South Africa and Mozambique 12/08/06

[Martyn]

A quick introduction;
Martyn Davies from Adventure Trailers, I’m the "other" trailer guy. I live in Truckee, California. Prior to becoming part of the trailer empire I was a Professional Ski Instructor for 20 years. I’m a self confessed travel addict who suffers from depression if I don’t do an extended trip at least once every three years.

Monday December 11th my wife, daughter and I head off to South Africa and Mozambique for seven weeks. It’s business and pleasure, I have to visit a few vendors and check out new product, my wife is doing research for her PhD, and our daughter is doing the serious business of being a twelve year old.

Originally we were going to spend time with the people at Safari Rangers www.safarirangers.co.za doing recon to develop a Safari into Mozambique. It's part of the ground work for a new venture by Adventure Trailers, Adventure Travel. Unfortunately our timing was bad, Safari Rangers is too busy with holiday vacationers and the trip has been rescheduled until June of 2007. The basic concept is a Surfari up the coast of Mozambique in fully equipped Land Rovers. Mozambique is one of the best surf spots in the world and so far not well traveled. Mozambique offers a huge variety of travel opportunities that we want to explore before it gets built up as a tourist destination.

We did a quick reorganization and have the beginning of our trip planned, the rest will take shape as we progress.

We’ll be visiting Sterkfontein Caves, a World Heritage Site and the cradle of humanity. Also a school report for our daughter but we won’t mention anything until we get there!

We booked in to Dolphin-Encountours http://www.dolphin-encountours.co.za/ in Mozambique for 6 days over Christmas. Swimming with the Dolphins should be a great experience.

I’ll keep you posted as we travel.

Martyn

 

[Scott Brady]

Awesome. I cant wait to see the pictures.

 

[articulate]

Excellent. What a cool thing for a twelve year old kid to have, seven weeks in Mozambique.

Out of curiosity, what type of work is your wife doing there? What field is she studying?

 

[flywgn]

Welcome Martyn. Nice to have you here.

We look forward to reports and pix.

Allen R

 

[gjackson]

Welcome for sure!! You will have a fantastic time in SA!! Great place and so much to see.

cheers

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Hey Martin

Glad to see ya made it over! I met you at the Pinnacle Peak dinner!

I was the tall bald ugly guy drilling you about information on: "Self Drive African Safaris".

I will be contacting your friend soon to setup dates and make reservations!

Thanks for all of that info!

Good luck on your trip and have fun!! Looking forward to seeing your pics!

That is one lucky 12 year old!

:smiley_drive:

 

[Martyn]

Excellent. What a cool thing for a twelve year old kid to have, seven weeks in Mozambique.

Out of curiosity, what type of work is your wife doing there? What field is she studying?

Mark, I just asked her how she would like her work described and she said "The dynamics of consciousness change, HIV and Masculinity". My follow up question was how would that translate to us non academic types, and she said "HIV and Masculinity". So there you have it!

 

[Aubrey]

Martyn

You will love Africa if you leave all your first world perceptions at home. SA is not Africa ....too much crime and not enough bush

Mozambique, surfing may be great but the diving is the best in the world ...... I have been around a little and I keep going back there.

BTW, I am 10 minutes away from Craddle of Mankind ...Maropeng but I will be in Zambia, Tanzania and Zanzibar till 4 January2007.

If you need any help, please don't hesitate to call me on +27 82 654 5858 ...it will roam in Zanzibar and Africa.

Hope to see many pictures in your report back

On HIV, I see too much talk and studies and not enough action. BTW, not aimed at anybody in specific and not at your wife in particular. Studying changes little when infection rates are above 50% and that is reality ...some areas up to 90%. Time for action is now ...or Africa will yet again be a dark and empty continent.

PS - Hope your malaria stuff is up to scratch, not a bad idea to get yellow fever, cholera, hepatitus (whole alphabet) jabs as well. I could keep you in the States by showing you images of our local health care

 

[Scott Brady]

I believe Martyn grew up in Africa...

And an update from Martyn:

Update 12/19/06 Martyn Davies

Have been in Johannesburg for a week. Made the mistake of bringing my new laptop over with us. It's DSL, and wireless compatible, but will not plug into a phone line. Next time I come to Africa someone please remind me to take applicable technology!! We are making use of internet cafes.


So far we have visited the Origins Museum at Wits University a great interactive exhibition on early man. The visited Stirkfontain Caves, the cradle of humanity. Very educational. I think if you Google the names the web sites will come up.

Yesterday we went to the Township of Alexandra, and did a walking trip through the area. Our guide Harry was wonderful. It's always an eye opener to see such poverty, and be the only white people among the 1 million inhabitance. Personally I think all white people should have the experience.

Met with the people from Safari Rangers today. Very interesting and interesting operation, Adventure Trailers is looking forward to working with them. Leonard from Safari Rangers has 2 week trips planned to Namibia and Botswana, but what's interesting is he has a hold for five 4X4 vehicles to go into the Kruger Park in March 2007 and September. If any of you were looking for a private guide safari the chance is there to book all the vehicles. If you want more info contact Leonard at Leonard@safarirangers.co.za

We head off toward Mozambique tomorrow. We will be at the Dolphin research camp for 6 days from 12/21. I will have to make the next update when we get back into South Africa.

Photo's will have to wait until I sort that tech problem out.

Happy Holidays to all of you.

 

[Aubrey]

I believe Martyn grew up in Africa...

Like they say here ....every sports has it's injuries!!

 

[Martyn]

Mozambique 1/1/07

I'm having a heck of a time trying to post to the forum. I will have to repost some content that went missing in the ether. "No Hurry In Africa" so I'll get it done "Just Now"

Ponto D’Ouro Mozambique for Christmas. It’s a small village just across the border from South Africa accessed via sand roads. 4X4 is needed to navigate the section from the border to the town, and from the town to Maputo the Capitol.

As we didn’t have a 4X4 we drove our rental car to the border, left it in a secured parking lot and were given a ride into town by the outfit we were staying with.

Our goal in going to Ponto D’Ouro was to spend time swimming with the Dolphins and get some beach time over Christmas. Our accommodation was reeded huts just behind the beach and small huts. Dolphinencountours.com did a wonderful job briefing us on swimming with the Dolphins and were real experts at conducting the launches and swims. We snorkeled 3 times with the Dolphins and had a wonderful experience. When I can get the pictures developed from our disposable waterproof camera I’ll be able to share them with you.

Overall our experience was good at while at Ponto D’Ouro. The camp we stayed at was very rustic, but it had clean flushing toilets, and showers. I think that the atmosphere was slightly strained as the people who worked there were trying to celebrate their own Christmas and the guests may have got in their way. There were also family members of the owner staying so the normal vibe of the place may be much different in the low season (May).

South Africa is a smokers paradise, and Ponto D”ouro follows suite. Most people from North America may find it a bit overbearing. We had to move rooms when we were staying at the camp as a family member of the owner was smoking in her room and it was drifting into our room. I think this was an exception to the norm. However I would suggest they implement a policy of no smoking in the rooms or at the communal meal tables.

As to the future it looks like the sand road to Ponto D’Ouro will be tarred soon, so it will no longer be a 4X4 accessible area. There are plans for 4 Star hotels along the beach front, and the possibility of a Casino. Progress! So if your thinking of heading down this way to enjoy the coast and the Dolphins try to do it sooner rather than later.

We are down in Durban now staying with friends. Broke the journey down with a visit to Umfolozi game reserve in Kwazulu Natal. Lots of Rhino, Zebra, and Giraffe, once again the big cats were illusive.

Happy Holidays to all of you.

A picture for all of you captured by the Northern Winter! Would you buy a used trailer from this Man?

 

[flywgn]

...
Happy Holidays to all of you.

A picture for all of you captured by the Northern Winter! Would you buy a used trailer from this Man?

And a Happy One to you as well, Martyn.

A "used trailer"....uhhhh, I don't know. It looks like he's holding a bowling ball on the beach.

Welcome back to the ExPo Forum and thanks for the report...and photos.

Allen R

 

[gjackson]

"No Hurry In Africa" so I'll get it done "Just Now"

:xxrotflma

Are you sure it wasn't 'now now'?

cheers

 

[Martyn]

:xxrotflma

Are you sure it wasn't 'now now'?

cheers

I'm not sure of the subtle differences between "Just Now" and "Now Now" they seem to be used interchangable. I love the use of "Happy Happy" as in wishing Happy Christmas, Happy Birthday, and Happy New Year.

Leaving Durban tomorrow for the Transkei, on to Hog's Back (Tolken Hobbit Land), and then to Addo Elephant Park and points South. Will keep you posted as internet Cafe's become available.

Martyn

 

[BajaTaco]

Martyn, I just now found this thread of yours. I had no idea you went to Africa. Sounds like a fabulous trip so far! I'm interested to hear more about your swim with the dolphins.

Take care and keep sending us updates :wavey: