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Post by kerouac2 on May 15, 2013 1:00:10 GMT 2
I was in London the day before yesterday. Strange place, that is.  Actually it was to go see The Tempest at the Globe. Wonderful play. |
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Post by Baz Faz on May 15, 2013 16:15:29 GMT 2
Those photos are of thrusting entrepreneurs.
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Post by Orla on May 16, 2013 19:33:40 GMT 2
Slowcoach and OnlyMark,
Would love to go back to Namibia, everyday of the trip was great. And Etendeka was a spot I could have spent a lot more time exploring.
We actually had two nights in Swakopmund, but no quad biking or sand boarding. I'm not a big "doing activities" kind of tourist. I'd much rather wander around and look at buildings, try out food and drink, etc. Guess that makes me lazy.
The Land Rover (Cecil) was a kick and not a vehicle we'd ever normally get to drive here at home so that was part of the draw of renting through the company we used. It's a tank of a vehicle though, and if we're ever lucky enough to go back to Namibia I think we'd choose to rent a Hi-Lux or similar.
And OnlyMark, if the Mrs has given you permission to return, I say go for it!
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Post by slowcoach on May 16, 2013 20:36:31 GMT 2
It sounds like a wonderful time you had there Orla.
Etendeka was once part of Game Reserve No.2 before 3/4 of it was deproclaimed leaving only the remnant now known as Etosha NP.
I know a fair bit about the history of the country and particularly that of the old Kaokoveld. Beyond Etendeka to both the West and Northwest was rather wild and something to behold and relatively cheap to enjoy. The camps like your one and Palmwag to the west and so many new ones are much more upmarket than what was before and have price tags to match. That said I expect that one can still head off West and fend for yourselves for the cost of a permit which hopefully is still peanuts or into the far Northwest where all things were free.
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Post by OnlyMark on May 16, 2013 21:16:10 GMT 2
I'm seriously considering it for next Feb/March time. Either there or India again.
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Post by slowcoach on May 17, 2013 2:28:53 GMT 2
February being between the extended Christmas holiday season and it stopping being mindbendingly hot was the discount season for visiting Namibia, cheap vehicle rentals and accommodation. And everso everso peaceful. Downside being that tourism support was not exactly in high gear, menus with almost everything off, etc.. We liked it, especially the long days and warmer nights, ideal for camping, sitting round the campfire, and making early starts. Also it is the time for all the newly borns, Gemsbok, Springbok, Giraffes, and big Ostrich crèches, fresh green grass, and all the flowers,.  Oh yes and it rains. They say it is a bad time for seeing the wildlfe but that really only applies to Etosha were it can bugger off and you are not allowed to follow it. We have seen huge herds (~1000) of Springbok out there in the wilderness plus all the usual favourites, Rhino, Elephants etc.. |
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Post by watsoff on May 17, 2013 3:33:52 GMT 2
Leaving in a day for five weeks in Fiji. Can't wait.
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Post by OnlyMark on May 17, 2013 8:37:56 GMT 2
When I've been independently it was always at that time slowcoach. There has only been one year where the rains have seriously affected what I wanted to do. That time I seemed to spend at least once a day pulling 2wd cars out of the mess they'd gotten themselves in to. There was also a couple in HiLux who were stuck because they didn't know how to drive a 4x4 as it was their first time.
None of this was on any tracks, just the normal gravel roads.
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Post by slowcoach on May 17, 2013 8:50:05 GMT 2
I'm not surprised to hear any of that OnlyMark, but I did manage to get my extended plug for that season in. I was at the coast when it rained a lot. All the roads dissolved. ;D |
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Post by mockchoc on May 21, 2013 13:34:14 GMT 2
OnlyMark this is it. It sets up in a couple of minutes and we're getting aircon, microwave, nice gas kitchen and I can even sleep at the other end of it if husband snore because there is two big beds either end. Might get solar yet too. Here is a pic. www.coromalcaravans.com/camper_silhouette_xc.htm |
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Post by OnlyMark on May 21, 2013 14:01:16 GMT 2
That looks excellent. Plenty of space and looks like it does set up pretty fast. I was after the same kind of thing in the UK one time but never really got round to it.
I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun and comfort. Superb.
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Post by Hedonista on May 21, 2013 23:02:46 GMT 2
We are off in mid June for 4 days in London, first time in over 2 years that me and Mrs. H will travel anywhere together outside of Portugal. A bit of work as we have to visit an exhibition in London but mostly fun.
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Post by mockchoc on May 22, 2013 14:26:01 GMT 2
That's great new Hedonista. You need that.
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Post by Hedonista on May 24, 2013 19:42:07 GMT 2
Have fun in the caravan Mocks. The closest we ever got was when I was about 20 and we had a pick-up truck (Toyota Hilux) with a hard top on the back and converted into a shag pad with a matress and curtains. Had loads of fun touring Portugal, still kids really.
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Post by mockchoc on May 27, 2013 10:36:09 GMT 2
Umm.. yes I remember our car at the drive-in movies lol..
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Post by lumi on Jun 29, 2013 22:12:51 GMT 2
Am awaiting boarding for my flight to the Maldives - I hope I manage to unwind and not think too much while there. R&R is what I need!
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Post by welle on Jun 29, 2013 22:21:16 GMT 2
Germany later in July. Hoping to meet up with some old friends of mine, very happy about this.
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Post by sunshine on Jun 30, 2013 18:47:37 GMT 2
next Sunday I'm going to go on a hiking holiday - jupie!
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Post by james on Jun 30, 2013 21:21:40 GMT 2
Just got back from Port Alfred and Grahamstown. Managed to get the first three days of the Arts Festival in G/Town. First time for me and it is really really nice. Saw 3 shows a day...could've done more though.
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Post by happytraveller on Jul 1, 2013 9:14:53 GMT 2
In 6 weeks, my SIL from Australia will be visiting us for 3 weeks. She has never been outside Australia and is super excitet. The first week we will spend at home, doing lots of daytrips to the alps, maybe to Germany, whatever we feel like doing. In the second week we take her camping in South of France and show her around the Provence. In the third week we'll take her to Anzonico and will probably do a daytrip to Milano.
It is always heaps of fun showing Aussies around that have never been in a foreign country ;D
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Post by rikita on Jul 1, 2013 13:31:50 GMT 2
my dad's bungalow, about an hour north of berlin, at a small lake and next to the forest.
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Post by rikita on Jul 8, 2013 23:02:17 GMT 2
going tomorrow! yay! just a short trip to a place i have been to a lot, but quite excited to see how it all goes...
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Post by Scrubb on Jul 9, 2013 17:23:18 GMT 2
At the beginning of August we'll be driving to Montana. We go almost every year, to a skydiving "event". It's camping only (or driving nearly an hour to find a hotel every night), jumping from about 7:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., seeing lots of the same people every year, and lots of drinking after jumping finishes. Actually, I haven't jumped the last 2 summers so I spend my time reading! Also going for runs - it's a beautiful spot in a valley in the foothills of the rockies, so we're surrounded by forrested hills. There's a little road I run up and last summer there were lots of baby rabbits around, as well as hawks, squirrels, chipmunks - and I'm pretty sure I saw bear tracks too!
Anyway, either on the way there or the way back (probably the way back) we're going to stop in Yoho national park and do some hiking - hopefully including a guided hike to the Burgess Shale, which is a huge fossil bed.
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Post by mockchoc on Jul 12, 2013 9:22:29 GMT 2
We are finally booked to take the camper away in a couple of weeks time. Grandma will be visiting then and doesn't know it yet but is babysitting the house, son and pets for a few days. I'm been taking mini vacations in it in the back yard  , so cosy! I love it. |
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Post by happytraveller on Jul 12, 2013 10:29:39 GMT 2
Anyway, either on the way there or the way back (probably the way back) we're going to stop in Yoho national park and do some hiking - hopefully including a guided hike to the Burgess Shale, which is a huge fossil bed. Ooooh I looooved Yoho !! |
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Post by justme on Jul 12, 2013 22:26:57 GMT 2
I am planning to visit the active volcano of STROMBOLI this year. Here is a great picture of it - www.swisseduc.ch/stromboli/volcano/geogr/aerial-en.html?id=4It has minor erections eruptions every 20 minutes... there are no roads and no street lighting; it's recommended to bring a torch. I'll be there for 5 days. |
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Post by happytraveller on Jul 13, 2013 8:38:21 GMT 2
Hello Justme, what an exciting place to visit !
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Post by rikita on Jul 13, 2013 19:47:42 GMT 2
back from one trip, starting to think about the next - my mom, i and a. wanted to go to the baltic sea for a few days in august. time to start thinking more clearly about where and when...
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Post by Scrubb on Jul 16, 2013 1:31:11 GMT 2
oooh, justme - I went to Stromboli in 1994 or so - sadly it was being kind of quiet at that time so no lava for me. Lovely relaxing island, though.
happy- I love Yoho too - we were there a few summers ago and it was really gorgeous, and not quite as busy as some of the main parks like Banff & Jasper. Looking forward to going back.
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leela
Pot Smoker
Posts: 148
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Post by leela on Jul 16, 2013 22:21:58 GMT 2
I was on an educational cruise around the med which passed stromboli at night. I still remember it vividly. I was 16.
Anyway - a week tomorrow, I'm off to Malawi and Zambia.
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, so cosy! I love it.