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. 

Some amazing people with some amazing creatures.

These people are awesome. Those rhinos are awesome. This is awesomeness to strive for.

Thanks to Mat, Nat and Nat :)

The Neighbour Hooligans learn about cars, tyres and the ways of tradesmen

On our first official mini trip with all of us in the car we headed to Manie’s Autoshop to get the first glimpse of our car.  What a beauty. Our Volvo V40 Station Wagon that we have not named… yet, was not yet in tip top shape. But the first order of business was to find out whether the car could actually make the trip.  Manie reassured us that unless we really screw up we should make it home safe. 

So, after the obligatory peek under the hood to learn where everything was and where to put the water, oil, brake fluid and how to measure each of them, (all fun and games for now) Manie regaled us with a tale of a long camping trip with a leaking water tank in his car.  First in went the water, then the beer and then the brannewyn. Tragedy. We could see a tear start to glisten in his eye as he came to the end of his tale. But all ended well. The car got home and didn’t die an a haze of vaporized alcohol. 

So we now know that any fluid will work if your car runs out of water.  To be truthful it will probably be the drinking water before the Hunter’s Dry. 

On to the main event, the tyres.  Imagine our surprise when Manie decides to demonstrate on one of ours and promptly punctures it with a screwdriver. 

Our faces = :o. 

 He then proceeded to show us how to fix a puncture permanently with some corkscrews and something that looks like mini salami.  Ten minutes later the tyre is as good as new and the Hooligans share a look of relief.  



Sarah and the tyre puncturer




Debbie and the oil tank




Robyn and the water tank



Karselle and the dip stick

Upon the conclusion of the lesson Manie proceeds to give us some advice on how to deal with the macho men in the auto repair industry.   Look pretty, ask questions and never let them catch in that you might know more than them.  And if they are doing it wrong tell them you have no money.  Works every time. 

Thank you to Manie and his auto repair shop for getting our vehicle in such tip top shape, all the lessons and the tyre repair kit.