http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Royanna/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Royanna en-us Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:50:37 BST Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:50:37 BST March 6 2008We finished up our African Trip on February 26th and I havenrsquot had a chance to write about our last day there we arrived home on February 27th and left for Toronto on February 29th and have been there all week at the PDAC conference heard there were 20000 25000 people attending the conference this year it was a busy and successful conference for us. Last Day in AfricaO http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Mali/blog-253490.html February 25 2008Goodbye NigerIt is our last day here in Niamey Niger. We work for the morning and I complete the pedology map and copy maps we have worked on over the past few days to Amadoursquos computer.We go to lunch at the Italian restaurant. There is a special lunch menu that you can choose between two options for each appetizer main course and dessert for the cost of 7000 cifarsquo http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Niger/Niamey/blog-250249.html February 24 2008We wake up around 630 pack up the bedding we had brought in and are ready to go around 7. We are the first ones up so head outside into the cooler air. The temperature outside is wonderful. Lots of interesting sounds around the village animals chickens roosters a few vehicles people. There is a smoky haze in the air smoke from cooking fires and fires for heat. We find t http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Niger/blog-249837.html February 23 2008The Project at GoundayHappy Birthday Chris. Well not a traditional birthday in any way for my dear husband. The only indication it is his birthday are the cards for him from the kids and a birthday email. I wish him a happy birthday we eat breakfast and then we head out. We are off this morning to another project also located at the Burkina Faso border but more west of Niame http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Niger/blog-249829.html February 21 2008Wow what a day it has been a full and exciting one We had our usual breakfast prepared to leave then headed to the lawyers office on the way out of town. She is a neat lady very dynamic. From there we headed to our project at Koutouggou. Our route was the one bridge over the Niger River south towards Burkina Faso.The highway portion of our route was paved and in excellent http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Niger/blog-249014.html February 20 2008WindyWoke up to hearing the wind howling around the building. It was so dusty this morning with the strong winds. The sun was extremely dim in the sky looking more like a moon. The sand literally swirled on the street in front of us as we drove to our meeting. It looked the fine snow that can swirl around on top of a road in winter such a neat site. It actually felt a little coo http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Niger/blog-248345.html February 19 2008Today has been an office day to start. Chris Amadou and myself have been discussing our projects and looking at some of the data I have. We went for lunch at the Grand Hotel. It is a very nice hotel and apparently quite popular hard to get into. The route there took us past a huge stadium. On the way back to my delight and surprise I saw a camel with a large load on its back http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Niger/Niamey/blog-248029.html February 18 2008Another day another airline. This evening we flew Air Senegal from Bamako Mali to Niamey Niger. This is a new airline for me to travel on and it was a good flight. At the airport we had to go through a passport check then a health check making sure immunizations were up to date then pick up our bags and finally a baggage claim check. It took a bit of time but it was rela http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Niger/Niamey/blog-247667.html February 17 2008Travelling from Kouroussa Guinea to Bamako MaliGuineaMore driving. We were up early and had a bigger breakfast. Then Chris had a meeting with Aguibou and Dan then we said goodbye to everyone. Eventually left the Kouroussa house at 900am.The highway was in excellent shape and progress was relatively quick. I decided to write down things that we have seen along the way that http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/blog-247479.html February 15 2008Another long travel day this one much longer than the others. We left quite early and the total trip took 11 hours. We left Koba early with a quick formal visit to the SouxPrefect. We then continued along the way backtracking to Kindia. From Kindia we headed towards Kouroussa on a paved highway. One of the large centres we went through and stopped at for lunch was Mamou. I http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Guinea/blog-247007.html February 14 2008Happy Valentinersquos Day my husband wished me in the morning. Wow couldnrsquot believe it was February 14th already. Valentinersquos day is not a big deal here and did not see anything advertising it. Our lsquoromanticrsquo day was spent traveling around all day looking at Bauxite plateaus. It was a fun day bumping up and down over a portion of the south permit th http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Guinea/blog-247004.html February 13 2008Travel day. We left Conakry around 730am to head to Koba to visit our bauxite projects. The trip took us through the major centre of Kindia and through many small villages. We stopped to fuel up at Kindia and joined many others looking for gas. We were lucky and were not stopped there long. We did stop at a store prior to this to pick up propane and snacks. Poll pronounced mor http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Guinea/blog-247003.html February 12 2008Another fun day in Conakry. A lot of driving around which is wonderful as I was able to see a lot more of the area. More traffic more markets and lots of people as well as long lineups at the gas stations. Apparently there is a possible shortage of fuel this week due to a delayed shipment in and word has gotten out to everyone so cars were lined up about 20 in a row ofte http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Guinea/blog-246904.html February 11 2008A day of meetings It was a fun and interesting day. We were driven around Conakry by Paul the driver. It is quite common to have a driver especially in a rental vehicle. Another interesting aspect of driving around there is a lot of horn honking. Honking usually is used to let people know you are coming so donrsquot cross the street or watch out if they are walking along http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Guinea/blog-246902.html February 10thWe are now sitting in the airport at Paris and have been here for about 3.5 hours. The flight overnight went very well. Our next flight should board within the next hour as long as there are no delays and then on to Conakry. Even though we were still international and didnrsquot leave the terminal we had to go through security again. It was the first time I activated the detector http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Guinea/blog-246900.html February 910 2008Travel Day February 9thOur flight was not until the early evening so we packed up our stuff checked out left our bags with the hotel then headed up to Table Mountain to take the cable car to the top. Well I think half of Cape Town decided to do the same thing as it was packed up there We taxied to the base and got into the queue. Well after about 20 minutes and movi http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/South-Africa/Western-Cape/Cape-Town/blog-246898.html HiI am back for at least another day. It has been an exciting week flying from Cape Town to Conakry Guinea to the village of Koba about 500 1000 people and yesterday we arrived in Kouroussa a much larger centre.There has been lots of driving through the countryside from the coast at Conakry through the second largest town Kindia then central northeast to Koba. From Koba we returne http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Guinea/blog-246895.html An early morningToday was a fun and exciting day although touristy. When one has been in Africa it is always nice to answer yes to have you seen.... So today was that day that allows us to say yes we have seen an elephantgirafferhinoantelope.. in Africa.The morning began early around 6am as the tour van was due to pick us up between 630 and 645. It showed up around 650 and we were t http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/blog-244167.html Up at a reasonable hour this morning. Followed up on my Discover issue and the licence has been installed successfully yay. Now I need to find time to play with the program. Spent 5 minutes rotating the geophysics in 3D so look forward to spending a few hours and playing with the software. Arrived at the conference around 930 and chatted with a few people. Caught a couple of talks nothing t http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/South-Africa/Western-Cape/Cape-Town/blog-243855.html Today began on a slow note. The late night last night caught up this morning. Didn't wake up until 830 and that was too soon. Headed down for a late breakfast then back to the room to catch up on some work stuff. Chris caught up on email replies and I struggled to activate my Discover 3D licence thought I did it a long time ago but it appears not. After multiple emails back and forth with http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/blog-243414.html