September 25th No rush to be anywhere, another lie in. It’s almost eight before I make it downstairs. Breakfast out on the patio by the pool and then I try to book a shuttle to Durban. Turns out I need a credit card to make a booking and mine is in my backpack. Which is at my cousin’s in Durban. The woman on the phone is full of useful suggestions, including driving to Durban to get my credit card so I can book the shuttle. The dive centre owner offers (in exchange for a thousand books?) to drive me to Scottsburgh where I can pay for the shuttle with cash at the TI. To save on washing I give away my dirty clothes. He’s in no rush so I find a spot in the sun to ... read more

I’m stopping with family for a stint. If’ you’re looking for a real travelblog look somewhere else. Don’t read this and complain, life’s too short. September 12th I set my alarm for 05h15 and get to reception at half past five. I’ve missed Bianca by two minutes. I never got to say goodbye. (Bianca: I told the taxi driver to turn around but he wouldn't do it). I book at airport transfer and go back to bed, even if I can’t go back to sleep. Now more than ever I’m ready to go home. Why didn’t I set my alarm for 5 minutes earlier? The text she sends me thinks that the last 17 months haven’t been a failure. (Bianca: I really wanted to see you again in the morning. but we'll definitely meet again.) Finally ... read more

September 6th Breakfast is delayed and interrupted by packing and goodbyes. We say goodbye to Cecelia, Rachael, Nichole, Simon and Greg as well as Emily and Paul. There’s tears. New truck and a few new travel companions. A drive to the border and people get to know each other. Leaving Zambia is easier than getting in. Bianca and I trade a broken torch we found in our new tent for a wooden giraffe. Bianca names it after herself and gives it to me to remind me of her eye makeup and fluffy ears. The crossing into Botswana is easy. A short drive and a stop in a Kasane that I’ve already been to twice before. We have an hour to shop, but after 10 minutes to get beer and water we’ve had enough and are ready ... read more

August 29th An early start, not bad considering how much we drank last night. Porridge for breakfast. I stood on something sharp yesterday and get Gretchen to clean it out form me since it still hurts. It’s suggested that I start wearing shoes. A 480 km drive today that manages about 5 km before the girls start screaming because of a scorpion on the bus. Women! The Botswana border crossing is much simpler than the last one. Another tour bus pulls in behind us; there some rush to beat them through the crossing as they’re sharing the same camp site as us and first there gets first dibs. There’s a Bushman walk ($10, which I forget to pay). There’s popping seeds and clicking narratives; it’s a bit touristy. There’s an accompanying tribal dance around the fire ... read more

This entry starts on the early evening of the 17th, straight after my previous entry finishes. August 17th I meet a girl who’s going to be on the tour with me and we share a glass of wine. Others join us. At six there’s a meeting for people going on the tour. The beer and wine doesn’t help me focus. I hope I don’t miss anything important. The age limit on the group is 21-39 and the mix is mostly couples and single girls. The tour guide, Emma, seems a little nervous. When the meeting finishes I run off to get my laundry (R40). Some of the girls (Bianca German student, Rachael English lawyer and Charisa Australian Lawyer) want to go out for dinner and I join them in getting a taxi to the harbour district. ... read more