia and the Dalmatian coast. We decided to try and cram everything in and so we were once again tired but exhilarated by what we saw in Croatia. We went up to the Village to visit Jo's Dida (grandad) and managed to catch a lift with one of the many Opacak relatives so the trip took 45 minutes instead of double that. Village life was an eye opener to us both, such simple living which is agreeing with Dida because he's 81 and still looking after acres of vegie patches. Saw resident donkeys and befriended a gorgeous puppy we named Gypsy who had just turned up at Dida's days before. Stu and I both got our dog fix that day - much needed because of how much we're missing our son.
After saying goodbye to Dida. Jo's uncle dropped us back to Makarska and the next morning we took off on an island cruise to see Hvar and Brac islands. Both were
beautiful, set in amazing locations you can't believe unless you see. Jo's brother, a friend of his I know from high school, Stu and I hired 2 scooters in Brac and went to discover the island. Only to realise there's actually not a lot to discover so we went to the beach and were set to become astounded at the amount of semi and completely naked people on the beach. I knew I shouldn't be looking but I was captivated by their boldness and their confidence, when in some cases, it really wasn't warranted! Definitely an experience!!
We headed back to the port after an amazing day and the following day Stu and I headed to Dubnovnik. 4 hour bus trip later (surprisingly I didn't get sick) we were there. Headed to the old city, which got severely bombed from 91-96 and did the wall tour. hot day, great views, lots of sweat. Learnt that 496,000 roof tiles were needed to replace those lost in the bombings. Crazy. Beautiful place. Found a gorgeous cafe close to the harbour and crashed there for lunch and a rest before heading back on another bus to Makarska. Arrived 3 1/2 hrs later,
only to realise we'd lost the credit card somewhere along the way. Realised it was at the bus station that morning, had to cancel the card only to find it in the ATM machine the next day. All good, replacement card sent and we can keep on spending.
The next morning it was time to bid farewell to Croatia and embark on our most revolting transit yet. We left Makarska at 9am, reached Split airport at 12.30pm and didn't reach our final African destination until 36 hours after we'd started. Yukky. But, as a testiment to how well our new marriage is going, we were still talking and only slightly cranky. Not with each other, just because of lack of sleep. And then we had to deal with Stu's bag being lost in transit. It's ok, now found, only a couple of things stolen (yes seriously!) but the bag completely trashed...we're going to try and limp it home!
Which brings me to amazing Africa. YAY my 7th continent. We arrived tired but still in awe as we drove the 11km (but about 30 minute) trip to Taita Falcon Lodge. There are many words to describe the place we're
Doing it tough in Africa!
Our gorgeous chalet (Fish Eagle) in Zambia... staying but none will do it any justice unless you are there and can witness it's beauty yourself. Stunning, beautiful, wild, untouched, welcoming, awesome, at one with nature...you may be starting to get the picture.
We spent day 1 sleeping. Day 2 we ventured into another African country (Botswana) to do a safari and in doing so, sat at the intersection of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers which is where 4 countries meet. Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Angola (I think!!) Safari was amazing. Started out doing a river cruise up the Chobe river where we saw sooooo many elephants (and soooo many photos of them!), crocs, monitor lizards, hippopotamus, water buffalo, antelope and hundreds of birds. Then we had a great lunch before heading onto the game drive safari through Chobe National Park where we saw a hyena pup (apparently very very rare to see one because they're nocturnal...this one just happened to be 'playing'), more more more elephants, giraffes, warthogs, but unfortunately no lions or cheetahs, or zebra. Maybe next time.
Yesterday we lazed around the lodge again catching our breath and pinching ourselves that the place is actually real. We are approached by the chef
Romantic dinner overlooking the Zambezi
The most romantic setting either of us have ever had dinner...PERFECT! at our lodge at dinner telling us what's on the menu every night, are brought entrees and desserts, barman and waitstaff at our beck and call (we've been the only ones there for 2 days!) and get to overlook rapids 16 and 17 on the Zambezi river. You can't help but relax.
Yesterday afternoon we headed out to check out the biggest tourist attraction in these parts...Victoria Falls. Absolutely stunning. Whilst most people we saw hired raincoats to prevent them from getting wet, Stu and I did the Aussies proud and got absolutely saturated. I mean really, if you're going to go to the falls, you may as well get bloody wet!
We stuck around to see the Lunar Rainbow, which only happens at the falls on a full moon...just happened to jag it - nice one! The mist from the falls combined with the light of the full moon creates a rainbow in the dark which is absolutely stunning and a once in a lifetime experience. no pics or video footage because it was too dark, but Stu and I have the memories of it locked in our brains for safe keeping.
And today we got
Loving those elephants
Although I'm thinking over 50 photos is a little extreme! daring! We went white water rafting. After signing the "no responsibility to the company for death or injury waiver, we were off. Down a sheer cliff face to start with, at times walking down 'ladders' made of tree branches with only an oar to balance ourselves. Were knackered by the time we'd made it to the bottom which would have taken at least 45 minutes. Then the fun began. Got the rules (hard to follow with the African accents!) and off we went. We were having fun until Rapid 18 (started at 10 and went through to 23) where the boat flipped and both Stu and I got trapped underneath. I was caught in a whirlpool with the boat on top of me so had no way of getting air for what felt like a minute or more. Stu was stuck on the other side but can't remember the whirlpool but we're both ok. We both said we'd probably never do it again but it was an awesome experience having Zimbabwe on one side, Zambia on the other and being dwarfed on the Zambezi river by both. But we have ticked it off the list of things to do and
I'm guessing in a couple of days we'll forget how close we came to having a disastrous 5th week anniversary!
The climb back out of the gorge was as taxing as the climb down but thankfully this time we were met half way by a cable car....I'm sure every muscle in our bodies will be aching tomorrow regardless!
Which brings me to now...sitting in a backpackers typing this to you after watching the rafting video and buying it all to show you us shitting ourselves!
Tomorrow we're probably going to have another quiet one. Will probably head down to the local village, houses made of mud huts and the friendliest faces you've ever seen, to see how the other half live. Then maybe into livingstone to do a bit of shopping (I've been so good but I'm hanging to bring some African trinkets home!). Friday we're heading out on a jet boat...and then we leave for home Saturday.
It's been a whirlwind and we're both well and truly ready to come home now. So...we're nearly there. 1.35pm Saturday afternoon and we'll be on our way and by 9.35am Sunday morning Perth time we should be back.
Give us a couple of days and we may even be normal enough to see you!
Hope everyone is well and has enjoyed the blogs. Will be able to tell you more when we see you all.
Much love to you all, as always.
The crazy,nearly-drowned Grieves!
xxooxx
Advertisement
Tot: 0.153s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 10; qc: 51; dbt: 0.0473s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb