Left Lusaka on Saturday 21rd at about 2pm, filled with mix feelings, got most of the things done, like spares but not my Map Source, but whilst doing all this, managed to had meet different folk, Kiwi couple with two lovely twins the bloke form Person PE and Zambian wife, a couple Danes, with their tow beautiful kids, and the a Guru, the Guru had this nice energy about him, similar questions I could be asking myself as a person. Got to give the Guru an apology concerning getting him involved with all the other folk around me, I should have noticed his was a quite type of person, and did not have to expose him to everyone around me, and hope there are no hard feeling about it. Hope him all well in his travels, and sure one day when he writes his book, it’s will be a big seller.
Spent the first evening about an hour out of Lusaka at Frangella, lodge on a farm, but well run, catering for the folk in the community. They have polo cross, country club, night club, butchery and even a post office. The nicest thing was meeting this old man, who looked after the campsite during the day, what a gentleman these Zambians have really blown me away with their humbleness.
The old man helped me with the wiring of my car, got it all back together and working better than ever, did receive a bit of help from another staff member who knew a lot more than me, so it does not look I have found my new talent - auto electrical. Left that campsite about 10am, the roads were quite busy for a Sunday, got myself to a Baptist mission, what a farm, belonged to Moffits, and have left it for the Baptist Church, they are battling to have good people to run it, maybe I should do it one day, we will see if the wind of life will blow me to, but what a challenge, living almost 100 Km from the Congo border 200km for Mpika Town. Maybe get someone like Neil Manrow to join on a venture like that for a few years, enough of dreaming, let’s stay focused.
The amount of young women with children is the most confusing/sad feeling I have, as I drive through this beautiful country. They sling them on their sides and looks like it just normal to have kids. The difference that I am noticing, the mothers are with their children not like us back home, they get left with grandmothers or relatives. I am in my tent listening to Tom Kenyon whilst I write, going to lie down known, and drift it some meditation, night night.
Woke up this morning to the sound of roosters crowing in the distance, then eventually ours joined in, the I knew it was time to get out of bed. It was only 7am, now this holiday is paying off, off to bed at 8pm and up at seven, any doctor could not ask for more.
The first person I saw this morning greeted me with a silent clap, how nice did it sound. These are things of Africa that we all take for granted, I am so happy that I am living amongst it.
I think the hot springs will be my next destination; hopefully the campsites is nice and peaceful so that I may chill for a few days. I was thinking about staying on the farm, but I feel the need to close water, tends to clam me.
Stuart the manger showed me round the farm early that morning, the workers are harvesting carrots, not much but they were looking keen to be heading into town. The American farm that lived there for 15 years, developed the farm so much, to see all of it deteriorating is so sad, with no leadership it has little hope. Stuart -manager- brother got lift with that morning, he was telling me about how he enjoyed working for the American farmer for 15 years, but is grateful for his job as a civilian driver in the Zambian Army. Was good to have company with me, and pointing out the big, potholes, they are the biggest I have ever seen.
Went through check point where I was asked if I had something for them from down south, so I tickled his chest and said I only had my love. There were all smiles and we left to drive threw.
Rolled into Mpika Town, headed straight to draw/change money at the bank, both of the banks could not help me to change dollars and unable to draw with my cards. I had previously tried to draw for a Barclays Bank, with my credit card but not luck, but I gave it another chance at the BP Garage, to find the petrol assistant would change me some money for me, but we worked it out in fuel value. I was so happy and ready to roll on out of the town. When it came for payment, I was told the range would change because I was using 20dollar bills, funny I fell for that and gave him 20000 quatsha, about R40 rand, but only later to relies he hooked me only putting 30L not 60L of feul as we agreed, so tempted to go back and make a fuss, used the Sedona method to calm myself and let it go, nice to find peace when needed.
What a good choice were these hot springs, in Katishma. The folk are so cool, Zambian with a colonially flair. The campsite has a few campsites fool, mainly older folk; never too late to travel. The bird life here is great, comparing with the rest of Zambia; I will spend some time identifying some, just enjoying my first afternoon soaking in the water sounds lying in the hammock.
They also have internet connection, so will be spending some time trying to fix some of my map source settings. Just having something to eat this potato salad I made the night before, tasting fine. Last night were spoilt to some Tai food, made at the lodge, great eating.
These been some nice people coming through here, it Wednesday already today, moved my camp rite on the water’s edge. I am really enjoying my stay, and on Friday I will be out of here towards the water falls for two day, then up to the lake. Funny it the 25th today, in the old days would be getting into month end rush, miss the butcher at times, mainly the staff, they were like family. But I am going to find my new home within in me this time, be for I look within others for it.
Ordered a chicken today, young rooster, he is definitely going to be tasty tomorrow, got him cooling off in the fridge, for an hour or so and tomorrow going to stew him, yummy. Tonight hand some tuna and bean salad for supper, enjoying not eating a lot of junk food. I am going to phone Mr Rod, and ask him if he is still up for a round trip, it would have been nice having him hear, seeing all the other elderly folk he would be blending in just fine. Listing to the water run by is so cool, this place I dong the wonders for me.
Lake Tanganyika- Mpulungu Town- last town on the north for Zambia
Got here late this afternoon, it’s so busy, gave a fish inspector a lift into town from the check point. The gentleman was so nice to take me around to all the campsites to look for one suitable for me, ante that great. Know that the day has broken; this campsite is amazing, mainly made out of rock, walls and buildings. Charity the land lady was so nice that she even phoned the port authorities and looks like I will get my beast of a vehicle on the boat. The music was pumping all night from all sides of the town. Gets that feeling lake vibe. I have so many days ahead of me; it’s going to be great. In the back of my mind I would have wanted to drive up alongside the lake towards, Kigoma but view of the ship should be awesome. Sighing off now, will catch up on the boat, were I will have lots of time.
This guy party down at the lake, music going the whole night and was sounding good. Charity the manageress came with the info that I could take my boat onto the Ferry, the excitement stated. When I arrived they all new about me, was a good until we started discussing how much would the cost be, everything involved Dollars, I just realized that they were going to help me, but for a hefty price, left the idea of sailing up north and for the drive up the lake.
LEAVING ZAMBIA
Leaving Zambia and entering Tanzania were the most beautiful experience for the day, the folk so helpful and loving. The excitement was brewing, I was on the move, and the terrain was changing fast, fewer trees and more grass, and mountains on the side.
Got to Subawana, all good, big town like the Wild West, and my card works at the ATM know it’s first world, excitement, money. Headed off for the nearest campsite of my knowledge, that was in Moyowis Game Reserve, rolled in there at about 5.30pm. I coked it up did not pay my Park Fees, and so on, thanks god that another guide from another organization invited me to their campsite just out of the park, luck bugger was I, and got out of that little problem. On my arrival, know being about 7.30 pm, saw these other guys that I met at the hot springs in Zambia, dinner was cooked and I got my share, things were even getting better, it did not end there, I was going to be done in for camping fees, till they pointed out that I was been over charged so they saved me at least 30000 shillings. Frits is a eye specialist for the State back home, kids out the home, and traveling with his wife. Here is another gentle South African, can feel the kindness and integrity whilst in his presence. There are hippos all over, grunting the whole night thought could not get of bed late, nerves were at ends.
This were my crazy brain was persistent to go all the way back almost 300km to where I came from, down to the lake at Kipili Village, The Lake Shore Lodge. I kept asking myself why I am doing this, all I could tell myself chill I need water, to chill out with. About 40km pulled over to check my tires, I had driven the back left to its death, know to work my high lift jack, sweating and dusted to the hell and gone, managed to get back onto the road, in some way proud of myself.
This place is so cool, these home boys, Chris and Lewis have really made something nice down here on the lake. This lodge looks out of the world, and the finish touches are just awesome. They have a bit of sign writing on a wall in front of the lodge says, arrive as guest and leave as friends. How nice is that for a welcoming sign, a can see why they have that on the wall, good folk.
The next day Chris came over to the campsite as he drove past on his quad. Was not long before, he showed me some oil marks on my front wheel. To saw that he bolts holding my steering arms on were totally loose. Lucky I picked that up, one was lost and the other three holding on just on threads. We saw some oil leaking out of the ball joint; these cruisers have these big balls to work like ball joints, I think.
I have been reading lots, it’s been great and I am getting the feeling of relaxing, so happy getting in a world of peace.
Tomorrow into Sumbawanga, get a new tire and make a contact for the job to be done on my car, exited to go into town with Lewis and Chris, they know how the town works. I should be on my way by the weekend again, just chilling for a few more days and then back on the move.
KALO MINA –means- have a good month, we Greeks say, at the beginning of every new month.
This town of Sumbawanga is amazing one can get almost everything he needs. Nice to see all the small store owners, participating in having something one needs, and makes it possible for one to get anything. I drew myself 300000 shillings the first time and on the second time to draw I put my card into the wrong whole, not long before they called the accountant and my card with back into my hands with lots of laughter.
I ordered my spares form Charles met the mechanic and made lots of friends. The B&B is quite nice has a nice kitchen to it, good food, good vibe. I happened to use one a workshops toilet, nearly died from the stench, lots of rat pooo, lying around the place, and could not handle that. Had a local dish Chip Mayai, omelet with potatoes, with some of their local chili to go with, tasted kiff.
Left the Lake, are we so blessed to be appreciated by people we meet, got a nice feel when saying good bye to Chris and Lewis. The car went fine, rolled into Sumbawanga just before 12pm. Charles was as helpful as always said he had the spares sorted, but made me take my car to another workshop that looked much better than the one we had planned. It was chalk and cheese, this other place looked so clean and organized. So I was set and ready for the job in the morning. We in South Africa should start treating people for people if we not and realize that life is great amongst black folk. Just need to understand one does it just a little different.
Cruised to the Bed and Breakfast ordered pepper steak with chips, am sure I will need a lie down after eating, and then a bicycle ride into town, bit of shopping and a looksee around.
Later met some expatriates’ for Holland and Ireland, doing some road work chatted and eat and they were soon gone. Caught up with some TV, and off to bed.
All went well with the car, even needed the knuckle bearings to be changed, what a great work was done, the pricing of everything was a lot more cheaper than South Africa and the work done in with pride.
Gave my spare reading glasses to the owner in gratitude for the work done, price did go up a little at the end but still a lot cheaper. Still did not managed to get a spare, will have to wait to make it Mwanza on Lake Victoria.
Left the town after a lunch and got going to Katavi National Park, to stay again at the river hippo lodge. The babe drove well, and on my arrival, spoke to the camp manager that obviously remembers me for trying to rip me off the last time, I gave him greetings form Chris and Lewis and got straight to my experience of the problems of my car, once I had left his place. All he did was bob and weave with guilt and but left it at that, showed loved towards his son and made the kid a little snack and then insisted that there should be a watch guard. I got the guard and had little sleep with hippos, grunting.
That evening was also rather disturbing concerning a message I received form Lindiwe an old employee of mine. Pumeza a staff member for 9 years had passed, life gives us different things to handle, her beauty will shine threw us who knew her.
The road to Kgoma was long and not all that good, not many traffic traveling it, good things that my car went well otherwise it could be a long time before one would receive help.
The landscape was amazing cutting through the mountains, strange still rather sandy up in the mountains. The locals have really carved the forest up, for charcoal and timber.
Hit my first bit of tar not far out of Kgoma nice, just lots of speed humps, the sand was better off. Staying at Jacobsen camping site on the beach, very nice and peaceful all I have done was swim and read. Defiantly going to stay put, for a while.
In the week going to stay a few days, at Gombe Stream National Park, they have ape program, don’t get the ape and gorilla mixed the gorilla is coming in Uganda.
Met these nice Swiss and French folk camping out her, been spending most of the day together trading food and stories. The boyfriend lives out her for the past 26 years including Congo, and she supports him financial and spiritually in his NGO work, why don’t I run into some of that luck, I recon I should stay positive and I will find someone who will love me so, and sponsor me.
As sit on one of the campsite bench, the water is just 20meters away; it’s so nice hearing the waves lapping on the shore. The monkeys have come and visited me again, and have moved off to find someone else to torment. Last night was the rain of the summer; know the journey is going to start to become fun with some mud and green terrain.
The rain is here, this is what I wanted to see, this tropical affect we feeling because we are just a stone throws away from the Congo. Yesterday managed to do my first yoga session I am drifting into some emotional peace being out here. Got threw my second book and working on two others making myself proud for allowing myself to chill. It’s only 9:30 am and feels like the days are so long. These mates that I met are down chilling on the beach since the morning I was down there with them and know back up at the campsite jotting a few words.
the most amazing thing that thing that has been happening is that I can enjoy Mother Nature without any form of substances. The old days one would have to get stoned and recon hay waw: what a waste of good moments hopefully doesn’t walk that path again and for the record, today on six months with no substance use. Just want to say thanks to NA for showing me that I had an addictive personality.
The other things is trying to go through all the work that I am going to post on the blog, and I have just finished that and been joined with some son, the clouds have just lifted.
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