Field Guide course

When I sent word to Katryn that I would be glad to accept her invitation to visit her and Nelri in South Africa, she told me that her daughter (Nelri) was going to start a field guide or nature guide course in a short time. She asked me if I wanted to join and after some considerations (course contents, price, etc.) I accepted. Finally Katryn joined in the fun, so we're now all doing it.

Learning to handle a 4x4 in deep sand

When I arrived in Hoedspruit, Katryn and Nelri brought me to the person who would be our instructor to discuss the matter and see if I would do the course. I told him I probably wouldn't do the exam because I most probably would never use the certificate. Moreover, to use it you need to do a one week rifle course first. Which could be quite interesting, but for another time. He accepted, but said he would throw me out if I slowed the two other guys too much. The course contents is quite intense and there is a lot of information to know.

Flying over the Lowveld and other travels

Flying over the Lowveld with this tiny aircraft called a gyrocopter was a special and amazing experience. Katryn, my hostess, got a message on her Blackberry community group conversation that one person was going to fly from Hoedspruit to Tzaneen the following morning. He was looking for a passenger because he'd rather fly with some company than alone. That's how I found myself to be responsible for hauling the whole crew out of the game farm early morning on Katryn's birthday. We left around 7.20 for the civil airfield in Hoedspruit.

Lowveld of Limpopo Province

Introduction

When I was still finishing my Divemaster in December in Tofo, I met these two ladies whom I now live with for a few weeks. They were in holidays in Tofo and Nelri, the daughter did her Open Water course and Deep Adventure dive. Her mother already was a diver, but was not so confident underwater. They went to Manta Reef (one of the world's most popular reefs) where there is usually close to no current. That day though, the current was quite strong and it didn't help Katryn's confidence to rise. So when she wanted to join Nelri for another deep dive on Giant's Castle, which is a drift dive, Katryn hesitated before she did. I offered her to come along on the dive so I could take care of only her. There was still enough space on the boat for me to do so, and this she accepted gladly. Afterwards she offered me to visit them in Hoedspruit, which is in the middle of Big 5 game country. Kruger Park itself is less than 40km away.

Maputo to Nelspruit

After seeing my luggage all together, I once again decided it was really too big, and that I should probably loose some objects. I don't seem to have that many things when it's out of the bags, but once packed it just seems that the seams of the bags will let go.

I took the Intercape bus with 2 isreali girls who came in to Base Backpackers yesterday evening and Sean, the American from San Fransisco. The isreali girls were doing some diving in Tofo with us, and it was funny to see them again in Maputo. We then met Miguel, a guy from Portugal travelling in Southern Africa.

Maputo

Saturday craft market

Maputo is a city where you pinch your nose while walking its streets. It stinks, there's trash and filth everywhere and it's hot. I heard that back in the day, before the Portuguese left, it was nice and clean. Now there's a huge contrast between old half-collapsing and very modern buildings. Big companies like Vodacom, mcel, and Galp and all the banks have shiny new buildings and offices. But most of everything else is left to the ravages of the weather.
One nice thing is that there is a lot of trees and quite a few parks in the city.

On the road again

So here I am, on the road again. Today I travelled from Tofo, Inhambane to Maputo. I kind couple of germans who were staying next to Tofo, and half of whom was diving with us, agreed to take me down here in there rental car. They dropped me off at the Base Backpackers, which is apparently better than Fatima's Backpackers here in Maputo. I definitely don't hear much good from Fatima's customers.

All is well, and I'm moving again ! Yay!

See you on my next adventures to South Africa.

Mission Visa - Conclusion

2000 km of minibus taxi travelling
5½ border crossings (4½ of them including Swaziland)
3'700 mts in transport fares in Mozambique
439 Rand in transport fares in South Africa and Swaziland
1'250 Rand for 3 hotel nights
1 new beer picture
countless hours in minibus taxis
countless other spendings