So, we are alive...

Finding cheap Internet is a little difficult so we are trying to update as often as possible.

Day Four: Etosha
So after a late start we finally got to Etosha park. And after seeing mainly springbok a whole we were treated to a couple of lions napping next to lunch. Venturing further we got to the reception and paid, bought an ice cream and took a breather with the Herbiefours.

An amazing rest of the day in Etosha and a mad dash to get to the gate in time made us miss the salt plains but the giraffes mad up for it. Trying to find an open campsite lead us to a place that looked like it had zombies but turned out to be a wonderful place full of other put footers and some very helpful staff.

Day Five: Ngepi

French toast for breakfast and a visit to a meteorite that is the biggest one that as landed. Ever. Met up with the Herbifours again and then headed to Grootfontein for lunch. Turns out they has siestas there so we ended up in another town eating tuna crackers and beans outside a Spar.

Headed to the most awesome campsite ever called Ngepi. The Volvo which we have yet to name surprised us with making the road thanks to Robyn's fantastic driving. Enjoyed a tequila under the stars with the Herbiefours just outside the Caprivi strip and a get together of put footers at the campsite bar. A night of wondering whether that sound was a hippo or not gave us some entertainment.

Day Six: Katima

A morning yoga session on the banks of the Okavango revived us and then we made us of the cages pool in the Okavango river. Amazing to swim with hippos in sight.
Leaving Ngepi we had our first car issue which we dealt with in true Hooligan style. We waited for someone else who knew what they were doing. A quick stop in Divundu to see a mechanic and we were on our way.
Deciding we wouldn't make the border in time we stayed in the Caprivi Strip again at a campsite on the side of the Zambezi river.

Day Seven: Livingstone Checkpoint 3

A very early start to get to the border were all hell ensued with us paying in three different currencies and a lot of running back and forth. A very bad road and some excellent driving from Sarah got us to Livingstone tired but happy. A quick set up at the campsite and booking a sunset cruise we took off to the Victoria Falls.
Some very wet Hooligans left in a rush to make the ferry. Changing in the parking lot we ran to catch the ferry with some wet undies. Victoria Falls was amazing and very wet. But all cameras and phones survived.

The sunset cruise blew our minds with amazing animals, dinner and snacks.
Joining everyone at the bar two of the Hooligan decided to make it an early one and the other two managed to get to bed in the early hours.

Day Eight

A late sleep and off to the first shoe drop which was an amazing experience. Put Foot has outdone themselves which providing 405 pairs of school shoes to needy kids as well as painting and redoing the floors of the school.
An amazing day for everyone involved and it was great to see where our money and effort is really going.
We leave you tonight on the banks of the Zambezi looking forward to tonight's checkpoint party.
Peace.

Day Three...

First things first, we were pleasantly surprised by gaining an hour which made us early for once. After leaving The Cardboard Box we four intrepid adventurers delved deep into the jungle that is Windhoek. We were looking for a new tent due to one being too small for the mattress. Imagine our surprise when we found one cheaper than in RSA. We were winning!

After smashing a burger for brunch we put our new tent and our old one on the roof rack. We were unreasonably proud of this. Taking a lazy drive towards Etosha we were pleasantly surprised when we found a shop were Fish (from the Silly Buggers) was bought apparently.

The short drive was entertained by mocking Sarah. Delicious! And stopping on the side of the road to have a pow wow with some other teams before the checkpoint.

Arriving at the campsite we were treated to a actual proper bathroom where fully intend to take advantage later. Tents up and our mattress fits! Too much of yayness on that one I can tell you.

Checkpoint one treated us to a bang up meal which was interrupted by the surprise arrival of The Silly Buggers and Pistons of Fury. Much relief for the boys arriving last night. Well done!

Much dancing, drinking and merriment ensued until the early hours and a freezing night in our tents ensues after.

Waking up to everyone packing up and heading to Etosha we are close to being on our way again.

So with Robyn currently still in the lead in the windmill game with Debbie a close second with 15 and 12 sightings a piece. Sarah and Karselle are on 9 and 5 respectively.

Looking forward to seeing some animals today we leave Toshari Lodge to the sweet sounds of Culture Club.
Peace.

Day one and two...

In the beginning there was a Volvo, and this Volvo carried the dreams and luggage of four girls. It was strong, it was fast and really, really low on the ground...

Day One!
Wanderers Club Johannesburg to Kang Botswana.

After being the last team to leave due to the debacle of space in the car and our braai grid being the only thing on our roof rack we were off.

A stop off in Harties to get some food allowed us a rare sighting of the Silly Buggers crew on their scooters. Go boys go!
With Sarah driving the time slipped by and soon we were at our first border crossing. The wonderful people of the SAPS and Botswana Border control made it easy for us and didn't take our cashews away.
Stopping by the side of the road to take a photo to welcome us to Botswana we were complemented by a truck driver on our awesome stickers.

Driving to the cool tunes of Bob Marley the Volvo ate up the kilometers until an abrupt stop for an indecisive chicken who couldn't decide on which side of the road to cross.
Our first camp was in Kang where we arrived in the nick of time to set up camp in the fading light. This was after Karselle (legend!) drove us through a little bit of rain and lightening.
A meat and greet with some other Put Footers we went to sleep in tents too small and mattresses too big.

Day Two!

An early morning start that got off to a late start go us on our way to the Namibian border. We celebrated our first 1000km with a little dance on the side of the road and after a fill up of cheap Botswana fuel we crossed into Namibia with no problems at all except being really hungry and our lunch packed under everything else in the boot.

So after a small shop for cool drinks and some onions we stopped at a roadside picnic spot to have tuna mayo crackers and a wee which was interrupted by what seemed to be the population of Namibia converging on the picnic spot which is strange for one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.

On the road again we cracked put the tapes and were entertained by Karselle's little sister's cover of Brian Adams.
The last leg of the journey with Debbie driving was entertaining due to her loud and sometimes profane commentary on the trucks she had to overtake.
Arriving in Windhoek we were pleasantly surprised that the air smelled of bratwurst, and hankering for a Windhoek in Windhoek we came to a stop at The Cardboard Box backpackers and campsite for the night.
This is where we leave you for now. Robyn is currently in the lead in the Windmill game with 11 sightings with Sarah on a disappointing 3 due to her 3 in a row false sightings. Karselle is on 3 and Debbie on 5.

Enjoying a drink and dinner we are planning to be at Toshari Lodge near Etosha by three tomorrow.

Goodnight all and we wish you were here with us.
Peace!

Power Monkey!!!

Our solar charger at work!! It might actually charge our cellphones!

So it begins. Braai grid in tow.

The Neighbour Hooligans are off. Leaving a little late but all the luggage is packed. The adventure begins!

So we found a use for the roof rack! Booyah!

Cars, women and soapy water...

Stickers done, with a little difficulty, and one sleep until we leave!

Thanks to Robyn's dad Garry van Jaarsveldt for the stickers.

Meet our ride...

Only eight days left before we hit the wide open road. After a few scares, where we thought our car wouldn't be ready, we are proud to introduce our Volvo S 40 to the world. And oh, what a beaut it is.... (we are still undecided on a name but we are sure that will come once we get to know the car). And it has been confirmed with our very own eyes that we will jamming to tunes on a cassette player.

 
We also had our new tyres fitted on the car. A big ups to Tiger Wheel and Tyre in Randburg for fitting them for us as well as Continental for the tyre sponsorship.

Our last weekend is focused on final route preparations, packing (effectively), pimping out our car and costume brain storming. The Neighbour Hooligans are ready to go... YEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAA!

Ok, panicking now....



Ah, the sounds of youth and bad taste...



With apprehension building and 13 days to finish planning, shopping, begging for money and panicking the Neighbour Hooligans are freaking out (just a little!). With so much to do in so little time we have to sort the big problems first. But while frantically getting the last of the paperwork and dealing with route plans and budget issues we came across our biggest tragedy of all.  The car only has a tape player. Yes ladies and gentlemen, a cassette player. When was the last time you played a tape? Who even has them anymore? The only one I can remember was a Monster Hits which I played to death on my brother’s boombox. Ah, the nineties …. Coolio, Inner Circle’s Sweat, Garbage’s Stupid Girl and the original club anthem Insomnia from Faithless.  

Yes, when Sonic the Hedgehog had a recording career...

So once we realised our predicament we started to panic even more. 17 days and not one of us can hold a tune very well. So our plan of action is to beg all our older friends and family to dig through the drawers of their tainted youths and find us some dubious music to listen to. Holy frak balls, this could be a lesson on why the eighties were truly terrifying or a trip down memory lane back to a little decade called the nineties. Shiny clothing, Spice Girls shoes and waaaaay too much hair gel here we come. Early nineties mind you, the cassette tape was made redundant quite early on.  I just hope that someone, somewhere has that Monster Hits tape.  A la la la la long…..

But fear not, for if the itrip still works we might find salvation in a little The Black Keys, MGMT , Desmond and the Tutus  and Florence and the Machine.  But only if the car charger works…



E= MC Hammer



Some useful and not so useful advice...

So as we hit the final planning for the trip, advice has been flowing from various sources. Here is a list of some good and not so good advice we have encountered.: 

1. When camping, always wear a long-sleeved shirt. It gives you something to wipe your nose on.

2. Always remember the toilet paper, or at the very least, know what leaves are poisonous in the region.

3. Ear plugs are a useful investment, especially for the snoring tent mate

4. Lock all items to the roof rack- items have the tendency to grow legs and walk off. 

5. Your pillow will become your best friend as time progresses and so will the blow up mattress. 

6. The bag a tent or a sleeping bag come in was not the one that is meant to go back into when it comes to putting it away. 

7. Every day will be a bad hair day. It happens. Accept it and move on.

8. Learn how to make a fire from scratch or at least have matches that are dry. 

9. Don't drive at night- you might hit a goat or even an elephant. 

10. This is Africa- magic happens here if you have the right attitude.