Thanks to everybody for leaving comments, we really appreciate it. The amount of attention this trip report is getting is insane!
A quick round of answers to some questions. Sorry for not replying to everybody personally, we do read everything!
I have a few questions ....
- this being Africa I never heard about you encountering wildlife. I know in one of the posts you wrote about a local longing for times of old when they were roaming, but is it really to the point that there are "none"?
Not "none", but it's close. The picture many people have of wildlife roaming everywhere is a picture drawn by documentaries in the wildparks of Eastern and Southern Africa. Most of Central (and western) Africa has very little wildlife left. I mean the traditional, spectacular wildlife (lions, elephant, ..). Congo is the only country in the world where one can still encounter Okapi's and is home to some of the last remaining Gorilla's. But the bulk of animals is gone. Eaten, poached, ... . And what remains stays well clear of humans.
One comment -- I think your LC deserves a name. I defer to your preference, but "Rocinante" comes to mind. Even more than Don Q's steed, your LC proved itself greater than its simple origin...
Thanks for the tip, it would be an apt name indeed. But, to me, it feels funny to name cars. I will explain it a bit more when I talk about the car and its equipment (soon).
One question- around that one bog hole with the palm tree in the center- is it easier to cut it down or work around it?
In that particular case I think we drove around it. Cut a way trough the bush. It really depends on the situation. Sometimes it is quicker and easier to just drive trough the bog. Sometimes it is easier to create a detour. Sometimes one takes the wrong decision too ;-)
Your trip has changed you for the better.
Thanks I guess ;-) I like to believe that too. Although I have the feeling I have only had a little glimpse of the world. It made me even more curious. It made me realize I do not understand most of what I have seen. It gave me many answers, but even more new questions. Often I am jealous about people who are content with their little world, often not bigger then their own town (I am talking about most people in the 'first world'), oblivious to what is happening in the rest of the world. It make life so much simpler!
Just the other night I spoke with her about what she couldn't live without seeing, and where she absolutely _had_ to go on that trip. It excited us both; it was a conversation we hadn't touched on in a few months and we had it because our dream was invigorated by the telling of yours.
You have no idea how happy and proud that makes us. We sincerely hope you make 'your trip' one day and enjoy every minute of it!
My question (maybe for that q&a session), did you consider driving in reverse when the rear axle broke?
It crossed our mind briefly, but I did not really seriously consider it. Experiments like this take time and effort, so we only tried 'new things' when we believed it had a fair chance of succes. If it were just a straight hill, sure. But the tracks was often very narrow with little room for driving mistakes. And mistakes were always punished hard by getting stuck or tipping over.
I assume that in the two years since this journey you both have fully recovered from any maladies you developed while globe trekking. If I may be so bold... What were they? How did you prepare for illness? and What was your final recuperation time?
Nothing serious. The usual 'traveller problems' occured frequently and sometimes for long periods. A few cuts and bruises from time to time. We had an extensive medical kit with us, but we barely used anything from it. In general I would say we were much healthier while travelling then we were/are at home. The outdoor life and lack of stress I guess.
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Don't forget there is this live session next Sunday. We are curious to how that will work out!
Thank you for taking the time to share your story with the rest of us.
