Travelling News - 19th December 2005
OK....so we last sent an e-mail in Zanzibar (we think!)
Zanzibar was great and we felt that we were actually on a holiday. For reference, overlanding on a truck through Africa is NOT a holiday!!!
On the last morning Sandy was taking down the mosquito net when he decided to turn off the celing fan going at full speed with his hand. I did tell him that there was a switch, but he thought putting his hand in it would be more effective! Halfway through a shower, i heard cries of " I have broken my hand get Beth and Jessie" (2 nurses on our trip). I promptly run out of our room in a towel shouting for them to come and help as Sandy's hand bleeds everywhere. Luckily for us there was a final year med student from another truck on hand to help patch him up. They did a good job, but I was not so good as I nearly fainted while watching and had to go and lie down.
A few hours later and back in Dar we went to a hospital for Sandy to get stiched up (By the way no bones broken). I was ushered out of the room while Sandy got his 3 stitches...... All now healed and stitches are out, but Sandy is no longer allowed near any fans!
Since then we have made our way through the rest of Tanzania, Malawi (staying by Lake Malawi) and are now at Livingstone and Victoria Falls (Zambian side).
Highlights so far on this leg:
Seeing Sandy get stitched up..... shame it wasn't his mouth!
Great traditional 3 course African meal at a campsite in Tanzania, run by a guy from buckinghamshire.
Dying in the heat and humidity in Lake Malawi Nearly wanting to leave the trip as too hot and washing gone mouldy Horseriding and swimming with horses in Lake Malawi Going on a booze Cruise on the Zambezi, getting VVVV drink and skinny dipping Having a complaint made against us by family for skinny dipping (Sandy writing now) the prospect of having a scar which i can tell people a story of bravado and courage.
Tomorrow - we are doing some activities which involves throwing yourself in the gorge for fun (also includes abseiling, flying fox and cableslide). the day after we then go on a helicopter ride over the falls.
On the 22nd we leave Zambia and head to botswanta to the Chobe national park then to the Okavango Delta ready for Christmas. we are in the middle of nowhere and will be having cottage pie for christmas cooked on the campfire.
Lowlights so far:
The muddy truck and rain, cold showers, squat toilets.
(Sandy writing now) Not being able to white water raft, not being able to wash properly, not being able to do anything which requires the use of both hands all because of my stitches....Grrrrrrrrrr
(Yvonne now) - he is a miserable shit when he can't do anything!!!!!
Just kidding....we are having a good time, although VVVV tired and looking forward to days off the truck.We have some great guides who are looking after us and have made some really good friends already and loads of possible contacts for jobs and stuff in Oz.
OK Folks that is all from us until after Christmas as we won't be on email until prob the new year. Hope you all have a great time whatever is happening and we are missing everyone.
Have a good one & lots of love
Sandy and Yvonne
xxxxxxxxxxxx