Itinerary: Southern Africa Vacation (June 2009)

Day 1: Mom and Denise fly-in to Windhoek; I (hitch)hike to Windhoek; Airport shuttles to hotel; Visit Ministry of Education (Stipend issues); Dinner at steakhouse; Overnight in Windhoek (hot shower for me !!!!!!)

Day 2: Tour of Windhoek; Shopping in City Centre; Bus to Livingstone, Zambia (21-hours!)

Day 3: Arrive in Livingstone, Zambia (watch baboons jack an elderly woman for her fresh bread)

Day 4: Visit Livingstone Museum; Shopping (Denise crowned haggle-queen!); Sunset Dinner Cruise along the Zambezi River; Guest star on Zambezi Radio (107.5)

Day 5: Visit Victoria Falls (put foot on Zimbabwe side; mom and Denise pose by the bungee-jumping sign on No-Man’s Land bridge); Shopping; Elephant-Back Safari in Mosi-Oa Tunya National Park (Zambia)

Day 6: Ferry to Botswana; Boat and Land Safaris in Chobe National Park (battle unforeseen rains and chills) (my last hot shower!!!!!)

Day 7: Buy blanket (bus was COLD!) and food (trip was long with questionable food at reststops); Last-minute haggling with street vendors in Livingstone, Zambia; Bus to Windhoek (21-hrs)

Day 8: Morning arrival in Windhoek; Shower at Hostel; Rent Car (a 4x4 this time!); Depart for Khorixas (6 hours, with stopover in Okahandja – Denise, the Haggle-Queen, was losing her royal touch with vendors); Arrive in Khorixas; Dinner at Restcamp

Day 9: Visit schools and Regional Ministry of Education office in Khorixas; Mini-tour of Khorixas (basically, stand in the centre of town and point); Work with learners in Computer Centre; Dinner at Lodge

Day 10: Depart Khorixas; Visit Petrified Forest (see Welwitschia plants); Arrive in Windhoek (consider movie and club/concert, but opt for pajamas and bed)

Day 11: Return rental car; Take Denise to Hosea Kutako International Airport; Mom and I (hitch)hike back to Khorixas (in an 18-wheeler big rig! See BigRig Hike post)

Highlights: Driving on the gravel roads (Mom-she was silently having a little panic attack); Speaking with the street vendors, hearing their stories (Denise); Hot showers (Me); Sunset on the Zambezi (unanimous). There were so many.

Questionables: Petrified Forest

Most Annoying: Endless Foot and Mouth Disease Control Spots

Most Common Animal Sightings on Safari: Hippos (literally saw “tons” of ‘em), Impalas

Most Memorable Animal Sightings on Safari: Lionesses and Lion Cubs; Partially-eaten Buffalo near Lionesses

Most Common Animal Sightings on the Road: Warthog and Guinea Fowl (although we did hit a cow on the bus, according to mum)

Most Fun: Victoria Falls (it was like taking a big swim; we got super-drenched)

The planning of this adventure/vacation was a bit stressful, but it was well worth it all. I enjoyed the company, the beautiful spirits always within and amongst us, learning new facts about the world, and seeing new places. Next stop…….