First a disclaimer to warn those of you with sensitivities greater than mine that you may want to.skip this one. For those who find amusement in my occasional plight I hope you enjoy.
If you pay attention to the twitter side of the page you may recall that in Africa to date I had been robbed and hit by a van. Tonight we boarded our plane to Istanbul, and I thought if I had accrued any bad luck that it would be left behind in Africa .
Nope.
As we readied for takeoff I suddenly saw (and unfortunately felt) that a large amount of warm liquid was suddenly seeping through the seat of the gentleman seated in front of me. Quick reflexes meant I was unscathed except for my left sock. As we had yet to be served any refreshments I was pretty sure what the liquid was. A change of seat and some soapy water rectified the situation, but it was over dinner that it came to me.
Things really do happen in 3's.
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Monday, April 16, 2012
The Nile Safari
The final act of our African adventure was to go on safari to Murchison Falls, where aside from hippos with no concept of personal space there was a setting straight out of The Lion King.
We were in a group with 2 German girls, a Brit, a South Korean and another Canuck. First stop on the safari, after a 4+ hour drive, was a guided walk to the top of Murchison Falls. After having seen our own "Big 3" of the Falls (Niagra, Iguazu and Victoria) I kind of doubted that Murchison would have anything different to offer.
I was wrong. The view from the top down the Nile river was spectacular.
We then wandered down to the actual waterway. I was again struck by how, if I was in Canada, there would have been fences and signs to protect people from doing something stupid. Not here, You could go straight over to the actual river and even attempt to dip your hand in to see how warm the water was.
After a quiet hippo-free night at the camp we set off for the game park. The open savanna setting reminded the group of the Lion King so much that the Germans broke into a spontaneous version of "Hakuna Matata", brought on in some part by having numerous Pumba the warthog sightings.
The usual suspects soon presented themselves. Buffalo, baboon, giraffe, warthog and various versions of deer. Even though we had seen them all before there was a deep appreciation of each sighting, probably because it would be our last for a while.
After a bit we were treated to something special. A lioness was stalking an errant deer. We watched as nature unfolded before our eyes. The lioness exhibiting such a fantastic degree of patience (more so than some of the viewers). Finally the moment of truth came, and the deer was able to narrowly escape. We watched as it scampered away and the lioness trudged off with the consolation prize of a warthog carcass.
In the afternoon we were able to actually cruise the Nile up to the base of Murchison Falls. Along the way we encountered many locals who liked to hang out on the shoreline to beat the heat.
As Chloe wrote, the second night brought a big surprise to the campsite. I couldn't believe I had missed it (I was watching Young Adult). Turns out I was mistaken.
A while after the hippo had wandered off I was lying in my tent when I thought I heard chomping, Peering out my mesh window I really couldn't see anything definitive, but there was definitely something out there. Then the chomping got louder. Which either meant my hearing was getting better, or the source of the chomping was getting closer. Gradually a big, round shape came into view. It was the hippo, and it was headed right for me. I watched as it came right up to the each of the tent. Like Chloe I was separated from it by just a thin canvas wall. I debated photos but didn't want to tempt that the flash would send it into a thunderous rage. Then, just like before, it was gone. And I was again reminded that my daughter is way braver than I ever was.
The last day had us going on a trek to find White Rhino's at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Rhino's were hunted to extinction in Uganda, and are now being re-introduced. Each rhino is guarded 24/7 by a park reanger and a member of the local indigenous tribe. After a safety briefing which advised us that in the event a rhino charged our group to either climb a tree or hide behind a big tree/shrub, we were off. Along the way I closely evaluated the environment to determine appropriate exit strategies. Then we got the word there were 3 rhino close by. Thankfully it was mid-day, and they were all taking it easy.
Now our safari adventure has come to a close. We have loads of memories, a ton of photos, and most of all a desire to someday return.
We were in a group with 2 German girls, a Brit, a South Korean and another Canuck. First stop on the safari, after a 4+ hour drive, was a guided walk to the top of Murchison Falls. After having seen our own "Big 3" of the Falls (Niagra, Iguazu and Victoria) I kind of doubted that Murchison would have anything different to offer.
I was wrong. The view from the top down the Nile river was spectacular.
We then wandered down to the actual waterway. I was again struck by how, if I was in Canada, there would have been fences and signs to protect people from doing something stupid. Not here, You could go straight over to the actual river and even attempt to dip your hand in to see how warm the water was.
After a quiet hippo-free night at the camp we set off for the game park. The open savanna setting reminded the group of the Lion King so much that the Germans broke into a spontaneous version of "Hakuna Matata", brought on in some part by having numerous Pumba the warthog sightings.
The usual suspects soon presented themselves. Buffalo, baboon, giraffe, warthog and various versions of deer. Even though we had seen them all before there was a deep appreciation of each sighting, probably because it would be our last for a while.
After a bit we were treated to something special. A lioness was stalking an errant deer. We watched as nature unfolded before our eyes. The lioness exhibiting such a fantastic degree of patience (more so than some of the viewers). Finally the moment of truth came, and the deer was able to narrowly escape. We watched as it scampered away and the lioness trudged off with the consolation prize of a warthog carcass.
In the afternoon we were able to actually cruise the Nile up to the base of Murchison Falls. Along the way we encountered many locals who liked to hang out on the shoreline to beat the heat.
As Chloe wrote, the second night brought a big surprise to the campsite. I couldn't believe I had missed it (I was watching Young Adult). Turns out I was mistaken.
A while after the hippo had wandered off I was lying in my tent when I thought I heard chomping, Peering out my mesh window I really couldn't see anything definitive, but there was definitely something out there. Then the chomping got louder. Which either meant my hearing was getting better, or the source of the chomping was getting closer. Gradually a big, round shape came into view. It was the hippo, and it was headed right for me. I watched as it came right up to the each of the tent. Like Chloe I was separated from it by just a thin canvas wall. I debated photos but didn't want to tempt that the flash would send it into a thunderous rage. Then, just like before, it was gone. And I was again reminded that my daughter is way braver than I ever was.
The last day had us going on a trek to find White Rhino's at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Rhino's were hunted to extinction in Uganda, and are now being re-introduced. Each rhino is guarded 24/7 by a park reanger and a member of the local indigenous tribe. After a safety briefing which advised us that in the event a rhino charged our group to either climb a tree or hide behind a big tree/shrub, we were off. Along the way I closely evaluated the environment to determine appropriate exit strategies. Then we got the word there were 3 rhino close by. Thankfully it was mid-day, and they were all taking it easy.
Now our safari adventure has come to a close. We have loads of memories, a ton of photos, and most of all a desire to someday return.
Close Encounters of the Hippo Kind
Murchison Falls (the source of the Nile river) was our last safari experience. We were staying in a bush camp (with no fences) which means wildlife can just wander by. When we first arrived the staff said warthogs and hippopotamus are the animals that are there. Hippos are nocturnal, so when you had dinner and were walking back to your tent you should be careful not to run into any of them. The first night we didn't experience that but the second night we did!
At 8:00 pm my Mom was watching a show and I was reading. Then, out of the corner of my ear, I heard this really loud crunching sound. I looked out of the mesh and there was this this huge grey thing with eyes which I assumed was a hippo. I was terrified because the only thing keeping me and that apart was a thin wall of canvas. I was so scared I considered going under my bed. My Mom was so excited. Perhaps it was because the hippo wasn't on her side.
After a while it left our tent and went over to my Dad's. He didn't even know the hippo was there. Finally it wandered away and I was able to get some sleep!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The Tale of 3 Falls
I have been fortunate to see 3 world renowned waterfalls in 9 months, 2 of which are included in the 7 natural wonders of the world list.
They are all magnificent in their own right and all have their own special qualities.
Here are a few facts:
Niagara Falls, border of Canada & the United States
Horseshoe Falls is on the Canadian side has a length of 792.4 metres, a height of 50.9 metres and 2,271,247 litres of water per second goes over the falls. (claim to fame)
Iguazu Falls, near the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay (the falls are in Argentina but can also be seen from Brazil)
There are 275 individual cascades and falls (claim to fame), with the highest fall dropping about 82 metres.
Victoria Falls, border of Zambia and Zimbabwe
considered the biggest waterfall in the world with a height of 102 metres. (claim to fame) It is a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) world heritage site.
They all draw tourists from all over the world and act as the main economic basis for the cities they are connected to.
Although there are many other differences and similarities, the one that sparked my interest was the differences in how tourists are invited to interact with the falls.
Niagara - Chest-high, thick stone walls line a wide, paved boardwalk. There is no charge to see the falls as they are right there beside the road. You can get closer to the falls and get drenched by the spray by hopping on board the Maid of the Mist ($45 adult, rain poncho included) or walk behind the falls (which we didn't experience but you also have to pay for that).
Iguazu Falls - the falls are found within the borders of a large park. You pay an entrance fee of $50 with gains you access to all areas of the large jungle-like park. There are 3 levels from which to see the falls: above, from the middle and from the bottom. There is a train that carries people from one side of the park to another, pathways that take you over the river, and right up close to feel the spray from the falls. You can also take a high adrenaline boat ride that gets really close to the base of the falls and then down the rapids for a fun ride. No rain poncho provided but they do give you a dry-sac to keep any essentials dry. I neglected to put my shoes in and spent the next 2 hours tromping around in wet hiking boots. All trails and walkways have from hip to chest high railings.
Victoria Falls - the falls are found within the borders of a park which you pay a $20 entrance fee to enter ($10 for kids). Following the thunder of the falls and a paved path, you quickly see the falls. There are fences in most areas (especially when you are on the opposite bank facing "the smoke that thunders" or on the knife edge bridge) but when you reach the top part of the falls, there are no fences to climb if you want to walk into the river, which you can apparently do during the dry season when the river is low.
You can rent rain ponchos for a nominal fee. We later realized that this would have been a very good idea. We got completely drenched from head to toe!!
We were at the falls during a full moon so we were able to see the lunar rainbow over the falls. Spectacular!
They are all magnificent in their own right and all have their own special qualities.
Here are a few facts:
Niagara Falls, border of Canada & the United States
Horseshoe Falls is on the Canadian side has a length of 792.4 metres, a height of 50.9 metres and 2,271,247 litres of water per second goes over the falls. (claim to fame)
Iguazu Falls, near the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay (the falls are in Argentina but can also be seen from Brazil)
There are 275 individual cascades and falls (claim to fame), with the highest fall dropping about 82 metres.
Victoria Falls, border of Zambia and Zimbabwe
considered the biggest waterfall in the world with a height of 102 metres. (claim to fame) It is a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) world heritage site.
They all draw tourists from all over the world and act as the main economic basis for the cities they are connected to.
Although there are many other differences and similarities, the one that sparked my interest was the differences in how tourists are invited to interact with the falls.
Niagara - Chest-high, thick stone walls line a wide, paved boardwalk. There is no charge to see the falls as they are right there beside the road. You can get closer to the falls and get drenched by the spray by hopping on board the Maid of the Mist ($45 adult, rain poncho included) or walk behind the falls (which we didn't experience but you also have to pay for that).
Iguazu Falls - the falls are found within the borders of a large park. You pay an entrance fee of $50 with gains you access to all areas of the large jungle-like park. There are 3 levels from which to see the falls: above, from the middle and from the bottom. There is a train that carries people from one side of the park to another, pathways that take you over the river, and right up close to feel the spray from the falls. You can also take a high adrenaline boat ride that gets really close to the base of the falls and then down the rapids for a fun ride. No rain poncho provided but they do give you a dry-sac to keep any essentials dry. I neglected to put my shoes in and spent the next 2 hours tromping around in wet hiking boots. All trails and walkways have from hip to chest high railings.
 |
| Victoria Falls |
 |
| Paul said he just wanted to "test" the water. Apparently warm but much to much water flowing to go any further! |
 |
| Paul and Chloe having a shower in the spray near the Knife Edge Bridge |
We were at the falls during a full moon so we were able to see the lunar rainbow over the falls. Spectacular!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
South Africa Welcomes Us
Today was our first day in South Africa! In the morning we went down to Boulders Beach in Cape Town and saw a colony of African penguins. They were very small! Most penguins are smaller than you think.
Our first day was really cool!! I hope the second will be just as awesome!!!
After Boulders Beach we went to Cape Point. At the lighthouse there were signs pointing the way to New York, Singapore, Sydney, Aukland and many more places.
On the way back we saw some baboons and two ostriches!
Our first day was really cool!! I hope the second will be just as awesome!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)