Fez

 Welcome to Africa.

I have landed in Africa and am now on my way to my hotel, where I am staying 2 nights before joining the truck.

I’ll be spending the first day repacking, for the final time. (I hope). My years worth of epilepsy medication, combined with a whole bunch of malaria and other meds that I might need, will be transferred from their original boxes into much smaller containers, that (hopefully) fit in my duffle.

I have a tent that gets packed separately, and anything else that doesn’t fit in my duffle by tomorrow night gets left behind(!!).

It’s now 1am local time and I’m almost at my hotel so I shall sign off and get to work in the morning with repacking.

Quick note: There are lots of things that are different in this continent, and the expression is TIA “This Is Africa” comes up a lot. I’m sure you’ll see that on many posts 

Africa Begins

 Here we go!

I’m sitting on the train to Gatwick, having said my fond goodbyes to everyone.

I will miss everyone terribly.

A month ago every week I was panicking I was bringing too much, or I’d forget something. Then I was panicking every day, then every hour, and now every minute I keep thinking the same.

First up is Gatwick airport to Casablanca, then a connection to Fez arriving late at night. Tomorrow is repack my bags for the final time (medication and tent need sorting, but can’t do that before I cross into Morocco.

Africa soon!

I'm back! After 2 and a bit months rest in London and New Zealand, I'm getting ready to embark on the next big adventure!

This is the 47 week (yes, really) overland expedition around Africa with Oasis Overland. And when I say around, I mean around. This trip starts in Fes (Morocco) at the top left of the map, travels down the western coast of Africa down to South Africa, and then back up the eastern side of Africa, finishing in Cairo, Egypt.

Te Amo Latinoamerica

I’ve been reflecting on everything I’ve learned and discovered here. Somethings I expected, a lot of things I didn’t. My Spanish didn’t come as fast as I’d have liked, but it did get to a point where I don’t feel totally lost. 

The people here are wonderful and friendly. The place is huge, not just geographically, but in population, diversity, culture and politics too. 

Heading home(ish)

Im sitting on the plane, my first of a few flights that get me back to London. While I don’t have a house in London anymore, it has my storage unit and I guess it’s as close to a home as I have on this side of the earth.

It’s been a fun week in the Galápagos Islands, and it’s been a fun 6 months in Latin America.

I’m sure I’ll try to reflect more on my trip in the coming days.

Galapagos Islands

 I’m still alive, but data here on the island is pretty terrible.

I’ve seen lots of wildlife so far, but unfortunately the host of our tour, Forrest Valkai, has been stuck due to the hurricane in Texas, and so we’ve not had him with us. I’m pretty guttered because the only reason I’m on this specific tour is because of Forrest, it costs more than comparable tours, and without his expertise is notably less informative. 

Not sure how one insures against this. I’m guessing my money is lost, as I’ve still “had the tour” despite it missing a vital part.

Somewhat bitter.

Off to Ecuador tomorrow!

 My last week in Latin America. I arrived in early January and this week is my last adventure. I’m quite sad. But I still have one more week ahead of me, the Galápagos Islands. I’m heading off tomorrow.