Brandon Bosch Memorial Ride - Africa 2021

[DASKOP]

The damage to the Baobab tree, indicated the presence of elephants, but we had no sightings.

The boat captain told us that elephants tend to only come to the river to drink about every 4 days, so there was no guarantee that we would see them on this trip.

 

[DASKOP]

This tree, to me, reflected the current barrenness of my soul, despite abundant and beautiful surroundings.

 

[DASKOP]

We even saw a Hippo family charge for the water, but still no Elephants.

 

[DASKOP]

My traveling companions, everybody scouring the river banks for any sign of Elephants, but all we saw were more Hippos.

So, the boat captain started the fire for our braai, as we were nearly at the point of the river where we were to turn back.

 

[Elmer Fudd]

Sheez that area is  simply wonderful. Thanks for sharing,
Not to upset the flow of your RR but curious as to the km's you did on the trip, and number of days?
Also you have mentioned a few times the bitter cold camping  in the  tent. is there anything you could have done, in hindsight, to make that more comfortable? Thermals/better slaapsak, or is it just what it is and  you have to deal  with it.

 

[DASKOP]

There is an interesting story regarding this half (well, not even half) built lodge.

Apparently, an European visitor to the area (think he was German, so lets call him Gullible), decided he also wanted to build a lodge on the river. He approached the local land owner (lets call him Victor), and after some negotiations, they came to an agreement and the land sale was concluded and the plans to construct the lodge were set in motion.

Gullible went back to Europe after giving Victor a vast amount of money. Victor actually started with the construction, but when the first floods came, everything was under water. Victor informed Gullible about this and that he would require more money to raise all the buildings above the flood line, so Gullible then sent more money, some of which he put into construction, the rest, well who knows where it went.

Gullible obviously wanted continuous updates as to how the construction was progressing, so Victor went to other lodges, took photos of them, which he then sent to Gullible,who then sent more money.

Eventually, Gullible came to inspect their lodge, and all he found was what the photos show.

Pissed off is I think an understatement as to his frame of mind at that stage, so he took the legal route. Long story short, the matter was referred back to the local Tribal Council and the required meetings were held. Gullible was duly informed that the correct protocols were not followed and the most important step had been missed, that being, that any land deals and proposed development had to be approved by the Tribal Council, before it goes anywhere else in the process.

Gullible had been misled, he had no claim or recourse, and Victor walked off with the spoils, and we are talking about a vast amount of money.

 

[DASKOP]

Sheez that area is  simply wonderful. Thanks for sharing,
Not to upset the flow of your RR but curious as to the km's you did on the trip, and number of days?
Also you have mentioned a few times the bitter cold camping  in the  tent. is there anything you could have done, in hindsight, to make that more comfortable? Thermals/better slaapsak, or is it just what it is and  you have to deal  with it.

I was on the road for about 11 weeks and did a total of 11 300 km.

I based my equipment choice on my 2013 trip along a similar route at about the same time of the year. It definitely was not as cold that time around. The locals told me that this year had been the coldest for at least 3 years.

I also had to consider the limitations regarding weight and volume factors when packing Matilda as well as the road conditions on my planned route. As it was, with what I had packed, the combined weight of Matilda, with what I had packed and me on her, was around 500 kg. Not really space for much more, but I will have to look at maybe upgrading some of my older equipment to newer and more effective replacements, before attempting my next trip.

 

[DASKOP]

Braai time.

The table was being set, the meat and potatoes had just been taken off, and the elephants arrived.

 

[DASKOP]

I guess it was day 4 and they needed a drink of water. How fortunate for us.

 

[DASKOP]

Some Kudu and Warthog came down to the river at the same time.

We watched as the Elephants quenched their thirst and then went back into the bush.

It was also time for us to head back to Rainbow.

 

[Elmer Fudd]

I was on the road for about 11 weeks and did a total of 11 300 km.

I based my equipment choice on my 2013 trip along a similar route at about the same time of the year. It definitely was not as cold that time around. The locals told me that this year had been the coldest for at least 3 years.

I also had to consider the limitations regarding weight and volume factors when packing Matilda as well as the road conditions on my planned route. As it was, with what I had packed, the combined weight of Matilda, with what I had packed and me on her, was around 500 kg. Not really space for much more, but I will have to look at maybe upgrading some of my older equipment to newer and more effective replacements, before attempting my next trip.

Thanks for that. I did see you mentioned load weight earlier in the RR and yes, you have to draw the line somewhere with what is packed and not.

 

[DASKOP]

Heading back, we were fortunate to see some Buffalo, and obviously, more Hippos.

Gideon's dog was looking forward to our arrival back at the lodge.

A group photo of my hosts and a photo of our captain for the day. He was very knowledgeable and informative.

It was an amazing experience and I was very grateful for the opportunity that was given to me by my hosts, and being the braai master on the boat was an added bonus. South Africans mos like to braai.

 

[DASKOP]

Back at Rainbow River Lodge, Matilda was content in her parking, my room had been tidied by the staff, so it was time to enjoy the view from the deck.

 

[DASKOP]

Gideon had taken one of the doctors Tiger fishing for the day and they were drifting past in front of the lodge and then returned just before sunset.

 

[DASKOP]

Sunset at Rainbow River Lodge.

The fire was going for our braai. I spent some time with Gideon and the two doctors, had supper and went to bed around 9.

 

[DirtyTeNeReLess]

thank you for sharing, with you every step of the way.  :thumleft: the world is full of kind generous people we meet on trips like this to restore our faith in humanity. keep it coming.  :sip:

 

[DASKOP]

thank you for sharing, with you every step of the way.  :thumleft: the world is full of kind generous people we meet on trips like this to restore our faith in humanity. keep it coming.  :sip:

Hi DX. It is nice to hear from you and thank you for taking the time to talk to me.

 

[DASKOP]

A little break from the RR.

I was generously invited by Kobus Fourie, boss man of Horizons Unlimited SA, all expenses paid, to their event in Potch from the 4th to the 7th of November, at Elgro River Lodge, to do a presentation of my trip and the Brandon Bosch Foundation. I have had contact with some of my international Adventure Biking friends, and it seems that attendance will be from all over the world. So, I am actually shitting myself.

I have eventually found someone who is going to help me put the presentation together, but I have a mammoth task ahead of me to sift through the 8000 photos and 40 videos to narrow it down to a presentable level.

As I am doing the RR, please help me by re-posting the photos you like the most so that I can concentrate on those type of photos as I start eliminating and narrowing down to what should form part of the presentation.

In the RR, I am currently only on the 28th of May, 200+ posts and there is still soooo much to come. The best I am not even close to right now.

Your input will be greatly appreciated and I would also like to know who of you will be attending.

After the event, I will be in JHB for 2 - 3 days, before heading to Bloem for the Buddy Run event. Anyone else going to be there.

All said, I would like to meet as many of you as possible during this time period, wherever it may be. Just reply to this post, if you wish to do so.

Thanks.

 

[DASKOP]

29 May 2021

Saturday, I only got up at 08h45, the tiredness was getting the better of me.

I went down to the deck and had breakfast and watched the locals in their Mokoros transporting reed, cut on the island, back to the lodge side.

Breakfast was great and the home made bread, with real butter, was absolutely worth mentioning.

I went back to my room, and the staff had been there, made my bed, tidied up and had taken my laundry to be washed. I shaved, showered and got dressed. It all seems so mundane, so why even post about it? It is like so what?

When you are on a solo Adventure Bike trip like I am on, and you consider the circumstances, add to that the generosity of the people I have met, who have arranged this and made it possible for me to spend some recovery time in comfort, you can maybe understand that, those things we take for granted every day of our lives, become special and something to appreciate.

It was no longer just a room with an en-suite and a view. It was no longer just enjoying a meal which you did not have to prepare yourself. It was no longer just laundry you did not have to do yourself.

They were blessings. Just that, blessings, the true reflection of the Namibian people.

And, when that realisation sinks in, then you become so much more aware of your surroundings and so much more appreciative of everything, even the beauty of an otherwise unnoticed flower.

 

[DASKOP]

Like always, on all my trips, I always feel like I have to be doing something, otherwise I am wasting the opportunity that I have been given.

I had to consciously fight this and just take time out to walk the lodge and take photos to share with those people who have not had the privilege to visit remarkable places such as this.

So, here goes.