Finally in Windhoek (Namibia)

So after a backbreaking 20 hour bus ride driving from Cape Town, South Africa through the deserts into Windhoek, Namibia, we’ve finally arrived! Professor Lee was already at the bus station waiting for our arrival with a large van. We first went straight to the UNAM Village (our home for the next 10 weeks). It is so much nicer here than I could have ever imagined. Couple of key features I love: huge kitchen, own bathroom in our room and large backyard for barbeques.
Item number 2 = cell phones. We went and shopped around to see which carriers had the best deals and picked up a SIM card for our cell phones. My number is 0814479715. ... Random note: I miss my iPhone.

Next = food. We had some free time so picked up some groceries. Not cheap atall. But I picked up the basics milk, eggs, bread and of course, spices :P

Went to orientation at UNAM (University of Namibia) and met our supervisors. Then headed to grab a seafood dinner with the group. It was nothing compared to Kalk Bay though. Our whole group right now is made of 11 UofT Students: 5 of which are moving up to Northern Namibia (in Oshakati) on Wednesday while the rest of us are staying in the ‘big’ city (Windhoek).It’s cold here at night, but my amazing mummy-sized sleeping bag is serving me well. During the days though, it gets to 20+ C, so t-shirt weather.

... gotta run, more to come.

Week in review

Cape Town. What can I say about Cape town.

These are the things we did: Went to Cape point (southern tip of South Africa), saw African Penguins (also known as Jackass Penguins, really!), ate at a fancy restaurant called Jardine, had breakfast at the bakery there as well, ate Bunny Chow for the first time (it's not what you think it is), toured the winelands of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franchoek, had a lot of wine, cheese and chocolate, saw a goat drink the urine of another goat, took a video of that, got lotsa mosquito bites at the hostel, walked up to the posh Kloof Street for more food and shopping, played card games with the girls, ate "Simba" chips for the first time (like ruffles, but more cheesy and with a picture of a lion on the front, lol), visited some museums about Slavery, briefly walked through the colourful streets of Bo Kaap (area with mostly Muslims), toured the townships of Cape Flats (area where the poorest of the poor live). I really saw the disparities between the rich and the poor. We learn a lot about poverty in school and from the media, but I never really knew what that meant until I got here.

There must be more, but I've already forgotten most of it.

An awesome day

Finally got to go to Kalk Bay, been wanting to for a while. The small town was quaint, if I could've, I'd give it a hug. As we walked along the docks, we took pictures of a seal swimming along the side. We had seafood straight from today's catch: fish and chips with calamari and grilled prawns. Freshest stuff ever. Then, we headed for some homemade ice cream at the nearby Ice Cafe - among the selection, honeycomb... mmmm. Took the train back to Cape town and got into 1st class unknowingly... got kicked out into the "economy" class in the back cart. You can really tell the class differences here physically (race-wise) and just by walking down the street you get the sense of a struggle and tension in the air. It's actually a lot more UNsafe here than I thought. We try not to go out at night too much and definitely avoid certain areas. However, met some amazing Capetonians on the train. Saw some gorgeous grafitti along the way to Kalk and rode right along the coast of the Atlantic.

Hopped on a taxi when we got back to Cape Town and zoomed our way to Signal Hill to see the sunset. From the glow of table mountain, the shadows of the Fifa 2010 stadium, the colour changes in the clouds and the sparkling city lights, it was breathtaking. Locals were smart and brought their own wine/champagne glasses to toast the sun going down.

As to think the night had already ended, we headed to Mama Africas, a restaurant across our hotel, for dinner where there was a live African band playing reggae while the singer sang opera music. Tried Poitke (sp) for the first time, a wild game stew and then crashed at the hostel.

This city is just plain out -beautiful. If not for the crime, I'd probably want to move here.

Jon is feeling bad

We arrived in Capetown yesterday and the view was stunning, the sun is shining, the temperature is cool and ocean is beautiful...however, Jon is nothing but a giant storm cloud right now hovering over the city. Me thinks Jon is sick, either the medical kind, or the home variety.

Went to Robben Island today to see Mandela's prison cell and to listen to the stories of the past inmates there. It's pretty moving to learn about their struggles and to know that many of our guides were once jailed there and walking us through the very same halls and yards.

Spent the rest of the day wandering Capetown, sucks when everything closes at 4pm and the sun sets by 6 because no one walks around the city at night who isn't carrying weapons. On the plus sides, seems like every local we see thinks we know kung fu and yells to us "ching chong ching, China" or something to that effect.

That's it for now, more later as we fight our way through africa...

Overnight Safari Adventure

We signed up for Orient Tours - took a Toyota Land Cruiser 45 km into the deserts of Dubai where we went for an offroad tour around the sand dunes. For a Toyota, it was surprisingly rugged and withstood a lot of s$#%. Activities we did were: camel riding, sandboarding, sheesha's (Vince's fave), all you can eat barbeque buffet as the sun set (great lamb and tandoori chicken). After the huge dinner, a belly dancer came out and we all sat around watching. Both of us even did a little shake ourselves (lol).

The tour was pretty big (50+ people, 10 Land cruisers). But most people left after 9pm except for us and a Japanese couple (who were NOT umbrellas). They threw us open a tent and we stole some Arab robes to really act out the scene (you need to see the photo). Slept under the stars but every 10 minutes, an Emirates flight would roar across the sky above us.

We crawled out of the tent at 5am to catch the sunrise. Breathtaking. Had a nice breakfast (which we have been skipping for most of this trip) then went to a village called Mileha where we took pictures at Camel Rock overlooking the red sand dunes. It is basically a huge rock shaped like a camel with 1 hump.

I have to say, that was the best night of the trip so far. Definitely worth the 380 Dirhams.

When we left, the driver drove the Japanese couple to their hotel first. They were living at the Atlantis Hotel (at the Palm Islands, so jealous) so we got a couple nice pics. Went back to our hotel (Residence Le Meridien, great studio style with kitchenette and cheap too) and just slept until 2pm. Going to see if we can take some close-up pictures of the Burj Dubai (World tallest structure - CN Tower, suck that!).

Pics after we get into Cape Town Tomorrow night. Looking forward to another Emirates flight.

Going for lunch now:
Yesterday's lunch = Schwarmas
Yesterday's pre-dinner = Schwarmas
Today's lunch and dinner = Schwarmas
... Hey, they're only 4 Dirhams = 1.3 Cdn

The triad - Pakistanis, Chinese and Arabs.

Havent updated in couple days. Has been hard to get internet here in Dubai. Finally found a place around Deira. The Dubai airport is friggin HUGE with its own waterfall. Even the baggage claim area had its own palm trees. The Emirates flight was fancy, serving some little free bottles of Baileys and Rum. Jon loved the airplane food. And you can even play video games between passengers on their individual screens. There is a camera that shows you the view from below and in front of the plane.

 

Dubai equals Hot. It was 39 yesterday afternoon and that was a good day. We went the the Mall of Emirates and saw the ski slopes. Vince wanted to go... We took a taxi ride (87 DHS) to the Palm Islands as well as a drive around to see the different buildings. Then at sunset, we took a private romantic (lol) sunset boat ride along the Dubai creek for an hour and just absorbed the Dubian atmosphere. Dinner was in the middle of the street and included a whole roast chicken with pita, salad and hummus.

 

Walked around the souks (markets) this morning and Jon bought vanilla beans, saffron and a giant coconut. There are so many pakistani, bagladeshi, indian, sri lankans and chinesians here... all selling fake chinese goods.

 

 We are heading for a desert safari tonight with camel rides, sandboarding and sleeping under the stars.

 

Ciao for now. Vince & Jon.

 

PS. Sorry, no pic today.

Paddington Station

Woke up late, again. But in time for an 11am tour of the BBC Televison Station. Took a picture with the Tardis from Doctor Who. Won a BBC pen in a fake game show. Went to Paddington station in search for paddington bear, couldn't find him, he's probably still lost. Went to Nottinghill in search for the bookstore from the movie. Instead, found the Portabello Market and a tasty chicken leg sandwich. Checked out the British Museum. Vince oggled over the Egyption mummies, until they kicked us out, which wasn't long. Had Bulgogi and V had kimchi beef soup for dinner. Went back to McDonalds to use the free WiFi and plan our next destination - Dubai.

The week has gone by quick. Feels like we spent most of it either walking, sitting on a bus or getting lost in the underground.

Meeting the Royal Family

Fashion Show... of sorts

Day 4 already. Cancelled on Ramsay today. Went to Borough market for lunch instead and was more than impressed. Apparently it's where Jamie used to shop, no run-ins though. Vince bought a Paddington bear at Selfridges. Saw Johnny Woo's tranny fashion show there as well... yes you heard me (was their 100th birthday or something). Went to Brick Lane for curry. Wicked was wicked. Had a late night box of 20 nuggets... feel sick now... no help from Vince, of course. Saw some crazies at MacDo's and some lady trying to steal a McTasty meal. Security came, but she ran off.

Our feets hurt. J&V.

At the London Apple Store

Just woke up from a 30 minute bus ride to Oxford Street. Watching Wicked tonight.

Ramsay

Day 3: Walked a bunch more in the morning around Hyde and Kensington Park. Took stupid/funny pictures. Shopped a bunch at Harrods. Saw the paparazzi mob some celeb entering Dolce and Gabbana. Made reservations for lunch at Ramsay on Royal Hospital Road. Was late. Got kicked out of Gordon Ramsay`s restaurant! 

But still lov'in it here. J & V.

Fish and Chips

Day 2: Walked a LOT. Tried some typical English food... Meat pies and mash for lunch, Fish and Chip for dinner, went up the London eye, came down the london eye. Strolled around Tate Modern in the late afternoon. Took some pictures of the London "Tower" Bridge. Took lots of pictures of the city.

Arrived in London

Day 1: Arrived late, threw all our stuff down at the apartment, met up with Scott (my friend from WHO) and had drinks and some good conversation, walked around Trafalgar, walked to Picadilly, walked around Covent Garden, caught the last train home and crashed.