Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Safari





I spent 5 days last week at Kruger Park, South Africa, in a safari- and I do have to say one of my many dreams came true! It was quite an experience to be in the vast african bush, as far as your eyes can reach and more, the magnified red sun and baobab trees that are so often depicted in african landscapes. It was very much like I imagined it, and much much more. What made it more was actually the feeling of being one with nature, understanding the food chain, sipping a coffee on a terrace that overlooks a swamp surrounded by hippos, grazing elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, and giraffes...really!! I went with a great group of people that are also volunteering through All Out Africa. We camped at The Lower Sabie, a closed off area of the park where you are protected with an electric fence that basically keeps all the lions and hyenas from coming to your tent, unfortunately, not the snakes.
We went on sunset drives, morning walks, and drove and drove around the immense park, munching on dried guavas, seeds, corn, nuts, and smoked dried meats (buffalo, beef...). We cooked around the fire, enjoyed delicious braai (african bbq), and soaked in the pool as the temperatures reached 45 degrees celsius some days. I made new friends and collected more dreams, as I want to go back there one day with my blood family, childhood friends, and new brothers and sisters. Enjoy the pictures!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Mozambique!








I just got back from one week in the peaceful and untouched beaches of Tofo, about 5 hours north of Maputo by car. I went with a group of 15 volunteers from Australia, UK, and Iceland mainly, that have been working in Swaziland for some months now. Many of them are teachers in their homeland so they come to Africa and volunteer their time, energy, and resources working in remote villages where they are needed, others actually build schools and hospitals, work with orphans (mainly because of HIV/Aids), and when they leave, they end up sponsoring one child, sometimes as many as 5, so they can continue to get food, schooling, and proper resources until the age of 7.

They do all of this through All Out Africa, a company that has a beautiful mission: "To engage people from around the world in the research and action necessary for a sustainable Africa".
www.alloutafrica.com
Bob and Psycology were there to guide, feed, and take care of us while in Tofo. They were a joy to be with!
Mozambique is so vibrant in color, energy, and happiness. We kayaked to the Isle de Imhambane where we had a local lunch of spinach with peanut sauce, coconut rice, prawns, fried sweet bread, tomato salad, and refreshing young coconut water. A Sea Safari was next, where we spotted the great whale sharks (ranging from 4 meters up to 9 meters long) and actually got to swim right next to them!! we also saw some dolphins...
I hope you enjoy these images!!