Blogs from Africa - page 2740

Hola! We arrived in Luxor to much hotter weather. Temperatures reaching early 40s. We were told that temperatures can often reach 60 degrees celsius, so we were pleased that we did not get to experience that! We boarded our ship the 'Royal Ruby'. The cabin was quite nice & better than expected! We were thankful that the ship also had its own pool - much more enticing than swimming in the Nile haha. After spending a lot of time on our own, we had been looking forward to getting on board our cruise and meeting, getting to know, and spending time with fellow travellers. All was going well too - the cruise boat was starting to fill up, however we soon realised that the majority of the cruise boat was made up of Spaniards and so ... read more

Lake Malawi Drove from our overnight stop in Iringa to Lake Malawi, passing through Mbeya and Mikumi National Park. Unfortunately Rach developed the super squits in the afternoon, which isn't pleasant when you're on a truck for hours. Driving through the mountains, Lake Malawi emerged as a huge, sparkling blue expanse of water. We arrived at a beachside campsite at the northern tip of the lake for an overnight stop. Went for a walk along the beach and got accosted by a bunch of endearing little boys who were playing football. They were proper little businessmen, befriending you so you'll buy their postcards or bracelets. Kandi Beach No chance to lie in thanks to a persistent cockerel crowing at 5am. We could have cheerfully wrung its neck! With Rach pumped full of imodium, we journeyed ... read more

Safari?! Just say the word and images of Africas wildlife will come to your mind. Close your eyes. Speak out the Swahili word "Safari", and your imagination will go off and away, over mountains, across the sea and around the globe right to the East African Savannahs and right to places like Serengeti or Maasai Mara with its endless herds of wildebeests where you can see lions, elephants, giraffes etc... just a few steps away from your jeep... Say the word "Safari" again, and you will find yourself trekking through the thick forests of Uganda or Rwanda to see some gorillas. But if you started to think this entry gonna be about safaris and wildlife, I am sorry to disappoint you... as I am asking you now to say the word "Africa" and to tell me ... read more

So, leaving Mozambique… Leaving the "Beek", I've remembered a few things I've forgotten to share. When S. and I went to Inhaca last week, I had gotten a letter in my room advising me to secure all valuables on my bed. I couldn't figure out what valuables as I had everything with me - phone, laptop, wallet, etc. Anyway, since the letter was signed by three people, and heavily underlined, I figured I'd better comply. So I promptly locked my passport, etc. in the safe in my room, even though I felt like that made me more of a target. But whatever, so when Spencer and I get to the airport last weekend for our flight, he pulls out his passport. I'm like, aaagh… I locked it in the safe. But we decide to wing it ... read more

This afternoon we visited St. Lucia, the first HIV/AIDS hospice opened in Tanzania. Originally it was founded as a family hospice center, but it operates more as an orphanage these days as there are only 2 adult women still alive, and just over 19 children. Much of the work done by St. Lucia is done through home visits into local communities. The organization is committed to people returning to their home villages and not living in at St. Lucia until their deaths. Only in the case of the orphans can they stay at St. Lucia long term. Many of the patient who come to St. Lucia have been ostracized by their villages and families because they do not fully understand HIV/AIDS. Until recently there has not even been a recognition that HIV/AIDS exists in this ... read more