Back in Joburg

This blog now finds us back in Joburg after an interesting 10days.

Leaving Kasane we crossed into Zimbawe with some apprehension of corruption, theft and scam.

First stop the mightly Victoria falls.

Tick. Been there done that, bought the tee shirt.

Actually we couldn’t see a lot because the levels are very high and the mist from the falls is very thick and wet. An impressive amount of water. Neils Camera died.

After spending a night at the village we headed onto the Hwange National park.

Seriously an amazing place and we just about have it to ourselves.

Middle of the night Bronni wakes me up. There’s an elephant just out side the tent. Like just outside munching on the trees. Footprints suggest it was about 1m from Neil & libby’s tent.

Brooni want to take a pic but I was a little concerned that might happen with a flash going off so close to the beast. ……….Lets just lie quiet and leave him be and maybe he’ll do the same to us. Those tusks are big.    

Weight Watchers support meeting

Serious Photo buff's .17 kg's of gear each

Feeding Time

After 2 days in the park moved onto Bulawayo. Neil had commented that the car was not steering straight. With the condition of the roads all thought that it was just an alignment. Later following behind Neil I noticed that his vehicle was going down the road sideways. Busted 3 leaves in the rear spring Left side.

Limped into Bulawayo Sunday afternoon. Everything closed.

Decided to stay in a central camping ground. Scary. A large camping ground capable of accommodation 750 people and we are the only ones there.

Apparently there was a lot of screaming & yelling late that night from the neighborhood. I say apparently because I slept blissfully through the lot.  

Next day fix the car. First off to the Toyota dealer. No we don’t have the part. No we cannot fit it in today. ………… okay Plan B

Off to a spring maker. Do you have this part?……….. not sure you need to take it off so we can see if it matches. If it does…….. we have the part. If it doesn’t we will have to make the part. 

If you have to make the part how long? Give me the spring by 10am and we will have the part tomorrow………….. if the electricity does not stop; if the electricity stops ……. You have the part when the electricity starts.

Dilemma

Do we immobilize the car or try and limp through to Francistown back in Botswana.

Back to Mitsubishi dealer. Can you take the spring off now? Sweet.

Rush around to the spring maker……… sweet he’s got it and can add the additional leaf to match sides.

Back to the Mitsubishi dealer. Put the spring in.

On the Road to Motobo National Park for the night by around 1.00pm.

Service ………..it just different.

After seeing the Great Zimbabwe ruins we then crossed back into South Africa and spent the last 2 days in Kruger National Park.

The posh Game park with Restaurants, Swimming pools, lots of people,fenced in camping grounds, rule everywhere and even speeding cameras on the roads……I kid you not.  

Even the Lions walk on the Left side of the road

Buffalo Camera posing 

One of the Ugly 5.