Woke up refreshed, slept way better last night since the sleeping bags where dry. I took the opportunity to try and organise some intertoob access at the lodge. True to form, it was slooooow and what should have taken a quick 10 mins took 45. I think this is due to my own processes though, but I’ll get the hang of it. I also didn’t upload the pics yet, since I didn’t have any battery power left! I have since installed my Tactical Command module into the 4x4 (aka “the Bullet”) and now have all the juice I’ll ever need!
While I was over there the kind lady ad reception informed me that BA phoned and confirmed that the luggage will be sent over at 11:00. Got back to the camp and helped break everything down, pack it up and take better stock of all our gear. We were still in flight mode, so everything was packed in various boxes and hand luggage, so we unpacked everything and repacked it into a “day box” (stuff we’ll need day to day”) and “backup box” (stuff we can use to restock the day box) followed by a “probably never box” (shit we’ll need on a very rare occasion).
Headed back to reception at 11:40 to check for our baggage. On the way, I commented to Annelie that they’re probably going to drop off the wrong baggage, considering our luck so far. Got to the reception and the friendly lady said something did arrive, but there was a problem with the bags so they took them back. 10 Second pause. “no no, I’m jus’ jhoking, it is here!” (said in East African accent). Here at last...
Dragged those heavy bags all the way back to camp. Turns out the little wheels don’t work that great on dusty gravel paths. At this stage we were quite elated and carefully sliced open the cling wrap we put over the bags at the airport (because I’m the world’s most paranoid traveller) and decided to duct tape the rest to the actual bag to keep out the dust.
At this stage 2 members of the party where off to the airport to hitch back to Cape Town. We said our goodbyes, finished with the packing and resolved to repack our newly acquired lost luggage at the next stop. While the other two were being dropped off I took a moment to tag and bag my pictures and queue a few up for upload (which, by the time your reading this should be online)(hopefully). I STILL cannot get my laptop to comms with the GPS logger, even though it’s still logging data points. It will run out of space eventually though, but for now it’s ticking over like a trooper. If anybody can locate the Bluetooth passkey for a Qstarz BT-Q1000x, I promise to love you forever! Email me at Gerhard.nel.za[at]gmail[dot]com.
Anyhoo, finished with the pics and I got a chance to repack the 4x4 that will be our home for the next 3 months. And she is a dirty bitch! Just the way I like it ;) As I mentioned before, I installed the inverter and multiple adaptor, cigarette lighter expansion bay and iPod tuner (for the radio, so we can jam some sweet tjunes while we cruise through our 16 000km adventure). Nice. At least something is going to plan! (ps: damn I’m good). Took some pics, it aint pretty, but it’s functional which is more than ok for Africa.
Lusaka, Ho! We were never going to make it in one go, since we only left Maramba at around noon. So we made our trek through Livingstone and beyond, finally stopping at a camp site called Gwembe at around 16:00. That’s the preferred time to stop for the night, btw, since you NEVER want to have to setup in the dark in this part of town. Got all our gear up, by this stage this is becoming habit; habit is essential, because after the 4 times I lost the keys, 2 times I lost my mobile and 1 and ONLY 1 time that I “lost” my wallet (this is after one day on this trip) it quickly became apparent that we need a better system for keeping track of everything. So laundry goes in the front left of the tent, 2 stretchers on front right to back right, “day bag” in middle left, all canvas bags for stretchers, chairs, sleeping bags etc goes into one stretcher bag, zipped up and underneath stretchers. Doom (for mozzies) front left, flashlight in pouch, as well as car keys when we go to bed (else, keys left in ignition). Insect repellent in cubby. Food and the like in the “day food box”. We can be up and ready to drink in 20 minutes flat :)
The site had a crocodile enclosure, with 35 of the biggest, meanest, ugliest sons of bitches I’ve ever seen. Spoke to Iya-komazi, the “Crocodile Hunter” (phonetic approximation, since I didn’t actually ask him to spell it, but made a nogte of it). It was his job to trek to the Kariba lake and catch these bad boys, using some very rudimentary methods. From what I gathered, he basically fed them a bit first (makes em sloooow) and harpooned them with a spear, then just reeled them in. I’m sure the pissed off, over fed croc may still have some strong feelings about that...
Took a bunch of shots of them the fellas (and one very pregnant lady) just lazing about, but I was informed that their seemingly docile attitude belies the fact that they haven’t been fed in 3 weeks (they eat once a month). Step one foot in there, or fall off the VERY rickety bridge over the enclosure and you won’t have much time to dwell on it. On account of you’ll end up a light starter. Nice.
Very rustic area, so I took the photo op to get a few shots of farm implements, an old rusted 4x4 and some machine parts. Got back to camp and kicked back. We didn’t have to make food tonight, the other folks where making potjie (a stew, made in a big cast iron pot). Baked some beer bread: 1 can 340ml beer of your choice, one small packet of self raising flour, some salt. Mix with hands. Throw bits that feel out of the bowl back (adds to the flava), kneed, fold, put in cast iron pot, cover for 15 minutes next to fire to allow to raise, but on coals, pack coals all over lid and bake for 40 minutes. LEKKER! (awesome, would be the closest English equivalent, though I’m open to suggestions from the Afrikaans speaking massive. Smack some ideas into the comments for other folks’ benefit :) )
Wife and I take a moment to sort out our accumulated luggage, doing the same “day / backup / never ever" Lamb and veggie potjie with bread went down a treat, as did the last Mosi beer and Savannahs. Chatted about politics and random bits, mostly about retirement plans (not for us, so much, the older crowd). Turned in at around 23:00 because we had an early start tomorrow. Need to reach Lusaka, stock up again and find another camp site before 16:00. We’re kind of on a bit of a schedule only because we need to meet up at Arusha for a tour guided safari we organised, into the Ngoro-Ngoro crater. But more on that later ;) (wiki-wiki)
Furthermore, my nose is constantly glogged up with dust! The roads today are in surprisingly good shape (courtesy of China), MUCH better that Cape Town and about 1000 times better than London!! Sjeesh, London roads are kak. But I guess they see more use. Yesterdays road out from Livingstone however... WHAT ROAD!? Potholes on and in potholes, dirt, bush and rock.
Yeah. It was great J
Highlights: Potholes in Potholes
Makin bacon with my luggage
Mid light: beer bread!
[G & A], out
I walk this empty street
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