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Published: June 26th 2011
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Bongo, or to give it its full name is a Mazda Bongo Friendee. In its original form its a 8 seater MPV that converts into a camper sleeping two up two down, and I think that’s how it derives its name cos you have to be very friendee to all sleep in it (boom,boom...oh suit yourself). A turbocharged 2.5ltr diesel automatic driving all four wheels, its very easy to drive and powerful enough to make short work of getting over the mountain passes we’ve been through. The 4WD is also useful for the snow and wet campsites we’ve had to contend with. Its not as big as some motorhomes, but it fits in normal parking spaces, and we would never have manoeuvred a larger vehicle through some of the mountain top villages we have been through.
We’re nearly into our Sixteenth different campsite. We always look forward with a mixture of excitement and anticipation when arriving at our next campsite. Will we get the superb facilities like in Hofensee in Germany?, the superb view as in Wolfgangsee in Austria?, or the lush spacious green pitch Interlaken?. Invariably we are disappointed, but eventually we get used to our surroundings and relax and
just enjoy it.
The first thing we do when we arrive is press the button for the electric roof. We sleep in here and with the side walls up can be very cool at night. (it can feel strange at first as its similar to sleeping on top of a Van-hold on, it is sleeping on top of a van!)). Although it has privacy glass, we can drop the blinds at the flick of a switch. Next thing chairs and table, followed by cup of tea, beer or wine, depending on weather. If we stay for 3 days or longer the awning goes up, this gives us valuable space and shelter from either rain or sun. We have a cooker, sink, and electric coolbox. The middle row of seats has been reversed, with a table between the back seat, to create a dining area. Although in the hot countries we usually eat outside
Travelling in the Bongo is always going to be a compromise. Using the original seats it is comfortable, but we do lack storage, and Alison is constantly organising putting stuff away.( even before I’ve finished with it sometimes). Food, plates and utensil go in plastic container in
the awning. Clothes and shoes go under the middle and rear seats. Maps guides books, washstuff, go behind front seats. Tools, spares cleaning stuff, go in sink/cooker cabinet-and very important , guitar hangs on the side.
People say to us how (or why) do you go away in such a small vehicle. Don’t get us wrong we would love to sleep in a big bed, oh for the luxury of an en-suite-we’re travellers not masochists! We are though thoroughly enjoying our travels, but there are some things we miss. Although we don’t miss broadcast television, we do like to watch the occasional movie. We did in the first few weeks miss listening to News bulletins or just some English speaking radio - as we had hardly met any British on our journey through Germany Austria or Switzerland. We do when we’re travelling listen to the local radio, we can’t understand the lingo but they do play some good music - much of it English language. The funny thing we also missed was Curry. We couldn’t find a Curry sauce anywhere although we did find some Curry Bratwurst which we decided against.
Thanks to Alison’s Sister Viv for the DVD’s and
Megan bringing Curry out, we are sorted!
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Christine Lewis
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Chris's Message
Saw all the photos in your entries, glad you are enjoying yourself. Hope you like Croatia. All the girls at work ask where you are and what you are doing and send their love. Love Chris xx