warthogtravels: December 2007

Monday, December 31, 2007

SMS from 881631546731@msg.iridium.com

DAY20-31DEC-0KM-PEPONI.ANOTHER TOUGH DAY IN AFRICA.EAT FRUIT BOUGHT FROM VENDORS.HIDE FROM SUN&READ.IMAGINE BLUE LAGOON

SMS from 881631546731@msg.iridium.com

DAY19-30DEC-0KM-PEPONI.WASH CLOTHES FILL WATERTANKS.BIG RED ANTS IN TREE ABOVE FALL & BITE!BREEZE+SWIMMING KEEPS US COOL

SMS from 881631546731@msg.iridium.com

DAY18-29DEC-CONT.BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE & PARE,USAMBARA MNTS!GOOD RDS 2 ARRV 9PM HOT HUMID LOVELY BEACH CHILL DAYS AHEAD:)

SMS from 881631546731@msg.iridium.com

DAY18-29DEC-CONT.GROCERY+SPARES SHOP+ADMIN.ARUSHA BIG TOWN.2ND FUEL FILTER CHANGE IN 2DAYS AS TANK 2 DIRTY.MOSHI SHOCKER!

SMS from 881631546731@msg.iridium.com

DAY18-29DEC-506KM-PEPONI.HAPPY BDAY SHAN &TONI!GRIM BRAD REALISES BOTH HIS CR CRDS STOLEN WHILE SHOWERING LAST NITE.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

SMS from 881631546731@msg.iridium.com

DAY17-28DEC-CONT.PAY $50 TOLL 4 UNMAINTAINED TRACK!THEN 2WD 2 ARUSHA CAMP VERY BUSY BUT SLEEP LIKE THE DEAD.

SMS from 881631546731@msg.iridium.com

DAY17-28DEC-CONT.3HR KNEE BREAK DESCENT.ARRIVE BACK 2 CONGRATS & QUESTIONS.NOT MANY SUMMIT DUE 2 AURA OF UNCERTAINTY.

SMS from 881631546731@msg.iridium.com

DAY17-28DEC-CONT.DESOLATE BARREN LUNAR LAVA SMOULDERING.FRIGHTENED BUT EXCITED.CLOUDS LIFT SUNRISE.VIEW BREATHTAKING.

SMS from 881631546731@msg.iridium.com

DAY17-28DEC-245KM-ARUSHA.0H15 CLIMB LENGAI.4H15 SLEEP @ 2400M TILL 6AM.LIE ON TOP OF BRAD 4 WARMTH.SUMMIT @ 7AM.EXHAUSTED

SMS from 881631546731@msg.iridium.com

DAY16-27DEC-0KM-NATRON.CLEAN WARTHOG EQUIP CLOTHES.4O AGAIN READ SLEEP UNDER TREES.PREP 4 CLIMB SLEEP LEAVE 11PM 4 CLIMB

Photos so far

Africa Safari 07/08 so far

26th Dec - 200km - Lake Natron

Christmas night time at Lobo interesting with Lions roaring not 200m away...the cook from the Sarafi camping next to us up at 03h56 preparing his meals for the next day...left me with little sleep. Next day we packed up and did a game drive from Lobo around and about to the exit gate at Klein's gate. Not too many animals about on boxing day...but we did run into a lone male lion. Road from Klein's gate horrendous.....wanted to make Natron Camp....but was really slow going and a hot stingy sun.
Then 40-odd km's outside Sonjo, stopped on side of road for lunch and sank wheel deep into the soft sticky cotton black mud. We were stuck there for 8 hours. Had about 15-20 Maasai walking past at various stages of the day and helped dig and push and carry rocks and bushes to try get us out....then they all left....then we tried winching 3 bushes and pulled them all out the ground. Brad tried a dead-mans jack bury thing and we whipped that out one-time! Then it got dark and we were just about to have a shower and heard a truck heading to the junction 4km's down the road. Brad did a record sprint and managed to shout the guys down....a big beautiful blue truck...carrying about 20 passengers in the back. Of course everyone got involved trying to help Brad winch and pump tyres and it was pretty hectic. All safely out and $$$ handed over..and we were back on our way to Natron.
After ALL that stress the road just got worse....and it was dark and raining. We'd sat in 40degree temps and not eaten a thing....cause those Maasai would have cleaned us out completely!!! So we were tired and not "lus" at all for these kinds of conditions. Walked through every mud patch to check firmness of ground....cause we saw about 5 spots where others had been stuck and seen the evidence of the rocks and bushes trick.
Then down the escarpment "17 hairpins" in torrential rain now and my nerves were shot!!!!!!!!!
Crossing riverbeds with roads washed away and EVENTUALLY drove into Engarasero (spelling) and into Riverside Campsite....to many happy and welcoming Maasai guides. Showered and hit the bed so hard it must have caused a tremor in Nairobi ;)

Arusha - Civilization - 29th Dec

Well this is the biggest place we seen since Lusaka which was a while ago. We have been shopping for food at shoprite, thanks Mr Basson, Sanjeer motor spares for lamps, tube, fuel filter - gives you an idea that we have been on some rough roads :) . We are on our way to Peponi for a beach R&R with real sunshine, sorry folks back at home but the weather looks miserable, muhahhahaa.

Till later, Linda's turn now.