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Graham Plant
Vancouver born and raised, hoping I can claim to be well travelled later on in life.Graham P
Travel Blog Posts
October 12th 2009
Breaking the Cycle In November of 2008, I was accepted by Global Agents for Change to participate in its third annual Ride to Break the Cycle. I was tasked with cycling from Vancouver to Mexico to raise both money and awareness for microcredit. Microcredit is the extension of very small loans to developing world entrepreneurs, and is a cause that continues to inspire me. Over the months that followed, I would discover the power of relationships, and the potential that personal connections have in creating effective solutions to many of the world’s problems.  What initially drew me to the ride was the cause. The concept of microcredit is simple. Borrowers form small groups of 3-6 individuals, and each create basic business plans. A small loan, usually $50 or less, is then granted to each. Unlike ... read more
May 5th 2008
Just to let you all know, I am currently in a private game reserve with my parents in the Transfrontier Park (which includes Kruger) in South Africa, sitting in the most luxurious lodge I have ever, and most likely will ever, stay in my entire life. But taking you back almost a month now, things weren't so luxurious. We began our first adventure in Madagascar on a 5 hour minibus ride with our guide, cook, and other trip-mate Markus on a road that took us from Antsirabe to Miandrivazo, a small town 160km from the west coast. The first night was spent getting to know each other over a few beers at our hotel, and getting excited for the paddling, cycling, and hiking ahead of us. The following day, the five of us, plus 2 boatmen, ... read more
April 28th 2008
Our month in Madagascar will be blogged extensively, however with these french keyboards I would get too frustrated and short change what has been an amazingly unique experience. So when I get back to South Africa, I will write all about being deathly ill while lying in a canoe in 46 degree heat, and posing as a french photographer to get full backstage access to a massive outdoor beer/music festival. Hope all is well at home, I miss you all very much.... read more
April 6th 2008
This country is wild!!! I can't exactly write an extensive entry, because this French keyboard drives me up the wall, but I thought an update was necessary. The city of Maputo was fantastic. Very functional, affordable, and had many western comforts it felt that we had been without for far too long. We ate well, caught up on the sporting world (mostly negative for Vancouver fans), and went to a jam-packed nightclub to dance the night away. Our bus ride into Johanessburg was a piece of cake, because a relative of Will's was there to get us from the infamous Park Station. South Africa is a completely different world than the rest of southern Africa. Shopping malls everywhere, fast food joints, and multi-lane highways, to name just a few of the many differences. We spent three ... read more
March 27th 2008
Happy Easter everybody. We are currently in the beach town of Tofo, still on the southern coast of Mozambique. I appreciate all the messages people send me, and emails, and facebook posts, etc. In other words, I like the attention. We have spent 8 nights here, and are leaving for the capital city of Maputo tomorrow. Tofo is a popular travel destination for South Africans, and right now is spring holidays for both Mozambique and South Africa. Needless to day the place is littered with tourists, though it is more of a destination for families than for backpackers at the moment. Mozambique is not as friendly as Malawi, and also much more expensive. Our bank accounts have survived by staying in dorm rooms and cooking our own meals. Our time in Tofo has been extremely fascinating. ... read more
March 17th 2008
Bom Dia!! Quite a crazy last week or so, and I thought I would let everyone at home know about it. After a night in Blantyre, Malawi, we took off for the country of Mozambique. After a 3 hour minibus ride, we had a reasonably problem free border crossing. The main difference with Mozambique is that we were leaving an English speaking country and entering a country where Portuguese is the ONLY language they speak, especially away from touristy areas. Will and I also have the unfortunate habit of entering countries without any money, and it was a habit we didnt break this time around. After paying for the chapas (minibus) to the nearest city of Tete, we had 30 meticas to spare (approx $1). We spent that on Fantas, confident that in Tete it would ... read more
March 13th 2008
Tragic to only write two entries while in the beautiful country of Malawi. After 40 days here, it is finally time to move on. What a time it has showed us, however. The people are as welcoming as you can be, the scenery as beautiful and untouched as it gets, and the culture makes you forget you're in one of the poorest countries in the world. I don't have time to expand more on my time here, but hopefully I will at some point later. Last I left you I was in Lilongwe after our time on the lake. Since then we came to Blantyre, the big bustling city, met up with a principal from New Zealand, and took off to the Zomba Plateau. We spent 6 days there, relaxing, reading, cooking, biking, hiking, and Will ... read more
February 26th 2008
First off, I must apologize for the lack of entries. However when you spend 3 weeks in internet free zones, writing blogs is rather difficult. After climbing Kili, we headed back to Dar es Salaam for a few days. We left Dar on a 12 hour bus trip to Mbeya, in southern Tanzania. After a night in Mbeya, we took a minibus to the Malawian border. After an effortless border crossing (free Visas), we took the only minibus on the other side of the border to the town of Karonga, where we hopped on another bus to Mzuzu. Although it sounds rather hectic, the roads were quite passable, and the journey was very manageable. The hilite was definitely hydroplaning during a downpour, at which point Will tapped me on the shoulder with an "it's been nice ... read more
Came, Didn't See, but Conquered
Published: January 28th 2008Africa » Tanzania » North » Mount KilimanjaroJanuary 28th 2008
Finally, it is over. Will and I are safe and sound, back at sea level, after summitting the highest free standing mountain in the world. It was quite an experience, in many ways, and while it will be impossible to attempt to replicate it, here goes. We were attempting the Marangu Route, the most popular by far of the many options. There are huts with solar panels, water and beer for sale, and running water at all the elevations. It is a far cry from an isolated, peaceful stroll, and if that is what you are after, Kilimanjaro is not for you. It is a social event. You meet people going up with you, talk with those who are coming down (some who make it and some who don't), and one afternoon we had a guitar ... read more
January 20th 2008
Hello again. A belated happy new year to everyone at home, I'm assuming everyones resolutions of getting in shape have already fallen by the wayside. The last two times I attempted to write a blog the town we were in lost power as I was a few sentences from finishing, so please forgive my tardyness. First off, we spent New Years Eve in Stone Town, first at a bumping nightclub, followed by an after hours cafe. Without going into too many details, the next day we ran into people we didn't exactly remember meeting, who treated us like good friends. After Stone Town it was off to idyllic Kendwa beach. This beach resembles paradise, and the atmosphere didn't disappoint. Days were spent lounging on the beach, snorkelling, reading, and playing beach volleyball; nights were spent jamming ... read more
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