groups

I did it! I traveled to South Africa and Mozambique for just over 2 weeks and carried everything in one backpack (plus a sizeable - for me - shoulder bag)

South Africa was both familiar and foreign. Everyone spoke english which was a big help. And I kept seeing familiar American brands everywhere: KFC, Wimpys, Nestle, Coca Cola.

South Africa was also the pampered, easy part of our trip.

My sister and I arranged for transfers and tours with Thompsons Africa Safaris and Tours. And they took good care of us.

The highlights of that week were mostly in Kruger National Park where we went on twice-daily game drives with an experienced guide (Alfred) in an open safari vehicle. We saw and photgraphed elephants, zebra, giraffe, rhino, hippo, crocodile, leopard, wart hog, hyena, wildebeast, impala, kudu, baboons, vervet monkeys and other wildlife doing their natural thing in their natural habitat.

The park is huge - about 2 million hectares - so we only saw a small part of it but saw a great diversity of habitat and animal life in that part.

The second week we traveled through Swaziland to Mozambique where our niece met us in Maputo then brought us back to Quissico - the small town where she is a Peace Corps volunteer teacher.

Life in Mozambique, particularly in Quissico, was a taste of what everyday living is like for many in that part of the world.

We traveled on public transportation or by foot, stayed in our niece's tiny reed-walled home without running water and with an outdoor kitchen. We filtered our water, cooked over a charcoal stove and made daily trips to the market to bargain - with my "muito, muito impaco" Portuguese - for daily groceries.

Quissico is situated on Mozambiques idilic coast. What we lacked in modern services was made up in natural beauty.

Well, the coutryside was beautiful (palm trees, sand beaches) but the towns, while picturesque, were filled with trash. Mozambique lost most of its infrastructure during its civil war and things like trash disposal are sadly lacking. Trash is pretty much dropped in the street. There's really no place to put it.

We found the people warm, friendly and always ready to smile and laugh.

If anyone has the opportuninity to go, I recommend it. Travel light and take reasonable precautions and all should be well. We did not experience any problems at all.

Will upload some Africa photos to my profile page when I get a chance.

I’m about to do quite a bit of business travel and, as a Boomer, I’d love to be able to go a Boomer friendly place where I will find a staff that is always neat, courteous, respectful, friendly, and knowledgeable. Ideally, I’d like great food – from old favorites and 'comfort food', to trendy and exotic – maybe even some "Diet" offerings – all made from scratch, chemical additive free, and moderately priced. And, it would be really cool if they also had some fun activities. Basically I’m looking for very friendly, inviting places to eat and drink AND have fun. What’s available like this in your area? Thanks for valuable, usable information!!!

CHEFLYON
reply+viewreportdeletereply

Does anyone here enjoy going on “active" vacations? I’d love to hear your stories, and would be happy to share mine. For over a decade now my vacations have taken the form of organized bicycle tours, most lasting one week. I love these tours because I get some exercise, eat very well, see beautiful scenery, and get pampered along the way! These tours are usually all-inclusive, meaning that the company provides the bicycle, all the food, and the lodging (at very nice Inns and B&Bs). I also find it the perfect non-stressful way to meet, and vacation with, other like-minded folks (including solo travelers such as myself).

And of course at this time of year, with my New Year's resolution (to get fit) fresh in my mind, I will soon be looking for a U.S. bike tour to sign up with. The earliest ones that I have found are in Arizona and North Carolina. Would anyone like to join me? I have traveled with four different companies, but my most recent favorite is a small company called Sojourn (www.GoSojourn.com). If anyone is interested in joining me on my next adventure, or sharing your adventures, please get back to me.

Hi -
I'm new to this group and fairly new to Eons. I've been lurking around and reading posts for awhile but this the first one that I've composed.

Has anyone here visited South Africa (specifically Kruger National park) or Mozambique?

My sister and I will be spending a week in Kruger Park in April. Then we are visiting Mozambique where we have a niece in the Peace Corps. Most of our time in Moz will be spent with our niece but we will have a few days in Maputo.

Anyone have any experience with either of these locations?

Every time I book a flight, I feel like I am somehow not getting the best price I could. I don't fly frequently enough to collect air miles so I don't even bother. I search all the major Web sites for the best prices and take my shot. I try to be flexible. I guess I just want to know if anyone has any advice about absolutely, positively getting the best-priced air fare possible. In particular, I am searching for fares from New England (Burlington, VT; Manchester, NH; Boston) to Columbus, OH, Orlando, San Francisco and Oahu. Thanks for your tips!

Hostels vs Hotels: Choosing the Perfect Place to Stay Within your Budget

from the article:
Most people think that the frugal way to travel is to stay in hostels. However there are a number of scenarios where that may not be the case.

view link

steve

New to the group. I enjoyed reading your entertaining and informative blog. Having only been to California once (San Diego) I'm glad it wasn't LA! We had a very enjoyable experience. I do remember being very concerned about earthquakes while there. They may have had one a few wks before we went and the thought stayed with us the whole trip. It would be great if the whole country adopted the no smoking with children rule. Although I don't agree with "big brother" telling us what we can and can't do, the thought of inconsiderate smokers killing themselves and taking there innocent children with them just burns me!!

What is the status of the inter island Hawaiian ferry service? I thought an environmental group was trying to stop service until an environmental impact report was made and that if the service does continue as planned, the fare was soon to rise to over $200 for one car and one person. Any new info?

I would like to plan a trip for my husband (and myself) to France and Belgium to see WWI historical sites ...Ipres, the Somme, etc. I'm at a loss as to where to start my search. Any tips?

Good day...I will be returning to Paris next September to scatter some of my late wife's ashes from the Eiffel Tower...arriving 4 Sept, departing 13 Sept...

wondering what events will be going on

the weather and things to see/do I think I have covered, however, would like to know if anyone is aware of typical events then...

the last time we were in Paris, we were able to attend the Salon du Chocolat...

any ideas???

Merci

Steve