tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49284680497502945852024-03-14T11:49:27.758+03:00Black Man On the Bike Bicycle journey into 12 African countries. This is the story of my early 20's traveling in Africa from the home Tanzania, East Africa. This journey was a personal deiscovery. As young African I try my best to balance my observation which is of Africa and all I have to take in inorder to understadn what I know. I find it harder to find better language to speak with millions of Africans who inspire me. Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-75922908594924418412021-11-23T09:05:00.001+03:002021-11-23T09:05:51.086+03:00Kitulo National Park<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/08i666Rqqzg" frameborder="0"></iframe>Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-17526271154502357182020-08-06T14:49:00.001+03:002020-08-06T14:49:09.571+03:00Serengeti National Park_Sunset Game Drive_Elephants_360_VR<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZyVyGmTdtgo" width="480"></iframe>Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-55353483641996368642020-05-02T19:15:00.003+03:002020-12-03T15:00:32.273+03:00The Memoir of Cycling Around the World: Chile to Kili Book<br /><div><br /></div><div>It has been a while since I posted here last time. This is because Chile to Kili ride had its own domain before went out of control to adult content host. I still wonder how could that happened. Is there someone seat down and created a porn site and decide to name it <a href="www.chiletokili.life" target="_blank">Chile to Kili?</a> There are no short wonders in this life. I write about my travels, adventure, conservation, community, and sustainable development. <div><br /></div><div>That been said if you are still with me, I'm glad to share with you the memoir of my cycling which includes the biography of my growing up adventures. Throughout my experience, a lot of people wonder how did I conceive the idea of cycling around the world. In the book, I share the adventure of my childhood from the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro. My life has been of such an adventure that explains the take on of cycling around the world. I also wanted to share my life with many other young people particular here in Africa who may or we share the same background. My cycling was the quest for education and support for others who are in a similar need. Nature and environment conservation was my message, here I share more how my life has been shaped by growing up and working in nature. </div><div><br /></div><div>Travel with the bicycle as a young African is more than adventure, every single kilometer was a wonder even in my home country. The places which were only a dream become a true experience. There are no enough words to explain the night camping in the Atacama desert or cycling through the equatorial rain forest of Africa leave alone the busy streets of Landon. The opportunity to see, experience, and share with many the story of conservation and sustainable development, for me it was like a daydream. </div><div><br /></div><div>Contrary to the common perception of conflicts, wars, and hate I received and enjoyed a generally warm welcome throughout my journey. Though this doesn't mean I didn't have my share of our reality. As an African here I share my observation, hope, and wishers. And finally, as from the beginning, I hope my journey will be an inspiration for other young Africans to take on the actions to find a solution for our challenges.Now you can get the copy of Chile to Kili Book at; www.chiletokili.life. Amazon; https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08PBN883Z&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_1knYFbQ81CYBX </div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>
<iframe type="text/html" width="336" height="550" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen style="max-width:100%" src="https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?asin=B08PBN883Z&preview=inline&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_1knYFbQ81CYBX" ></iframe>Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-79794027706769235742011-11-07T14:34:00.000+03:002019-10-28T15:40:06.119+03:00When books are open we find that we have wings….<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>When books are open we find that we have wings….</b></div>
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Inspiration it's one of driving power which drive us to achieve so many things in our life, Iguess everyone have been inspired in one way or another. When I share my inspirations and motivations with other especial here at home it happen that there are two main opinions. First group understand that there inspiration, motivation, etc. The second group thought is a miracle, impossible and I just happen to do things by chance. As I'm working to consolidate my understand so I can reason and explain my plans to cycle across countries. I'm not sure if I'm looking for approval, acceptance, to be undestood, or trying to justfy my uncovesional thought to the people around me. Bouncing on these thoughts I often landed at Africa and African. The best I can see self with the mix of tribals, ethinics, speritual beliefs, econmic systeams, etc is as an African. This sense is big and heavy, Africa is vast and complex, luckly it is a feeling. It is everywhere in the body and mind often come out with music food and people. Part of my journey is to look deeper into this feeling. My challenge is to deal with the heavy fog of confusion. I hitch a ride from these people who whave open minds.<br />
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This remands me a beautiful passage from Jane Goodall “Reason for Hope”
<i>‘Africa is locked in a time warp of mystification. Africans mystifies everything. It is the pseudo-modernism of today’s Africa: one foot in the primitive and heavily complexed past and another in Modernism, in a superfluous and destructively competitive way; with no heart in it. It is the same way, through lack of understanding; or un willingness of commit the effort to understand…’</i>
Even though I have never gave too much thought about my inspiration but when I feel this I start to think of long list of inspiration. The mistic inspiration, the reality I was born in and grew up which is enternal end up in the conflict with the external. I wonder if Jane she was trying to explain this confusion, anyhow that passage increase my curiosity to wonder more about Africa. Its mistystics, natural bounty, harshness, kindness, awareness, violance and charms.<br />
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The list vary from folks I hear about, I meet, what I see (Hollywood movies :- ofcourse I can't take for granted those expirence of peering through the holl in the mad house to see Rambo in the Jangle) But the one I remember very well it is the one I like the best is the complex way of picking one alphabet combine them to make a word, sentence, process it in the brain till I can use it as I knowledge and understand.<br />
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Books carry lot of mystery, this is my list which has a great influence on me in terms of inspiration.
<b>Chinua Achebe’s<i></i></b> - These were literature books with fictionalized stories of Nigeria which fit in so many sub-Sahara Africa countries.<br />
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His work such as ‘Things fall Apart and Man of the people’ were a stories which before I though it was shame, it was about our awkwardness but after reading it several time I found out it was worth tell story, in young age I was starting to feel proud of my history. I was inspired by the way he twists the reality; put it in fun way with sense of humor yet very concerning. I think there are more stories like that need to be told. I find it is not ease for may of us young African to build understand from all engle of entrance being in the middle of savannah or in the the slams. Achebe's is a story, it has to be clear to us, in our minds, connect us to this reality we are in today as well as past and future. I flew with Chinua back in the begion of the system I'm in now. His higher flight offered me a glimps of what is to be, to be of Africa.<br />
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<b>Think Big<i></i></b>-(Ben Cason) - I grow up in the Christian family pass to all religions to reach ‘respect others believe, mother nature is a supreme, love is what I need. Thanks that Christianity emphasize on learning beyond the realim of belief. Ben's story of maki it out from huge pool of racial discrimination in suburbs of Detroit from single parent. His work which connected with Christianity is dedicated to youth realizing their potential through ‘Power of positive thinking’ while inspire with his achievement. I lived all sort of life in my early childhood at this point in the slums I flew on Ben's wings. Navigate the way around the shakers and noise to my mind.<br />
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<b>Reason for Hope<i></i></b> - (Jane Goodall) Born and grew up in the place which offer the luxury of nature, I have never dought about my duty to conserve it. I'm learning more and what went wrong we end up lost such great connection. I’m motivated to see the conservation of nature given a priority in our daily life. Jane’s story is one of its kind, how she made it all the way, come up with her mission ‘Education, Conservation and Humanitarian’. I share her optimism. Her position as Western Woman, not educated in the conversinal education system as lest not of Master and PhD :-). Offered a view into Western perceptions and commond understand of their challenges and relation to nature as well as they modals of thinking.<br />
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<b>Into Africa</b> - This book come in when it come to the question of adventures and history. It combination of obsession, desirefame, passion, etc sent first Europeans explores into Africa. It is the history of heroic discovery which lead to todays scenerio and governing our relation between African and the rest of the world. This account seem to be adressing those who are out of Africa. It luck of human sense shocked me. It made me wonder; Can Africans also be explorers? What will they be looking for? How will they percive the places and those who they will incounter?<br />
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Here it is their encounters which are total unimaginable in my minds. It also talking of their discovery impacts and consequences such as ends of slave trade and pass Africa to colonial rulers. What amaze me is the shift from condem slavelry and promote forced labour. I wondered if that all the calculation takes to rule the world.<br />
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<b>Paulo Coelho</b> - Despite of his books having lots of contradictions and face high criticism, Coelho still influence and stimulate lots of people.<br />
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I come across ‘The Alchemist’ before taking off on my first long bike ride; It was a piece of work which give rebirth of dreams. I find the book laying at my friends table once I fished it I was flying in the orbit of enlightment. It was easy to find all of his books from different part, backpacker’s hotel shelves, other travelers, etc. The oldman keep of bring facinating and yet confusing stories to awake those who are ready.<br />
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<i>‘The young all have the same dream: to save the world. Some quickly forget this dream, convinced that there are more important things to do, like having a family, earning money, travelling and learning a foreign language. Others though, decide that it really is possible to make a difference in society and to shape the world we live in and for future generation’ </i><b>Paulo Coelho.</b><br />
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<b>Lance Armstrong</b><i><b></b></i>- Since I switched my awareness in the bike, I come to know this several times winner of Tour De France/cancer survivor, read his bio and achievement it enough to inspire any one. Well, now you know what I'm have been through if I'm not bamboozled then I'm inspired to learn more. Lance bamboozled me, may be he was just like me but at lest he come out.<br />
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<b>Nature</b>: The last book in this list is nature. This is the book I started reading and researching from the bigin of my understand and memory. It is available everywhere the only price is to make effort to be closer and closre every moment.<br />
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The list run so on and so forth. "Kujifunza hakuna mwisho" ...learning has no end...Swahili. This summirize it, one can not stop learning is only through learning I move to the next step, to next orbit to next dimession. Through this lerning I realize that human as consious being the major and most challenge is the abilty and capabilty to learn as quick and adopt. Books give me the lift from these people who open up and share their journey, deep and profound journey, pleasants and painful yet it si vital insight into someone else journey. The lift from the authours helped me to develop my own wings and with the help of the universal power I'm curving my own path. Fortunalty the journey in the personal path is only expression to expirence. This can't be attained through anyone or anything, it is always my respoensibilty.<br />
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Nature: The last<br />
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Keep on reading about my <a href="https://www.elmundosafaris.com/">travels</a> here </div>
Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0Arusha, Tanzania-3.3869254 36.6829927-3.5137314 36.5216312 -3.2601194 36.8443542tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-50724544555488492412011-10-07T17:32:00.000+03:002017-09-18T22:38:49.830+03:00And beyond…. Chile To Kili<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On my 25th birthday, I organized and lead 10 students on a mission - trail cleaning, natural studying and, finally, reaching the summit of Mt. Meru. I first conducted a natural study in Arusha National Park, followed by a small, yet meaningful birthday celebration when we reached the summit. The weather was not at its best, but we made it.<br />
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We made it to the top! Such trip is unusual for the local Tanzanians and indeed, it was the first time for the students, which meant so much to us all, specially myself, I was honored to take the lead as one of the committee member of Wildlife Conservation Society. The same day, we lunch our fund raising project on scholarship for disadvantage students who aim to study and work in the natural resource management field in Tanzania. <br />
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Growing up, I have always been interested and involved in nature conservation. I am extremely frustrated seeing the high level environmental degradation around us with lack of passionate and committed local professionals and their minimum involvement. I know that I must take actions to raise awareness of environmental protection, not only for myself, but for us and all our generations to come. My first try was to cycle around Africa and see the Motherland as a whole (http://cyclingaroundafrica.blogspot.com/).<br />
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A few years of idea sharing with friends and support from around the world, it came to the idea of “Chile to Kili,” my around the world fund raising project in bringing up perspective future environmentalists.
The mission is to raise $100,000 scholarship for Tanzanian students who wish to study and work in the natural resource fields.<br />
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I am cycling on my two wheels to navigate the world in December. I will meet with conservation stakeholders along the way and put in a few hours each day working with them from Santiago to Kilimanjaro. Throughout the project, I shall encourage the use of bicycles as transportation, as well as exchange thoughts and ideas on carbon reduction with people I meet en route.
It took two months of preparation for the planning of this project to be where it is now.<br />
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Thanks to so many people, it has been successful so far and I would not have been able to get this far without any of their help.
Less than three months left before my flights to Chile, I must focus on fund raising alone, as it is the first step of the execution of my whole project. Therefore, I would appreciate any donation possible from you. The amount goes directly to the Conservation Resource Center account:
Bank name: Barclays Bank.
Branch:Arusha
Branch code: 002
Account name: Conservation Resource Centre
Account number: 9001901
SWIFT CODE: BARCTZTZ
We are setting up PayPal and First Giving accounts later to facilitate online donations. For those who would like to take fund raising to the next level(even a Captain Fund Raiser!), they may create an account at the “Fist Giving” website under Chile to Kili, then collect funds from their friends.<br />
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I am asking you to please help me in support of our community and the beauty of nature that surrounds us which we seem to forget sometimes. For us, our children and the generations to come, let us all learn to love and respect our mother earth by preserving nature and protecting our environment. We should not only rely on organizations but one person, one step at a time!
Should you have any project related question or concern, please feel free to email me: elvis@chiletokili.com. Looking for <a href="https://www.elmundosafaris.com/">customized bicycle tours</a> Thank you.
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Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-61948117701013967212011-08-30T13:14:00.000+03:002017-09-18T22:41:57.173+03:00Around Kili with Peter Gostelow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I left Arusha late and drove to the foothills of Kilimanjaro at Marangu village to meet my grandma. I had long chart because have been a year without seeing her, she is getting more older and more worried. At 6:30am I was awoken with big knock on the door “you said you want to leave early” my grand called out, reminding me of the days of primary school.<br />
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I was bit lazy but thankfully the coffee was ready, so I assembled my bike as sipping large mug of coffee after that the full breakfast was ready. At 7:30 I was ready on the road warming up with rolling hills, though it took time to become hot as the weather was bit chilly which made the breathing difficult.
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It’s always fun to cycle in this banana and coffee plantation with some tall and huge trees like albizia, avacados, mangoe, etc. This time it was totally exhilarating. For more than ten years of living here a tarmac road was a far dream, but now it almost all paved! Can’t help to think of the dust from fast drivers and uncountable pot holes.<br />
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Passing through chains of villages all with schools near the road, I attract great deal of interest. Students keep running out and shouting ‘Mzunguu! What is my name?, What is this?”
Tarmac road with relative little traffic, <br />
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picturesque landscape with twin Kili peaks , breezing wind with a little bit of sun, and lush green mountain farms and forest make for the perfect day, no matter how many times I cycle here.<br />
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I stopped for a coke in the market but forced to finish my drink quickly to avoid the crowed of curious local which was starting to get bigger than I can handle. From Tarake the road becomes more than rolling hills, it is long climbing with few flats, thanks to tailwind. The human habitats stop at Rongai North Kili forest gate.<br />
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The mixed forest planted and natural forest is so calm, lots of wildlife (plenty of birds) and I was lucky enough black and white colobus monkeys on the river stared at me as I was stare at them.<br />
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I made it to Rongai village and border without border post, there a hundred old wooden bands for forest workers. I try to find food in a local restaurant locally know as ‘hotel.’ Please don’t ask for rooms! I popped in the one pointed by pass by, ‘do you have food?’ ‘yes’ ‘what kind of food?’ ‘Chai and chapatti’ (tea and chapatti), ‘where can I find food?’ ‘probably on that big tree.’<br />
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I maneuver the way to the big tree and after some direction from maaasai men sitting under tree (as normal). It a M-kamba woman (from the Kenyan plains) ‘ Uko na chakula?’ (do u have food?) Ndio, chain a madnazi! 9yes tea and some cakes) ‘Thanks, where can I get real food like rice and beans?’ ‘Just try at the end o0f the village’ At he end of the village, a woman dress well compared to the rest of the villagers with the hood; ‘Habari gani? ‘alkhumsalam’ (ooh she replay like I said salamu alekhum, she is Muslim).<br />
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Do you have food? ‘Yes but not now, we cant it now because its holey month’ Thanks, ‘we’ Holey Month’ Doesn’t make any sense to me. I should probably cook but before I decide that someone offered me a direction to somewhere else. By the way, this isn’t a large village. You can just see every where so that is easier than cooking. At this last place took 2 1/2hrs to get rice and beans.<br />
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I’m now tired and exhausted. It seems like Peter is not going to make to here as the plan, but I’ll wait for his update. I went in the guest house we slept last time. It is just a wooden room of 4.30m wide and 8m long, but it make sense to be called guest house because it cost me 3000Tsh (approx 2$). Around 4pm Peter text ‘45km away, not sure if I can make it, probably I’ll bush camp’.<br />
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Behind the guest house there was football match and from time to time the ball hit the corrugated iron of my room with a scream, so I couldn’t take a nap. I just wander in the football pitch. The match seemed to be bit serious as I found more spectators than I expected, and players with formal jerseys with hand written numbers.<br />
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The scene where like imaginary football match on the green pitch surrounded by old wooden bandas, all kinda folks children to adult watching a match, goats, sheep cattle roaming around, forest and hug mass of land with white peak. After 20minuts of watching I could predict the match so there was no point of standing there.It was sun down so better take a walk. I took a walk towards the mountain. The walk was a perfect call, there was an awesome view of mountain two peaks connected with a saddle with colorful reflection from sun set (I wish I had a good camera). <br />
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The lush green with high diversity of plant as much as my eyes could tell, the birds call were so varying, fiscal shrike and pygmy falcon perch on electrical polls waiting for last insects to show up, bunch of Hartilabs Turaco telling each how was the day from far, couple Tropical Boubou calling each and paradise fly catcher busy in the mating.<br />
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This was probably walking to the little paradise. I walk back in the house when it was dark made my spaghetti and canned beans dinner.
I set off at 7am to cycle the cloudy and chilly cold mountain, at some point the road return to the rolling hills. It was too cold with little rain in those long down hills. <br />
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I stopped in one village for chai. Peter texted ‘I’m getting lazy in my old age, still lying in the tent listening to music but soon I’ll be on the road’.<br />
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At Kamwanga village where the green forest turn to dry savannah stretching from mountain to Kenyan plains also the tarmac road turns to gravel road with some dust pool. After about 20km from Rongai I was now aware that I might loose Peter probably in the bush or chai stop, I stopped a motor bike driver coming from different direction, ‘Did you pass mzungu on the bike?’ ‘no’ ‘where are you from?’ ‘olmolong’ ‘how far from here?’ ‘may be 2km’ !!! ‘how long do you think it will take me to be there?’ may be 1/30hrs’ ‘Thanks very much and safari njema’.<br />
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Five kilometers ahead I meet a maasai on his cool traditional dress cord; ‘Habari rafiki? ‘Have you seen mzungu on the bike?’ ‘Yes’ ‘Where’ ‘Here’’ When?’ ‘About 2 or 3 days ago’ Thanks, see you later.’ About 2km from maasai guy Peter was struggling uphill with his heavy loaded bike.
We just laugh at each as we great each, we have been up to date each for couple of days .<br />
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Before going further I just ask Peter, “how did you sleep he just laugh more. ‘I camped after dark, it happened to be the wrong spot, because it was behind a chickens pen. There were tons of cock calling just in my head from 3am or so. 10m from my tent it was pig pen, the smell was unbearable in the morning. But all is fine’ “All is Fine!!” More or less that is what I could say as well so I now realized we’re on the same page.<br />
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We stop for about half an hour talking on different subjects. We resume our cycling towards the mountain to Rongai when we start to feel cold.<br />
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Me and Peter we knew each about 3yrs ago when I was researching for my cycling around Africa mission, in that time he was arriving back home from China by bike. He cycled a lot in central and southern Asia, <br />
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actually this there where he started his bikes touring adventures. When he was setting off for ‘Big Cycle Africa’ we hope to meet but never schedule it.
Peter cycle for his own pace with plan of London to Cape Town, he said he always tell people that he will be in Cape after 6 months now it almost 2yrs on road and he’s still telling me he will be in Cape after 6 months. <br />
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Talking with Peter about his adventure in Africa I think is a first cyclist who had real enjoy and experience ‘real’ Africa. Despite robber attack in Senegal and theft of all electronic equipments in Kenya he is still super positive and never related them with his biking experience. The both happen out of cycling, he took the wrong walking path in Senegal and Kenya incident was thief in the recommended guest house where he stayed while distributing mosquito net which is a cause of his Africa adventure.<br />
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Malaria is a disease which is a cause of many death in Africa than any, since there have been little done to eradicate this disease a cause like Peter's it invaluable. He is going through most remote part of the continet, central Africa, Congo, etc and set up mosquito nets distribution. I think this is among of worth cause to undertake.<br />
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Good work Peter!
Our meeting was bit strange, after few hours together it was like we knew each for ages. We talked of many different things than bikes. We had later lunch at Tarakea, continued with cycling slow with Peter’s pace, exchanging bikes, make some silly games with locals while listen to Fela Kutte in his external speakers. The dark found us at Rombo, we sorted accommodation here, had long conversation over diner. This was the perfect time for me to talk with Peter about my coming expedition; “Chile to Kili”. The plan is to raise money to offer scholarships for motivated Tanzania students who want to study Natural Resource Management or Environmental Conservation. I<br />
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am one of these students, who has been struggling to find funding for school. On the way I plan to raise awareness for Nature/environment conservation in different ways. This is quite the same mission with Peter of raise money to “Fight Against Malaria in Africa”. Peter likes the idea a lot, he believes it will be also an inspiration for most of the youth especial African. He relates this with his talking he did in Africa. He is also down to come and join me for couple of weeks in somewhere like Mongolia; “I cant imagine what will be the reaction of people who have never see a black man before” he concluded.
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The next day we start our day slowly as we didn’t feel like leaving each other. Peter showed me what he packed, important and not important, useful and not useful, etc. We spent couple of hours at breakfast and coke stops.<br />
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We gave each other one final hug and best wishes as Peter camped in the rim of Lake Chala and I headed back to Arusha for further preparations of ‘Chile to Kili’. Stay turned for more info as soon we will launch the movement, there will be also plenty of chance if you want to join me for a stretch.
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Would you like to cycle around <a href="https://www.elmundosafaris.com/">Kilimanjaro</a> with us ? See our around <a href="https://www.elmundosafaris.com/bicycle-tours-2/">Kilimanjaro bike tour package</a> </div>
Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania-3.0674247 37.355627299999924-28.5894592 -3.9529667000000757 22.4546098 78.664221299999923tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-57579574354786669682011-02-13T21:33:00.002+03:002023-09-28T12:27:31.981+03:00Khartoum-Gondar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is on<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5ri03CBAnVJjo1qaflyxlysQ9UyZEt727PbJRGijjy1bajGot_sNDgMdPhmqym_KJoYbB-rxV0ImPMcJpWKkFaPUdfeOFhVFoPQZBjjP94baPgSj6355KqV3p3Ym6CE6CM4E7JLLHsgHw0vDmBkkbPD1l2dp3vhi1K-M2VXeVRajgyPt-y7LnHPpp7U/s4032/VEIlQXPbSRC5tBrspjupPA.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5ri03CBAnVJjo1qaflyxlysQ9UyZEt727PbJRGijjy1bajGot_sNDgMdPhmqym_KJoYbB-rxV0ImPMcJpWKkFaPUdfeOFhVFoPQZBjjP94baPgSj6355KqV3p3Ym6CE6CM4E7JLLHsgHw0vDmBkkbPD1l2dp3vhi1K-M2VXeVRajgyPt-y7LnHPpp7U/s320/VEIlQXPbSRC5tBrspjupPA.jpg"/></a></div>e hour ago since the bright sun slowly rise from Ethiopian highlands set a blaze the Khartoum vast sky, the gentle breeze from the desert blew the dust on the deserted street create the pleasant moment for the folks on the two wheels. Few men on the whites and woman on the blacks curious staring at mzungus chasing one another, how far are they going?<br />
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I bet that should be the question. Slowly traffic intensify, on the city outskirt lie bus livestock market most got and ships on sell, the small shacks, the man on the white robes and tabernacles moving around caring bay got or ship, negotiating or sometime shout to each other its total exotic scene. Some riders stop and tack few snaps for Swedish guy, Kistin photo wasn’t enough he actually end up buying small got and put it in the rear camera bag, “Got get a ride”.<br />
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As town lie behind comes few small town-ships where you will greeted buy you children who never give the shirt if you like it or not they will say hello! Repeat for couple of time before we reach lunch it was you against the wind for certain extension of time. It is a stretch of eight days without rest day till we hit Gondar, Ethiopia. Every day was a new day with total different experience hot, dust, flat tires (max. 10 per person per day), bumping road, get lost and last but not on the list Sudanese’s particular kindness. Stranger pop in the village with explanation that they will camp here, within hours you farm it home of more than 60 people moving around just like they have been there for ages.<br />
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Those with courage especial old folks brought coffee and chai which you may not be able to turn down though it is 30C hot. In one occasion there was a speech from local leader who couldn’t hide his emotion; Asalam alekhum wa barackatu…! It is our pleasure to host you in our village, though we didn’t prepare much for you are coming your most welcome. Next year we ask your management to let us know in advance for now we bring you few drinks”.<br />
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The cold drinks is un imaginable think which you can only dream or luckily get in the coke stop, this one was consisting mineral water, pineapple juice Pepsi and non alcoholic beer! The speech was in the English which require you rearrange those sentences in order to get proper mining. I’m worry that is you will let this guys no your coming perhaps they will slaughter couple of camel and you will not have space to put what you can’t take.<br />
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It might be a bit of confusion ordinary people are natural kind to strangers or the basic fundament of their religion is to share what they have now the politician with their bad reputation us it by saying “we are always kind and welcome so…next time bring you family for vacation in Sudan! <br />
The begin of Sudan contradict it end no beer, official progress such as permit for taking photos, persistence hot which eventual reach 47 C and wind plus the 3 days on bumping road make Ethiopia to sound like “Promising Land”. There was big up loud when I announce last ride meeting in Sudan and comment that bordered crossing is a slow process but soon when you’re in Ethiopia side just get “Dishen” a Ethiopian beer and take it ease.<br />
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We had lunch in the Sudan side 40km from boarder both Gallabat and Matema border post they among of slowest border I have ever come across, it is just one person recording all needed and unneeded information on large book. If you are from less known country or white and having South African passport they will pass it around discussing and if they will not satisfy themselves they might bomb you with questions as they ask this white South African guy “Where is South Africa?” After spend reasonable amount of time in the immigration where everyone leave on his time been stop is busy Matema small town for beers and injira or cycle 4 km to come.<br />
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As you seat you feet in the crossing line between these county which may share some almost forget past historical relation to today oil, labor, food product, etc you will have strong sees of difference. Form body morphology to dressing, if is not every building it vehicles and if not that is everyone on the cloth having a Red, Golden and Green colors. These colors have been adopted with most of African country and most of Africanism organizations plus Rastafarian movement. That is how we enter among of the oldest country in the world. It rolling hills, twisted landscape bushes full of birds and favorable climate together make the best riding day for most of the riders.<br />
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As well as second day except that this one become more challenge as it take you to the highest climb of the tour 2502m if that wasn’t enough there are fun kids who shout to you “You! You! Where you go?” if you will not replay wave and smile you likely to be hit by stone or get stick.<br />
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Anyways their lovely kids who may be have been effected “We are the world” so they believe that they should be given everything money, clothes or shoes is what they will comfortably demand from you. Stone throwing is more like a game for them as I come across some of them playing it seriously. <br />
It was a long day as I sweep then get on towards Gondar, it look more historical town with it old castle, several churches. It also a center for highland people Amaranya . Stay turn for next up to day as I’ll be collecting much fact about the legend Ethiopia.</div>
Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-1331232315754244662011-02-03T13:51:00.001+03:002011-02-03T13:51:44.059+03:00Sudan “Land of Blacks”…wild & beautyThat is but contrary in the political. In the northern Sudan east of Nile there is nothing than beautiful calm desert. After spent sometime in the desert we come in contact with might Nile again possible to swim with only caution of crocodile. <br />
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Soon after crossing to Sudan with the welcome faces of ordinary Sudanese’s life have become ease once again the tense of Egypt which was built by both environment and social have reduced. In the rest day at Dongola riders are connected to their daily life with coke only, strictly no alcohol! So we take it ease find our comfort in the desert which now it become more sophisticated as it gives you all the hope and energy in the morning as it let the sun catch every one awareness and utter “it is beautiful day”. In the midday it is damn hot, it doesn’t forgive you neither the land. Your venerable so you try to protect yourself by adding sun lotion and drink lot but the war remain for sun and desert. Desert rise wind to cool itself , this might be within three of them and they can be conquered only by patient and that is how we make it to capital of Sudan, Khartoum.<br />
Desert storm…<br />
One thing which I didn’t talk about in the previous blog was a desert storm which hit us in the 2nd desert camp or so. This storm was a worse one so far made people awake till 11pm this is real lait for TDA, it also damage mansions and Sheratons, these are over size tents. Now I refer this storm with current situation in Cairo, it is a storm blew from west to east. It was successful in Tunis but what about Egypt? Where it will be next destination? <br />
No one can imagine if we were still in Egypt since under normal situation we had polices stick with use till we get out. Now in Sudan, thanks referendum results are postponed to February at least we’ll be out of Khartoum on our way to Ethiopia.<br />
In most of African countries it always advice not to discuss politics and I tried to avoid that but Africans we don’t have opportunity to meet often so when I meet with others African it become total impossible avoiding to talk about our problems. Most of Sudanese are naïve and no almost nothing unless they are recent southerner escaped war but for the war which have been there since 1955 , young generation who their family flew to north has little memory and interest may be the political trick of religion have good effect on them. In one occasion I had a long chart with Ethiopian and Eritrean, we are well connected since our syllabuses allow us to learn about each African country. The worst account was from Eritrean guy who tell about business of selling people which is still existing in horn of Africa don’t mention the dictatorship which no could predict it end. As usual such conversation doesn’t have conclusion instead has question, when this part of word will have at least suitable situation? How is responsible for changers?Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-48666804615020371412011-02-03T13:49:00.001+03:002019-10-26T13:04:25.602+03:00Nubian...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As we stick with Nile moving from one historical town to another, the scenery is still stunning and wonderful, the green valley bordered with backed desert just divided by road. The bounty of the landscape is added by Nubian villages along the valley, some abandoned, some still in use. These plus Nubian people with their dressing who mostly you will, meet on the carts pulled by donkeys though it not pleasant to look how these people worked the animal here, in most occasion you will see people sitting under shade drinking chai, tea. It is like traveling back to centuries. <br />
At Edfu we had few hours break as we made it in town early, it is harbor of Nile. There are plenty of Nile cruise ships stops here for break whereby passengers board horse cart across the town to the temple. In down town guys shout at me “my cousin” so blacks are cousin of Nubian!<br />
Being tail, head or sides wind it was only dinner talking but eventually we made to Assuan. The most southern and beautiful city of Egypt with all the fancy such Novel hotel on the Nile and MacDonald all this absorb riders for few hours. In the next morning it was convoy though outstriket of Assuan, Assuan dams with magnificent view of Nile as it meander through the desert, our beloved Egypt end on the lake Naser. <br />
It take almost two hours of straggling to get in the boat then two hours again of make sure everything was under control. The boat is the link between two similar but not the same country, Egypt is far to the modern while her cousin straggling in the primitive but with the same need. Arabs are merchants according to history and that is what I found out here. The commodity are range from food product such sugar, rice to electronics such TV, air condition all, cell phone, etc. all is all but “Made in China”. As usual outsider you will be amazed by the local culture and tradition, if you will say let me wait it going to take the whole day. May be somewhere else but here these guys carrying 20 t0 30kg or any sort of balk sack they only shout to each other, “I’m going in!” Yes I see but let me get out first”, “No”” Me first for the god sake this sack it is very heavy “. So it goes for hundred people or so. For western quality it this boat is peace of “shirt” , no one will be left behind, what called “second class” maybe it is not for more than 20 passengers so today most of as we will be in “Non class” on the deck with service of fresh air and wonderful sun set and rise. At 5pm we set off.<br />
At 12am in the next day we was in Wadi Alfa harbor take some few hours going though custom and migration posses ride in convoy for few km to the camp.</div>
Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0Egypt26.820553 30.80249800000001412.435578 10.148201000000014 41.205528 51.456795000000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-1601744543503600802011-01-21T17:59:00.000+03:002011-01-21T17:59:15.092+03:00EgyptA part of pyramids tour Cairo wasn’t a place I’ll hang out for more than two idle days. It need time to copy up with locals who take every one as a typical tourist no matter how you may try to avoid it. It was a good time to explore a bit history on this mother of civilization though I find out late I was badly reaped off but it was worth it. <br />
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The countdown comes close as I met my fellow stuffs who are simply representing the entire world, shake hands with early arrive rides, diner, Stella (the popular beer which will cost you enough to find it as it considered as “haramu”, forbidden or so) with daily minor tasks all these make the 5 days in the five stars resort pass fast than I was expecting. <br />
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My experience in Cairo might make a book so let me keep it on my diary and if I’ll happen to have a chance to publish it when I’m old it will be my pension for me. But few things is Egyptian are specific breed which in order to copy up with them you need some time with lots of patient. They don’t drink but they smoke badly. How they drive is only gods knows. Food is what it will always remand you Egypt their variety, tasty and cheap. <br />
Though tourism have been here for almost 500 years ago few bother themselves to educate themselves more particular in teams of communication. Usually they will bomb you with normal questions You’re name?, Where from? Then Want to see pyramids? Horse, Camel, Donkey ride? Perfume and papyrus are items which they will try to sell you indirectly. <br />
The long waited day 15 Jan final is here probably the largest group of tourist every attempt to cross the legendary continent, Africa. The long queue of 102 cyclists set of from Cataract Pyramids Resort heavily protected by police we maneuver our way to great pyramids of Giza. The open ceremony was brief since it was cold riders take photos, paparazzi try to did what the can. I wonder how they will have to put it so ordinary people will understand the concept behind people crossing Africa on two wheels. Reasonable amount of time was spent on convoy getting out of Cairo though before dark every rider make 134km, that was good begin! As some of riders I happened to chart with such Ethiopian couple this was their longest distance on bike. <br />
It is first desert camp everyone is happy to open the tent for the first time and make most of it on the vast desert space. That was not the end of surprise, James; the cook has great hot soup followed by amazing dinner. The fun thing about TDA no matter how many riders or how strong they might be but always after dinner around 7:30pm the whole camp is quiet. Every one wants to save energy for next day. The next day was long day 167km and the fact that everyone was still tense just to show the legendary continent how best she or he is. In that day there was no much discussion as no one has interest of talk about it.<br />
We are in the Red Sea though it is blue so the days are just desert and sea. It is bit boring but racers they just to finish their day, those who are in good in meditation enjoy the emptiness of desert with plenty of air and those who cannot take more than they can afford their support vehicle to fetch them.<br />
It goes slow when you’re on the last minutes of your day and consider it for 115days but in the actual sense days are passing and the tour become more fun. That was among of the comment of the days, the night passed at Safaga town; the camp was on the Red Sea beach so the time to get shower and cold bears.<br />
The day from Safaga was just the continue of African bounty as we left the beach go through the mountain range. It was real pleasant cycling as the gentle climb road meander through the overhanging rocks. We pass the night at the police check point anyways we do have police with us everyday. It may surprise how tourists security it big issue here but as I say before they also don’t even speak English apart of not having ideal what is tourism by the ways we feel secure in the desert. <br />
The rotation of working up dismantle your tent breakfast jump on bike stop for lunch then pitch tent diner and crush, it might be bit tire some of other if not all; “rest day seem like a holiday in the vacation” one of the rider told me. It is a rest day in Laxour among of the accident town in the upper Egypt. In this particular time riders take time to recover from routine, being conventional tourists by visiting Kings & Queens valley, temples, etc.Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-92193447016428096222011-01-07T00:38:00.000+03:002017-08-23T00:27:45.161+03:00Tanzania-RwandaHere goes the saga of bicycle tour from Arusha Tanzania to Kigali Rwanda, I’m worry that few will be able to go through all due to my frailer of make it short, enjoy it as it is my pleasure to share with you.<br />
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<b>Begin… </b><br />
It start as dinner talk with Hennie in Johannesburg last year then we discus it in the mail, to the phone and finally we meet and go through maps in the detail as much as possible, weather, geography, security and so the list continues. The logistic become more complicated and tense as I’m leading the group unsupported to in the most remote areas, imagine how many question you will have to answer for an Dr. Engineer of 65 years old!<br />
How does someone begin a journey like this one? There should be lot of approaches. The differences come when it is bicycle safari, through tough areas and challenging regions. Anyways we plan put as cyclist Helen Lloyd put it “plans are like rules which are there to be broken” . <br />
There are lots of things to consider but with the experienced cyclists Hennie and Francois, I have less to worry; Hennie, holding the record of the oldest person ever riding the Freedom Challenge while Francois did it twice. Do not get fooled by the name “Freedom Challenge”, this is one of the most respectable mountain bike races by the way you may not even ever hear about it.. Most think about fitness and being able to be number one. Though these count, there are also other things which you will have to consider before making the decision of jumping on it. It takes place during the southern winter, 6 days on the highlands of the Drakensberge in South Africa, no support vehicle; no GPS but only map and compass find you way to the sleeping point! I don’t want to exaggerate but I mean it mountain bike tour which includes so many things more than you may imagine. Please do not hesitate to check out their site www.freedomchallenge.org.za. I’m also dreaming of it but I’m pretty aware that is a damn though if I will be able to transform it into reality soon I’ll be the youngest man. <br />
So this is bit experienced group but adventure it adventure rarely count on experience, anyway we are doing it for the sake of new experience. After driving from airport we had nice Indian dinner of chicken barbecue, variety breads and verges with enough paper. We took short walking around the town for stretching then last parking. We left Arusha town the morning of Sunday with company of Trish, we cycled west north of the town try to avoid tarmac road. As normal or it the character of cyclist I don’t know, we were full of energy enthusiastic. It such moment when I’m tired I always try to remind myself. The cool breeze wind cooling our body while the green escalating landscapes ease our mind and so we pedal counting down kilometers. At noon the sun become ferocious, suck out water from our body result on exhaustion. At the sometime the climb start, cycled uphill towards Mt.Monduli(2660m) it was at its most began. We take a break at it foot hill village Monduli chini (lower monduli). Rice, beans and meat with two cokes each does the job. Here Trish could have to say bye. We were pleased to have female company; she had challenge from her colleges telling them she is going to cycle. She get well with the other and engaged in the different conversation this make her short time more enjoyable, she might be envied for the guys who will do this for more 19 days, thanks she already knew the price; hills, heat it’s what she experienced so far. <br />
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Realty, in the greet rift valley basin…<br />
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Just after lunch the weather changed H2Oclouds, may be cumulonimbus cover the sky slow down the sun rays pushed by wind now can’t avoid this low pressure part the rain forest will pull water down, this was good omen for us. Soon rain was washing our sweat bodies somehow ease the uphill labor toward the peak of Monduli. As Francois has to push his bike up we had short breaks with Hennie for birds identification, we were now in the mountain rain forest. The secretive Tropical Boubou doesn’t seem to care for our presence, still make it call which give it a.k.a Bottle Bird. These calls vary and eco in the forest and valleys. “Pity my frau” it what Red Chest Cuckoo claim from the high branches. Unfortunately beautiful Hartlabu’s Turaco didn’t come out for Hennie to see what he see in the book. Now the shower was passing but since we were already high enough we continue enjoying the dump air. We stopped at Monduli juu (Upper Monduli), refuel out fuel with strongest brand oil in the universe “Coke Cola”. I used this time to drop some few tips about the region; we are in the home of Maasai by the way these are modern Maasai. Monduli juu is home of Sokoine, former Tanzania prime minister as well as Monduli chini Lowasa though in the last government he has to resign accused for corruption.<br />
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We decent to the plains we were amazed of how it was dry, hot, rocks road and middle of nowhere. It is hard to imagine there people live here, the people we come across were Maasai in the meeting under acacia shade. I had quick view to the scene, some sat on the rocks, some ease lay but tentatively listen to the one who was stand and hardly try to explain something to his fellow who now their attention turned to whites and black who lost the direction. I guess he should be the strong one who can not only face lion but strangers as well. From the group walk towards us greet with the best of his Kiswahili and ask to offer me support. I give him little and simple explanation as much as possible but I could sense how hardly he could grasp what I’m telling him. We carry on behind accompanied by expression less faces of the congregation. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C7bGEj7dSCSzXeC-2WQFMrL7HVIrSszdqQail-lbvzqEKgjPZbihy1bn-3pNmYp2_vxBJcF94to81Mnce5GJ4F59_IjbEmvko_hXnP_fl7IYZrYvN_NxpESs9Kv1H9KaN-NsQw1tQxA/s1600/Hennie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C7bGEj7dSCSzXeC-2WQFMrL7HVIrSszdqQail-lbvzqEKgjPZbihy1bn-3pNmYp2_vxBJcF94to81Mnce5GJ4F59_IjbEmvko_hXnP_fl7IYZrYvN_NxpESs9Kv1H9KaN-NsQw1tQxA/s320/Hennie.jpg"></a></div><br />
I was bit sad know that we real break that meeting which I was told was to solve misunderstand between two families. This scene it real broad topic will be discussed for the certain extend period.<br />
I do admire Maasai for their brevity, their willingness to restore their culture, tradition and their uniqueness but my recent discovery of Maasai character particular men being story tellers it total surprise. Maasai men, I mean the one who already circumcised if you’re not circumcised they do not considered you as man. Soon after circumcision you will get few life storks from your daddy then you can start to build your flock, the flock size determines the size of your family; wives plus children. So these mans apart of counting their beast in the morning and evening, examine who is pregnant who is not they have nothing much to do. They will work across the plains to the meeting place by passing his neighbors’ boma (the enclosure) talk about is beast as this is main topic. They will meet under acacia tree somewhere for the rest of the day chewing tobacco and talk whatever they know but most should relate to the beasts. One of my friend tell me these guys are lease even pronouncing words when he failed to listen what they were saying testing his poor Maasai. So now you can imagine the stranger scene of whites on the loaded bikes, there will be lots to talk their skins, dress, what they eat? Which kind of cow? Et cetera. The fun thing is that they never interrupt each, everyone has chance to explain whatever he knows, and no one will disagree by the way one do not need even to have evidence. They do not know about lying and cheating all are the same to them, Isn’t this interesting?<br />
As the sun start to sink on the west we also start to talk about where we can pass the night, find the best sport it always the agreement but in the bush which look almost the same and the fact that the day become cooler your muscle are total obsessed by rhythm of pedaling it make even harder to make quick decision. The first boma we came across with after couple of hours remand Francois his dream of sleep with maasai. He is real enthusiast and emotional person it will be hard to disagree with his suggestion. We deviated from the main track cycle towards the boma, under acacia tree are some few members of this large compound. I great them in maasai. After short conversation with understand that we need somewhere to sleep one man lead us in the enclosure full of huts then in to one of the hut. By sign and few words from Kiswahili I told him we just need the ground and not his precious bed with cattle hide. Within 1hr there were reasonable amount of spectators, they didn’t come bare hands this will be rude for visitors, they brought about enough flies. We strangle to pitch tents as wind blow and through flies. The flies made this place uncomfortable they tend to concentrate on face places like mouth, eyes, ears they real irritate. Hennie I try our best to copy up while Francois straggle with flies spry but all in vain. Then lastly come the fun and final challenge the spectators doesn’t decrease neither seem to satisfy their curiosity. They could watch Hennie each movement he happened to make, for couple minutes without even exchange the words. We get busy with cooking then me and Hennie remain out there eating while Francois hid on his tent try to avoid all sort of unpleasant. The flush lights, binoculars and cell phones so far seem to be most of their interest at the end.. The fresh milk as normal was brought to us soon after livestock arrived. The arrive of these beast change the entire enclosure, make it busy for a while, the young guys who were in the bush since morning now they have their chance to whiteness what the luck brought to their home. We hide in our tents give chance for our host to discuss a bit about this Ngai’s (god) miracle. It happened to be enough for my clients in the morning we left without even cook the breakfast.<br />
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We cycled towards Mt.Kitumbeine (2942m) then avoid it as we take right around the mountain; fortunately, we find water on the foothills. It was 10am but it was hot as mid day, the road have been changed and cut by water. With the plan to get at Engaruka which now we could only guess how far the town lie the only thing we could see it rift valley wall. We plan to have lunch in that village. Our assumptions proved wrong as road get worse and worse. It turn to be deep sand impossible to cycle, then plains changed to simply desert no trees for couple of hours . The only thing you see on the horizon is blackish like water which is evaporation from deadly backed land. This was dangerous for my clients it was impossible to cycle for a km without stop for drink; the risk was to be hydrated which could lead into serious trouble. We cycled between balanites trees the only shade. In one shade a Maasai warrior equipped with spear, stick and a long machete the usually carry on their wrist. We chart briefly then we remain speech less as I couldn’t talk much, he stay with us till we continue cycling then he follows us till he couldn’t keep the pace. That kind of rough, dust, tough and pain ride carry on. This is the time when 2km become like 10kms, patient become expensive commodity, there is nothing else we would feel better to do more than lie down and carried by fatigue sleep.<br />
As it was approaching 3pm as we slowly approached the Engaruka “Oasis”; Just a narrow and long green patch stretch from Great Rift Valley wall and after a while disappeared on the thirst plains. This green and the sign of water was real great relief. Our people are still Maasai; as usual they stand along and let as pass the sign of respect but also have enough time to stare to stranger people. We pay negotiable price for culture tourism program with discount of being such tired poor cyclist. We find semi-cold coke, the cokes which are putted in the water. These are considered to be cold which might be true if you travel by road through the plains and find them. We also had the same kind of food as the last lunch with slight difference which fit according to the distance from modern life. There is decent camping site up the village just close to the escarpment with running water, a privacy and shade what else should we hope for? In the village; the nurse who I knew she prepared a dinner for special order, again for this areas quality we all consider it far better.<br />
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Sand rise instead of sun rise….<br />
We had a huge breakfast at the same place with a surprise of egg which had almost a full developed chicken in, any way you do need to rise you voice or show you surprise to much as this might be only the begin of wonders ;what if you eat such egg? Thanks for such big breakfast which though didn’t live long as we begin with 15kms of sands which demand no much than you to push your bike slowly. I sort a friendship with herder boys who in turn help to push my loaded bike. Apart of that the, heart doesn’t show any mercy on poor cyclists. About 2hrs since starting I felt the need of change the way we were cycling; Hennie always push very strong in the morning start to slow down in the midday and straggle in the evening just the same to my 75 year old Danish cyclist , Bent. Francois could stay on the middle though it happen sometime to straggle to finish it. The plan was to make the group to take it more ease as the day is long ahead and difficult. I made them stop at pre-school healed under acacia tree, in the begin it seem inconvenience for them to stop but as we left our bike on the road side and walk towards this unique school things start to change. It Maasai children made circle and in the middle is a maasai girl of about 18-20yrs. Just close lie two Maasai guys. There were also several plastic bottles which contain milk for each child. Also there are little rocks scatted on the dust ground, these are used by the children to write by arrange them to form alphabets or numbers. On their best of courage from stranger visitors they sang to us a Kiswahili song which was about a fool who can’t read so he walks with letter through the village to find someone to read for him. I join in as Francois was busy with filming. This stop apart of change our over concentration on cycling it prove how it may be different for vehicle safari and bike, it give us something to talk for a while then as the momentum slowly built up we take the conversation in our mind; the child studding under acacia, No chairs, No walls, learn to write by using stones, What about if branch failed or it rain? <br />
It is now hot, Francois got flat tire which take us reasonable amount of time to fix. The road it rock and sand total uncomfortable for cycling. In the midday we stop and make spaghetti lunch then continue with cycling which now is in the very foothills of Ol Donyo Lengai. Gazelles and Zebras run away from these unusually creatures or a Maasai headers who run towards the road. These Maasai run towards us, after greeting they ask for what we have but we can’t give. It is surprise or amazing or sad, the maasai headers some young of 10-15yrs while some adult run for reasonable distance as they see us then desperately ask for water “Maji, maji, maji” while they are showing the sign of drinking. Doesn’t matter what you tell them they will repeat again and again as they run with you. After a while they will consider themselves not to be luck enough so they will late you go. The things are the mixed feelings created by this scene, these people they are with huge hear but without water to drink I’m not sure about food because they never ask for. Then come these cyclists with enough bottles on their bikes but each drop is calculated. This cycling in this time was real challenging; what can I do with this you guy running along me telling me he is dying so I should give him water? How did they survivor with their cattle? This was Hinnie’s question which directly I translate to Maasai guy who come to ask for water as we stop for stretching. He said they walk the cattle to the water after each 2 days or so. The water seems to be another precious element because even in the village there was still someone begging for water or a bottle.<br />
The day become longer and more challenge as I had series of flat tires, sand road cut through by water flowing from Lengai. Engaresero village laid about 60km north-west of Engaruka; we passed through two other Maasai’s claiming their collecting village fees, What if every village in the country establishes the same program? The reality is to painful, these money didn’t get as far as stomach of few politician. The second gate is in the middle of nowhere I tell them about my feeling then it was to negotiate. NO COKE STOP. We made it to Engaresero campsite 4pm total exhausted, beaten up but recover after two semi-cold cokes.<br />
The camp is typical tourists place with tented lodge maybe for honey mooned who are the most people I meet here; they come for flamingos, trek or on transit to and from Serengeti. The camping sites it pleasant with wonderful bird life around. We us the pool to cool down our cells, the swimming pool is sun heated water pass through from escarpment, it green in color you need to take extra care as it very slippery without caution note. <br />
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Waiters are in Maasai outfit serving what seem far over priced drinks. The dinner cost 25$per person may be worth having western food middle of gods knows but two potatoes, a small meet pie came after little sweet maize it is a joke for a cyclists like us. Francois had good idea to deal with this situation, when our maasai waiter come no complain, no asking but suggestion, I place the suggestion and miraculous it works , addition pates of race and beans become real food for the same price. <br />
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Pink horizon….<br />
Francois is full of cleaver suggestion; he knew when to present them and how to put them. As the matter of fact we were not going to do Mt Lengai as it was plan, Francois says the flamingos are worth for a rest day. From the camp to Lake Natron it about 6km on deep sand and deadly hot, I asked the ride from drive with two German old couple but he was too scared so I ask Hennie to go and talk with his age group. We had ride to the Lake Natron the home of thousands lesser flamingo as well as great. They are so many to stretch to the horizon hence pink horizon. <br />
We agree to have lunch and dinner in the village, the village is about 10mint. We walking from camp, as we walk we was accompanied by bunch of Maasai ladies who sales their jewels. They ask what your name each is after 3mint. Or so just to make sure they keep conservation with mzungus. It a real nondescript village, few shirkers and huts give it a category of village unless otherwise it could be something. We had almost worm coke as we were waiting for our rice mixed with ugali (maize meal) and chicken order to be delivered. This kind of food it is already become a tradition dish (rice, ugali, beans, meat with relish and occasional greens). The chicken was among of tough chicken I ever hard, Hennie has got more fun story. He had fibula, the part of chicken leg with enough steak, he take a bite which require extra effort to get meet out unfortunately there was ligament stick on teeth when he pull it the ligament slid through his fingers painful hit his cheek . For the sake of his old teeth he pushes chicken plate to me. Outside the place we sat the Maasai ladies already open the shop so when we got out we were obliged to pay attention to their product but noon was in the mood of shopping so we walked back. Behind the shops were quickly closed down and about four of them followed us begin that we should buy from them, it was irritating and embracing but there was nothing I could do to these persistence ladies. The one who introduce herself early as Helena was almost singing with amazing low tone “Buy this for Helena, Buy this for Helena, Buy this for Helena…” Apparently Hennie’s wife called Helena as well so it was like the song was dedicated to his though he was the one with no interest at all. Actually their trick walk as Francois bought enough souvenir from them finally.<br />
The land of Konyagi…<br />
The dinner was in the same place but this time with advance order so this make things bit soft. Kilimanjaro beer ease things but not to make real change of the world around us, our friend a camp stuff from Arusha he offer “The spirit of nation” Konyagi, it might fit on gin made from fruit so far found only in Tanzania so far. Hennie and our new friend are alcoholic while I and Francois we straggle to swallow this strong white liquor. The noise generator come into life but soon swallowed by reggae music, One love, Together as one, Don’t worry…. are kind of songs plus konyagi which total changed our world around and take us to the sky.<br />
Today we have support vehicle, an old Land Rover (Tdi), it will accompany us till we cross Serengeti. With unloaded bikes we were looking forward to a different day, yes it was, we spent almost half riding time to repaired Francois’ flat tire, he now lost his tubeless. We cycled along the valley wall which often pored rocks on the road make it almost impassable. As we start to accent the escarpment it was midday with 40 degree Celsius. We get in the vehicle and drive for the rest of the day to Wasso in Loliondo district. The Mrs. “Flackefuric” Afrikaan world for earth pig, took us through Great Rift Valley then immerge in the plains which stretch as far as Ngorongoro highland s. It is thick bushes with bit different looking people though dress almost like Maasai. Their bantu people known as Sonjo split during the era of ethnics clashes settle themselves in the middle of maasai and adopt much of their culture and tradition except language. Their now good Maasai revivers, time to time there is break up of clashes. Sonjo use arrow and bow while maasai use spear, thinks should be interesting war. By the way Sonjo being from latest group of the people their happen to be bit clever to maasai. One of the fun story was that, maasai offered scarifies of cattle, got or sheep at Ol Donyo Lengai (the mountain of god) for different purposes such as prayer for rain or stop volcano eruption which they consider to be Ngai hanger. When they leave this gift for their god Sonjo came and takes them away pretend to be their god. So maasai believe that their sacrifice have been total accepted. <br />
We stopped for cake in the center of sonjo land, they’re not real friendly or they don’t know how to interact so when to beg they ask with expression of demanding and in the absolutely different language. <br />
Our land rover straggle with up hills and scramble with down hills in the almost in passable road, all these take as to the maasai town in the middle of total know where. It maasai town, I call them real maasai, they are maasai may be you have never saw before real war like. Men/warriors are tall wearing short toga with beautiful long locks with ridiculous decoration, necklaces the same to the ankle and knee. They paint their brown skin with red okra and cattle oil which give them giraffe’s color. They walk with amazing swagger and look at you as asking did you want to fight? It is a market day the main commodity here is life stork. The whole town is full of people in red toga some on the phone, some carried their got or sheep on their neck as you do carry your young boy and so the scenes goes.<br />
We are now accustomed with some fun things came up time to time in such town, once Hennie ask me “in this part of the world you get tower in the guest house?” Which means he don’t demand as he does early in the expedition the same wonders goes to the food and others stuff of such sort. <br />
We drive to the Serengeti entrance gate, and then spend the whole day inside the park for game drive. Having one day here means we have to go around as much as possible with only short break will saw lots of animals plenty of gazelle, Bunch of elephant herds, lions pride sleep as they are dead, numerous birds just as much as you can imagine. Our enthusiasm couldn’t help us from getting tired, that is what happened in the evening we could hardly keep on talk about animals. As we were driving towards fort Ikoma gate with only intention of finding accommodation, unusual scene which awake our feeling of wonder once again; “ The Migration” , hundreds, and hundreds of wildebeests running on the almost interminable queue . It was thrilling moment which unexpected will carry on in the following day.<br />
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Cycle with migration…<br />
After one and half rest day of driving we now back on our four combined machine, two wheal and two legs. Ikoma village where we slept is in Gurumeti /Ikorongo game Reserves less then 10km from the few human settlements the wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles are uncountable. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9xJyIVmWOQ7Z7RoR_n4t98onrzaY6FQnmX3FT3dfQSk9xjYjnm7GeIO4PBTVM6B8Bfa5UbLBZ4MCxSO5yM2RZEACRVJ3tCJNIKQv1GgRii-DEeWCrtjpCglmW1oskZ9azxCxAV6Fvb8/s1600/migration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9xJyIVmWOQ7Z7RoR_n4t98onrzaY6FQnmX3FT3dfQSk9xjYjnm7GeIO4PBTVM6B8Bfa5UbLBZ4MCxSO5yM2RZEACRVJ3tCJNIKQv1GgRii-DEeWCrtjpCglmW1oskZ9azxCxAV6Fvb8/s320/migration.jpg"></a></div><br />
I think confused by unusual creatures they began to run randomly on the plains but as monitored they soon form a long queue, when we stopped to let them pass it take them about 30minutes to cross to one side then when we start moving they start again and again. I bent they are couple of millions covered about 20km of our cycling track. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaG4KmbzVwMJ6UA9eljpYTw_GjpIXpxnqBxJM6GG5nwQBclvfCgGHXxSWQvQ0rCBnoVskGgmL8dDVZtN8YM3PteMjd8ieGQtVKExFOSoHWRnfSywQ7NYZ9XMViJl7nEER5TFsDw8Ota8/s1600/Immigration+with+Elvis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaG4KmbzVwMJ6UA9eljpYTw_GjpIXpxnqBxJM6GG5nwQBclvfCgGHXxSWQvQ0rCBnoVskGgmL8dDVZtN8YM3PteMjd8ieGQtVKExFOSoHWRnfSywQ7NYZ9XMViJl7nEER5TFsDw8Ota8/s320/Immigration+with+Elvis.jpg"></a></div><br />
They stretch to the horizons in the short green plains when we find trees and bush and hills comes large harem of Impalas under single male; What unfair distribution? When we finish the game reserves comes the chains of villages which insure us enough fuel.<br />
We arrived at the ferry to Ukerewe island in the lunch time , after waiting for a while we board the ferry which Francois says it is a slowest he have ever use. We kept on cycling in the island, after 14km from ferry we arrived at Nasio, the center of Ukerewe islands. We slept in the decent lodge, having shower after two bush camps always accompany by the food we cook ourselves telling each other is delicious while the truth we wouldn’t eat it if we were not starving. Here we had good food and cold beers. In the next day we board boat again crossed to Mwanza in the lunch time we were in the town. We had a chance to enjoy a comfort of home at Hennie’s nephew works in Mwanza.<br />
We left Mwanza cross by 30mint. Ferry to the other side of lake then continue with ride along the shore through chains of village. These are those villages where every stranger called “my friend-rafiki”, some folks sitting on the road side hiss just to take your attention. <br />
The terrains and weather still give as big favor; it is cloud, then sun rise the hot quick then followed by short showers. We are still enjoying birds life with Hennie thanks our fanatic behavior now pull Francois in, he tried to memorize the names but can’t join in when we through our bikes away chasing rare spices such Palm Nut Vulture. In this region we have enough fuel fruits, sweet maize, cold coke and traditional dish (rice, ugali, tough chicken/meet). What we couldn’t avoid it crowd, when we stop in the village within 5minutes we were in the middle of crowd. This situation total embarrass for Francois previous he enjoy it as he record the scene but now it become annoying. <br />
In the evening we arrived at Nkome, this was out of my expectation; everyone was real exhausting. Adding 2km to Rubondo Island National Park gate was unwelcome suggestion if not to avoid crowd. As normal in any tourist area, the management of Rubondo Island Np wanted the payment of 40$ per person for camping on the grass without even running water.<br />
We camp just out of the fence with help of Haji, the range on duty. In the morning come the mass expectators, passing by heading to their farm they spend about 3hrs wondering till Francois cleverly tell them “we are tired!” He got in his tent intestinal but pretending he was changing exposes his buttocks on the window. The mass roar for gilt or shame view while they run away from cause of seen mzungu”s buttock. <br />
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Surviving Wooden Vassal...<br />
We finish with our breakfast, dismantle our 6 stars hotels, park and disappear. We cycle downhill to Nkome port, it crowded Saladin port. There few medium size wooden boats, ours no yet to arrive but seen these we had a picture of what sort of transport we are going to us. I was given the time when it might arrive but should I real rely on time in this far isolated world? It was hard to find somewhere to sit and wait in such crowded area which now all the attention is on people on bikes. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMALuxD-GgO8IxKx1ZMU83Q2LOEdWR9tWVhZBMpostgHJK_dbuyVU-LGebpbK3o2fhwxdRvqn5qKmd6V38DzB0Ic1vsI0TqK0fAenHFSuGRa8hfQO9EtzHXH6kAfjpmben7vHNNWTejY/s1600/Nsuma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMALuxD-GgO8IxKx1ZMU83Q2LOEdWR9tWVhZBMpostgHJK_dbuyVU-LGebpbK3o2fhwxdRvqn5qKmd6V38DzB0Ic1vsI0TqK0fAenHFSuGRa8hfQO9EtzHXH6kAfjpmben7vHNNWTejY/s320/Nsuma.jpg"></a></div><br />
Fortunately, we lucky find wooden small restaurant/hotel or mgahawa, it has almost sound proof, Tv and cassette radio which played Celen Dion, Rick martin and West life music so it wasn’t real isolated world as I thought. <br />
Hennie and Francois they were in puzzle which they decided to remain with but I could see it in their faces. Listen such music here in noose small but crowded with the smell of rotten and dried Saladin. If you are those super hygiene folks here you will vomit and you may starve. <br />
Then came our boat it blew two vehicle honk to announce it arrive, it is a wooden vassal with iron sheet roof to keep passengers out of sun and rain, passenger sat on wood benches total uncomfortable for the journey of 4hrs. There generator which supply the power a loudly music out of terrible sounding speakers. If that is not enough to keep passengers out of boredom there is TV playing some local film. On top of roof is captains’ cabin, in this cabin there are bunch of captain with qualification of experience and test of surviving skills. It is a small cabin but they are able to share with their friends or relatives who happen to travel to day. Down stair passenger and cargo are mixed together, there were about 20 large sucks of Saladin. These plus passengers it seem like the boat was overloaded but who knows it capacity? It happen that it was uneven loaded this was when it couldn’t live the shore; it was stark on the mad. It was confirm now we were in certain danger. The bunch of unorganized boat stuffs divides the passengers just by shouting to them, nothing like customer care here. Then cargo at last was even distributed so the boat had got balance but still it was heavy, the engine couldn’t pull it back to the deep water. But in such busy place wasn’t had to get help so the boat was pushed into deep water. After few minutes off shore the engine dead then after less than 5 minutes came into life so we carry on with our almost journey impossible.<br />
It was a long tire someday no matter how we tried to enjoy the beauty of the lake which decorated with several green and rock islands. The stops and speed of the boat uncomfortable benches no chance of take a nap. <br />
At 4pm we made it to Muganza, finally, the “journey impossible” was possible and worth experience. We cycled to the village had lunch then hit the tarmac road for the first time since Arusha though it is for less than 50km. Before dark we sort beautiful bush camp at the isolated house I the vast valley surrounded by hills with perfect sun rise in the next morning. <br />
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<b>The heart of Africa…<i></i></b><br />
The terrains once again it is characterized by rolling hills, it seems as we are slowly acceding. We cycled through the most boundary of Biharamulo game reserve, the vegetation switch to miombo woodland which always doesn’t support large population if not at all. No villages and if we come across one it is on top of hill or downhill out of main track, simply it wasn’t worth to try. In the afternoon on those rolling hills come the prize of the day, magnificent view vast region on top of it came the rain. We had rain before but those were showers which we could cycle through for 30 to 45 minutes. This one was heavy and because it rain for extended period of time it become cold. My fellows like water or let me say rain, I don’t but I had to cycle though and slowly I stated to enjoy it but today it got them. They were the one to pull off and find shelter. We cycle to Biharamulo town find the decent guest house. As normal in this rare chance you eat well and drink enough. We had dinner in the nearby pub then we give try to Konyagi again. In this part of the world reggae music is among of the popular music, you may not enjoy it anywhere else as you may do here. Thanks for Dj who happen to sport us then drop few reggae tracks, just as he know, I and Hennie climb to the stage and enjoy ourselves followed by locals so we had honor to open sturdy local part. the part was close to our guest house, it keep awake me till nearly morning.<br />
We tack cab in the morning the junction then add few kilometers for the consideration of Francois GPS worrying of bandit on the miombo forest. After breakfast we jump on the bikes and tackle the hills which getting is incising dramatically. At lunch time we were in Rusumo border post, we stamp ext in Tanzania cross Kagera River and stamp entree in Rwanda. We had lunch at the restaurant overhang on the river valley. The different start with food here it buffee a variety of foods all served together according to you preference, faces are more beautiful proportional built though looking too naïve. If that wasn’t surprise there were more to come, asking information you need to imply about three languages, Kiswahili wasn’t enough, English limited or no at all, French for some literate, Nyarwanda for all. So I remind myself the greetings and few worlds I leant back the days this is best way of starting conversation for the people who meet strangers occasionally. <br />
The big puzzle we left behind is saying to local that we were cycling to Kigali or Chigali as it pronounced by locals. When I see different expression to people I talk with I ask if it is safe the answer was “No” “the mountains are going to kill you”. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBe7QaGGsOc3Ejg3PypFqUiEXtOv0g0m7F-KSqV-v4GIgHeD3OZbm45QhCa_YSrX0670-dZwHUSJosBXnp7y4FjfpEpb4V44AGkbcCkPhjUduy4AEOWHhoOTalC80-xC1vv5VqPN9fgWo/s1600/Elvis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBe7QaGGsOc3Ejg3PypFqUiEXtOv0g0m7F-KSqV-v4GIgHeD3OZbm45QhCa_YSrX0670-dZwHUSJosBXnp7y4FjfpEpb4V44AGkbcCkPhjUduy4AEOWHhoOTalC80-xC1vv5VqPN9fgWo/s320/Elvis.jpg"></a></div><br />
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Bicycle transportation is well developed here; there are lots of bikes parking waiting for passengers whom I think should be mostly for down hills. Any ways, this is perfect for environmental conservation and it real popular here. As the matter of fact this bicycle transportation seem to provided employment for quick growing population though think logical how many people you have to haul to make sure you collect enough franc. Frankly to say it can’t fulfill ambitions of you generations. However, government didn’t let them free at all; all the bikes are registered and have got plate numbers. Riders have to be certain uniform which differ from town to town.<br />
We probably inspire these cyclists, bunch of them join us as we left the border town, cycle with us up hills. We tried to talk random subjects, I found out some of them they just return to their mother country but they were born in the refugee camps. Though our companion didn’t go far that 10km but we real enjoyed the company and this was repeated time to time as we pass through the village till we were near Kigali where motor cycle takes place of bikes. <br />
We managed to cycle up to Kihere and find accommodation just 1hr before as we were still in Tanzania time. Buffe diners with primus were made everything ease; this is fun things for all cyclists as Alastair Humphreys and Peter Gosteloaw; "Arriving in a new country and trying a different beer, which reassuringly often comes in a 650ml size bottle" though primus are more large. In the next day Francois awake us in Tanzania time then we went for breakfast and complain as it was late for us, there it when I find out we were in different time zone.<br />
The landscape of this country it most stunning future, it is hills; green dotted with red bricks houses. In the valleys it perfect for farming due to it high water table. In the first time as I see the population I couldn’t expect to spot any birds but in this trip we sport the rare and unique vulture, Palm Nut Vulture. <br />
The day was not different from yesterday, it is still hills which we are slowly get used, and by the way they are decreasing. In the junction town we get decent accommodation, self-contained room with Dstv. <br />
We left in the morning, the road it less challenge, the increasing urban life in one way or other energizes us. <br />
At 2pm we was in the top of the one hill just the street of Kigali but to go in the “centre ville” city center, it another odorous job of downhill with traffic jam and traffic light then uphill with sun, unusual looking of folks on the sterling in the jam. After reservations for gorilla trek, calculate the days which will be remain it happen that there will be no enough time to make to Bujumbura so we left it pending. From Kigali I will take bus to Nairobi through Kampala there I will finish with visa of Sudan and Ethiopia then wait to fly to Cairo ready for Tour D’Afrique! Cairo –Cape Town.<br />
Wish to hear about political up to date of recent visited country:<br />
The East Africa countries Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and two twice Burundi and Rwanda slowly are moving to their dream political and economic federation. Recently they open free market and movement of their citizens, being citizen from these countries you can work anywhere within. Prior to Ocampo’s 6 where 6 Kenyan politicians have mention in the first list to work to ICC to answer their charge concerning 2007-8 “post election clashes” which coast about 5000 lives. Observers are saying if this is began then the long arm of law should be extended to Kagame, Museven, Kony, Mkurunzinza, Bashiri, etc. The observations show that the entire region with exception of Tanzania, the rulling governments is accused for crime against human right. Remember that with exceptional of Kenya and Tanzania other are military who after size the power try to turn to the democracy. Kenya which for long time have been strong and stable according to the wikeleak, it mentioned as swamp of corruption, drug money in the politics and dynasty in the current politics are the things which slow down the country’s democracy. <br />
Meanwhile, Southern Sudan government which increase it tire with East Africa countries it is on the countdown to the historical moment, referendum, decide remain to be part of northern Sudan!
<a href="https://www.elmundosafaris.com/">Bicycle Tours in Tanzania</a> Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-17178420446294855572010-06-17T14:23:00.000+03:002010-06-18T11:55:13.521+03:00The out comePrior to Cycling around Africa (visibility study) this so far on the saddle took me to twelve African countries. It was worthwhile, as much I lent as many I experienced, amongst them is environmental (ecology) and it influence in the social development. As I rod in the print before pedal as I practical saw, without much industries (except very south of continent) perhaps which could help to keep the pace of modern human, Southern Sahara in high percent rely upon it natural environment to sustain it generations. Having know that and share the though with expertise we will lead annual expedition with annual theme and involvement in suitable development in the, most, rural areas.<br />
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In the began the expeditions will take part in East Africa, Why East Africa? It unique position makes it vulnerable as well so we decide to put emphasize on this part in order to protect it as well as to try to develop it in the more balance way. First expedition will be cycling around Tanzania (Tour de Tanzania, TDT) race and expedition, it is an opportunity to train yourself in the natural bounty but enough challenge, it an opportunity to visit most popular games in the world some as you sit on your saddle, it is an opportunity to come together with very traditional people; share what you may and perhaps support them if you think fit. And probably much more as you may know, all for 50USD per day, for 50 day including climb Kilimanjaro, camping, meals and what?<br />
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Second expedition is “Three Summits”, the overland tour around East Africa with Mt.Kenya, Ruwenzori and Kilimanjaro climb and other traditional overland activities. Perhaps you know something about Africa dream to support it this is you chance to rise very single dollar and we will accompany you to the African highest peaks. <br />
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Both expedition may sound like military train, absolutely not, they are highly catering to make sure you appreciate them mental and physical, we try to make them comfortable and enjoyable as much as possible, with support tracks in cycling expedition and high experienced leaders in “Three Summits”. The expedition will start official 1st May 2011, 50 days on the road including climb Kilimanjaro followed by “three summits” on 1st July for 36 days around East Africa.<br />
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Here is the itineraries http://afrikasafaris.blogspot.com/2010/06/tour-de-tanzania.html<br />
http://afrikasafaris.blogspot.com/2010/06/three-summits-est-africa-overland.htmlAfrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-69192270066441667792010-03-31T11:33:00.000+03:002017-08-23T00:28:54.835+03:00Tour D'Afrique 2010I met with Michael Coo, the Tour d'Afrique office re presenter from Ontario Canada in the evening of march 14th at Maasai camp. He introduced to me our driver Eddy a.k.a trust the guide. In the next morning we left Arusha driving towards west of town for our new route scouting, before the sun sink to the west we set up our bush camp on the hills of Mbulu highlands. Next day we drove to Singida town, visit market, hotel which could be used and so on. We continue with our driving few stop for marking point on GPS for place such Cake stops, Chai stops, bush camp and much more. In the evening we set up our bush camp on the calm and tranquilly miombo woodlands of Rugwa game reserve. Made our dinner followed by cup of coffee then each hide in the tents listen for monotonous calling before interrupted by rain. We left our lovely bush camp in the morning driving to Mbeya stopped on the way for lunch of Maandazi (sort of donate or fat cake as people of southern Africa called them). The day highlight was driving through highest point of tare roads in Tanzania interns of elevation. In this Mbeya Range the road went up to 25000m.a.s.l, I'm worry next year TDA riders will fly on the descend to Mbeya town.<br /><br /> We left Mbeya and drove to Iringa where Eddy our fun friend ever dropped us, from Iringa we board bus which my colleague Mike called "Chicken Bus" to Dodoma town. Here we met the historical continental tour, TDA riders and Staffs. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6af3Z3qJ30NF5pa-TGVIICib8ou3gk70oo354ZUU_nJpgYn4QM6q3p033qoTpr-dC-4RVkvOp_lGPYfOihhItpIxmSzgnP_y8dgX8OxvgTIEojQpq9osN6Y-gJLMXzTu8b0o66HBBzCo/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6af3Z3qJ30NF5pa-TGVIICib8ou3gk70oo354ZUU_nJpgYn4QM6q3p033qoTpr-dC-4RVkvOp_lGPYfOihhItpIxmSzgnP_y8dgX8OxvgTIEojQpq9osN6Y-gJLMXzTu8b0o66HBBzCo/s320/IMG_0122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454723504472275522"></a> I spent six days with tour frankly to say dream come true, I anticipated to work with this amazing company on their wonderful cross Africa bicycle race and expedition. I cycled and help with different task as well all these enrich and enlighten me with different operation tasks. <br /><br /> Thanks to all TDA staffs for their generosity and unmeasurable kindness towards me during my short train with the tour.
<a href="https://www.elmundosafaris.com/">Tanzania Cycling Tour Packages </a>Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-32478047878670943872010-03-10T12:04:00.000+03:002010-06-18T12:42:12.655+03:00KenyaWe arrived here, in northern Kenya, The caravan had to left me here as they continue to with their round trip. I was wonder how should I thank them to make sure they appreciate my feeling but they where before me as they said “never mind, you are welcome any time”. I hitch hike from Turukana’s people land after heard the rumours that these ferocious nilots people who massacre lot of people in the recently post election clashes may confuse me with what called "GEMA community". GEMA community is he community which include Ge-Kuyu, Kamba, etcetera who are Bantu from central Kenya, seemed to be among of the well developed people therefore sized lot of opportunity within the country hence tribalism. The country political have characterized with such ethnics aspect hence recent post election clashes which took about 200 hundred people’s life and left others become internal refugees. <br />
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I arrived at Malaba town where I stamp my passport. I took bus to Nairobi after deep experienced chest/heart pain whenever I tried to cycle for more than 40kms.<br />
In the busy city of Nairobi I stayed at Nairobi Polytechnics University where I stay with friend I met on the bus. A friend and others who I met there were very helpful for my stay in Nairobi. Visited different places of this city strengthened with tourist industry and growing number of manufacture and service which made the it as commercial centre of East Africa. There is slightly different with other Africa cities I have been, much of the different may be owe it origin from colonial era and the country good contact with western contrary to the neighbour Tanzania whose become fond to socialist during the post independent time. In the general view all east Africa countries nevertheless escape the fact that they share much in common rather than differences. ordinary folks, with their slight different of culture, tradition and customs bond together by natural environment and evolutions. <br />
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I’ll cycle back to Arusha about 300kms after met the doctor who said the pain may be caused by cold.<br />
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Bicycle tours are an excellent and intimate way for the intrepid traveller to truly discover a nation and its people: freed from the physical and cultural constraints of motorized transport, one is able to experience the reality of a place.These were very last though as I cycle back to civilized life.Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-46706873476054368852010-01-04T15:35:00.001+03:002010-06-18T13:40:13.532+03:00Southern Sudan and Ethiopia.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZj9GtW4sQRug9L9RJODNT-GZukPlo6UMT7tMcI1S96dRzezPmdMWZsRbdpcELp09fwuk63IKsgxVIoYqaeRyLFwsNOL9CntuXNNbcBlq-xaADTCnnTFJy71EKxEUcIsLgo9sPO5VE7Q/s1600-h/rwanda4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZj9GtW4sQRug9L9RJODNT-GZukPlo6UMT7tMcI1S96dRzezPmdMWZsRbdpcELp09fwuk63IKsgxVIoYqaeRyLFwsNOL9CntuXNNbcBlq-xaADTCnnTFJy71EKxEUcIsLgo9sPO5VE7Q/s320/rwanda4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422866349033747682" /></a><br />
The journey was long and slow with several stops for prayers as the travellers was Muslims as well as eating and pee. I had to join 5 times prayer a day, use the little water we fetch on the oases to wash or merely weep different part of body including heard, hands, bu***ock and feet. Washing and prayer's postures sound like yoga. In calmness just interrupted by wind only,tried to follow the prayer words just much with my fellows but the young man, my guide, told me it wasn’t wise to say anything since I didn’t understand Arabic. For this reason and that one I do not speak the language of the people I'm with wasn't make me feel good so I start to learn few words day by day. I enjoyed my new experience, prayer made me felt safe in the middle of these strong believer folks, they are strangers but with their sense of humour, kind and welcome nevertheless I could think negative. <br />
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Travel day and night, in the full moon and thousands stars but chill cold nights and the hot with bright sun days; we stopped in several villages, absolutely in the middle of know where, once I wonder What if these people decide to sacrifice me? "I'll run in this desert" answered myself. I wish I had their location cods (Latitude and Longitude) so I could such in the goggle map today perhaps I can, we all the satellite maps, why not? In other village found in the total sand plains with few Balanite and Acacia trees, we found villagers living in the tents, my interpreter told me they were nomad peoples. Together we visit some tents which he knew, here is when I was shocked with their kindly character, saved with woman who had to knell down to welcome us or great, we were forced to eat and drink. I wonder myself, these people living in the middle of no where they should conserve what they have got but ironically they seemed not to care for that, this desert teach them the lesson which I haven't yet to lent. Such experience remind to the peoples living in the place of abundant but with over greed and find more rather than use what they have. I was and still fond of that community with their amazing customs and understand of the state of material. I asked my friend if I can live with them. He passed this question to an old man who invited us black coffee with sweet stuff like resins. The old man replayed “sure, I will marry him my daughter and offer them two camels to help them start life”. Till today I am still thinking about the offer, perhaps I have to work hard to fill my blank space then return to live such unique life in that world. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLwpJjdDxhVbP_yuf4iRfACbpp2JL7Zp41oMcRLbVubFnMHCdSitqc-Sgsj0K3d4BxWqx0Fm-z3fW9WK2dB2rnVeo7ZMoxZUeGGzG3kEnVbMO6A0rTlVkkN83mcN1GppZQ41WHn3HZIM/s1600-h/sudan2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLwpJjdDxhVbP_yuf4iRfACbpp2JL7Zp41oMcRLbVubFnMHCdSitqc-Sgsj0K3d4BxWqx0Fm-z3fW9WK2dB2rnVeo7ZMoxZUeGGzG3kEnVbMO6A0rTlVkkN83mcN1GppZQ41WHn3HZIM/s320/sudan2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422871042925331154" /></a><br />
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What seemed like end less journey continue through semi-desert areas. In the bright blue sky there were what I thought to be falcons or other rapturous souring for entire day. Late I found out some were migratory birds flying higher probably to escape hot backed surface. In occasion we met solders but non bother with each, neither caravan no solders. I almost forget day and dates even time which wasn’t existed to my fellows, they can look on the sky and know it was time to pray. It was among of the time I was ever free from modern world of unnecessary time which often is source of frustrations. <br />
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There was no need to ask where I was as I though it maybe kind of nonsense question to my fellow so I maintain same pace just calm and do what needed on the time which was, be calm!.In the remote southern part of Ethiopia we met different peoples of different culture described by their dress code, houses, ornaments,etcetera. It could be rude to ask my fellows who were these peoples? as it is common in tourist areas. My followers seemed to understand things basically or in the way that I couldn’t grasp. Among of the people I saw in southern Ethiopia were woman who wear plate like in their lower lips. Other were both sex wear sticks in their noise. Most of the peoples I found were unusual even for general looking. I promise to go back there for much discovery. <br />
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After what was cycling turned to came ride, we arrived in northern Kenya at Lake Turukana basin.Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-80701268915677747402010-01-04T15:35:00.000+03:002010-06-18T14:04:44.544+03:00Uganda, the African pearlsIn the late evening I arrived at Mirama Township in Uganda exhausted and thirst of sugary cold drink. I stopped at the small shop and ask for cake. The young girl possible 20yrs offered me cold drinks while she knells down as she said “bienven”, welcome; she though I was Rwandan. She told me I was look like Rwandan, I told her that is true I am African yet a human being, and nothing can differentiate. Perhaps the comment was too strong as she look confused but for such tired cyclist no more questions were welcomed. Where I parked my bike small crowed start to form,wonder after touring bike, just weigh it by eyes, How far is it from?, and so on, thanks it give them something to talk about. The girl in the shop refused my coke payment, said she was pleased to by me that drink and she will not mind if I would like to add the offer which I accept without think. I asked her if she have idea where can I find camping. She said there was no established one but she can talk with her parents to offer me an accommodation. I pitch my tent in they compound and shared dinner and breakfast them. The family was so kind to me, they convinced me to stay with them for one more night. I turned the offer down for the excuse that I’m under tight schedule. I kept on cycling though this lush green country after three days of constant challenge cycling I arrived Kampala city. I crossed the equator point which found 3420m, about 12 thousands to southern hemisphere like wise to northern.<br />
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I had two day rest in the crowded and busy city of Kampala. On my way to Makerere Univasity to met a friend, I board popular Kampala transport motor cycle famous as “Boda Boda” we had to change road because of the protests that burnt fuel track with Indian man inside of it. In the city central there was cold demonstration due to the government order to stop the Kabaka II, the king of the Buganda kingdom which has its central in Kampala and cover from Jinja, Kampala and Entebe. In the eighteenth century the ingdom of Baganda become the most powerful in the region. The Baganda people demand government to give back their power, they just refusing to be under Republic government. In the street there was wall words said “LETS STOP POLITIKING AND BUILD UGANDA.” <br />
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I left Kampala cycled to Jinja passed through busy road. I stopped at Mabira rain forest for the lunch, the part of equatorial rain forest. In the late evening I crossed the bridge which went through Owen Falls Dam in the Nile River. I overnight at Adrift base camp in the bank of Might Nile. In this base there are different adventure activities including water rafting and bungee jump with slogan “Touch The Source of Nile”. It cost about $65 but I asked if I could do it naked it free. <br />
In this very town it is where 19th century explores claim to be source of River Nile stat it journey of 3000kms to Mediterranean Ocean. I left Jinja the adventure town of Uganda, cycled to the Mbale, the closest town to Elgon Mountains. In the next day cycled towards northern Uganda passed through sugarcan and cotton farms. It was long board cycling, I hitch hike the track in the evening and arrived at Katgum town in the next morning. Here I met Karamoja people, the people who are among Nilohatic. They are still practicing their ordinary way of living just like Maasai of Tanzania. As we was chart with drive he gave me more adventure plan since I had no enough money to buy visa for Sudan and Ethiopia. The drive offered to drive me up to somewhere I can meet merchant travelers. These merchant who are much closed related with Bedui they conduct their business between North Uganda, Southern Sudan, Ethiopia and North Kenya. I joined the camel travelers as it was the option to pass through southern Sudan and Ethiopia. There I met the caravan on last day preparation fortunately I found a young boy about 23 years old who could speak. I told him my plan to travel with them in the replay he said he can’t make any decision so he had to take me to his senior. There I met a shining black man with tabernacle which cover his hear and leave only face with large pure white eyes which can shine in the dark. By looking I thought this ever calm man to met will turn me down but I was courage enough which impressed him. This chief navigator of the long camel caravan told me how he started to travel since he was you just close to my age but he used camel. I dismantle my bile and every thing parked on the camel. The journey started on the evening when the hot was decreasing let the cold to take place. I had brief train before given my own camel carried my stuff and of cargo. The young men lend me a tabernacle with long white robe so non cold differentiate me from the rest. The first reason to travel in this caravan was to skip pay any visa for two boundary less country. These merchant they have been known for long time, they do not use boarder post to ext or enter any county.Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-91382754779401318252009-12-22T17:04:00.000+03:002010-03-10T11:54:29.817+03:00Rwanda, in the heart of Africa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YbL2b7-3ZCaBJP67uzzBXmXq1S-bQDqHvaOH0iZnV19N3o9XBgD4ERQrerP7tt30jLJq853xDz4wk30iSStzOAPE_P_DmD6SshpB5S2s3l8wFaSNPJu61zE47XEH1c1JrTEYXvCbsyg/s1600-h/rwanda2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YbL2b7-3ZCaBJP67uzzBXmXq1S-bQDqHvaOH0iZnV19N3o9XBgD4ERQrerP7tt30jLJq853xDz4wk30iSStzOAPE_P_DmD6SshpB5S2s3l8wFaSNPJu61zE47XEH1c1JrTEYXvCbsyg/s320/rwanda2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422862213075767522" /></a>I pitch my tent in the track trailer, made dinner and slept. I was able to work up early in the next day after breakfast I left the town. The morning view of sky cover with morning mist, dump air and lush green on the rolling hills over and over to the four side horizons was worm welcome to the very heart of Africa I cycled in the road which goes along side Kagera National Park. Several tourist vehicles pass taking people who traveled from different angle of the world. Venture to this remote country to experience the magnificent animals’ n their native environment. I just though most of them perhaps all ready watch film such “Gorillas In The Mist” about late Dian Fossey’s pioneering work. Here it manifest itself that watching these fascinating creatures on the television is exciting enough but nothing in comparison to the thrill of visiting them firsthand. In the flat terrain with gently hills, the landscape characterized mountains hence the name “The County of a Thousand Hills”, valleys, marshes, several rivers and cultivated fields; conclude “The country of Perpetual Spring”. In the town people were rushing to their work places in the farms people were busy as well. There were lot of self-contained compounds and work a sign of life quality.
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<br /> I stopped at Gabiro town after 34kms. I chart with locals as I was drinking my cold drink. The conversations start with curious young but lost for short give the chance for couple farmer. I narrated m stories to Hutu farmers while they were patiently listen. I turned to them with my questions about genocide and current status. They were nearly turned me down clamed that my questions were to political so I better find a politician, but kept on with conversation after convinced them I am just what to learn and there were nothing else on my intention. I sensed that perhaps they were felt guilt. Since I am interested with cause these were potential people to portray very history of this densely populated small country.
<br />So there we emerged deep cause one of the century’s great tragedies, in a small country (26,336km square) with 8 million people (before genocide) ranked early1994, most densely populated state. The story had to part completely different, there are some account said that, the Tutsi arrived as northerners Nilotic conquers perhaps early 15th century. While others believe that the two groups have always been defined by class or castle rather than by ethnicity. This myth like account kept on say that the godlike ruler Kigwa fashioned a test to choose his successor. He gave each of his sons a bowl of milk to guard during the night. His son Gatwa drank the milk, Yahutu slept and spilled the milk. Only Gatusi guarded it well. This justifies Rwanda’s social order, in which the Twa (pygmies) were the outcasts, the Hutu servants, and Tutsi aristocrats. Historically, Hutu serf herded cattle and performed various other services for their Tutsi “protectors”. At the top of the hierarchy.
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<br />I resume my cycling, my mind occupied with what I wasn’t conscious want to think about. The country side was extraordinary beauty but failed to turn mind. Lastly I came up with clue Tutsi has high chance of being Nilots but due to the cause and conditions which made them to intermarriage result even speak one language “Kinyarwanda”. Looked the same physically, notwithstanding the stereotyped of the Tutsi being exceptionally tall, It is almost impossible for outside to differentiate between the two groups. I kept on convince myself that as the process of intermingle this group was took the place as any where in the world the outside arrived with their interest. Though that the colonialists’ ideal such as encouraging predominant Hutu (86%) to grow cashcrops especial coffee, and other ideal relate with divide and rule wide the distinction between these two groups which since then was under one rule “Mwami”. These very kind of things with ever-increase pressure of people and herds, greed and authoritarianism characterized countries political hence civil war and genocide.
<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fMa8KGCNQLgxMTDTahgZuZ3mf-2J2onSR_9ed12kUR3f8r-27Pb0-0akFhtCkSWpo5qGoC8-FwnyXNlY1Yh0Af-gWzWsAFLsp7-hXmPD0p0TlqGIlpcPyLKY1TpVYYPuQW_FfFFAiSM/s1600-h/rwanda1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fMa8KGCNQLgxMTDTahgZuZ3mf-2J2onSR_9ed12kUR3f8r-27Pb0-0akFhtCkSWpo5qGoC8-FwnyXNlY1Yh0Af-gWzWsAFLsp7-hXmPD0p0TlqGIlpcPyLKY1TpVYYPuQW_FfFFAiSM/s320/rwanda1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422861711468596082" /></a
<br /> After won my mind battle I was able to continue energetically cycling and absorbed the beauty of these Hart Of Africa which despite of the harsh past story the nature still manifest its beauty. There were several courage words and waves from the people in the farms, shops, vehicles, etc. These were the signs of welcomed and friendly people. Some other youth joined me for few kilometers showed me how good they are while in French/Kiswahili tell me how they were proud to see black man on bicycle tour.
<br />Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-21067300431459902932009-12-03T13:01:00.000+03:002010-03-10T11:48:48.479+03:00TANZANIA NORTHERN HIGH LANDS TO LAKE ZONEI left Arusha 15th Nov planned to undertake the second pedal of cycling around Africa. After successful first pedal in southern Africa, I got back in Arusha gather energy and try to raise fund for the second part. This part has been challenge enough. Finally I decide to set with little fund I managed to raise from friends who participated in my representation prepared by CRC (Conservation Resource Centre). The lecture/talking about my trip wasn’t real my ideal although I could do if asked. That is what happened it was in the lunch break with CRC members and office manager at the office, the office manager Miss Dassa Nkini suggested that I should present my bicycle trip. This cleave woman to whom I owe her respect said that “You done something which I think it is unusual in our community so it is good ideal to share your experience with others. Think this together with your biography may act as a catalyst to influence and encourage others to find their potential.” From her ideal is where I got an insight of write this book despite the fact that there are so many adventure books and thousands describe Africa. I am personally believe that there is no excess knowledge so no matter how many books in the shelves describe our mother continent non can optimize another. <br />About 25 people turn up in the small office room all of them support me when I announce that I am leaving for second pedal. In particular I thank Howard and Benoit for their immeasurable fast support. The plan was to cycle until when I see financial green light. In this part budget has to hike up due to Ethiopia visa (100US$), Sudan visa (100US$), Egypt visa (100US$), food and camping for one month (200 US$). The fund I have up to the moment can sustain me for East Africa counters. <br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybqCZsSev0zCxXQLoWB3HxH_4XR1f4PR3ua8AErqLnKWxJXOEL1fZQlt-OMd83Z4h2NI_MuRa1UXlv59CNujJbuPM5abXFRKuAi1M5FrVnUpIXKUu-XuOkvfnJCCxk4_fDT0WmQ8oCoU/s1600-h/CYCLING.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybqCZsSev0zCxXQLoWB3HxH_4XR1f4PR3ua8AErqLnKWxJXOEL1fZQlt-OMd83Z4h2NI_MuRa1UXlv59CNujJbuPM5abXFRKuAi1M5FrVnUpIXKUu-XuOkvfnJCCxk4_fDT0WmQ8oCoU/s320/CYCLING.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413212448611961234" /></a><br />I left Arusha with Stive Mtui and Jacob who voluntary decide to buy food supply which can support us for 600km. The retired Danish professionally cyclist, Bent who cycled across Africa in 2008 with Tour D’ Afrique accompany us for 85km (one day). Thank you Bent for such support and courage. We left Arusha clock tower 10:30am in the group of nine cyclists. We cycled towards west side of town through main road to Tanzania popular tourists destinations such Ngorongoro crater, Serengeti National Park, et cetera. We stopped at Meserani Snake Park for cold drink; other friends turn back from here. After half an hour break we continue in the group of for people. The cycling was enthusiastic as every body seems to enjoy it with occasional chatting and have enough energy except for me when I failed to keep up with the group pace in the rolling hills near Makuyuni junction, This was due to my heavy loaded bicycle compare to others. We arrived at Makuyuni a dry flat town but this time was patched with green cause of the recent rain. We camp at the local guest house compound for free. We had offer from Bent who bought us dinner while a friend who I met when I was cycled to central Tanzania December 2008 bought us drinks.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Crossing Rift Valley, Ngorongoro highlands and Serengeti plains.<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /> In the following morning we left Makuyuni 7:30am, Bent cycled back to Arusha town while three of us embarked the flat terrains of Great Rift Valley floor, cycled towards north east. In the cool morning with gentile breeze from Ngorongoro highland, beautiful birds’ calls, lush green, long acacia and shrubs landscape stretch up to the horizon of wall of Greet Rift Valley. This flat terrains stretch in both side of the road; In left side of the road the depression caused alkaline Lake Manyara while far north between volcanic peaks (3000m)lie another alkaline Lake Natron.<br /> Along side the road we could see poor health maasai cattle cause of recently last long drought which cut off significant numbers of maasai livestock. The scatted Maasai huts, Maasai elders wore visible red shuka stand out side one long stick in one hand other short one merely watching us while young, enthusiastic, wave towards us and shout Mzungu! Mzungu! All these together made 30km through flat terrain become short. After one hour and half of riding we stopped at small but lively, Mto Wambu town (mosquito Creek). Here we rueful our bottle and have banana snacks before embarking on the Great Rift Valley escarpment 7km step. Even after finishing escarpment the cycling was still challenge as we cycled towards Ngorongoro highlands. The sun which rises gravely hot hence too much sweating, made us took a nap at lunch break before Karatu town. We resume our cycling which was characterized with long up hill cycling till Lodware gate, Ngorongoro entrance. We reached at the gate which situated within 1800-2000m.a.s.l at 08pm. We camped at village leader compound just outside the Ngorongoro entrance. <br /><br /> We work up 5:00am in the next day, had cup of coffee and mixed grains porridge. We dismantle our tent and parked our belongs within 5minutis as one of the range we met last night called me said there is a track crossing both reserve Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Last night he said it is impossible for us to cross two overlapping conserved areas with our bicycle. I didn’t agree with this view point since we were locals and in fact inside the reserve there are walking safaris as well as ordinary folk’s homes. It was rather time wasting to discuses this with narrow minded Ranger who couldn’t even let us met senior conservator because he strongly believe he will gave the same answer. The track drive demand 35,000Tsh for each. We failed to pay such high sum and let him go. After long wait the empty tourist land cruse arrive. The drive said he is going to receive client at Lobo northern part of Serengeti National Park. He demands 15,000Tsh per each up to Seronera. I had to owe Jacob as I had no cash in that moment. In Naabi hill gate, the entrance to Serengeti National Park. Rangers on duty refused to let us dropped at Seronera as it was still inside of the park. The drive demand 5,000Tsh addition to take us out of the park in Ikoma gate.<br />The treatment we received from these trained servants for both protection and management of remain natural areas was rather hash. They merely consider these places as sacred place for you who do not have money. I realized that as it was Ice ages this is money $ ages. In deep down in the mind there is still skin color arrogance but I guess for any poor cyclist my face the same challenge. <br /> We arrived Ikoma gate 05pm from here we parked our bicycle again and cycled through mad road with worn from rage on due to watch out wild animals especial elephants and lions. I wonder what was the hell to cross that merely potion of land with car while we was still have to cycle in such risk areas. We pushed our bicycle after failed to cycle in the black cotton soil sticking like glue made impossible for the tire to rotate. We arrived at Ikoma village one hour late. We overnight at policeman house. We left the village next morning cycled through Ikorongo and Gurumeti game reserves a part of Serengeti ecosystem where wild animals move freely since there is no physical boundary. We had to stop several times observing wild animals such as Impala rums, zebras, buffaloes, topi herds, giraffes and several birds. About 15minuts cycling from reserves headquarter we found large herds of elephants feeding cross the main track. We waited for almost 2hrs on different wind direction avoiding to be detected with these huge creatures on the earth surface poor in sight but keen on smell and marvelous on sounds. Late we took the risk when small track was driving across. The fun moment was when other elephant cross road the distance of 50 miters I was nearly to hold breaks but subconsciously I kept on pedaling which made the elephant run as well. Somewhere in the road we find the fresh lion’s foot prints. As we was finished the reserves we met solitary buffalo’s males. They were not pleased with our intervention so charged and try to chase us without success. We stopped bit after reserves at 01pm for lunch. From there we cycled for 3hrs with rain. We stopped at Mgeta village and overnight in police house by surrender our IDs. We pass the evening with police officers who narrated the challenge of their work in this remote area with little civilization. The local, Kuria people are known for their ruddness. <br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEnKFh9w_GWhrpgscATjYti_vSGPTawdPa99IGA48wWP8n2T4HviTmD_7aoYENAOnFCySnZFnezbNWeEI2gI1Dr4G6FZHiTX-cfzMLWaH6_cDJRWsXBwc59KMQ-oEAmkfmDYpdebVR4I/s1600-h/JD500680.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEnKFh9w_GWhrpgscATjYti_vSGPTawdPa99IGA48wWP8n2T4HviTmD_7aoYENAOnFCySnZFnezbNWeEI2gI1Dr4G6FZHiTX-cfzMLWaH6_cDJRWsXBwc59KMQ-oEAmkfmDYpdebVR4I/s320/JD500680.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413222482202073874" /></a><br />In the next morning we left Mgeta village and cycled through rolling hills with the peak of (1784m) Chamliko. We stopped at Ikizu junction, here I was amazed after seen the vehicles selling the remaining fish after being chopped the entire meet. Locals told me these remains are from fish industry at Musoma in the shore of Lake Victoria where they process fish for export. We cycled to Butiama village where the fist president of Tanzania was born. We refused to camp on the museum compound which s on the 24 hours solder guards. We cycled down to main road from Musoma –Kenya, camped out side guest house compound after fist camp in side and told to move outside if we can’t pay. In fact there was nothing to pay for, my tent was better than rooms. <br /><br /> In the next day we cycled for 30km and reach Bunda town. We left Bunda and cycled for another 60km and stopped at Bumbala village. Here we made a late superghetten lunch. We ate in the middle of village crowd who come to see what they claim to be magic. They don’t what is the gas stove nether supergatte which the call worms. There were other widespread “ Once I went to town I saw people eat those worms while here is a food of chickens”, while children told us what was their favorites food rice ranck number one. Unfortunately, we were too hungry so there were nothing to share with audiences. I was one to announce the ideal to sleep on this interesting village. One of the spectator invite us to camp on his back yard. We spent evening on the Lake Victoria where we had shower and long chart with fisherman and herders who brought their huge horns ankole cattle to drink water. <br /> In the next morning I work up early when this part of world was still calm in the middle of transformation between dark and light. The full moon which dominated the dark was slowly swallowed with the bright golden violet color from far East. Birds such as Robin chats, sparrows, doves, hornbill, etc were enthusiastic celebrate this ritual. I too, absorbed with the rhythm and surrounding gases, I found in myself celebrating this short leaved world. As I was standing in the middle of the road with a cup of coffee, I turn back to the normal world when I was interrupted with group of the people who I saw from far just only images in the line. When they reach closed we was wonder after each, I observed them every body from young to adults carried hoe in the shoulder and water in the hand. It was time to go to the farms, about hour late almost the entire village was deserted except the house we camp who said they were Baptist so they do not work on Saturday. We cycled for 80km alongside the lake shore, had a break at the village where we found people made Dhow and boats. It was amazing discovery to see how they skillful band particular timber until to form certain form. The thing I grasps from these people is their patience accumulated for long time. We arrive at ferry to Ukerewe Island in the late afternoon, made our lunch of rice and boiled ever cheep fish on the shower as we waited for ferry. <br />We cross the lake with ferry which took half an hour to reach the largest Island in the Lake Victoria, Ukerewe Island. We cycled for 15km to Nansio town and sort free camped at Monarch beach hotel.<br />We pitch our tents on the sand beach, made dinner and slept as we was real exhausted. I the morning I was the first to emerge out of the tent as usually. I was stoked with the stunning beauty in front of my eyes; it was a breath taking scene. The golden ball emerged from horizon it bright color shines all the sky while the fresh water lake reflects it. As the low of nature birds were there communicate with each other to welcome the new day. The cup of coffee, cool breeze from lake, rhythm of lave waves birds’ calls and wind brought unforgettable sentient. My heart was thrill with joy while impulses wish to stop this fast moving transformation. The full light emerge Jesus! The moving object I saw previous on the lake and thought was mangrove were people came for early shower and the place we camp was the place for woman, man were about 500 miters further on the shore. It was the same time when human started to praise high power by calling; Allah Akhbar! Allah Akhibar! (Allah is great! Lord is great!) For the entire days we stayed there we I was worry that we threaten the private of those woman come to have shower in the morning and evening. <br />We had offer from fisherman to take us to the near island but we was obliged to pedal as well he just help with navigation. Lake waves were so strong made me felt like we water will get into the boat then I will die since I can’t swim in such deep water. After came back from boat ride we left the camp and cycled towards north-east of the island. We passed at Bukindo the castle like house, the home of great chief of Wa-Kerewe. Wa-kerewe, the predominant ethnic on this island who their language is evidence that they are from west off shore Bukoba, Haya people. These group of south Uganda and north west of Tanzania as you move further west to Rwanda and Congo share muchin common. One of the grinding machine we found at Bukindo said it was present from Buganda King to Wa-kerewe chief. The island is characterized by rolling hills and rocks outcrop with fertile land together with fishing attract high number of immigrant from mainland. In the north shore we left our bicycle on the certain house and visit the tomb of Wa-krewe chief on the rock. In our way back we were invited to dinner with family of young couple (27 years old) with five children goes like steers. This was amazing thing in this island where it is just ease to find young couples with 6 to 9 children. After corn mixed with cassava Ugali and big fish fresh from the lake we left cycled to west shore. We visited Andebezyo rock caves here there are two rocks named Aluego and Andebezyo. Aluego or Luego means two overhanging roacks used by local to dried cassava floor away from said extinct wild animals. Andebezyo was ladle used to climb on the top of the rocks.<br />Despite the fact that the island now is a home of several other immigrant ethnics such neighbor Wa-Sukuma from main land, Wa-Gita, Wa-Jaluo, Wa-Haya, et cetera the culture and customs which bound these people together still exist. Almost 90% of inhabitants are substance farmer which young engaged on the fishing industry. People had lot of relaxing/slack time as fishing is early morning rare night and late evening same to farm works which tend to be morning than evening. <br />We spent three nights in the island and left to Mwanza town in the mainland by boat which took 3hrs. In Mwanza town “Rock city” we had accommodation in Jacob’s uncle guest house. I left the group in Mwanza town after three days of bicycle repair.<br />I cycled for two days to reach Nkome, Rubondo National Park entrance. The park fees were affordable but I failed to enter in the park after because of high price of boat to the island. I camped at the base compound despite the fact that management refused me to camp there if I can’t pay 20US$ per night without any important services. The range on duty Joctan who become a friend, he told me is better for him to risk his job for let me camp there instead of let me go. He add that he don’t see any point on why shouldn’t camp there. I have a big dinner of rice and huge fish and breakfast of cooked banana and fish soup. It was amazing kindness. <br /><br />I crossed the lake with local boat where I had lift. The boat took 5hrs to reach Mganza village via several small islands. In the next day I left Muganza and cycled to Muleba through Biharamulo game reserve. The cycling was deadly challenge. After 94km I reached Muleba town and went to the police station asked if I can camp in the compound the gentleman who was main speaker seemed that he was high rank office allow me to camp there. I was busy pitch my tent made coffee and dinner I explained and showed how I survived to the curious policeman and women as well. Around 09:30pm as I was having my dinner other two police man one in the uniform and other just dress casual come to me and bombed with couples of nonsense questions. They seem to be drunken. The one without uniform told me to remove my tent and find somewhere else to camp. He said he is the commanding office and add that the one who let me camp there he is not familiar with laws, regulations and rules. I did so cycled for 10minuts and camp at the filling station where I found a young man. I just told him I want to camp in the corner, he sad no problem. He insured me that my bicycle was in safe since there was guard. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2GHmUGdrRx9RNylJ4ZQ_vKQ1whhiJYThh_t4ywXSdm5hK96hWcFeLnbbJc6jo_LqHc9jpXV0VhZ_-0H-yLCY3qyRV5kO_rCKo9ufbQORA-Niob60WUmR4-GdUvIN5KoAW72O3L1U5Yw/s1600-h/JD500699.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2GHmUGdrRx9RNylJ4ZQ_vKQ1whhiJYThh_t4ywXSdm5hK96hWcFeLnbbJc6jo_LqHc9jpXV0VhZ_-0H-yLCY3qyRV5kO_rCKo9ufbQORA-Niob60WUmR4-GdUvIN5KoAW72O3L1U5Yw/s320/JD500699.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413224450915338306" /></a><br /> <br />I left the town in the next morning, cycled for 56km. I reached Bukoba town at 01:30pm. I camped at the Lake view hotel where I pay 2000 Tshs about $2. I decide to have one day of rest. I met a family of my friend from Arusha, visited Bukoba museum which is predominated by Dickson Personii photos of wild life found around Bukoba. Cycled in the town outstreckt which ischaracterized with rock give an amazing aerial view of old town on the shore of Lake Victoria. <br />I set off from Bukoba town after two days rest, I cycled towards west. After finished up hills near Bukoba town the large distance up to Kyaka town was relative flat. I overnight at Kyaka township, it’s lay about 50kms from Bukoba town. The town sprawling both side of Kagera River. Here there are remain ruins for resistance the church built on the top of the rock hill, Kagera Bridge, living houses, etc all of them have been bombed by Idd Amin. Amin sized the area of about 60kms from where there is border post between Tanzania and Uganda and claimed to be part of Uganda. This caused 1976-79 “kagera war” between Tanzania and Uganda. Tanzania successes to fought Amin and over through him from the presidency then he sorts exile in Arabs countries. <br />I left the town next day, cycling towards south-west through flat terrain forest. I stopped in the mid day after 60kms. As I was having lunch of bread sandwich came the track which stopped few miters from where I was sating. The track drive told me that forest wasn’t safe. He said it was possibly to come across with unfriendly people. He gave me lift up to Kizuguru town in Rwanda. We arrived in the town 07:10pm, the town situated near Kagera National Park.Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-22603389519761353222009-07-21T13:10:00.000+03:002009-07-21T13:15:31.882+03:00Southern Africa<span style="font-style:italic;">The Visibility Study in Southern Africa by Bicycle.<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /> The visibility study in southern Africa by bicycle has turned successful with great lesson. The main purpose was to study the tourist’s attraction (which include the respective culture, history, economy and development of the countries) as well as promoting eco-tourism.<br /><br /><br /> Southern Africa region is a diverse region make up of savannah and forest, snow topped mountains and desert, temperature Mediterranean and tropical climate. Southern Africa identity is, however, as much defined by the region’s people but their past and present interactions as by it geographical features. Appreciations of local history divide and unite the region today. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The straggle of the region.<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br /> Southern Africa has been the evolving struggle of the region’s indigenous black African majority to free itself of the racial hegemony of white settlers from Europe and their descendants.<br /><br /><br /> The history goes back to 8thC A.D, probably, earlier the region was populated by the black African ethnic groups who spoke the language belonging to Bantu and Khoisan. Archeological study shows that the member of this groups were involved in agriculture and pastoralism as well as hunting and gathering.<br />During 1400 there was already emerge of strong states/empire such Shona of great Zimbabwe who trade with various locals as well as beyond in Indian Ocean with China.<br /><br /> In sixteenth century saw European immigrants from small numbers of Portuguese followed by the Dutch who established their settlement at the very tip of Africa and expended steadily into the interior. Seized the land of local Khoisan communities. The new society in the Cape was rapidly divided between people of mixed African and Afro-Asian who were imported as slaves.<br /><br /> During the Napolion was British took Cape. In early 19thC British colony abolished slavery and extended limited civil rights to nonwhites at the Cape. This caused white Dutch-descendant Boers or Afrikaner moved into interior. This migration known as Great Trek did not lead the white settlers into empty land. The territory was home to may African groups, who lost their farms and pastures to the superior firepower of early Afrikaner who often corvee labor for their farms and public workers. But few African polities, like Lesotho and Botswana kingdoms were able to perceive their independent.<br /><br /> In the half 19thC white migration and dominance spread through the rest of southern Africa. The discovery of diamonds and gold encourage white exploration and subsequent of occupation father north.<br /><br /> By the 1900 the region was fallen under Cecil Rhode’s South Africa Company which occupied North and South Rhodesia (modern Zambia and Zimbabwe) while traders, missionaries and settlers invalided Nyasa Land (Malawi). Meanwhile, the Germans seized Namibia while Portuguese began to expand inland from their coast enclave (Mozambique).<br /><br /> European colony in southern Africa had significant populations of white settlers, who each case played a predominant political and economical role in their respective territory. Through out the region this white supremacy was festered and maintained through racially discriminatory policies of land alienation, labor regulation and the denial of full civil right to non-white. In South Africa, where the largest and longest settlers white population resided the Afrikaner and English speaking settlers were granted full self-government in 1910 with constitution that left the country’s black majority virtually powerless.Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-12222336051915224402009-07-17T18:29:00.000+03:002009-07-17T19:05:09.215+03:00Caprivi Strip<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpgVaY1I1niBqrNryZQf63pGP6gGxaSfSBVjvi-Mx759EaHGPRlminyHWWiAqIpw4fmt9v39yI-TnsiYILIjoca4q32f1UUguY58UIw63U5uVTHHyuKP_cE7Q6cv-bLGITgM_5miKfU0/s1600-h/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+051.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpgVaY1I1niBqrNryZQf63pGP6gGxaSfSBVjvi-Mx759EaHGPRlminyHWWiAqIpw4fmt9v39yI-TnsiYILIjoca4q32f1UUguY58UIw63U5uVTHHyuKP_cE7Q6cv-bLGITgM_5miKfU0/s320/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359458887866184034" /></a><br />With its scatted huts and sprawling rural population, the Caprivi is closer to the ideal most people have of Africa than any other part of Namibia. It consists of a complex network of perennial rivers, riverine forests and fertile floodplains, an usually flat area where no piece of land fertile floodplains, an usually flat area where no piece of land is more than 47 meters higher than the rest. The region is populated by over 80 000 people, most of whom are substance farmers making their living on the banks of the Zambezi, Kwando, Linyanti and Chobe rivers. In addition to fishing and hunting, they keep cattle and cultivate the land. When Chobe and Zambezi rivers come down in flood, over half of the land can become inundated with water. At this time of the year the Caprivians use their mekoro(dug-out canoes) to traverse the routes usually utilized by cars, trucks and pedestrians. <br /><br /> Seen on the map, the Caprivi appears to be a strange appendage rather than part of the country, extending eastwards as a panhandle into Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. It is a classic example of how colonial power shaped the boundaries of modern Africa. At the Berlin Conference in 1890, Germany acquired the strip of land to add to the then Germany South West Africa, naming it after the German Chancellor General Count Georg Leo von Caprivi. <br /><br /> The region centre is Katima Mulilo, which has become a busy tourist hub, as it is the gateway to the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and the Chobe National Park in Botswana. The proximity of Caprivi to countries with active art and craft industries has had a positive influence on Caprivian artists and craft people, known for the strip of land sculptural beauty and symmetry of their pots and baskets.Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-18061852612133307602009-07-05T13:19:00.000+03:002009-07-21T16:15:25.616+03:00NAMIBIA-R.S.A (Republic of South Africa)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVC0BzOgnwP1-YITTQ32hDS6FnJANv4WI3jg24nUByUYGmMHa7GZIWrWfVFdN-lwCjOmU16PxQVYV006JNYMIn4LEtiVzw48I9BcLJ0Co4rEdghX_BTmFqlMDmq1HoTK6GiohpnRPAMwQ/s1600-h/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+032.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVC0BzOgnwP1-YITTQ32hDS6FnJANv4WI3jg24nUByUYGmMHa7GZIWrWfVFdN-lwCjOmU16PxQVYV006JNYMIn4LEtiVzw48I9BcLJ0Co4rEdghX_BTmFqlMDmq1HoTK6GiohpnRPAMwQ/s320/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360897562111338418" /></a><br /><br /><br />In the Namibia side, 5km from the border Trans Kalahari border post I found West gate rest camp but I could not pay because I had not cash with me.The ATM(Cash) machine around refused to accept my credit card. Around 20:00hrs I got lift which took me to Gobabs town.Gobabs town situated 100km from the Trans Kalahari border post. I reach Gobabs midnight. I went around the town searching for affordable accommodation without success. I decided to cycle towards west to Windhoek which found 200km from Gobabs. It was very pleasant cycling during the nigh. There was less traffic in the road. I found several springbok in the road. In particular occasion I found one springbok which have been hit by vehicle few minutes from when I arrived. The car which hit the springbok was bad destroyed.The dark swallowed by the sun rise slowly. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh186BvTCxL4eheHoAZp679-gYWHrM9AI0Ap0mBuP8UzXYZbZripis_G2MgsUOv8PbWG1bzf1QR7RHkF7iDCBhAha-Zy8H0Hr-W32U5Eab8SmH__2kkLIIVYzBqmiLCug5UZgGaee6M3zk/s1600-h/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+004.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh186BvTCxL4eheHoAZp679-gYWHrM9AI0Ap0mBuP8UzXYZbZripis_G2MgsUOv8PbWG1bzf1QR7RHkF7iDCBhAha-Zy8H0Hr-W32U5Eab8SmH__2kkLIIVYzBqmiLCug5UZgGaee6M3zk/s320/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360894622462909458" /></a>It was stunning to see how the sun shining those dark brown grasses in the dry Savannah of west Namibia when I was still cycling. I could hear from single bird call to anthem interrupted by vehicle which started to increase in numbers one hour later. About 30 km to city center the bicycle bag stand break. In this time it needed welding to rejoined it. I hire tax which took me up to Chameleon backpackers where I overnight and serviced my bicycle. The backpackers become an alternative and affordable accommodation in the touristic towns in this expedition. The price in backpackers it's 5 US $ to 9US$ P.P. camping. Most of them offers self-catering kitchen. I spent two night at Chameleon Backpackers.<br /><br /> I left Windhoek city, cycling towards south. The city situated in the hills. I cycled in the slop down and flat terrain, passed Rehaboth town 85km for Windhoek. I overnight at the farm about 30km from Rehoboth. In the following I kept on cycling towards towards south, passed through extensive grassy plains punctuated with the occasional windmill. At the everning I reached Mariental town. I ride 5km out of town and overnight at somebody front yard. The house owner work up and find me parking my tent.They thought I was repair my bicycle. I full my water bottles here and cycled for the whole day in the semi-desert. Now I become attached with the desert. The desert is relative dry. After couples of kilometers I was able to find water which pulled up by wind machine. In the everning I reached Keetmanshop town. I camped and overnight at Caravan Park (Municipal campsite). I was feeling very tired and the body was out so exhaust. I slept without know what will follow in the next day, but, when I work up and look my map I decide to cycle to Noordoewer. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjMBiTP0RO4skWn77qqwl31dQaAwbdn1lOXOlet1eLNAuqLVI5teKbrvSPBk25IUdY40oCJCxNkO7u-MliFy3uZ6nUjdCfwfrsmXO7it9mAKB5afbz9dkdXtgVFyLjtoHPJTRtKCjAho/s1600-h/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+038.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjMBiTP0RO4skWn77qqwl31dQaAwbdn1lOXOlet1eLNAuqLVI5teKbrvSPBk25IUdY40oCJCxNkO7u-MliFy3uZ6nUjdCfwfrsmXO7it9mAKB5afbz9dkdXtgVFyLjtoHPJTRtKCjAho/s320/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359017657571923554" /></a>I reached Noordower 23:45hrs. After finished with immigration in Namibia side. I cycled for about 4km crossed Orange/Oranje river to R.S.A, at Vioolsdrif border post. Here there were sad news, when the immigration work told me "unfortunately" you'll have to go back Windhoek to obtain visa in R.S.A(Republic of South Africa) embassy". I felt like my body paralyze for second but not much dispointed, perhaps, because of several challenges and testimony which I went through in this expedition. Good news and bad one for me sound the same.<br /><br /> Now I'm at the small town in southern Namibia, tried to make communication with embassy without any sign of hope. I get used to this Nam land I feel like I want to live here, Ooh no my Namibia visa will expire soon!. <br /><br /> What then? 600km to Cape.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8o7ctqc3PYqs8SNEXKOS9AsVlJoCqc1eZhJrDbNz9zw2yxl63bxeSrGHS48x5dQOlhFTXNZyJsaSpmq-XmF9139DqO4HVveYswNfYDNgYK1x8_XDAJEsfktMk4JHTHydJgWYn9ZPIaQ/s1600-h/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+040.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8o7ctqc3PYqs8SNEXKOS9AsVlJoCqc1eZhJrDbNz9zw2yxl63bxeSrGHS48x5dQOlhFTXNZyJsaSpmq-XmF9139DqO4HVveYswNfYDNgYK1x8_XDAJEsfktMk4JHTHydJgWYn9ZPIaQ/s320/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+040.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360901050352160354" /></a>Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-13140118133305239222009-07-05T13:18:00.000+03:002010-02-25T14:44:19.051+03:00BOTSWANA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUL8kqQdnDD_2Myw-tqAsOzFDeygJhgOPfVW8_OZ-E5A_GX9sK4NT7L1MPcf8CehC4yABvO8jNn-yPAiWAx9Q8fy6QkQ-J5_GsN0W7J_o31Kg1XQjsKMI1e2cYG9zTNPOhx0rAJOkxMc/s1600-h/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+ZIM-BOTS.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUL8kqQdnDD_2Myw-tqAsOzFDeygJhgOPfVW8_OZ-E5A_GX9sK4NT7L1MPcf8CehC4yABvO8jNn-yPAiWAx9Q8fy6QkQ-J5_GsN0W7J_o31Kg1XQjsKMI1e2cYG9zTNPOhx0rAJOkxMc/s320/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+ZIM-BOTS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360539264147822962" /></a><br /> After cleared and answered several questions of curious Bastwana immigration workers concerning the cycling expedition. In particularly, one of the them, a traditional African built woman as described by Mc in his books “Tradition Tea Time”, come out of the office and asked more questions as we walk out side. At the end she said "I wish I was you". I was near to bust big laughter I did my best to omit itbecause she was real serious, I fell very sorry for her when I look her over size body ,I wonder which kind of saddle can feat her big buttock. <br /> I cycled out of the border post gate painted Botswana flag color’s this get deep ito my mind now I was cycling in the country I have heard very little negative than positive, rarely heard it in the world leading medial. <br />Under leadership of Sir Seretse Khama (1966-80),Ketumile Masire (1980-98), Fetus Mogae and today son of Seretse Khama, Botswana has beenthe Cinderella story of postcolonial Africa. In 1966, the country emerged from 80 years of British colonialism as one of 10 poorest county in the world with annually per capital income of $69. Yet over the subsequent years, the nation’s economy has grown at an average annual rate of 11%, one of the world’s highest. At independent the country had no paved road but today infrastructure had been created and social services expanded such growth has translated into improving standards of living for most Botswana citizens. However, the gap between the small but growing middle class( and few truly wealth)and the majority who remain poor is also widening, resulting in social tension. <br /><br />Botswana’s economic success has come in the context of its unbroken post independence commitment to political pluralism, respect for human rights, and racial and ethnic tolerance. Freedom of speech and association have been upheld, the time I visited the country was in about 9th successful multipart election. Most of Botswana’s people share Setswana as their first language a tongue that is commonly spoken in much of South Africa. There also exist a number of sizable minority communities Kalanga, Herero, Khalagari, Khoisan groups, and others but contemporary ethnic conflict is relatively modest. In nineteenth century, most f Botswana was incorporated into five Tswana states, each centering around a large settlement. These states, which incorporated non Tswana communities, survived through agropastotalism, hunting, and their control of trade route linking Southern and Central Africa. Lucrative dealing in ivory and ostrich feathers allowed local rulers to build up their arsenals and thus deter the aggressive designs of South Africa whites. An attempt by white settlers to seize control of southern Botswana was defeated in an 1853-53 war. However, European missionaries and traders were welcomed, leading to growth of Christian education and the consumption of industrial goods. <br />Economic growth since independence has been largely fueled by the rapid expansion of mining activity. Botswana has become one of the world’s leading producers of diamonds which typically account 80% of it export earnings. Local production is managed by Debswana Corporation, an even partnership between the Botswana government and DeBeers, a South Africa-based global corporation; DeBeers’ Central Selling Organization has a near monopoly on diamond sales world wide. <br /> <br /> From Chobe I cycled towards south Passed the road junction which heading west to Kasani town. Kasani is a tourist town situated in the river bank, Kasai river join Zambezi river. Here is the get way to Chobe National Park, Caprivi Strip to North Namibia. I cycled towards south further interior of almost dry country.<br />Botswana has a sparsely population. The population is estimated to be 2 million people mostly based in urban areas which left the large arable part of the county inhabited. I entered the country in the north-east from Zimbabwe, Kazingula border. I rode for about 2km and stopped at Chobe the junction to Kasane town. The road to east is heading to Capriv Strip.<br /> <br /> I kept on cycling from the Chobe as I took the main road which heading to Francis town via Nata and then to the capital city, Gaborone. I had several punch (a flat tire) because of the sharp thorn in the road. I had crazy ideal of over inflate the tires so to avoid shape thorns but, ironic, this lead to the tire bust. It was afternoon, very hot. I get more tired maybe because I was tried to ride very fast to find the village to re full the water bottles but four hours without success. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8dMeT9cWUYf3dsS9RsFXdfYfV9kOwoi7SOYfU7ExzfddbtM8YSR70ijUoFMHVx1jRaDmVK_TzsaJqXAkatpsinrdqqwpK6022gyxxTjwnXg8nkJiImdCIgnvmslIqBelkIS9niVQaqE/s1600-h/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+001.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8dMeT9cWUYf3dsS9RsFXdfYfV9kOwoi7SOYfU7ExzfddbtM8YSR70ijUoFMHVx1jRaDmVK_TzsaJqXAkatpsinrdqqwpK6022gyxxTjwnXg8nkJiImdCIgnvmslIqBelkIS9niVQaqE/s320/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360874801542470898" /></a>After had a bust I decide to look for a shade and have a rest. As I was lied myself under the tree and enjoy the gentle, cool breeze accompanied with beautiful birds songs. The vehicles drivers who were passing by hon and shout something which I could not hear. I come to understand what they were meant when I reached certain farm house 60km from Chobe. It was near to 18hrs. I stopped in the house to ask for water and then to continue to Pandamatenga where I planed to overnight according to the map. After long calling one woman who latter introduce to me as Emelida come out and greeting out and great in Setswana language. She told me it is not possible to reach Pandamatenga which is 20km from here farm because there is a lot of lions in the plain. She add that; I will witness myself after dark fall when the Lions will start roaring and roaming around the house. Emelida said she was from Kasane and she passed me some where in the road, she wondered if I was aware that this was wild life areas. Here I got incite of what those vehicles drivers were shouting. Probably, they were said; "What is hell are you doing here! You are going to be special dinner of lions! etc, etc. Emelida offer me a room to sleep and in top of that there was strong dinner for me. (a stiff porridge, you know this is African meal. Here they call it "Papa" In Zambia "Nshima" and Tanzania Swahili is "Ugali"). Emalida was true, around 20hrs I could hear lions roaring, she told me don’t dare to get out during the night because hear lions are like strayed dogs in towns"<br /> In next day, after breakfast which usually it include vegetable soup to worm up then cup of coffee which contain Milo and poured milk this goes together with 4 slices of loaf and corn flack. Or sometime like those time in Zambia I boiled sweet potatoes which were plenty. This is a strong breakfast which used to take me up to 13hrs when I stop for what I used to call simple lunch this is; bread which I smelt margarine and peanut butter sometime together with fresh fruits but very occasion. I don't find lot of fruits compere to East Africa. <br /><br /> I left the Emelida's house which boarded with other two neighborhood houses but scatted 07"15hrs. These houses are only houses found in the distance of 100km from Chobe to Pandamatenda. About 5km from the houses I could not believe my eyes when I saw two males lions walking slowly to the bush. The grass was long which made me not to see them from far.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDthTkM7CkT9pVV-U-rBsou2yCbu8CEfW0TL6c15HAmr38YZcUz4yrkXaaZLFtqPtX9CkeROb7ha9yjxwXplXTzAELr-SMfpbLpat6PXt-dhdMYRpqjlYyMEj7tgR44mCvhimrDLWfqYk/s1600-h/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+005+(Small).jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDthTkM7CkT9pVV-U-rBsou2yCbu8CEfW0TL6c15HAmr38YZcUz4yrkXaaZLFtqPtX9CkeROb7ha9yjxwXplXTzAELr-SMfpbLpat6PXt-dhdMYRpqjlYyMEj7tgR44mCvhimrDLWfqYk/s320/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+005+(Small).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360878594829410338" /></a> The distance was very close and I was in the speed. In my mind there was no replay of what I should do but thanks to my feet which were still pedaling in unimaginable speed. My heart get boosted hence heart rate and respiration, muscles get tensed and body fall in the general alert level. The lions were kept on walking to the bush probably, they were avoiding me. Even after passed them still I could not believe. I was still felt they were running after me so as my mind produce such kind of picture my feet accelerate the speed. Unfortunately, I didn't remember to have a look on my speed meter to record that speed. When I reached Pandamatenga just a small town, I stopped at the only fuel station where there is also take away kiosk. I was sweating, and felt unusual. No matter how hard I tried to put myself in the normal condition but the tension lived for some time. I entered in the take away kiosk without knowing what I was going to buy. I find out all of the people who were inside and other outside was looking on me. I don't know they were wonder after long bicycle traveler as most does or; my tension or; when I told the servant I want coffee. The servant asked "coffee!". Then I felt like work up and replayed to her "Yes cup of coffee''. As I was drink the coffee looking at the road tried to repeat the picture of what happen. I laugh myself.<br /><br /> One man come and seat beside me after Setswana greeting;"Dumela Rra" I replayed "Dumela Rra". The interview started as usual, then other people join and in few minutes I was in the middle of crowd. It become so common whenever I stopped people come and start asking questions and form little crowd. Unfortunately, some speak others do not speak English they do speak local languages so they usual don't enjoy the conversation. From Pandamatenga to Nata 200km I hitch hike as the information was the same 'wildlife areas’. <br /><br /> I reached Nata 18hrs.Nata is a small town just found along side the road and junction of the road from west(Maun), from North (Kasani) and from south (Francis town). The lodge I found around was expensive not affordable for such cyclist travel. I asked the truck driver to pitch my tent in the trailer. Here there were so many tracks packing. When I asked them WHY, they said it's Botswana law that during the weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) the tracks shouldn't travel during the nights. They should stop when it reaches 18:00hrs up to the next day. They said this is to avoid the accidents which are in the high rate here. Tswana (Batswana) drink very heavy.<br /> In the next I work up feel strong compare to the last day. During the night and morning it was very cold 5c. After having a breakfast I cycled towards west despite the fact that the situation was the same just like where I come from in the north. The body get worm but the air was heavy whereby I can't breathe through noise only. I use mouth breath.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePtPOL8r3r9vJljf9HmBXJgnwXBGEaJd7Ez2jd7TyE3j496n_2d4o_wI2tDwu0gvHmUuUVzpeUbjAyXHWPuHXfTor9csFwuxwPawTP4REUqiJKKapGGmzK6prYy-IZqnPSNM5lZu_E88/s1600-h/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+007.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePtPOL8r3r9vJljf9HmBXJgnwXBGEaJd7Ez2jd7TyE3j496n_2d4o_wI2tDwu0gvHmUuUVzpeUbjAyXHWPuHXfTor9csFwuxwPawTP4REUqiJKKapGGmzK6prYy-IZqnPSNM5lZu_E88/s320/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360879637477573938" /></a> <br /> I passed though farms and few villages. I stopped at the picnic site for lunch. The picnic sites are found mostly after 30km or so in most of southern Africa reads. I reached Gweta village 100km from Nata. After having a cup coffee in the take away kiosk I kept on cycling. In the evening 50km from Gweta I hitch hike to Maun. <br /> Maun a delta town, get way to Okavanga Delta.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6WAam9DQpr7pDjzoSMZKkIo-zfn1QDZk2KCec-_UiYlM1uZyl8V6eCMQn8N89r6SGFjDCj3RYUhdL9GSUft1t7NSqUPISXLhyxS09wLsxTA7PaKTiNMJ-oCezVJsyeySfrlxGIN2cUo/s1600-h/The+Old+Bridge+Backpackers.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6WAam9DQpr7pDjzoSMZKkIo-zfn1QDZk2KCec-_UiYlM1uZyl8V6eCMQn8N89r6SGFjDCj3RYUhdL9GSUft1t7NSqUPISXLhyxS09wLsxTA7PaKTiNMJ-oCezVJsyeySfrlxGIN2cUo/s320/The+Old+Bridge+Backpackers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360883153721489570" /></a> <br /> The pace where the water meet the desert. Here I overnight two night at Old bridge backpackers. I left Maun 10:00hrs after coming back from boat trip which I had been invited with friends. Cycled towards south west through semi-desert, passed few villages. In this semi-desert night and morning is very cold sometime up to -3C. During the day time the sun is very bright which rise the temperature up to 30C. The strong wind which blew from west to east/ south west to north east hinder my speed. I reach Toteng 14:30 my body was so exhausted plus headache. I hitch hike from Toteng to the next town Lake Ngami.The area is low land which coursed the Lake Ngami, the area surrounding the Lake its relative dry. I overnight at Lake Ngami and start the fever (Malaria)tables. In the next day I was felt bet stronger. I left Lake Ngami small town which is characterized by the indigenous paternalists early in the morning. I cycled towards North West. The wind was so strong. In the after noon when I reached Kuke village/check point. I could felt the pain of my back. The whole back born was real pain, this is the sign of high fever. From Kuke I hitch hike to Ghanzi town where I overnight at the wide deserted campsite. The camping ground offered free to me by the Kwaha Safari lodge. The night was very long. I only manage to sleep for few hours. I thought maybe is because of the Malaria dose which I was undertaking or because of the night cold. In the following day I decide to have a rest, I went for the walk in Ghanzi town.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTMA6Zg3Efvs5SJtHZSBRJL92uTqaO3aDueA8XPo5ddDZojFkO_XB0HZtsLzgAY-SsvpcMpSceoy0MnDk18nJD2R7L4QroS-_xFCHXJ7yzGMC8vTU8w8OR3qzB9wcjKHvcgWr4EtsR2A/s1600-h/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+017.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTMA6Zg3Efvs5SJtHZSBRJL92uTqaO3aDueA8XPo5ddDZojFkO_XB0HZtsLzgAY-SsvpcMpSceoy0MnDk18nJD2R7L4QroS-_xFCHXJ7yzGMC8vTU8w8OR3qzB9wcjKHvcgWr4EtsR2A/s320/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360890360475371234" /></a> In this town it's where I found a lot of Basarwa, the San (Bush man of Kalahari). Here there are those who tried to copy the modern life as the Botswana government forces them. In the real fact from the few I observed and who I talked with it's real had to change their mode of life. Some are living in the tents and old houses which provided by government. There is nothing real for them to do as their not enough able to engage in the hand and heavy work. Most of them they are high substance abuser. Nearby the town there are the lodges which provide some Basarwa/San place to live. Here travelers come and have a chance to learn more about the life of this fist people to live in Kalahari Desert. Around the town the restaurant and bars were full and people (most of them are youth) are having fun. I remember the trucks drivers who said during the weekend in Botswana is only about drinking. In the after noon I returned to the camp. The fever was still high, the body was very hot. In the evening I had the companion of two gays who was over landing by hitch hiking from Britain to South Africa. We shared the time charting around the fire. The next day I left Kwaha safari lodge cycling slowly towards south west. In the late evening I manage to cover 100km. <br /> I camp at the bush man village. Here I shared the meal with the bush man. The meal was two ostrich eggs and some boiled ground plant which I could not recognize. The next day early in the morning I left the village, I was bet strong maybe because of Ostrich eggs meal. I managed to cycle about 120km. In the evening I crossed the Trans Kalahari border post to Namibia.<br />.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvuUBPAORys-H5agb03u1xApObgaWCNnCCuzqvz03ftNvuKuKLhMBJ8gTK_uVT5UWFvL9Y3yKw5CLONuzRskhrlM2fzuRvP1UGlgy_d5xnSjJ3PfiEY28HEOo34qntWudoZYzS0y3Qp8/s1600-h/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+031.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvuUBPAORys-H5agb03u1xApObgaWCNnCCuzqvz03ftNvuKuKLhMBJ8gTK_uVT5UWFvL9Y3yKw5CLONuzRskhrlM2fzuRvP1UGlgy_d5xnSjJ3PfiEY28HEOo34qntWudoZYzS0y3Qp8/s320/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360887559284076466" /></a>Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-90467482600098959152009-07-05T13:17:00.000+03:002010-02-25T14:26:02.765+03:00ZIMBABWE, In the moment of crises comes the changers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCK3O7Axy4C7ma309z9J00o7wytYXBqY-GI4mxbzNl0QYYGG4lXZYvIG7T2MUmhRxa66DSZ_J6txJ1_TXHDjDgSRcgsRf7NNRee-lMtklPjZKbck0ZeZCP07zYXkdRgZ9BMDcsROyK4c/s1600-h/TRANQUIL.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCK3O7Axy4C7ma309z9J00o7wytYXBqY-GI4mxbzNl0QYYGG4lXZYvIG7T2MUmhRxa66DSZ_J6txJ1_TXHDjDgSRcgsRf7NNRee-lMtklPjZKbck0ZeZCP07zYXkdRgZ9BMDcsROyK4c/s320/TRANQUIL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360537788573102834" /></a> In the Zimbabwe border post which was less crowded compare to Nakonde, I got the transit visa pushed my bicycle to the get where I found three police. One of them asked "Your passport sir? (Sir? Not common hear people called me Sir, this remind me to school when I stated learn English). I handed him my passport. After a short while he stayed again "I want to have a look on your bags Sir". He had a brief search but seem there was nothing in particular. It wasn't a real searching, perhaps, they were curious to see what this crazy man on the bicycle with several bags carrying. <br /> The Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe side is situated few kilometers from the border post. With all reason the town was grown because of the tourism activities which seems to be started long time compare to the Zambia side. Even the entrance fees are different in Zam is 10 US$ P.P., Zim side is 20US$ P.P. I overnight at the backpacker which found in the area. In the reception produce 50,000,000 Zimbabwe dollar which I bought for 1US$ in Zam to pay my bills but it was refused. The dread locks with several rings in his part of body receptionist told me you need several of those to get bread here ma men. That means the Zim currency doesn't work, due to the high ever inflatation in the country, payment done in US$ and R.S.A rand (ZAR). The crisis was the result of land reform, let say change of social economic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_VspHhyphenhyphen655pQxZkF_hs-nqxhNqFfZcMjSMUY9db59R7d6aR6kMqB8zfgG0_ZxrOx0p2LP5qfLSUjhb4XZD8qRL16J_kEPN1eIuwdcHKUARr0dXw51w2r878msoI1qV0g3qsgKsCbUQ4/s1600-h/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+099.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_VspHhyphenhyphen655pQxZkF_hs-nqxhNqFfZcMjSMUY9db59R7d6aR6kMqB8zfgG0_ZxrOx0p2LP5qfLSUjhb4XZD8qRL16J_kEPN1eIuwdcHKUARr0dXw51w2r878msoI1qV0g3qsgKsCbUQ4/s320/CYCLING+AROUND+AFRICA+2+099.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360860348878273570" /></a> structure to include majority black Zimbabwean. The matter take political shape and ruin general election which left the oldest African president, Robat Mugabe about four decade on the chair and stillneed some more. Developed world injected sanction on Mugabe’s government which later lose the rope and share leadership with leading opposition part kind of concept which adopted with other African governments such Kenya where democracy is still a day light dream. Mugabe lead Zimbabwe into 14 years armed straggle which help the country to achieve it formal independent April 1980. Before 1980the country was called Southern Rhodesia, a name that honored Cecil Rhodes, the British imperialist who had masterminded the colonial occupation of the territory in the late nineteenth century. For its black Africa majority, Rhodesia’s name was thus an expression of their subordination to a small minority of privileged white settlers whose racial hegemony was the product of Rhode’s conquest. Such structure took place even after formal independent with strong influence from developed country who impose gravely sanction to the country and Mugabe when he attempted to change it. The new name, Zimbabwe was symbolic of the greatness of the nation’s pre-colonial roots. Developed courtiers with their one side views made the situation of ordinary citizen more badly. Young got an excuse to leave the country, man venture beyond the boder find job make most of it with little concern of their family back home, and woman as usually they are the one who have to play major part. I met lot of them from Tanzania, zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa try to trade whatever possible in order to save families back home. Wherever situation is in Zim, the country is still among of strongest in Africa with potential people who now want change. In any moment of transformation there is crises, perhaps it is the price for changers. <br />The backpacker was crowded with young traveler, I had long conservation with two Jewish. They explained to me how the situation was back in Israel where by young male and female have to join the army before continue with higher education. We discus the matter with it general concept of maintain security in the Middle East. My friend told me that it is not all youth agree with that idea some of them have the view of peace and finish the differences but Ironically, such ideal no chance in community. For those who attempt to go further against ideological war likely save several year jail sentences. These friends they finished army train recently work and save a bit which allow them to venture out and explore the world. <br /> In the next day I left Victoria Falls town, cycled towards west instead of south to the central of the country as previous plain. I passed through Kazingula forest reserve, the home of the different animals such elephants, zebras, giraffe, et cetera live within miombo woodland and river valleys of Kasani and Zambezi. The flat terrains with rolling hills good tarmac road, less traffic, no pedalist, and morning cold morning made 70km for 3hrs with good sensations. Animals such giraffes, elephants, baboons, etc plus several bird species was the moving creatures I could see. <br /><br />When I reached Kazingula border post everyone was in awe stuck . One of solder in the gate asked "My friend how can you dare to cross in the wildlife area with bicycle? Unfortunately, I had no proper answer for him so I just give him a smile instead of my answer “I just did”, I worry this may sound bit rude.Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-2354292934719873122009-06-29T15:02:00.000+03:002010-02-23T12:01:15.964+03:00Zambia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ayUu1lloCn5ngGslVl0vyaAfv7dUbQPqQi3xLASUZAKFB_3sR_SCkkdEDXOSSCMPobB_DsSMn6O0YUg_wsB44b4WcBYNdH5Hcmb7EAEtlZMmDPkw7UlvCzpw25S2thY9Dqc4_BQ004U/s1600-h/JD500017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ayUu1lloCn5ngGslVl0vyaAfv7dUbQPqQi3xLASUZAKFB_3sR_SCkkdEDXOSSCMPobB_DsSMn6O0YUg_wsB44b4WcBYNdH5Hcmb7EAEtlZMmDPkw7UlvCzpw25S2thY9Dqc4_BQ004U/s320/JD500017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352724000656481394" /></a><br /><br />After cleared the immigration procedure in Tanzania side I pushed my bicycle followed by crowed which was very useful because the help me to get to the exactly building in this crowed border post. In the Zambia immigration office the officers were more relaxed compare to Tanzania. I fill papers then get stamp on my booklet called passport. I cycled for 15km from the border in Zambia side stopped in the small shop for cold drink, here is where I realized I was already in other part of the world, currency, language, et cetera reveal the difference. I finished my little Tanzania money here, now I don’t have any cash I had visa card which I can use at Mpika town about 800km from where I was but I did have enough food supply, tent and bicycle that mean I was fine. I talked with shop keep different things regarding his country, the most obvious subject was country poverty in the moment. <br /> Zambia was part of Rhodesia during the period of colonial possibly the main colonial interest was copper wealth that why the straggle to independent wasn’t hard compare to other southern Africa countries. The root of Zambia’s woes lie in Kaundas’s 27-years rule. During much of that period, the nation’s economy, along with the well-being of its citizen, steadily declined. The high rate of returns on exported copper made the national one of the most prosperous in Africa until 1975. Since then, fluctuating, but generally depressed, price for the metal and the disruption of the landlocked Zambia’s tradition sea outlets as a result of strife in neighboring states have had disastrous economic consequences. <br /> <br /><br /> I left Nakonde cycling slowly past corn sherp huts scarted in the miombo woodland. Most of these huts were well painted in differents coulers with certain image mainly flowers. I thought about deep inherit artistic behave of these people. This is a manifestation of industry, art, and culture known today in the modern world had it source in Africa. Paradox of Africa considered as dark continent full of miserable news. <br />The road was very lonely no pedalists at all, traffic was heavy track from and Tanzania as they deliver products from Dar es Salaam hobour to Zambia and Congo, Lubumbashi. Drives horn and wave to me enthusiastic. In the evening one track from Tanzania stopped few miters from where I was standing looking sun set. They were cheacking tires when I reached them we greet each in Swahili. They asked where I was planned to overnight I told them any where from there don’t in the village or in the bush. They invite me to ride with them to the next town where I will be able to have water because in this bush it hard to find. I ride with them and get of at King's campsite where I overnight. In the next morning I cycled towards south through Savannah bush land, overnight at the bush camp, about 15m out of main track cleared the ground by use my machete. Patch tent start cooking by made coffee to stimulate my metabolism and get back some sugar. Then I could make mixed grains porridge which gave me back calcium, some times I lost uptight, felt to have kind of liquid food so porridge with bred play part. In the next day cycled through the uninhibited but arable areas passed through small villages, I stopped in few occasions talked with children who stopped me shouting mbararaaa! Mbarara, mbaraa!. They were selling boiled ground nuts. Mbarara in a Bemba language means ground nuts this and sweat potatoes are main food crops in this dry miombo woodlands. I talked with these young fluent in Bemba practicing English which is school subject and few Swahili worlds from neighbor country. Other things these young and adult sell are charcoal, village chickens, eggs and guinea fowls caught in the bush. <br />Pedaling for whole day was challenge but the body was getting used day after day, monotonous miombo woodland made me more tired, in the evening I hitch hike to Mpika where I camped at Mzingo Hotel. From Mpika I got a lift in the early morning to Kabwe town where I reached 6:20am. Kabwe it among Zambian’sain town about 140km from capital city of Lusaka. The town was bit busy, I could see people rushing to the work and students to school others by foots with slow pace happily chat may be yesterday football match, news, exams,et cetera. There were others on mine buses, private vehicles, motor bike and bicycle; most of them seem to be in the deep thoughts. All these seen as I crossed this typical town with shops, fuel stations unusually to other towns such Mpika, Kapiri Mposhi, et cetera which town centers tend to be about 10km out of main road.This was the idea of president Kaunda to avoid prostitution and accidents” observed one old main I asked. I continue thinking about human life as I sense different after couples of days cycling in the less habitend areas except for those few copy and agreed with mather nature. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfLKK4FqOgYim3Aag_LhJbEHTEfB_zVpNcf_7JtOWzbFIDkeseOjaaJkGNUqvku4R9t0cKcMYdXDnr4xlHDzewWirggenxu7cT47uKcNZftoBvCHVcBhdTqzd17EAeptVZGabGNP8XOM/s1600-h/JD500026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfLKK4FqOgYim3Aag_LhJbEHTEfB_zVpNcf_7JtOWzbFIDkeseOjaaJkGNUqvku4R9t0cKcMYdXDnr4xlHDzewWirggenxu7cT47uKcNZftoBvCHVcBhdTqzd17EAeptVZGabGNP8XOM/s320/JD500026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352724003378544178" /></a> <br />From Kabwe I cycled towards east then south east passed through miombo woodland but this was more green the sign of life compare to the northern where it was gravelly dry hence the hard life. I passed several named farms including lager ones belonged to those farmers flew from Zimbabwe. It was fan to see lot of sign boards with name of somebody farm it is not common to see this in Tanzania. Most of sign boards in Tanzania may be for schools. The day cycling was less tiresome, favored by weather which slowly approach southern hemisphere winter, flat terrains and lot of different things along the road made great zest. I approached Lusaka in the evening after 130km of cycling the body was still strong and able to continue. I camped at Brian compound; I met him when I was looking for campsite. Brian he invites me to have a dinner with him, as we were having a dinner of Nsima (stiff porridge/maize meal) and chicken pie we discussed about my expedition. Brian, kind and curious religious man become interested thought to arrange the interview with local televisions. He claims that such kind of expedition undertaken by black African youth will help to encourage others. Actually, I was trying to avoid to much publication after find out that media people they tend to sell news in the way which I do not like it. In fact I was doing something unusual guided with circumstes and leaded by quesquency. In the next day morning I had a brief interview with WOBI TV. I explained to them about the whole ideal and purposes of cycling. Mr. Phiri the journalist from WOBI TV who I had interviewed with said "this will also in courage other youth". Here cycling visibility study turned to be motivation cycling expedition.<br /><br /> I had short tour in Lusaka, visited tourist body had conversation with Meebelo Mulozi information and sale office then with culture tourism office. I went to new large shopping mall did little sopping, refill my gas stove. I left the city after early lunch of Nshima with capenta (saladine from Lake nyasa/Malawi) this is dominant menu in most local café. I cycled for 150km passed through Kafue town on both side of kafue river the fist large river I crossed in Zambia since I entere the country from north. I turned off right shortly after Kafue town kept on cyclig passed Mazabuka town and others several township. In fact southern part of Zambia are more lively compare northern. In the 08:00pm I hitch hike to Chome where I camped and overnight in the compound of certain guest house. I left Chome early in the morning next day. I cycled for 200km to Livingstone, the longest distance in my cycling memory. I reached Livingstone 10:45pm. I camped at Jolly boys Backpackers. Livingistone town derived it name from 19th century white explore, is a Zambia’s main tourist destination here I met lot of travelers including young Dutch cyclist who decide to put his backpacker on bicycle and experience Africa in more close view and patiently. He had rough plain to cycle up to Egypt when I met him his credit card was broken, he planed to cycle to Lusaka and see his embassy try to sort support. He wrote to me later that he sold the bicycle at Dar es Salaam and went to Zanzibar forget cycling to Egypt. I left Livingstone town 10:30am, cycled to Victoria Falls/Big Falls which situated 10km south of the town. Know to local as Mosi-o-Tunya, the thunder of smoke. The first European named it after united Kingdom Victorian. They found in the might Zambezi river and act as the physical boundary of todays Zambia and Zimbabwe. The magnificent, 7th world wonders, world heritage site, Victoria Falls at almost 2km wide and 103 meters deep. The falls offer spectacular view Here I met a Belgium friend who paid the entrance fees for me. I spent 7hrs in side of Mosi-o-twa Np. <br /><br />Zambia home of Victoria Falls, accommodate 19 national parks. Among of them Kafue, Luambe, Lower Zambezi, North Luangwa, South Luangwa and Mosi-o-Tunya National parks are frequent visited.<br /><br />Zambia also busts wide range of cultural. With different ceremony such as Kiamboka ceremony the annual migration of Lozi people from low land to higher ground as the Zambezi plains in western Zambia flood in March.<br /><br /> There are more than 50 annual traditional ceremonies in Zambia manifesting customs, social life, ritual, oral history, material and spiritual cultural <br />In the evening I cycled to the border and cross the Zambezi Bridge to Zim<br />After crossing the Zambezi bridge where the border posts of Zambia the local people call it) and Zambia I found in each side of the greet Zambezi. As I was crossing the bridge it was so exiting to view the greet falls from the bridge. One might thought It is raining as the water from the falls pushed by wind to the bridge. <br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUq0URFA3JUNJO4tIULnKK9al7TTQeRM_yoNJP8rJqou6KKvdYklsPdDEScwIP0gUTMU-OHrkHK63uRyuFdwMOV75lnU61-78ek4guWoYUbm90wHzOfaX-bYKeC6WjAz2XlZgbQFbuWQ/s1600-h/ZAMBIA-+ZIMBABWE.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUq0URFA3JUNJO4tIULnKK9al7TTQeRM_yoNJP8rJqou6KKvdYklsPdDEScwIP0gUTMU-OHrkHK63uRyuFdwMOV75lnU61-78ek4guWoYUbm90wHzOfaX-bYKeC6WjAz2XlZgbQFbuWQ/s320/ZAMBIA-+ZIMBABWE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360528676204561426" /></a>Victoria Falls is the name which this falls was given by the 19th century explorer Dr. Livingstone in his Zambezi exploration. He gave the falls that name in the honor of the queen Victoria.Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4928468049750294585.post-41838907027748566502009-05-29T12:19:00.000+03:002019-10-26T13:00:34.260+03:00Starting; From High Africa to Cape of Good Hope.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZb2x70wHQ_PXlgZUzC3HurxXWDxKLcTBmovA-m-LWbQhy69lyuAooYdhQwuvB1MjDN2iAJ0i1NO15L9oUEpKw4BRzuAujIXyTw7X9whf52SbazOJ5-BCu6Xobce-wDQA0gITCHR_9esQ/s1600-h/JD500018.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345623785114791698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZb2x70wHQ_PXlgZUzC3HurxXWDxKLcTBmovA-m-LWbQhy69lyuAooYdhQwuvB1MjDN2iAJ0i1NO15L9oUEpKw4BRzuAujIXyTw7X9whf52SbazOJ5-BCu6Xobce-wDQA0gITCHR_9esQ/s320/JD500018.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a>I left Arusha 9:30am Friday 5 June. It was rain when we left the predicted point of half way from Cairo Egypt to Cape town, South Africa. I felt strong as I was shaking hands with the couple of people who came to say "GOOD LUCK ELVIS"; actually, they real energize me. I could tell from their face most of them were not sure or convinced of what I was doing, some of them accompany me for few kilometers despite the fact that it was rain and the road was mad. I humbly take this chance to say, Thank you all.<br />
I started cycling from Northern Highland which connects Kenya and Tanzania varies from 4,500 to 6,000ft. Cycling towards southern plateaus through Maasai steppe where there are two plateaus. One rises to between 3,000 and 4,000ft while the other rises between 5,000 and 6,000ft. In the boundary of these plateaus in the edge of giant step is where I’ll be passing. From Maasai steppe will take me to Central Plateau 3,000 to 4,000ft. Then I’ll cycle through Southern Highland 4,000 to 6,000ft which will continue to Zambia.<br />
The first Pedal of cycling around Africa project will be starting from Arusha Tanzania, East Africa. East Africa is a geological region known as “High Africa”. The region characterized by expensive plateaus between 3’000 and 10,000 feet above the see level (Gravel 1989). The other dramatic landmark feature of landscape is the Rift Valley stretching 6,000 miles from the Red Sea in the north to Malawi in the south, spanning 20 t0 60 miles in width and sheer rock faces on ether side. The Rift valley forms natural corridor for wildlife migrations and movement of livestock. The Great Rift Valley including Rift Valley itself, as well as Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya and Mt. Ruwenzori.<br />
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Thirty kilometers from clock tower the tarmac road end up and I started to cycle through rough road. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnxLF4dvt3f7PdLJ2dSMfvUfwQVCDGo-oqRV-7ZEPoLM-8_cKhr7JYQ1Ez-QHdQRexG932_Gp8dZd7lk05GP8Hl0TAPlfy6E7N2aYh6f_htnsMWeqOJC6OFDGV2HTOxqhNE1MizYW5BQ/s1600-h/3613715416_a53b8c9894_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361254366883783698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnxLF4dvt3f7PdLJ2dSMfvUfwQVCDGo-oqRV-7ZEPoLM-8_cKhr7JYQ1Ez-QHdQRexG932_Gp8dZd7lk05GP8Hl0TAPlfy6E7N2aYh6f_htnsMWeqOJC6OFDGV2HTOxqhNE1MizYW5BQ/s320/3613715416_a53b8c9894_m.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 180px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 240px;" /></a> I passed through few Maasai villages and comiphora-acacia bush land which covered most of the part. Half of the way was down slope and terrain. Another half was sand, escarpment and up hills such Komolo hills.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJM93hqiL6SNIgAIzsYhQS5vhLryfHvFWhlbvfM71PVjke2LHyW2a3yUJPKid8E8g8paucQz1c4-QlV0d8yXMx7ngO45m1X5BUjR-Z3fKFhCuKM6-og3rBGv2LRcPUXSDiis8P4eoGfE/s1600-h/3613729412_80a956d306_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361255416496184418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJM93hqiL6SNIgAIzsYhQS5vhLryfHvFWhlbvfM71PVjke2LHyW2a3yUJPKid8E8g8paucQz1c4-QlV0d8yXMx7ngO45m1X5BUjR-Z3fKFhCuKM6-og3rBGv2LRcPUXSDiis8P4eoGfE/s400/3613729412_80a956d306_m.jpg" style="float: right; height: 180px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px;" width="400" /></a> In this Savannah plains/bush land is heaven of birds. In the edge of mountains I saw baboons and a small antelope, dick dick. I enjoy the tranquil and calmness of the area as I cycle for long time before meets any one in the road. Within this calmness, the brain which have derived it security from artificial things such television, radio, noise of the crowed, et cetera started to be scared. The sense of insecurity without real reason returned to the normal condition after hearing the cow bell from the bush give me hope that I'm not alone.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKmZA88zQSwKHdHnxO5CCMSKuMMTpXBtOMFnMohNTg0rXFcmXBrnLIahXp2tXDXZjQ35kDBmOPEq9ZYzLfjs-N2mGkLHSRaryYRqWeB-VtSsu-daBFmSXFtGst9gHy7ttZPf94HJSWvM/s1600-h/3613742014_f727eed9db_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361256207186053042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKmZA88zQSwKHdHnxO5CCMSKuMMTpXBtOMFnMohNTg0rXFcmXBrnLIahXp2tXDXZjQ35kDBmOPEq9ZYzLfjs-N2mGkLHSRaryYRqWeB-VtSsu-daBFmSXFtGst9gHy7ttZPf94HJSWvM/s320/3613742014_f727eed9db_m.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 180px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
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I arrived at the Nabikito village 18:30hrs. Here I went to the certain boma (the clutch of several huts) I enter in the boma and said “Hodiiii!”. One have to say that before enter in someone house. The young woman I found the instead of welcome me she run in side of one hut. Few minuts later middle age woman come out from the hut, “ Subai?” the woman greet in maa language “iko”, I replayed and switch to Kiswahili. I told her what I was want. She took me to the elder man who was with other old man sat under balanite tree busy counting the huge heard of cattle returned home. After greeting by shaking the hand with all these old man, I asked the elder man for the permission to camp within his large compound with several huts which represent the number of wives he posses. The old man without too much questins which usually represent the fears inside ones. The kind of situation I come to experience later in the expedition. .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5LBBwGoZpxZxOyFkaa7Mn6qXbL0aFsBrc2upakrwKfDBWV_bZQtLVPTWlehUBJYG_B9HAP3GeV1NuhkGGm80uJdJvN6KwSTaPPos_0hk_uyjTMQlSsSYkgbijNys8lhKv89fuMB_8So/s1600-h/tera.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361257493137993986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5LBBwGoZpxZxOyFkaa7Mn6qXbL0aFsBrc2upakrwKfDBWV_bZQtLVPTWlehUBJYG_B9HAP3GeV1NuhkGGm80uJdJvN6KwSTaPPos_0hk_uyjTMQlSsSYkgbijNys8lhKv89fuMB_8So/s320/tera.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 180px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
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These people they have simple understanding and knowledge knew some one like me I was in such need he gave the permission. Maasai huts doe not have much different with my tent. The huge host family was very kind or over kind, after pitch my tent in the crowd of the villagers who form the crowd of about 20 t0 25 people within half anhours dispite the fact that the bomas were scatted. The news of black man on the loaded bicycle spread as the people was moving. After finishing pitch the tent the milk fresh from he cow arrived so I made milk coffee. I drank my coffee as I was toured around the boma introduced to the wives with their children then to the cattle, goats and sheep. The older son of the boma who was clever enough to be my guide on the proposed tour explain to me about each cattle their titles, “this is a mother of that and that was bough from ngorongoro form Ole Sendeu. Did you know him?” This was how the explaination went on and on. Although I was tired but the tour was real interesting. Back to the my tent I followed by flood of different food from each wives. They sent food through their sons/daughters insisting I should eat. In that way I have to be clever by inviting these young to join me the plan work out, we finished all the food, out of blame but I slept with full stomac. The fun things happen in this boma was to confused as missionary by the woman and forced to drink fresh blood by elders. After fineshed to eat I streatch my back on the confortable thermo matres the donation from Bent Nelsen, before taken with to the sleep which usual is just like to turn to the log for about 7 to 8 hours. The woman who receved me when I arrived call out of my tent she could not remember my first name so she called “my son munis”. As I unzip the tent with half aweken mind I shocked with the crowd of children and woman soon I become full awake. my mind stated work on the normal speed when the woman say “ can you please say the prayer to us”. I didn’t know real what she want but she said prayer and she is serious. Oooh! Prayer Oky. I said to give my brain brief moment of working ruther fast. I avoid to ask too much questions because I lent the explaination of these friend of mine usually tend to be more wide and somehow complicated. I give the verses which was inside of me but I don’t know how they come out “ glory to those have pure heart…….. “ Oky let say a prayer which I lent in the very early of my age at Sunday school from Math.6:9….. Our father in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread…..For thine is the kingdom, and the glory for ever. Amen” The crowd left with soften hearts. The red cross on my first aid made them thought I was probably a missionary. I made my way back to the tent, stretch myself again on mattress. I though about the need of spirit and such comfort. Isn’t to say these people didn’t have popular leading idea of sprit, they do have theoretical ideals of matter, life, the soul, and God. But clear seem it failed to meet the demands. As other human they still need some one to stimulate and pursue. Within this communities and many other I encountered there is reign of totalitarianism rather than democracy, the encouragement of obedience rather than independent thinking et cetera. They are in the need of strong believes which can raise hope and justify their existence especial for the people like these woman who stark on the barrier of culture. born grown some how malignazed (circumcision to privent her heaving sex stimulus), having numerous babies working hard to sustain them. Then get old and simply wait to die. <br />
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In the next day I left Maasai boma 7:00hrs bit late I was forced to wait for fresh milk from cow. Maasai mama (woman) told me is not unkind to let somebody who is going for such long journey leaving without some energy food such as milk. As I was waiting for milk, the elder man was preparing fresh blood drain from the bull. They do not kill the bull to have such blood instead they hold the bull then made a small hole on the certain vain at the neck. The blood bleed out with pressure, after having enough blood they stop the bleeding by applying cattle dung on the vain. The blood have to stir up to prevent it become sold. He wanted me to drink it said it was very strong. He sense that I was scared he mixed it with fresh milk. I tried to apologize but he felt like I was still scared so said I can share with other boys. This was alternative I just put the bow on my month pretend I drank then give to my fellow, the bow went about 3 round and it was finished. I thanked the whole family for the genorolosity promised to pass sometime again. The old man ask me if I’ll pass again I should brought to him cell phone. <br />
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It was nice and lovely riding through this bit high elevation bush land with some plain where i was able to see Zebras, Ostrich, Wildebeests and gazelles. I stopped the bicycle enjoying this wonderful moment but, the guards on the duty of conservation and maintainer of remain part of ecology, tsetse fly forced me to leave this wonderful sensations. It was like simply confused with a poacher or asked to pay unusually entrance fee but the sum which is to tolerate the bite of ferocious tin creature was very expensive. Thanks for them because I was still having couples of kilometers ahead. I passed Naberera village and Namalulu where I had wonderful and breath taking landscape view, typical African village. Naberera it is among of he dry dust village in Maasai Steppe. I hado stop in some time when huge heards of cattle cross the road and left behind dust clouds. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi82ncSSoAsmmAH_DALW2bjHQGdEBWnx-eZlvwFmPQsqn0yzb1oGgEnkCLsIpqaOjm8ofi03psSCo0v2tc1ZsaTHAUeFjN0PIL_FT5yzjmv9b25mvOIBbSCx5HK8RNiP3VZs98r55P_Pk/s1600-h/JD500046.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345652258224450754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi82ncSSoAsmmAH_DALW2bjHQGdEBWnx-eZlvwFmPQsqn0yzb1oGgEnkCLsIpqaOjm8ofi03psSCo0v2tc1ZsaTHAUeFjN0PIL_FT5yzjmv9b25mvOIBbSCx5HK8RNiP3VZs98r55P_Pk/s320/JD500046.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> At 18:00hrs I arrived at Engasumenti village after 2hours or less due to the day tiredness I cycle up quite slow. I turned left in towards direction of the sing board read “Police Post”. I the police post I found two officers sitting, relaxing and charting. The large building compare to the surrounding buildings seems absolutely useless, the lock up empty doesn’t even give the sign of last use, the toilet path covered by grass while in the long pit toilet it is home skinks, agamas and geckos lizard possibility for snake. I asked the officers of seem to lose their trained confidence over black cyclist. The grant me the permit just simply asking the id to prove the nationality, I camp under acacia tree near the building.<br />
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In the next day early in the morning i left engasumenti village which situated in the top of the hill, inhabited by Maasai pastoralists. Here the town start to show the sign as I can saw some shops and other services started in this Simanjiro district in new Manyara region. I descent the town where it was 10c very cold. cycled through the plains with the enjoyable speed of 25km/hr. In the other places road is very sand whereby I had to push my heavy loaded bicycle. The road is very long stretch as far as my eyes can see. It is very hot more than 3hrs without meet any one. I felt like bushes and birds used to talk and now they talking about this stranger with his bicycle. When i met Maasai people, they are in the group and they had spears with them here i had the sense of danger in this plains. There is Maasai stopped and start wonder about me speech less. Somewhere I found the group of maasaia they stopped me and ask the free ride for their patient who could not even stand up. I explain to them it was impossible to carry their patient but non seem to understand what I was saying, I decide to left them. About After 70km I made to Ndedo village the first village since I started to cycle in the morning. I went to the shop to re full my bottles of water, as shopkeeper offered me a drink. I saw the sign of fear in his face at last he asked me, "Where are going my friend?" I told him I'm going to Kibaya Kiteto. He said "You should be crazy!” He told me where I come from in the certain hill there is one Maasai killed by lions few days ago. He added that where I’m going it is more dangerous. As we was talking a track which was delivered drinks to Kibaya pull off out of the shop, drop the maasai I passed about 3hours ago with their patient. He talked with truck drive something which I couldn't hear but as I sow the truck looked at me. I guessed the man asked the truck drive to give me free ride. After few minutes the man come back and told me "Brother its better you cross these plains and bushes with this track, the drive is Okay. I accept the offer; we put my bicycle on the trailer and sat with it there .I drove with track for about 40 km in the plains and flood plains which form a forest with fertile land. We climbed several hills before had an aerial view of Kibaya Kiteto town ship where I reached in the late evening. <br />
At kibaya Kiteto there are enough guest houses used by business people during the market days. As I was cycled around I saw a sign board read “ Riverine Hotel” this name capture my mind although in most areas I passed through it is ease to find some shops of guist houses named in English name but that doesn’t mean you will find it in any good quality or so. English language here tends to be like expression. The river side hotel situated in the edge of flood valley it has good quality which one can only expect on main town such Arusha. I saw tide garden so the possibly for camping. Unfortunately the middle aged woman servant didn’t understand what I meant. She gave me the cell phone number of the owner, I text the owner. Then within a minute my phone rang. The soft and gentle woman voice on other side of the phone give me instruction, she said she will be there after an hour. A confident face, shining brown skin woman shock my hand and said she was the own, after brief chatting she offered me free accommodation as part of her support.<br />
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In the next day 6:30am I start riding, climbed the up hills where I had an aerial view of the town again before decent to the plains. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ond6PGKPQuI6Pik5ylctrTzLW2aiLGexWXnQiGhazocshlzAKYBZwG4JAxZJo7OehVV4yUNgVNLCHYHYtjo11vASXhga3_8ofX_E0v0M_D6XiT6jeMA1IlXnL8qjVTZxHL9wBCmpofU/s1600-h/JD500048.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345652266145580274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ond6PGKPQuI6Pik5ylctrTzLW2aiLGexWXnQiGhazocshlzAKYBZwG4JAxZJo7OehVV4yUNgVNLCHYHYtjo11vASXhga3_8ofX_E0v0M_D6XiT6jeMA1IlXnL8qjVTZxHL9wBCmpofU/s320/JD500048.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> The recently graved with long up and down road was very nice whereby I cycled for 25 to 35km/hr. The entire landscape is characterized with hills, in the down hills there are fields of different crops. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OOpp8bZDjvp08p8r5ufEcMM9uvG_uX5E7ytPtZDkQ62BwSMzUbzRi3hIP3rimSyz3U0GGhHTexQaTUkNVvL1Qd-7o9i5HzTsG_ShAB285XbF1Jch5rcl-EGkDWowSqqMcZxVN5IyV6Y/s1600-h/JD500063.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345652275298986082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OOpp8bZDjvp08p8r5ufEcMM9uvG_uX5E7ytPtZDkQ62BwSMzUbzRi3hIP3rimSyz3U0GGhHTexQaTUkNVvL1Qd-7o9i5HzTsG_ShAB285XbF1Jch5rcl-EGkDWowSqqMcZxVN5IyV6Y/s320/JD500063.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> I climbed Dosidosi hills (1819m), passed through chains of villages. The road was still the same, managed to cycle for 35-40km/hr in the top speed. At 14:47hrs I met the high way from Morogoro to Dodoma. From here to Dodoma is 77km which I covered for 3hrs and half. This finishing part become more ease because of the 4 days cycling in the tough roads, the total distance in that day was 160km. I arrive at Dodoma <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JT47_RP-SBSZFtLuIQTZvYJ_5RcuL6DT_XZqLwPthT-_62AguYeCfWRLnXu1LCyKOlcN-GpGBYJQSNxbPf2N6KO4i5z7s69bMCUQwjvdlaBTVzqVp8-xd-sqIPJugADAX1LrconUM5I/s1600-h/JD500071.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345654874756145058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JT47_RP-SBSZFtLuIQTZvYJ_5RcuL6DT_XZqLwPthT-_62AguYeCfWRLnXu1LCyKOlcN-GpGBYJQSNxbPf2N6KO4i5z7s69bMCUQwjvdlaBTVzqVp8-xd-sqIPJugADAX1LrconUM5I/s320/JD500071.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>(Legislative capital of Tanzania) 18:30hrs. I found a gentleman on the last 20km who helped me in to find accommodation as the dark was already starting to take place. After long search for affordable accommodation as everything in this governmental town seem to be expensive particular accommodations (for me). Lastly I land on CCT a Christian center, the receptionist was drunken, told me the charges will be in the next day morning and it'll be reasonable as this was my consideration. I perch my tent on the certain corner, I had shower in the flooding showers, cooked and fall a sleep just like a log. In the next day another man come and told me he is in charge, when I asked him about charges he said it is twelve thousands(Tsh) for camping. I wondered if this was reasonable (for me). After long negotiation I paid 5000Tsh without satisfactions. I left the place 10:00hrs cycling around the town and left the town 11:15hrs to Mtera .<br />
I cycled through the semi-desert of central Tanzania passed through Wa-Gogo villages with the typical mad houses covered with red soil for the top to the bottom. The tembe rectangular, flat-roofed built around the kraal of the local Wa-gogo ethnic group, were the only feature hat distinguished Dodoma from the surrounding miles of thin soil, monotonous miombo woodland, and granite outcrops. The 19th century explore, Stanley after his observation of the area he claimed Wa-gogo to be “Masters in foxy-craft”, were widely scatted over the plain, practicing pastoralist and cultivation with sorghum, millet, and maize. The water holes were well maintained and, for a fee, could be relied upon by slavers who passed this way during the dry season. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRnFRn2zL51_MRpOyV5bfg3UAJKihrBkj88EfuUbz36-tC7dy8X-nojTX5kGgWK0Sv-99xGlKx1m6BixqZxUFM8fssnEiiQ7DMZcG69mJ0tcIcJqv5OBOnbqSmI5YoVnH582fm7zXcQ8/s1600-h/JD500058.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345652269755570226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRnFRn2zL51_MRpOyV5bfg3UAJKihrBkj88EfuUbz36-tC7dy8X-nojTX5kGgWK0Sv-99xGlKx1m6BixqZxUFM8fssnEiiQ7DMZcG69mJ0tcIcJqv5OBOnbqSmI5YoVnH582fm7zXcQ8/s320/JD500058.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> The life in this backed land seemed to be rather challenging for these people. The humanterrain situation, burning sun, dust, made the pedaling be nothing than a mere movement.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcFsLz5FIT3IEa9_DWUKksFUT7JDWv7WdXGzbEQN0XKDRRxqlYNA2nxX4f897UQBXf7BA2ND6kTPJfST8gS6T8MSx0_tOH_jGKQuOt8eSl_vU926xsoRQuLXayGHOgP6FfAjVFfQfQIQ/s1600-h/JD500006.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345657592123101106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcFsLz5FIT3IEa9_DWUKksFUT7JDWv7WdXGzbEQN0XKDRRxqlYNA2nxX4f897UQBXf7BA2ND6kTPJfST8gS6T8MSx0_tOH_jGKQuOt8eSl_vU926xsoRQuLXayGHOgP6FfAjVFfQfQIQ/s320/JD500006.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> Few tracks over loaded with cargo and passengers stopped for brief curious chat. Mtera village lies about 100km east of Dodoma. The village/town situated in the border between Iringa region and Dodoma. In the southern lies Mtere dam (Reservoir) which is hydro-power station. Mtera, large water body in this backed land give crucial support for life, here found the main population in this sparsely populated region in Tanzania. Fishing in the dam which receives the water from the southern highlands is a main economic activities together with the job opportunity in the hydro power station give rise to Mtera Township. There are signs of the town history to go back on the trade ages as the Swahili civilization seem to be strong. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzK3u8pMGVfNKKaM4cEERn8MDnDkNx6IlaAoT3l3lGHyrNHG93LUq1D4WyOEvgX1Kt5xeb-Qe0-472s4_WVKKWkb8u5t-al9tnK-elRAvC3mHKciXHyG_GjjDPBalzBqHOV8-W-syFu2A/s1600-h/JD500064.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345654866087530882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzK3u8pMGVfNKKaM4cEERn8MDnDkNx6IlaAoT3l3lGHyrNHG93LUq1D4WyOEvgX1Kt5xeb-Qe0-472s4_WVKKWkb8u5t-al9tnK-elRAvC3mHKciXHyG_GjjDPBalzBqHOV8-W-syFu2A/s320/JD500064.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> <br />
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The road from Mtera to Iringa It's not good for bicycle such as my which is heavy loaded, due to this and some roamers that further ahead in the highlands might be challenge to camp in the bush. This might not be good for sole ride, said the hydro power station worker. This was kind of irritation when people put me in their state of mind and made decision for me. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtpVBzMm0oOm7OnubGf7XsRcrPseI9U6s87yOEdYht6EnaeAYCHsTRu99mrwg313Y5B8TZPXiU6HM7DDpb-WpqoXcDASzdsD5M5HyBdgFJQdLeb5R64B6DRDhUPDcKjclFg6DQ8MYU4k/s1600-h/JD500072.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345654872199022130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtpVBzMm0oOm7OnubGf7XsRcrPseI9U6s87yOEdYht6EnaeAYCHsTRu99mrwg313Y5B8TZPXiU6HM7DDpb-WpqoXcDASzdsD5M5HyBdgFJQdLeb5R64B6DRDhUPDcKjclFg6DQ8MYU4k/s320/JD500072.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> From the dam is a long up climbing then bit of highland flat terrains the home of mixture ethnics including Maasai. I had ride from Electrical Company truck drive who previous wanted me to pay, he changed his mind when we arrived Iringa town. I arrive in Iringa town 19:00hrs. I overnight at the guest house. I left guest house in the morning, cycled to town where I found the internet. From here is where I'm publishing this post. <br />
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After<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Maasai Steppe and semi-desert of central Tanzania now I start riding through southern highlands of Tanzania<span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span> which will take me to the border of Tanzania and Zambia. I will come up again when I'll hit internet.<br />
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After finish to upload the pictures and post up to date in the blog I left Iringa town which pitch in the up hill, 12:30hrs. I cycled towards south-east of the town, through Iringa-Makambako-Mbeya highway. 10km from town I had to stop after broke the bolt which holds the front panniers. I put one font pannier in the back and ride with single pannier in front up to the certain village. Luckily, I found the bolt in the village. I fixed the pannier and cycle for few kilometers before turn off left to Ismila Age Stone Museum. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZea1O6GAMVYhVL8Ye2o8jN_gKn5sUByI-DOeS9BV-r0ge4JsEHC93-iq6XICjTq5glxh5K6mnG-Fhuh9AhPv6GaC9ITPDTI6pWKconde91A_v0fZzZCghhfarGDRQBr8rK9C2-Vj-9Po/s1600-h/JD500002.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352723993028666514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZea1O6GAMVYhVL8Ye2o8jN_gKn5sUByI-DOeS9BV-r0ge4JsEHC93-iq6XICjTq5glxh5K6mnG-Fhuh9AhPv6GaC9ITPDTI6pWKconde91A_v0fZzZCghhfarGDRQBr8rK9C2-Vj-9Po/s320/JD500002.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Here is the excavation of the remains showed the tools which have been used during the Age stone.<br />
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After having a short tour in Ismila museum I cycled 50km to Kisolansa Old Farm House. No matter how hard I tried to push my loaded bicycle avoiding to cycle in the dark. I reach at Kisolansa 21hrs,I camped here .Kisolansa Old Farm Houses lays about 50km from Iringa town in the Mbeya-Iringa highway. The farm houses which situated in the middle of planted forest of Southern Tanzania highlands, offered accommodation from camping, chalets to cartage. The place was very cold during night and morning.<br />
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I left Kisolansa next day in the morning. I cycled through southern highlands, it was pleasant cycling. Lush green of huge plantation forests such sao hill pleases the mind and made it out of pedaling concentration. Fresh oxygen goes deep into lungs and spread all over the body made it out of fatigue. Long ups and downs improve the physical being. Within 3hrs I coved 59km without being aware, the couple I left at Kisolansa stopped their car when the met me and told me I was already covered such amazing distance. <br />
Villages are small with typical Wa-hehe people; these are indigenous people in this southern highlands of Tanzania (1,500-2,000m). They are among of famous ethnic group in Tanzania/ Tanganyika history, their bravest Chief, Chief Mkwawa the son of Mwinyigumba he declared that he will not allow to be ruled with foreigners(colonias) neither his body to be touched by white person. He gave total resistance against German colonial during 1905-07 war. These warlike people under the strong leader Mkwawa defeated German and killed among of high rank German colon represented. German responds by add more solders and fire arm. When Mkwawa realized he was defatted and this could lead to be caught by white person, he fulfills his promise by shout himself. When German found his coups they chop of the heard and took it to German for more examinations. The head was return to Tanzania after independent, now found in the museum established in his home village.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIurW3DGeKqtNc7Vrv_0VNeVXS8duXtMa34Bt3Y0JYSiPX6jX6aQbbBFTCD6rRy6vddePmsPieqLF4rurMw-KNdohh7dYX-ChueZ7yyQOgzlHJPQVFETUJ0lMoybAOkGllKx7L-pAKag/s1600-h/JD500009.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352723998355400882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIurW3DGeKqtNc7Vrv_0VNeVXS8duXtMa34Bt3Y0JYSiPX6jX6aQbbBFTCD6rRy6vddePmsPieqLF4rurMw-KNdohh7dYX-ChueZ7yyQOgzlHJPQVFETUJ0lMoybAOkGllKx7L-pAKag/s320/JD500009.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>In passed Mufindi town, characterized by several sow mills, along side the road are children selling potatoes or working on bricks fabrication. Wore pull over/sweater all the time, shining brown sickens young looked to be over whelmed with weather condition. I tried to wave but few were able to wave back. I made to other sow mills town of Makambako n the late evening, the town favourished due to the timber exportation business, I overnight at Makambako town. There are plenty of hotels in Makambako town. I camped at Makambako hotel. I left Makambako next day early in the morning cycled for about 120km via Usangu valley to Mbeya town. I overnight at Penge Logde. I poped in Penge lodge ask for camp the respond was no such service. Some visitors who were in reception interested with cyclist offered to pay room for me with an invitation to diner. I accept the offers and thanks them for their kindness. They told me later in the diner charting that they passed me in certain up hill afternoon. They were worry about fast traffic on that road. Nice people, balanced diet diner, hot water shower, and comfortable bid add the day highlights. In the next day I left Mbeya, cycled through coffee plantation, descent from southern highland to Tunduma border post. Overnight at the crowded local guest houses, slept comfortable despite the half night drinkers noise. The town is crowded with vendors, hands bureau de change their main profit depend on how stupid the customers are. An aerial view of the town show the sprawling slams where is home of the people who tried to make life here; vendors, money changers, forward and clearance agents and prostitute for those who are desperate. Mention but a few. <br />
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Roughly 1,000kms cross Tanzania here with all sense of proud for the achievement, the black man on loaded bicycle capture almost every one with sense of wonder and excitement. Followed with money changers, clearance agents and curious job less I entered in Tanzania immigration office. They hardly believe I was their fellow citizen, thir main concern was how will I survive on bicycle out side of mother country. I explain to them my simple believe “This continent and earth in general belong to us, the bounders particular in Africa is a results of slave masters greed. The control of the people movement around the world for particular social rank group has interest on economy and manipulation”, having said that I star work out of the office avoiding futher questions from these officers with thirst of person realization. The good wishers follows me as I walked to where I parked my bicycle guarded with volunteer guards.</div>
Afrika Safarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697648902558274239noreply@blogger.com0Arusha, Tanzania-3.3869254 36.6829927-3.5137314 36.5216312 -3.2601194 36.8443542