Travel Blog | Fraggy and Bird’s World Adventure

January 21st, 2012 | Posted in Africa | Posted by Bird | 1 comment »

Whatever you do in the Okavango Delta, don’t run!

The delta is located in the heart of Botswana and is quite a magical place as it changes constantly throughout the year due to the water that flows in and around the area. The area of the delta was once part of Lake Makgadikgadi, an ancient lake that dried up some 10,000 years ago. Today, the Okavango River has no outlet to the sea. Instead, it empties onto the sands of the Kalahari Desert, irrigating 15,000 km of the desert. Each year some 11 cubic kilometres of water reach the delta.

January 20th, 2012 | Posted in Africa | Posted by Bird | 1 comment »

So this is Livingstone, I presume

A bit of history spiel first and then an account of what we got up to in this small but busy town.

The town of Livingstone in Zambia was named after the Scotsman, David Livingstone who was born on March 19, 1813. After studying medicine he joined the London Missionary Society and became a minister. He aimed to gain access to China through his medical knowledge but the Opium Wars were raging at this stage and with no signs of peace on the horizon, it forced Livingstone to consider other options. From 1840 he worked in Bechuanaland (present-day Botswana), and in the period 1852–56, he explored the African interior, and was the first European to see the Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall (which he renamed Victoria Falls after his monarch, Queen Victoria).

January 10th, 2012 | Posted in Africa | Posted by Fraggy | no comments »

Christmas in Africa, priceless

For us Christmas is all about being around our families and enjoying the warmth of central heating and burning fires! This year was very different for us as we would be spending it in Africa in the very magnificent Lake Malawi and the baking heat.

January 6th, 2012 | Posted in Africa | Posted by Fraggy | 3 comments »

Zanzibar

After leaving the awesomeness of the Serengeti and suffering a manic 11 hour drive in the baking heat. We arrived at Dar Es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, just before dark and as we were all roasting hot we bee lined for the beach. As soon as we hit the water we were distraught, the temperature must have been around 30 degrees, so instead of cooling us down it made us even hotter!

January 3rd, 2012 | Posted in Africa | Posted by Fraggy | no comments »

Into Africa

So, after our month in Thailand it was now time to start the last leg of our trip and head to Africa to begin our 40 day tour from Nairobi (Kenya) to Cape Town in South Africa. We arrived early into Nairobi and headed straight for our hotel where would meet the tour group that would be coming with us on our adventure. We didn’t really do much there so nothing to tell.

January 1st, 2012 | Posted in Thailand | Posted by Bird | 1 comment »

Bangkok has us now

Bangkok used to be a seedy town where American soldiers from Vietnam came to rest and relax in the city’s go go bars and brothels. However, with the boom in the 80’s and 90’s throwing itself east, Bangkok transformed into a metropolis of skyscrapers taking over the green paddy fields and the BTS Skytrain towering high above the hectic road system showing that it truly has changed and has a lot more to offer.

December 28th, 2011 | Posted in Thailand | Posted by Bird | 1 comment »

Chiang Mai, where around every corner is another temple

Chiang Mai is snuggled into the foothills of northern Thailand; it becomes a sanctuary with a refreshing combination of city necessities and country sensibilities. It is a city of artisans and crafts people creating a laid back creative atmosphere, which is a million miles away from Bangkok.

December 26th, 2011 | Posted in Thailand | Posted by Bird | 1 comment »

Lazing around the Thai Islands

Touch down at Krabi International Airport was 15 minutes ahead of schedule and immigration was a breeze. Originally we were going to catch a bus from KL to Thailand or the train but, if you enter Thailand overland you can only get a 15 day visa where as if you fly in you are granted a 30 day visa. As we wanted to stay a month and couldn’t be bothered to do visa runs to other countries we decided to fly, and for 40 pounds each it was a steal! So our visa expires on 11^th Dec and we fly out on the 10^th Dec which has worked out perfectly.

December 9th, 2011 | Posted in Malaysia | Posted by Bird | 1 comment »

A whirlwind stop in Kuala Lumpur

Arriving at our hotel was something out of a fairy tale for Fraggy and I as we had not had the luxurious service that the Hotel Istana had to offer. As our taxi approached, a bell boy opened my door, took our bags and whisked them away. Now, first rule of backpacking is never let your bag out of sight, so we immediately started questioning what had just happened, but we had no choice as it had just gone. Dad came out to see us as Mum was checking in and assured us that this was the norm in these establishments so we were put to ease. Obviously they were more accustomed to this sort of service!

December 6th, 2011 | Posted in Singapore | Posted by Bird | 1 comment »

Singapore with Ma and Pa!

I won’t lie to you but I have been waiting for this day for quite some time, because as the title of this blog suggests I was going to see my Mum and Dad after 6 months of not seeing them it was the longest we had been away from each other.