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Bukima Overland Truck:The Big Red

Life Around the Big Red Truck

Sunday - 7 Nov 2004
Botswana


Leyden & new friends

As we travelled we often stopped for lunch along the way. The "cooking" group (we had cooking, dishes, cleaning truck & day off in rotation) quickly jumped off & prepared our gourmet fare. This was usually bread, cheese, meat, fresh fruit & veggies. We often met local folks who were as intrigued with us as we were of them! We also stopped every 90 minutes for a break to stretch, use the bush toiltes, smoke etc. Some days were long but we played games, read, caught up on much needed sleep, and got to know our new travelling companions. We ranged from 23-35 years old & us! There were also 1 American, 1 Irish, 2 South African, 2 New Zealanders and lots of Aussies! We were 5 men 13 woman.



Jo prepares our replacement tire!

We did have a few minor mishaps along the way: one flat tire, one broken fan belt and one empty fuel tank (not all on the same day). Johanne & Bryce (2 of our amazing crew with Deidre) always managed a quick fix and got us quickly on track. Never a dull moment!



Truck stop

The views along the way were always amazing. During fix stops the chairs came out and creative rock, ball etc. games were played.



Jo and Deidre animal scoping

While in Etosha we had rain! This did not stop us from game driving & viewing. This was the view from the inside of the back of the truck looking out front.



Setting up Bush Camp in Namibia

We usually stayed at campgrounds with large campsites and facilities such as showers, toilets, sometimes a swimming pool, and always a bar. We shared the space with many other overland trucks, camping groups, private groups, and usually jackals. On 4 occasions we had the wonderful, albeit rough & dirty, experience of 'bush camping'. Our crew always found a beautiful, quiet and private spot off the main roads and we set up camp. We always had a roaring fire to cook on and clean drop latrines of our own! The sky was clear as we were away from lights and the solitude was dream-like.



Marnie, Leyden, Clare & Matt with fish & chips

Sometimes we had the treat of take-away lunch. This one was fish & chips. We had a long driving day so we ate as we drove. This is the front right side of the inside of the truck. Leyden is holding up her "vegimite", an Australian staple when you are hungry. It is a yeast based spread and they use it much like North Americans eat peanut butter sandwiches. Janet did NOT like it and stuck to her pb & j every morning!



THE GROUP PICTURE

This is our group in front of a winery garden in Stellenbosch, South Africa near the end of the trip. We had a 'practice' wedding for Matt & Clare who will be married next year in Australia. Rick and Janet are in the middle (back & front rows) of the group. Yes, Rick is wearing some kind of alien headgear with antennas. He was told to dress up with something covering his head....that's our Rick!


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