The Memoir of Cycling Around the World: Chile to Kili Book

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 Chile to Kili? There are no short wonders in this life. I write about my travels, adventure, conservation, community, and sustainable development. 

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. 

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. 

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  

When books are open we find that we have wings….

When books are open we find that we have wings….

 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.

This remands me a beautiful passage from Jane Goodall “Reason for Hope” ‘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…’ 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.


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.

Books carry lot of mystery, this is my list which has a great influence on me in terms of inspiration. Chinua Achebe’s - These were literature books with fictionalized stories of Nigeria which fit in so many sub-Sahara Africa countries.

 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.

  Think Big-(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.


  Reason for Hope - (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.

Into Africa - 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?

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.

Paulo Coelho - Despite of his books having lots of contradictions and face high criticism, Coelho still influence and stimulate lots of people.

 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.

  ‘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’ Paulo Coelho.

Lance Armstrong- 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.

Nature: 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.

 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.

Nature: The last

Keep on reading about my travels here 

Caprivi Strip

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.

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.

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.

BOTSWANA

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.
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.
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.

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.
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.

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.
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.

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. 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"
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.

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. 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.

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’.

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.
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.
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.
Maun a delta town, get way to Okavanga Delta.
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. 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.
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.
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ZIMBABWE, In the moment of crises comes the changers

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.
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 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.
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.
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.

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.