Blogs from Africa - page 2724

You know that thought that crosses your mind when you are travelling or visiting a place and while you are there you think: So and so would love it here….. these friends would enjoy it here, next time we should invite these people, etc. Well, we often had that thought while we were at Ponta Malongane on our own, so we have invited a few people over the years. But we all know the minute you invite others and carry on about how wonderful the place is, you are pre-empting disaster. In 2007 we invited some dear friends, the Morris & Birch families to join us for a week, but at the end of the trip we wondered if it was a good idea, because it rained......non stop! At least, it felt that way. It was ... read more

Gosh we have been back from Africa for almost 2 weeks now. It was not a smooth transition, it is exhausting to travel across the world, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I sort of dropped off the earth here with my entries. Those few blogs earlier were only 2-3-days into the trip. Since then there was so much left out, that maybe I can reminisce now. It's funny, I thought when I did shark diving it would be the last risky thing I would volunteer to do, but I came very close to the bungee jump in Zambia. I keep thinking that if we were there one more day I would have done it (the jump is between the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe over a bridge, viewing the falls, and ... read more

Well, after a solid day and a half of traveling, I have finally arrived in Cape Town! After settling in at the house, Katie and I ventured out into downtown Cape Town. The public transportation system here is ridiculous. Basically, there are privately owned Volkswagen vans that drive up and down the streets picking up passengers. The crazy drivers even add to the experience. Not only do they weave in and out of rush hour traffic, but sometimes they'll even use the other side of the road to get around people...even if there's oncoming traffic! It definitely makes for an exciting adventure anytime you have to go somewhere. The bus dropped us off in downtown Cape Town, where Katie and I walked around for a little bit. I was a little bit nervous walking around ... read more

OUR EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS: Contacts in Kenya: (1) Prof. Leah Marangu (ANU Vice Chancellor) - Phone# +254 473 362 8920 (2) Dr. Margaret Scott - Phone # +258 828 313 170 Contacts in Johannesburge/South Africa: (1) Filimao Chambo (REC) - Phone# +27 76 33 21 298 or +2711 472 3615 (2) Rev. Hanry Maluleka (NTC Principal) - Phone # +2711 957 2006 (3) Carol Fillmore - Phone # +258 82 317 3700 Contacts in Swaziland (1) Filimao Chambo (REC) - Phone# +27 76 33 21 298 or +2711 472 3615 (2) Carol Fillmore - Phone # +258 82 317 3700 (3) Rev. Collen Magagula (NCT Principal) - Phone # +268 604 3989 or +268 3434 105 Contacts in Mozambique (1) Carol Fillmore - Phone# +258 82 317 3700 (2) Rev. Margarida Langa (SNM Director) - ... read more

Quick update! I landed in Cairo at 3PM local time. Smooth flights from Dulles to Vienna and from Vienna to Cairo! I am very impressed with Cairo. Really cleaner than I expected and the buidlings around the city are incredible. I guess it is much more modern than I expected! Ate dinner at the hotel - interesting item on the menu Fried Lamb Brains. I passed on that one. Security at the hotel is tight. They X-ray your suitcases like at the airport before they ever enter the hotel and you have to pass through security check point and metal detector (like at the airport) before you can enter the lobby, Sleeping room is okay. After 24 + hours w/out a bed I can't be too picky!!! Tomorrow I have business meetings at 11 AM ... read more