Aug 14, 2012 - Home again

Home again and first service carried out on Landcruiser. Mild sump leak easy to fix otherwise everything is fine. We figured out that at some point in time the dipstick must have been changed which is why when you fill the right amount of oil it sits above the high point. Fuel cans came off the roof rack as well as the spare tire. 16,000 + kms without a puncture. Now its a question of sorting out the photos and sharing our pics etc. I feel we have some many experiences yet to fully absorb, just a fantastic experience and I am already...

Aug 10, 2012 - Moshi to Home

OK without Internet somewhat limited ability to provide anyone with an update. The great news is that my car is in better shape now than when it left Nairobi 7 weeks ago. So some special thoughts about the trip: 1. There is of course no problem that you cannot solve when you are on a trip like this and that you will in the course of trying to solve these challenges meet some of the best people possible. And folks will go out of the way to be helpful. Maun may have been a challenge but I have a new nickname (leaky crankshaft) and I did meet...

Aug 9, 2012 - Day 48 Mikumi to Moshi

We left Mikumi at 6.30 this morning still dark - we drove through Mikumi National Park and saw Giraffe, Buffalo and several other animals. It was a long tiring drive which eventually took us to Moshi with the magnificent view of a nearly clear Mt. Kilimanjaro. We have arrived safe after 653 KM. 380 KM tomorrow and God willing we should be home safe. By Thomas

Apr 12, 2012 - Leaving

"No you don't! Just bugger off" said Lynitta as I suggested that perhaps I should just check my tyre pressures before I left. Alan and Lynitta are an Ozzie couple who own Wildebeest camp and we had had become pretty good mates over the last few years of staying there. I was ready to go and felt nervous and Lynitta's command was what I needed to prevent any further procrastinations. So fond farewells were said, luck was wished and I was off. The drive to Namanga on the Tanzanian border was uneventful although the roads were busy with trucks,...

Aug 12, 2011 - Pre-Climb Moshi Time

I'm having to go back a week now since I have had no opportunity to write until now. Lottie, the jack of all trades at the Kilimanjaro Safari Lodge in Moshi Shanty town was bartender, waiter, tour guide and mind reader.  He is a very quiet unassuming man who has a big smile that comes out when he is nervous or happy and gets a very quiet contemplative look on his face when he is confused and makes an audible "hmmmm" noise. I spent the most time with Lottie but by the time I left many of the staff felt like old friends because...

Aug 11, 2011 - Vancouver - Seattle - Frankfurt - Addis Ababa - Kilimanjaro / Moshi Shanty Town

I'll apologize now because the internet is slow and if my paragraph breaks don't work I'll have to sort them out after. I have written pages so far in my journal but the timer is counting down from 33 mins right now and my "escort" for the day is patiently waiting for me so I'll have to keep this brief. After an all night packing session and a few final runs to the store I managed to get everything in my one large pack and my day pack (half of which is taken up with my camera) and I was even able to carry it all. I was...

Oct 23, 2010 - Zanzibar | Stone Town naar Moshi

Zieke mensen, een lijk op de boot en véél frustraties Het was een korte nacht. Om 5u loopt de wekker af. Met kleine oogjes trekken we naar de ontbijttafel. Het voorval van gisterennacht blijft nog steeds in mijn hoofd spoken. Ook het vertrek van Roland, Armin en Badya ligt me moeilijk. Er zal heel wat veranderen in onze nieuwe groep, dat hadden we nu al gemerkt. Op de ferry heb ik de tijd om alles te laten bezinken en de slaap in te halen die ik de vorige nacht niet gehad heb. Blijkbaar waren heel wat mensen zeeziek en was het niet de...

Jul 24, 2010 - Zanzibar!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ZANZIBAR!!! ZANZIBAR!!! ZANZIBAR!!! This was our chant as we approach the paradise island on the ferry from Dar es Salaam. I couldn't believe my eyes!!! White sandy beaches and clear turquoise water!!! This is a dream!!!!!! We have done so much already in such a short amount of time on Zanzibar island! On Wednesday we went on a spice tour which was really interesting and we had a meal prepared with all the different spices we had learned about. We then visited Stone Town and learnt more about the slave trade in Zanzibar and visited some...

Jul 16, 2010 - End of project

Well, project work has now come to an end! The dining hall is looking fantastic! We've made and fitted windows and door frames, learnt how to mix and lay cement, built a stage and have even started to lay the floor! It has been really tiring and hard work but sooooo worth it and we are all so proud of our achievements! On Monday I head off to Zanzibar for ten days of luxury beach life!!! A well deserved rest after our hard labour!!! :) We'll be snorkeling with dolphins, going on a spice tour and visiting the old stone town which is said to...

Jul 9, 2010 - Project

Jambo! After a jam-packed month of a variety of camps and a safari trip it is now time to settle down and get stuck-in to project work again. It was great to see how much the CT3 group had achieved in our absence but now after two weeks of work ourselves there are now even greater improvements. We have almost completed the stage after what seems like endless supplies of cement. It has been such a tiresome two weeks consisting of lots of shoveling, cement mixing and laying, and sweeping the entire floor to get ready for... you guessed it...

Jun 27, 2010 - Safari!

Just one day after our amazing wildlife experience in Ndarakwai we hit the road again, this time in large safari jeeps, as we made our way to the Ngorongoro Crater, renound for its wildlife. It was so exciting and once again we had a brilliant and extrememly fortunate experience.On the first day of safari we went to Tarangire national Reserve where the animal sightings were literally non-stop. As soon as we entered the grounds we were surrounded by a huge herd of elephants, such magestic and fascinating creatures. We were really quite close...

Jun 23, 2010 - Ndarakwai Wildlife Camp

Jambo! What a week!Full off so many different experinces as we ventured off into the wild to see 'The Real Africa'. Ndarakwai camp is situated in the middle of grassy African plains surrounded by the reserve's wildlife! From Elephants to Giraffes and so much more inbetween I knew I was in for an amzing experience! We were camping literally in the middle of the plains surrounded by tall trees where you would often spot a monkey or two! We stayed in tents and the scenery was simply stunning! On one side of us we had Mount Meru and on the...