Bessie
Pack Dog
we back... currently working on rr.
Lost in Translation (Zim/Zam/Angola)
- Thread starter Bessie
- Start date
Brink
Race Dog
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2007
- Messages
- 1,154
- Reaction score
- 1
- Location
- Johannesburg
- Bike
- Confederate (all models)
Teaser already :thumleft:
nreyneke
Race Dog
:thumleft: wow!
Crossed-up
Pangaman
This looks great! Subscribed.
Churlish, I know, but it's 1100 to 1450 AD.
Churlish, I know, but it's 1100 to 1450 AD.
Bessie said:
Succi
Race Dog
Whoowee - This can only be good. . . 
:mwink:
Eish if only I had the time and money to do something like this!
:mwink:Eish if only I had the time and money to do something like this!
Gee eS
Race Dog
Great start. Bring it on.
Bessie
Pack Dog
First thing was my off. It happened in the Limpopo province on our way to an old family friend of Dad’s.
This photo was taken just after it happened. And no more fancy BMW mirrors for me.
Joseph trying to fix the mirrors and some of the kids in the area. We camped on his stoep that night. And enjoyed some pap en vleis.
a Picture of my Grandfather and a cousin inside Joseph’s house.
Kuier hier kuier daar.
too Zimbabwe
Road side coffee break in Zim… that a passing by trucker at the next fuel stop advised us not to do. “Zimbabwe is a safe country… but do not create a situation for crime”
Triangle in Zim on our way to the Ndava’s
Erick Ndava is a Zimbabwean employee here at tracks4africa… and the idea was to go visit his parents. They live close to a Village called Zaka.
They received us with the best hospitality that any 5 star accommodation could offer.
Ericks mom… Humirritas making supper.
Breakfast the next morning… me perfecting the eggs.
a photo for Erick back in South Africa
Popped in to see the Great Zimbabw ruins.
a Road side stop at a primitive Restaurant… we had pap en vleis… two beers… all for R40!!!!
The custom in Zim and Zambia is to eat with your hands… it didn’t take us long to get into that.
Any eager ears will hear the philosophy behind the Africa Vision opposed to the European Vision most of us are grown up too… and weather you qualify as a non African or a African.
the future of Zimbabwe… the country is invested with the little things… all going to school all the time.
Bolawayo Zimbabwe
Matopos Nature reserve south of Bulawayo
Me doing the things that normal woman do… like baking.
sightseeing the next day on our way to Hwange.
Bessie
Pack Dog
Hwange national park a friend of mine Ester van der Meer is doing her doctorate research on Wild dogs. Me sick in bed because dad baught us a burger in Halwayhouse. He had the privilege to accompany Ester in Darting a dog and stitch up a bitten ear. And she is not a vet!
On our way to Livingstone
Bessie
Pack Dog
In Zambia the first loss of power in my bike resulted in a filter clean up operation.
Notice all the junk that came out on the gravel in front of me. Solved the problem for the next two days.
Waiting the heat of the day over at a village that contained a police road block… for security.
A lovely flood plane road to Kafue National Park
crossing Kafue
fancy lodge in Itezi-tezi
On our way to Mukambi Safari Lodge at a vet gate… once locals understand were we come from and were we are going
They pull out chairs and send someone to buy cokes.
Having towed in my bike the last 16km to Mukambi we tried a few things like replacing the filter with a boat filter
Replacing the spark plugs etc. to no Avail… so we ordered a list of parts including Petrol Pump from South Africa and ended up waiting for it for 10 days.
Lucky we are in the good company of Linda and Jacques van Heerden. The Managers of the lodge. They took bloody good care of us.
And this is a stopover never to be missed.
Notice all the junk that came out on the gravel in front of me. Solved the problem for the next two days.
Waiting the heat of the day over at a village that contained a police road block… for security.
A lovely flood plane road to Kafue National Park
crossing Kafue
fancy lodge in Itezi-tezi
On our way to Mukambi Safari Lodge at a vet gate… once locals understand were we come from and were we are going
They pull out chairs and send someone to buy cokes.
Having towed in my bike the last 16km to Mukambi we tried a few things like replacing the filter with a boat filter
Replacing the spark plugs etc. to no Avail… so we ordered a list of parts including Petrol Pump from South Africa and ended up waiting for it for 10 days.
Lucky we are in the good company of Linda and Jacques van Heerden. The Managers of the lodge. They took bloody good care of us.
And this is a stopover never to be missed.
Bessie
Pack Dog
In the 10 days spend at Linda's we gathered as much information as what we could find about entering Angola from Zambia. To establish a route here was one of the main missions of the trip. One of Linda's Guests was the Minister of Transport of Zambia and even he could not give us information about the road conditions into Angola.
However we knew that the place to cross over was at Sikongo. And that there is a road a sandy road. The border post was created for refugees returning from and to Angola and Zambia.
Tell you what... when you ride a road... that when passing a village... any evidence of a car or truck passed there has been erased by footprints. You ask yourself a question... what the hell am i doing here?
Anyway... Wouter is going to write a detailed report that contains all the information about the few routes that one can use to cross from Zambia into Angola... and i will post it here.
However we knew that the place to cross over was at Sikongo. And that there is a road a sandy road. The border post was created for refugees returning from and to Angola and Zambia.
Tell you what... when you ride a road... that when passing a village... any evidence of a car or truck passed there has been erased by footprints. You ask yourself a question... what the hell am i doing here?
Anyway... Wouter is going to write a detailed report that contains all the information about the few routes that one can use to cross from Zambia into Angola... and i will post it here.
Dirtcopper
Race Dog
Welkom terug!
Bessie
Pack Dog
So in the days spent waiting for the parts.. our Angolan visas expired. And we reckoned that if the Consulate in Mongu cant help us. We going to head home… Lusaka Embassy was not a option for our patience.
In Mongu we spend two days at the consulate… talking explaining. Waiting. So the end of the second day… we are called into the Consulates office himself. With his Portuguese translator we have a meeting explaining the importance to explore a route from Lusaka to Luanda. He understands and issues us our Visas in no time.
Parts arrived and with a new Fuel pump my bike is as good as new.
We head out of Mongu in the afternoon over the flood plane to Kolabo.
Mongu wedding
Teachers day
a rest in the flood plains. Close to the kings palace.
Crossing the Zambezi
moerrig want dis warm
the flood plane road in only accessable during the dry season. Its completely eroded at some parts. But the bikes don’t mind it.
In Kalabo we stayed in the house of Craig Reid of Africa Parks. Graig has left Liuwa and now stays in Hogsback (KZN). Thanks to George for the hospitality in Kalabo.
In Mongu we spend two days at the consulate… talking explaining. Waiting. So the end of the second day… we are called into the Consulates office himself. With his Portuguese translator we have a meeting explaining the importance to explore a route from Lusaka to Luanda. He understands and issues us our Visas in no time.
Parts arrived and with a new Fuel pump my bike is as good as new.
We head out of Mongu in the afternoon over the flood plane to Kolabo.
Mongu wedding
Teachers day
a rest in the flood plains. Close to the kings palace.
Crossing the Zambezi
moerrig want dis warm
the flood plane road in only accessable during the dry season. Its completely eroded at some parts. But the bikes don’t mind it.
In Kalabo we stayed in the house of Craig Reid of Africa Parks. Graig has left Liuwa and now stays in Hogsback (KZN). Thanks to George for the hospitality in Kalabo.
Bessie
Pack Dog
Heading to Sikongo… the border village. According to our resources the road should be good gravel. The first bran new track data for the T4A map.
We hooked up with the Zambian border official Lutangu Awola. He stamps our passports… and we start chatting once again avoiding midday heat under a tree.
most people understand… we map… and share with our friends the information.
the border official insists that we stay the night because the day just don’t cool down at all. He organizes us water and a bed.
And also tells us that in 20 years the village existed… they have never seen tourist.
my bath… lost count how many times it happened like this. No problem.
the border official also organizes us a guide… to show us the motorbike trail to the border 30km away… because were the cars go
its sandy. Early the next morning they are ready when we are ready.
following them religiously we realize what a good investment the 50 USD that we gave them were… there was no way that we would have been able to find the single trail… that is rock hard and it took us 30min to get to the border. Firstly dropping of something off at a village on the way.
just before the border our guide’s chain breaks… takes him 10 min to slam it back together. Surely a new chain and sprocket was
bought with those dollars.
Finally in Angola…photo with the wife of Police Commandant at the Malundu border.
he sells us petrol at a PRICE
his son
the official also offers us accommodation and food… but we decide to head to Ninda… 70km deep sand and the day was still cool.
He guides us into Angola for about 4km… and we soon came to realize that over time… the officials riding only with their bikes anyway.
Has made a single trail that crosses over the sandy jeep track every now and again… that is harder and less sandy. The trail sometimes goes into the bush… and it makes perfect places to take breaks.
crossing the jeep track
so… the day turns HOT… and we decide to make camp… 40km as the crow flies from Ninda… we heard that its gravel from there to Lumbala.
We find a village and immediately go and make friends with the chief. We explain were we come from and what we doing… he is fine with us camping there for the night…
We ask one guy that can speak a bit of English for DRINKING water… he disappears… and after a hour or so I’m thinking he forgot about us. 3 Hours later… here he comes walking with 10 liters of water… were he got that water we don’t know… but it was good. And we gave him a tip after he refused it.
after the boy stopped crying out of pure fright of the sight of a white person for the first time in his life… I made use of my first aid kit… not sure what he had… not sure if it helped…
nie my gunsteling
they push the albino girl in front… for the photo… maybe because… she looks like us.
the most entertainment these guys had in a long time… baking another bread.
next morning final stretch to Ninda
two kilometers from ninda… the day also gets to hot to ride… but we are determined.
We hooked up with the Zambian border official Lutangu Awola. He stamps our passports… and we start chatting once again avoiding midday heat under a tree.
most people understand… we map… and share with our friends the information.
the border official insists that we stay the night because the day just don’t cool down at all. He organizes us water and a bed.
And also tells us that in 20 years the village existed… they have never seen tourist.
my bath… lost count how many times it happened like this. No problem.
the border official also organizes us a guide… to show us the motorbike trail to the border 30km away… because were the cars go
its sandy. Early the next morning they are ready when we are ready.
following them religiously we realize what a good investment the 50 USD that we gave them were… there was no way that we would have been able to find the single trail… that is rock hard and it took us 30min to get to the border. Firstly dropping of something off at a village on the way.
just before the border our guide’s chain breaks… takes him 10 min to slam it back together. Surely a new chain and sprocket was
bought with those dollars.
Finally in Angola…photo with the wife of Police Commandant at the Malundu border.
he sells us petrol at a PRICE
his son
the official also offers us accommodation and food… but we decide to head to Ninda… 70km deep sand and the day was still cool.
He guides us into Angola for about 4km… and we soon came to realize that over time… the officials riding only with their bikes anyway.
Has made a single trail that crosses over the sandy jeep track every now and again… that is harder and less sandy. The trail sometimes goes into the bush… and it makes perfect places to take breaks.
crossing the jeep track
so… the day turns HOT… and we decide to make camp… 40km as the crow flies from Ninda… we heard that its gravel from there to Lumbala.
We find a village and immediately go and make friends with the chief. We explain were we come from and what we doing… he is fine with us camping there for the night…
We ask one guy that can speak a bit of English for DRINKING water… he disappears… and after a hour or so I’m thinking he forgot about us. 3 Hours later… here he comes walking with 10 liters of water… were he got that water we don’t know… but it was good. And we gave him a tip after he refused it.
after the boy stopped crying out of pure fright of the sight of a white person for the first time in his life… I made use of my first aid kit… not sure what he had… not sure if it helped…
nie my gunsteling
they push the albino girl in front… for the photo… maybe because… she looks like us.
the most entertainment these guys had in a long time… baking another bread.
next morning final stretch to Ninda
two kilometers from ninda… the day also gets to hot to ride… but we are determined.
Bessie
Pack Dog
The road from Ninda north was infact tar.
this we call the coca cola photo
a tar road never used by cars.
There are many highlights of the trip for me but the best is the hospitality shown towards us in Lumbala L’Guimbo. First thing we went to the Police Commandant and made friends with him. Wouter told me to just look tired. And that was not very difficult. The commandant organized us a place to sleep at the Roman Catholic missionary in town. There, three sisters took care of us. Fed us gave us water to bath. There is no way to explain how we were received. And while I write about it it brings me to tears. They did not want to accept money. So we insisted it’s a donation for the Church. And only then did they take it.
a English speaking ex Zambian… turned into our guide and showed us the markets were I got some supplies.
my three sisters… from heaven.
this we call the coca cola photo
a tar road never used by cars.
There are many highlights of the trip for me but the best is the hospitality shown towards us in Lumbala L’Guimbo. First thing we went to the Police Commandant and made friends with him. Wouter told me to just look tired. And that was not very difficult. The commandant organized us a place to sleep at the Roman Catholic missionary in town. There, three sisters took care of us. Fed us gave us water to bath. There is no way to explain how we were received. And while I write about it it brings me to tears. They did not want to accept money. So we insisted it’s a donation for the Church. And only then did they take it.
a English speaking ex Zambian… turned into our guide and showed us the markets were I got some supplies.
my three sisters… from heaven.
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2007
- Messages
- 23,389
- Reaction score
- 5,771
- Location
- Bloemfontein
- Bike
- Kawasaki KLR 650
Wow! What an adventure you two are having! Will be following the expedition! :thumleft:
Bessie
Pack Dog
Ok… so the reason the Ninda Lumbala road was in such a good condition is truly because it has no traffic.
The same tar turns bad after Lumbala… and sometimes worse than bad…
Lucusse town… everywere we stop… people gather… harmless only very very curious. Trying to chat but soon realizes we do not do portuquese.
evidence of civil war is everywere.
land mine warnings.
my luggage rack fails above the potholes.
the beautiful town of Luena. Were we had a hotel to sleep in. Caution: flees.
this picture I took…
… while I was sitting here:
I wonder a lot… how can trucks and cars handle this for hundreds and hundreds of kilometers.
and then all of a sudden… Chinese road
waterfalls in Dala
on our way to Saurimo Chinese road disappears just as it appeared.
replacing a fuse in Saurimo
my police escorts
The same tar turns bad after Lumbala… and sometimes worse than bad…
Lucusse town… everywere we stop… people gather… harmless only very very curious. Trying to chat but soon realizes we do not do portuquese.
evidence of civil war is everywere.
land mine warnings.
my luggage rack fails above the potholes.
the beautiful town of Luena. Were we had a hotel to sleep in. Caution: flees.
this picture I took…
… while I was sitting here:
I wonder a lot… how can trucks and cars handle this for hundreds and hundreds of kilometers.
and then all of a sudden… Chinese road
waterfalls in Dala
on our way to Saurimo Chinese road disappears just as it appeared.
replacing a fuse in Saurimo
my police escorts
zetman
Race Dog
Lekker trippie
Bessie
Pack Dog
We spend a whole morning in Saurimo trying to get my luggage rack welded. so we only left the afternoon and decided to stay over in a place called Caculo. There the same story... police referred us to the missionary... and once again... received the best of the best. Pastor John and Pastor Sunny... kept us company and told us their understanding of the war that happened in Angola.
I got some time to update my journal.
a sneak photo of the police station… not allowed to take pictures of police… unless they allow it.
We head out of Caculo for the Calandula Waterfalls after Pastor Sunny suggested it.
all the way Chinese road.
refuel in Malange
hotel in Calandula
the mist is from the waterfalls
After Calandula we headed out to Luanda… once there we found a bar on the coast.
Carlos Teixeira a Tracks4africa data member that rides a F800. The closest dealership for him is Windhoek which is 2500km away.
if someone should ask me to describe Angola in one word… it will be CONSTRUCTION!
From Luanda To Lobito
bebe
free camping next to the restaurant in Lobito
I got some time to update my journal.
a sneak photo of the police station… not allowed to take pictures of police… unless they allow it.
We head out of Caculo for the Calandula Waterfalls after Pastor Sunny suggested it.
all the way Chinese road.
refuel in Malange
hotel in Calandula
the mist is from the waterfalls
After Calandula we headed out to Luanda… once there we found a bar on the coast.
Carlos Teixeira a Tracks4africa data member that rides a F800. The closest dealership for him is Windhoek which is 2500km away.
if someone should ask me to describe Angola in one word… it will be CONSTRUCTION!
From Luanda To Lobito
bebe
free camping next to the restaurant in Lobito
