Back to reality

Well....... I'm done.  Sitting on the plane getting ready to land in Heathrow.

It's been an amazing trip.  I don't really know how to summarize really.  South America had it's highlights, stunning scenery and some truly great people but I have to say that Southern Africa blew it clean out of the water!  Animals galore, amazing people to travel with, stunning, truly stunning scenery, and finishing in Victoria Falls where I was lucky enough to be on a helicopter ride over them with someone who'd dreamed of doing that since they were 8 years old, and at one point thought it would never happen, a truly special moment I am honoured to have been a part of.

Four of the twelve are continuing on up to Nairobi but those of us who left definitely shed tears as we left, and even writing this now there is definitely moisture in my eyes but I'm sure it's just that I'm tired :o).  I'm jealous of those who are continuing but it's time for me to take stock of where I'm at and what I want to do next (not to mention checking my bank balance), not to mention spending Christmas with my family and not living out of a backpack for a while, although I think my shipment got held up so that might last longer than planned!

For now, this is me signing off.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  May they bring you the adventures you truly want!  For now here's some photos from Botswana and the grand finale of Victoria falls.

Safari!

Africa - not much spare time but a lot of fun

Not much time and very little internet connection so while I have some I'm going to try and post some photos.

Kayaking on orange river

Fish River Canyon

An oryx

Sesriem Canyon

Chris, our guide

Deadvlei (Namibian desert)

Climbing Dune 45

Cape Cross seal colony

Bush camping

Dinner time

Skydiving in Namibia - I also went quad biking and sandboarding.

Next up, the game parks and hopefully plenty of animal spotting.

Africa Tour - Day 1 & 2

This is going quicker than I thought so I don't have much time to write this thing.  Got ten minutes now so here we go.

First couple of days have been travel to the main start point in Namibia by the Orange river, the river that defines the border between South Africa.  A beautiful spot.  On the way we stopped at a vineyard in Sotuh Africa called highlanders, they sell their grapes to another cellar who makes the wine.  Excellent, and some good food to go with it, and stunning views.

Then more driving, some nice countryside but short on excitement.  Tomorrow is canoeing on the Orange River and to Fish River Canyon which is the second largest canyon after the Gran Canyon in the US.