Travel tip 1

Always learn a few words in the native language of the country you are visiting. For example in Africa, Jambo means hello and asante is thank you. In London, hallo Gov ( hiya), awright?, cheers will get you places.

To London Town!

Out of Africa!

Out of Africa.
The big, brown, dusty plains,
Dry, hot winds a blowing.
Smiling faces with big brown eyes,
Jambo, Mambo, poa.
Happy people!

An exotic menagerie of beasts,
Zebra, Giraffe and elephant or two.
The roar of the lion, hyena cackle
And the rumble of a stampede.
Yes, a big , brown land.

The mountain,
Dense, green rainforest,
Open moors,
Rain, snow, cold
And the wintery sun.
Clear crisp nights,
Stars shining bright.
Trudging slowly; pole pole.
To the roof top!

London Calling

There is excitment all around; buskers trumpet for our attention, vendors hawk their wares; Opera bellows forth from the pit of Convent Garden; Nelson stands guard over a Lion and a Blue Chicken at Trafalgar Square (where are all the pigeons?); iconic red telephone boxes stand trapped in a time warp and the sounds of Hiya and innit puntuate the airways.

History seeps out of every cobblestone we tread upon and our path takes us to where the ravens beckon us to the Tower, Yeoman tell us of beheadings, torture and undying love; the Crown Jewels evoke us into conversation about their ostentatious and gaudy nature ,  whilst Henry the VIII's armour designed to protect his two most important organs, his head and his dick cause us to begin a giggle loop.

Kings and Queens reign and stories of skullduggery are whispered through our headsets as we tour the majesty of Westminster Abbey.  Peasant, Noble, Royalty and even Bogans all have the commonality of death; however, even in death wealth and privilege jettison forward. Westminster Abbey, a sanctuary for many, is the burial ground for many Kings and Queens of England  . On entry a sense of great revenerence descends upon us and we feel suffocated by the immense history that surrounds us.

The African bite.

Food is a big part of travel. The taste sensations that are so diverse to our own Aussie cuisine help to make the travel experience a great one. Well, we certainly did not go hungry on our African adventure. The main faire consisted of hearty stews; very tasty and the use of ginger in most dishes went down a treat. Lunch was usually smoked chicken which was also a fav. We were advised not to eat off the street vendors , which is something we usually like to do. We have had many scrumpious surprises by eating what the locals devour. But we must not forget  Cambodian hospital adventure nor the pot of chicken feet and heads in China. Pays to be a little cautious sometimes.

The Serengeti Thirst

'When friends come together the fun always begins with the first cool sip of Serengeti Premimum Larger. '  Well three friends decided to pop in as we sat at our tent awaiting the sunset.  Three Giraffes wondered in to the campsite, with not a care in the world and together, Lea and I offered salutations to these amazing creatures.

Up Close and Personal

We can drive for hours, through dust; across tracks that jar every bone in our body, and a landscape that is brown and uncompromising for no return and then suddenly within a ten minute period we will witness a herd of elephants washing in a river.  This same herd will suddenly cross within touching distance of our location and continue their silent migration across the Serengeti savannah.  A pride of lions, 12 in total lie sleeping in the shadows of sausage trees; they stir, stretch, look at us and then collapse once again, spooning each other for comfort.  Zebras span the horizon,  searching for a safe watering hole and a lone giraffe strolls aimlessly through the stripped horde.   Hyenas fight for the remains of a Lion's kill, whilst rabbit eared foxes and vultures await the small pickings that remain.  A pod of Hippos wallow in their foul stench and pound their 1600kg frames with home made mud packs.  Finally, 2 lone Cheetahs stand guard on a fallen tree scanning for pray and a Leopard lays prostate in an acacia tree shading itself from the morning haze.

Watching the sunset over the African landscape has been stunning.  The colours burn deeply into the indigo sky and the mountains are silhouetted in the deepening ochre skyline.  The stars pulsate and illuminate the world above and as we sit on deck chairs, a Serengetti Larger in hand we watch the wonder unfold.  Shooting stars criss-cross the horizon,  the Serengetti echoes with the sound of wildlife and we share stories with fellow travellers across the flames of the camp fire.

What a wonderful life!