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Taking the 7 hour flight on a Boeing 747 Malaysian air flight I left my journey of nearly 5 months in South America for Cape Town, South Africa. Landing on the continent of Africa has been a big dream of mine for years. The wildlife, the people, cultures and most of all the wide open spaces with limited modern technology. A place with pure unspoiled landscapes with potential to apply renewable energy systems to already sustainable lifestyles. I have timed my trip here in Africa with another dream of mine, attending the World Cup of soccer/ futbol. Starting in less than three weeks from now.
Landing in Cape Town South Africa on April 8th 2010 I checked into Long Street Backpacker in the main trendy area with restaurants, shopping and nightlife. A, great hostel excellent location with fun staff that keeps things exiting with lots of travel experience in Africa. Spending nearly two weeks total in Cape town I got to know what a special city it is resting at the bottom of the continent of Africa. After 5 days in the city I was blessed with the arrival of my cousin Justin who will be my new permanent travel
partner, as we attempt to travel north to Egypt after world cup by buses Once Justin arrived we started exploring Cape town from hiking up table mountain which towers above the city, to going to the beach to swim with African penguins, to a major highlight of going to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Such a beautiful location endless beaches, mountains all within a world class city. After about ten days in Cape Town we decided to rent a car and do a road trip to Namibia, a total of 5000 km. We traveled an amazingly clean and empty desert country with many natural treasures. Crossing into the border of Namibia very quickly we spent the first night of the trip in Ai Ais near the Fish canyon the largest canyon in Africa. The next morning we got a quick glance at the canyon, then headed for Soussevei the unique red sand dunes. After spending the night in the car at a campground we woke up early to see the sunrise across the giant dunes. Never seen anything like it, some shaped like massive pyramids always changing with the wind. After seeing the dunes we made way
past some winding dirt roads heading for Windhoek the capital of Namibia, but not before blowing a tire. Fairly quickly had the spare on, and slowly cruised in to the capital before sunset.
Windhoek is a very clean and organized city with less than 300,000 people with a nice German influence. In Windhoek we fixed the flat tire and bought a tent and other camping equipment. Cousin Justin and I decided camping to more enjoyable and much cheaper so invested in supplies. The next day we headed up to Etosha park our first mini safari. We set up camp, and were eager to explore the wildlife on dirt roads in the rental car. Only driving a few minutes we immediately saw giraffes, zebra and ostriches. It was an amazing feeling being so close to the giraffes in their home. A real sense of being in Africa settled in me. This is what I have dreamed of and traveled so far to experience. Falling asleep with internal happiness, I was looking forward to the next morning like a kid on Christmas eve. On day two in Etosha park we started early as animals are most active at dusk and dawn.
We immediately saw some more giraffes, wildebeest, springbok, impala, a plethora of birds and two wart hogs. What a time slowly driving looking for wildlife. Around 10am driving on the main dirt road I spotted a cheetah lazing next to the roadside, as we rustled around for camera's the majestic cat casually slipped into the thick bush just behind. This was a truly magical moment of the trip, I kept thinking about it clearly for the next few days. Arriving at a new camp on the western side of the park we set up, then took advantage of the pool, cooked some rice and vegetables for dinner and wandered to the camps lit watering hole where we were lucky enough to see more zebras and a rhino having a drink. The last day in the park we again got up early and headed for a watering hole where several lions had been spotted in previous days. After waiting for two hours with no luck we moved on and started heading south back to the capital. Never saw the lion's, elephant or hyena's, there will be more opportunity on different safari's as I backpack through Africa. Getting to Windhoek again at
sunset we enjoyed the company of people at the hostel and eventually headed out to a night club with almost all locals. A very good cultural experience. Much different from the night life I experienced while in Cape town, with the travelers frequenting similar night clubs. Surprisingly with only a few hours of sleep I was wide awake and we were off early with a 15 hour journey back to Cape town ahead of us. Breaking it up into 2 days we got back to Cape town and stayed at Big Blue hostel in the modern waterfront area. With one last day with the car this is when we went to Cape Point with a nice Dutch couple we met at the hostel. The hostel had a great view of the brand new stadium to be used at the world cup. The waterfront is a very fancy area with shopping, tours, and nice restaurants. Thought I was in San Diego. After spending only 2 nights back in Cape town we started going up the long east coast line.
I have now been in Africa for over six weeks now, along the garden route, eastern cape and now just arrived
in Coffee bay in the Transkei or also known as wild coast. Internet access is often unavailable, very expensive or slow, that combined with having a busy exiting time here in Africa our reasons I haven't updated my travel writing lately. I hope to catch up a bit and attempt to write more frequent on the computer. I have been fairly consistent in keeping up with a daily journal my grandpa recommended I write. As I continue my journey I am blessed everyday with new wonderful people, foreign flora and fauna, exiting new foods & smells. I admit for about two weeks I suffered from a bit of culture shock, many things so different than I'm use too. Setting a mind set of patience, being open minded and getting involved with new things I find everyday more and more beautiful here in South Africa. As I encounter people I have learned that all it takes is a smile & hello to turn a smile on almost anybody. Its a great time to get to know the people,with conversations, soccer matches with local kids and sitting by fires playing and lisening to music. Africa has so far lived up to every
expectation and more that I have dreamed of. I appreciate all of those following along and sending out positive vibrations to me along the journey. Go USA World cup 2010.
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Gloria Tonegato
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You truly are on a trip of a lifetime!!! Loved the animal pictures. Have a great time at the World Cup. Can't wait for your next update.