Mandys
Lucy and Roman Joined: September 5th 2007
Logged in: October 3rd 2010
Logged in: October 3rd 2010
Travel Blog Posts
Mine dump
We have been using Kombat as our base to do various trips and our last trip before returning to Windhoek was to go towards the Twyfelfontein area, which is the area for the petroglyphs and various other rock paintings and carvings made long ago, and the Skeleton Coast. The Twyfelfontein Lodge was an extraordinary lodge set against a huge cliff face/ mountain and was very impressive - we just went there for drinks in the late afternoon. The little lodge we were staying at was far more basic - although nice in a rustic way - it was made up of tents fully equipped with beds and towels and mosquito netting, or you could go deluxe and have an ensuite - but as we were only there one night, and the showers and toilets were close ... read more
Otjikoto Lake
After the long dusty trip to Caprivi, we had a short break and then went to Etosha Game Park for a couple of days returning and staying at Johnny's farm overnight. Another rest day before we headed off again. We stayed at a farm near Kombat which is the Geo's base camp, and there were plenty of birds - there are so many and such a variety, though they are very camera shy and I only have the 300 mm lens.... too hard!! Thank you to all who have written comments - I know someone is paying attention!! So far we have been very well even though Robyn and Alex have been nursing heavy colds for about a month!! Johhny's farm has been organised for hunters - after the game, though we didn't see any game ... read more
Shebeen
After visiting Alex in Windhoek, we wended our way to Otavi - more exactly to Alex's geo camp at Kombat where there is an old mine. Alex is exploring for various minerals in the area, so we went along to check things out. After that, we prepared for our camping trip. We set out Monday morning buying provisions at Grootfontein and continuing north to Rundu, then Divundu, Katima Mulilo then a large loop to Kongola and back through Divundu etc. The trip was 660 km long altogether. We came back dirty and pleased with some aspects, and not so thrilled with others. There were 6 of us, so 2 vehicles (4xd) and all we needed. at this time of the year if you don't book, all accommodation is taken except for the camping.... But lovely campsites ... read more
The area around Amani Lodge.
We have arrived in Namibia where we will stay with friends, Alex and Robyn and go on safari on Saturday. Yesterday, we visited Amani Lodge - a private game lodge where cheetahs have been rehabilitated from small and then hopefully released into the wild. Five cheetahs are being trained to hunt and kill as a pack. The keepers are feeding them small meals which have to be shared. There is also a leopard which was raised from kitten and when he got too big, the owners discarded him, and a lion and lioness ( kalahari) which we also got to look at in this very large area, Great fun and lots of photographs!!... read more
Sanur beach scene
After all the festivities, the following days were languid and filled with massages and shopping , albeit hop-a-long.......... read more
Arrival at the Villa Gita
The wonderful Javanese style celebration on Thursday was followed by a rest day. After a day of shopping at Kuta, I managed to get my toenail ripped off in our taxi, and spent some time at the local hospital. The large bandage on my toe is explained. On the Saturday of the wedding we were picked up at our hotel for the one hour trip to Ubud in the mountains. ... read more
Melissa
Now the Javanese wedding ceremony is a traditional ceremony that is not religious.. There is an elaborate dressing of the bride and groom's family. As well, the bride and groom dress in sarongs ready for the first part of the act which is the asking for forgiveness from the parents for past sins, thanks for raising them and asking for good wishes for the future. This is then followed by a washing of the person by the parents and relatives, and finally a feeding for the last time as if a baby... Then the bride and groom change into their wedding finery for the congratulations by all. The mother of the bride receives money (tokens) for food which is distributed to all... not sure why... a lovely celebration that started in the early afternoon and continued ... read more
Ananda Cottages
We left for bali because Emil and Melissa (Mel) were getting married and they chose Bali because Mel's folks - Uni and Trevor live there, as do Andrew (Mel's brother) , Nana (his wife) and son Jason. We spent a few days in Ubud with my friend Krys who is also Emil's godmother.... read more
Cognac old distillery
France Photos of our final day..... London We were here for only a short time but we seem too have been busy all the time! Between sightseeing during the day, we met Maura and Tony's daughter, Fiona and fiance Matt's friends at night for dinner or drinks, so our 3 days there were action packed!! The wedding on Saturday was absolutely fabulous. St Paul's Chapel at St Paul's Cathedral was magical and the journey through London on the double decker bus was great fun! We were dropped off at the Reception Centre - Le Gothique Restaurant ( an old lunatic asylum in Wandsworth) where we drank, ate and partied. Finally - we went home - to Perth!!! Very tired!!! Very cranky!!!! The end of this trip NOW to start planning the next!! NEXT YEAR - Emil's ... read more
Paris
Germany Our final day in Berlin was uneventful - full of museums - we visited 3 museums in one day - a record for us - the Pergamon, the Antiquities museum (the Altes) and the National Gallery. I was devastated to learn that the collection of Egyptian stuff was being transferred to the New Museum and was closed until the 16th October. The weather was just gorgeous - everywhere we have been at least one day has been considered as an ”Indian Summer” and this was one of them. We enjoyed our day. This was made more special as it was Election Day in Germany - Angela Merkle as we said just lived around the corner at Schloss Bellevue and the Reichstag was not far away… we watched the final count on TV. The next morning, ... read more
