South Africa

Hi everyone, just a very quick update. Sorry it has been so long. Baz and I are in RSA staying with my Aunt and Uncle in Rustenburg. Been out at their game farm the last 2 days, lovely. We managed to get home to Alex and Lorna's wedding in Zim last week which was amazing, on the banks of the Zambezi river. Saw Mum and Dad and very briefly the farm. Before that we got my RSA visa a few days late but still got to see my Gran in Hermanus (near Cape Town) which was brilliant. Going to spend a few days with my other Aunt and Uncle on there farm, then back out to Joburg to be with my brother the last 2 days. Should be back in the UK on the 28th (I think). Hope you are all well,

Lots of love
Jen and Baz

Windhoek

Hi all, just to update you on where Baz and I are. We left the truck 2 days ago when they crossed the border to RSA as I cant seem to get a visa - very frustrating!!! We stayed at the Orange River, in some gorgeous cabanas for an extra night. We had no tent anymore so we were forced to upgrade - what a treat!! Our cabana was lovely, on suite and overlooking the river. We almost had the place to ourselves which was so peacefull. The owner of the cabanas was so kind to us and reduced the price and let us use the cabanas for 2 whole days but only charged us 1 night. He also made us our meals as we had no food and no transport. Very kind man. It is so lovely there at this time of year and Baz and I were lucky enough to see all the wild flowers out. We also did a little canoe trip down the river.

We caught an overnight bus back to Windhoek last night, arrived early this morning, checked into the hostel and went straight to the RSA embassy. 2 hours later we were told to give them a ring on Wed, dont know if I should be hopeful or not but at least they have not said no outright. We've looked into buses (going to Cape Town and Zim) and as soon as we know the story, we're heading off in the appropriate direction. Not much else, quite nice to be in one place for a while and not in a tent.

Take care everyone
Lots of love
Jen and Baz
x x x x x x

Swakomund, Namibia

Hi everyone

Baz and I have had a very exciting time in Swako. We both skydived (sorry Anita - just a few more adrenalin thrills) and loved it. We did a tandem each and jumped from 10 400 ft and had about 30seconds free fall - absolutely awsome. We then did quad biking over the dunes in the desert which is the best!! Baz and I opted for the manual quads, thankgoodness, because they had a lot more umff than the automatics. So cool! Swako is a really nice place. We are staying in a hostel with real beds and showers and going to resturants for lovely meals. Baz is taking me to a nice fish resturant tonight for a birthday meal. Cant wait!

Thank you everyone for all your birthday greetings. We were travelling on the day but got to a gorgeous spot in the evening (Spitzkop) where we climbed some huge rock formations and sat overlooking the view. very nice!

Still no knews of my visa. Have asked mum and dad to try phone the embassy because we keep getting put on hold and never get to speak to anyone before our phone card has run out.

Not much more news.
Take care and lots of love
Jen and Baz
x x x x

Okavango, Botswana

Hi everyone

We went to the Okavango and enjoyed it but it was not really what we expected. We got taken out to an island in a makoro (dug out canoe) which was fun but our poler (lady) was pretty rude and when our boat leaked it was a huge effort for her to remove the water - as a result my clothes and our sleeping bags (and my bum) got a bit wet. We camped in our tent under a rain tree and had a whole in the ground (no cover) for a loo. We went on long bush walks (our first was 4 hrs long) and then relaxed for hours during the middle of the day. Baz and I did bird watching but the rest of the group got borded. Our guide was pretty good and very informative and as usual it was Baz and who asked all the questions. We saw hippo, zebra, steinbok, impala and giraffe. Not the most exciting but we learnt a bit about plants etc which was nice. All in all, I think most of us were disapointed with the delta but it was nice to see at least once.

From there we came to Windhoek where we are now. I have been trying to get a South Africa visa and failed. Eventually I have had to fedix my passport back to Harare to get processed as the RSA embassy here will only do applications for Namibian residents. So frustrating and poor Baz has had a very highly strung girlf for a few days. It is out of our hands now and gonna get sent to the border post when it is processed so we can only wait and see if it gets there in time. If it doesn't make it, it is not the end of the world. Baz and I will wait at the orange river border till it arrives and then probably catch a bus straight to granny. Granny I will let you know as soon as we can.

We are heading off to Etosha today where we will be doing 2 days of game driving in our big yellow truck. Should be quite nice actually because it is so high and we can hang out the roof and windows. My knee is just getting worse and worse (only one knee tho) so I am not gonna be doing any more walking etc. Others than that, we are both well and enjoying ourselves.

Take care guys,
Lots of love
Jen and Baz x x x x x

Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls

Hi everyone

Thanx so much for all the replies - it is great to hear what you've been up to. We had a fantastic time in Matopos (Zim) and got to walk about 10m from a white rhino. We also saw some cool rock paintings and got to chat to some really nice zimbos. Apparently my accent is getting stronger (african) again. We also loved Vic Falls. Baz did the rafting which was a bit tame because the water is sooooo high. Then we both did the gorge swing which is pretty much where you throw yourself off a cliff until a rope catches you half way down and swings you accross the gorge - really scary!!! We jumped individually first then did a tandem. I am glad I've done it but will probably not have the guts to do it again. We also took advantage of me being zimbabwean and got really cheap park entrances and meals etc. We went to the Safari lodge for supper and sat on the balcony overlooking the water hole that was filled with buffalo when suddenly they all took off. Lion chased them away. We saw all this while we were eating supper as the water hole was right in front of the resturant and lit up by spotlights. We then almost hit an elephant on the way home and had to slam on breaks - a very exciting night. We crossed to Botswana and got in touch with Corn Rautenbach who is working there. She took the afternoon off and Baz, corn and I had a game of golf then Corn took us on a river cruise by the Kanyembi (sp) strip which was awsome. After that we had a braai at her cute house and then went on a night game drive. Was such a lovely day - thanks Corn.

Really must rush as we are heading to the Okovanga Delta tomorrow and I have 5 mins to get back to the truck.

Lots of love to you all and Dave, thanks for the lovely long email.
Jen and Baz x x x x

Zimbabwe - Antelope Park

Hi all, we're in Zim, have been for the past week. It is so lovely to see Mum and Dad again - we met up with them in Harare. The truck stayed at the campsite but Baz and I went to our flat and slept in a real bed and had a bath - a real novelty these days. Poor Dad had some bug so was not very well (and has given up smoking for the mo) but we still managed to fit in a tobacco sale and some farm shopping. Was a very rushed 2 days but got to show Mum and Dad a few photos of South America. Had a few people from the truck over for supper and also saw Tawny and Bridge & Thomas (was Bridge B. day). Then went on to Gweru where we stayed at Antelop park which was excellent. We got to walk with 11 month and 19 month old lion cubs ( thought of you Sandie and Chalks) - was quite an adrenaline rush as they bounded up towards us, jumped on a volunteer lady and brought her to the ground. Quite funny really and needless to say we were all a bit scared to pet them. We also got to ride an African elephant and got lots of photos with them. My bum is still bruised from their backbone. We also got to see their lion breeding programme, they have 50 lions and plan on reintroducing them to the wild. Very interesting, they also have 2 cape lions which apparently are very rare. Baz and I spent a lot of time in the canoe bird watching and we all put up our tents along the dam which was stunning. At night we could hear all the lions roaring but were reassured they were all locked away in there cages.

We are in Bulawayo now for 1 night then off to Matopos National Park for a walk with the rhinos (black and white). We then catch the overnight colonial sleeper train Vic falls where we have another 3 days. Will send some photos soon.

Hope you all we, lots of love Jen and Baz

Lake Malawi

Hi everyone,
We are in Lake Malawi staying at Kande beach camp site. It is stunning here and the lake is quite choppy and we could easily think we are at the sea. Today has been our first sunny day for a long time so Baz and I are taking advantage and have been canoeing in the waves etc. Very tiring!!! We didnt do much yesterday as we had a dress up party the day before with extremely strong punch that got the better of most of us so we were all feeling very sorry for ourselves. We have stayed at 2 campsites on lake Malawi and it is really beautiful.. The generator broke so we had no water at the first site so we had to bath in the lake - we're definately in Africa. We have also bought some gorgeous wooden carvings for our new house (Baz and I are moving in together when we get back but all we own is a tent so we can kit the house out exactly how we want. At the moment it is looking very Bolivian and African).

Zanzibar was lovely, not exactly what I expected but nice. We had such rainy weather tho which was a pitty because we tried to go snorkling and got thrown all over the place (because it was in the sea). We still saw an awfull lot of fish etc so it was worth it. We got to do a spice tour and find out about the slave trade in Stone town and that was also interesting.

As for coming to farm in Zim, the whole truck had to agree to change the itinery. We took a vote when we got back from Zanzibar and 2 new zealand girls objected so none of us could go. Most of us were very disapointed but that cant be helped. We would have come in thru Kariba which would have been nice for everyone and then spent a night at the farm. Never mind!!!

We now have to days at Blantye which apparently is a dump, waiting for our Mozambique visas, then 2 days traveling thru the tete corridor and bush camping on the way before we get to Zim on the 29th, cant wait. Bridge and anyone else who is in Hre on 29 and 30th, we will have to meet up. Baz and I will be staying at the flat with Mum and Dad.

After Hre we go to Antelop Park near gweru I think for a few days, then Vic falls. Hope you are all well. Keep in touch!!

Lots of love
Jen and Baz