Hostel Bookers is running a game of photo tag and were kind enough to include us in their inaugural post. I love going back through photographs that I haven’t looked at recently. Each one tells a story and reminds me of a precious moment in time. Along with my fellow photographer friends, Bears and Beans, The Travel Tart, Traveling Canucks, Landlopers, Canvas of Light, and Virtual Wayfarer, we are kicking off the game and sharing our favourite Seven Super Travel Photos.

Play with us in 5 easy steps

1. Choose 7 of your own photos, one for each of the following categories:

• A photo that…takes my breath away
• A photo that…makes me laugh or smile
• A photo that…makes me dream
• A photo that…makes me think
• A photo that…makes my mouth water
• A photo that…tells a story
• A photo that…I am most proud of (aka my worthy of National Geographic shot)

2. Write a short description for each image.
3. Write somewhere in your blog post: ‘I am taking part in HostelBookers 7 Super Shots‘.
4. Tell us you have participated and tweet the hashtag #7SuperShots
5. Nominate 5 other bloggers by including a link to their blog in your post.

Hostelbookers will be retweeting and sharing the best posts from participating bloggers. Make sure to tag us on twitter with your 7 Photos so that we can tweet it as well!

Take a look at HostelBookers own list of 7 photos that… and see what photo we contributed along with our 6 other partners in crime.

1.       Photo that takes my breath away

Mount Doom and the Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand

It’s known as one of the best one day treks in the world. The Tongariro Crossing on New Zealand’s North Island certainly lives up to the hype. We started our hike early in the morning and the crisp air may have chilled our bones, but the brisk morning made for clear skies and gave the partially frozen dew a glimmering beauty. With Mount Doom looming in the background, I envisioned the Hobbits fighting their way up this epic mountain to return the ring. The colours and the beauty of the Tongariro Crossing took my breath away at every turn.

2.       Photo that makes me laugh/smile

Playing on a Water Buffalo in Myanmar

We were riding bicycles around Inle Lake, Myanmar when we came across these two little cuties. They were keeping watch on their water buffalo and when they saw us motioned us to come over and say hi. They didn’t speak a word of English, we didn’t speak a word of Burmese but they loved posing for Dave’s camera. The boy in the front was the real ham and kept shoving his little brother out of the way. Dave would snap  some photos, he would show them their shot on the screen and they laughed and giggled while motioning him to take another. It makes us smile because that was a very good day and these boys will always remain on our memory for the rest of our lives.

3.       Photo that makes me dream

Sunset in Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe National Park has one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in all of Africa.What is unique about a safari here is that you cruise the Chobe river to spot game. Elephants are a plenty in Chobe and we saw many as we rode our bikes along the famed Elephant Highway. But it was during our river cruise that we were truly at peace. As the evening came to an end, this bird spread it’s wings as if saluting sun while saying goodbye to another beautiful day on the continent of Africa.

4.       Photo that makes me think 

Malawi Portrait

We were visiting a project for Plan Canada, the charity we raised money and awareness for as we cycled Africa. The entire village came out to say hello to us and show off their schools, fields, well and medical centre all built with the help of Plan Canada. Today it is a sustainable operation that is independently run by the village itself. As swarms of children followed our every move, this young girl carrying a baby on her back caught my eye. Her calm manner stood out among the energetic group and I wondered what she was thinking about? I wonder what her future will be and where she is today?

5.       Photo that makes my mouth water 

The amazing lobster in Fiji

I don’t take a lot of food photographs, but while we were in Fiji, it seemed that food constantly caught my attention. We were staying at the Pearl Fiji and each night we were treated to a spectacular feast. When we entered the restaurant we enjoyed our welcome drink of Kava, sat down to a meal complete with local entertainment and enjoyed heavenly dished like this lobster. Mmm Mmm Good.

6.       Photo that tells a story

The Three Gorges Dam Project in China

China was a fascinating place to explore. The old is being erased to make for the new and modern 21st century. As we sailed through the Three Gorges, our guides explained how the massive feat of engineering, The Three Gorges Damn project flooded the entire area burying thousand year old villages under the later never to be heard from again. Ancient temples were destroyed and cultural monuments were lost only to be rebuilt and replicated for tourist to view. But there are pockets of China where people still cling to the past and a simple fisherman can be found working on the water. While cruise liners and luxury ships pass, rural families cling to their past and follow the traditions of their ancient ancestors.

7. Photo that I am most proud of (aka my National Geographic photo)

Sunset in Wadi Rum, Jordan

It seemed that every turn in Jordan offered an opportunity to take that “National Geographic Shot” but many have already seen my pictures of Petra. And I am more drawn to my time in Wadi Rum. Taking a camel ride in the middle of the Arabian Desert at sunset is something that I dreamed of doing as a child scouring through my parents National Geographic collection. When I think of the National Geographic of my childhood, I think of photos like this. Photos that give you a glimpse of the way of life in an exotic land.

I nominate:

• Fogg Odyssey
• Johnny vagabond
• Green Global travel
• Wild About Travel
• Aviators and a Camera 

We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. All we knew was that we had made a New Years Resolution to change our lives and cycling down the continent of Africa seemed like a good start.

The Tour d’Afrique is a 12,000 km cycling race from Cairo to Cape Town. One year after making our New Years resolution toast, we found ourselves in Africa to follow through on that epic promise to ourselves.

Cycling by the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Little did we know that we’d still be on the road 4 years later fulfilling our dream of becoming full time adventurers?

It Wasn’t Easy

The TDA was one of the most difficult experiences of our lives. We went into this race with high expectations; to win, and to achieve EFI (cycling Every Fabulous Inch) In the end, we ended up accomplishing both. Deb was women’s champion and Dave ended up in the EFI Club.

Simplicity

Cycling in Egypt

To this Day, Dave still says that cycling Africa was the best experience of his life. Sure it was difficult, but he loved the simplicity of waking up day in day out for 4 months knowing that the only thing on his agenda was to make it to camp waiting somewhere between 120km to 200km later before the sun went down.  We thrived on riding his bike and entering a state of complete meditation while riding through the ever-changing African landscape.

Contrast

navigating the non-existent roads in Ethiopia

To this day, Deb still says that it was the most difficult and miserable experience of her life. Each day was a struggle as she pushed her body beyond its limits for a solid 4 months. Alienated from the other female riders who didn’t understand her need for achieving success and drive to ride as hard and as fast as she could, she felt emotional and frustrated from beginning to end.

Together as a Couple

Cycling Together in Harmony by Namibia

Luckily we had each other to rely on and Dave sacrificed much of his total overall race time to help Deb make it to the finish line each day. You see the top 4 spots were clearly locked up. With a category 1 racer, a Canadian Iron Man, Switzerland’s Mountain Bike Champion and The former coach of the Finland National Cycling Team taking part in this year’s race, there was little chance barring an absolute catastrophe that Dave could overtake these career cyclists. Instead he decided to focus on the EFI club. By slowing down his pace a bit to stay with Deb, we could ensure staying healthy and strong giving him better odds of cycling every inch of the continent. He never had a sick day, a bike malfunction, a need to step on the truck or hitch a ride, and he always made it in before sun down.

Many people didn’t and each time we took a ride on the support truck if we were racers, we received a 12-hour penalty added to our total overall times.

The Race Explained

The Ethiopian Racing Team Joins Us for a Leg

The Tour d’Afrique was a stage race. Each morning we all left camp at our leisure. The stronger racers slept in and left later while the other riders left at daybreak to be sure to make it in before sunset. The time it took you to get from one camp to the next was recorded and accumulated each day. The person with the shortest time at the end of Africa won.

The beginning was tough.

We had trained hard for a year, riding up to 400 km per week, taking spinning classes and hot yoga, enrolling in a bicycle mechanics course and working out with weights but nothing could prepare us for the absolute torture of sitting in the saddle for 8 hours a day.

It took 1 month before I could finally get on my bike without having the pain take my breath away.

Day 1

The Start of the Race at the Sphinx in Egypt

The fist day of the Tour d’Afrique began at the Pyramids of Giza and we were feeling confident. We had trained hard and we felt prepared for this moment. Our group of 60 people had the pyramids to ourselves and men were just arriving with their camels and horses to take people on tour. We took our starting photo at the base of the pyramids and then stopped at the Sphinx to admire its splendor. One last glance and we were heading down the continent for the next 120 days.

The day was brisk and we started off slow with a police escort stopping cars and helping to navigate through the dense traffic. We weaved through the city until we finally reached the highway and everyone started to break away.

The pace of the leading cyclists was furious.

Representing Canada in the Tour d'Afrique

Thinking we were prepared, we held on to the lead group for as long as we could. My lungs heaved and my legs burned and I wondered how I could possibly keep this up.

I couldn’t

It didn’t take long before I hit the wall and soon I had fallen far back from the pack. I had about 100 km to go by the time I reached lunch and it was there that I reconnected with Dave and a few other cyclists. It seemed that today was taking its toll on everyone.

Traditionally the first day out of Cairo on the Tour d’Afrique has always had a strong tailwind but during our tour, we had killer head winds. Some people joined forces to form a peloton, but Dave and I were so exhausted from trying to keep up with the racers at the beginning of the day, we couldn’t even try to stay with the middle pack.

So we pushed on alone

Alone as Usual While Cycling through Africa

We talked each other through and pushed on throughout the next few agonizing hours. We were in dire straights. If we didn’t make it to camp before sunrise we would lose our chances for EFI on the first day! Our hopes would be dashed before they even had the chance to begin.

The sun started to set and we weren’t exactly sure how far we were from our campsite. During this tour we were given a hand drawn map to follow with estimated mileage. We couldn’t be sure of exact calculations. Camp could always fluctuate up to 20 km from where they said it would be. It all depended on how the driver felt and where the support trucks could find a safe and secure place to park.

Finish Line in Sight

The finish line that we saw at the end of each day

Imagine our elation when we saw the finish line flag just minutes before the sun went down.

We had finished our first day. We were exhausted, scared and overwhelmed with the task at hand, but we had made it through the first day and like so many other situations in Africa and beyond, we could only do it because we had each other. We didn’t have any time to celebrate though, we had to set up camp.

Our camp looked like this each night

It turned out that 1/3 of the riders lost their EFI that day. Many people had to be picked up throughout the day by our support vehicles and many others decided not to push on after lunch.

We were happy we did, but for the next 5 days leading up to our rest day in Luxor, we suffered greatly.

Our butts never stopped hurting, our legs never stopped burning, we felt the fatigue and aches and pains that come along with sleeping in a cold desert with nothing to keep you safe from the wind but the thin nylon tent and a small sleeping bag and because we had spent 2 weeks seeing the sights in Cairo before hand, we were both suffering from an infectious cough brought on by the pollution of the city.

• Are we glad we did it?
• You betchya!
• Did it get easier.
• Yes. By the time we reached Zambia, we were cycling strong and could even stick with the peloton. Dave was keeping up to the top riders with ease and I was getting into camp only a half hour or so after the top finishing guys.

We started to look like athletes and ride like professionals. We no longer cringed at steep hills or desert sands and a 200 km day wasn’t terrifying.

Cycling in the Peloton by the time we got to the end

We grew mentally and physically and while it was tough, we never would be where we are today if we didn’t take that chance and make that toast on New Years eve just a few years ago.

It’s the time of year when the sky turns grey and the air turns cold. There’s a long winter ahead of us and as we cozy up in front of the fireplace pictures of tropical islands dance in our heads. We reminisce about our days at the beach or long walks in the sand and then start to plan our next vacation.

What is it about the islands that make life better? Is it the tropical breeze coming in from the ocean? Is it the sound of the waves crashing on the shore? Maybe its the laid back vibe or the perfect sunset that you see no matter what island you are visiting.

Really, it could be any of the above.

When I think of our times in the islands, nothing but perfection springs to mind. All the complications and stresses of life completely melt away in the tropical heat and are instantly replaced by the tranquility of a deserted beach or seaside cabana.

So lets take you away, far far away to some of the most stunning islands on earth in our collection of Tropical Islands in Pictures.

The beautiful tropical island of Zanzibar

The island of Zanzibar is located off the coast of Tanzania. Known as the spice island, Zanzibar has some of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Its turquoise waters are like nothing I’ve ever seen and when the tide goes out, there isn’t a more beautiful coastline on earth.

Nothing says tropical island like Fiji

When thinking of the island Fiji, you can’t help but picture absolute paradise. It is one of those places that doesn’t disappoint. It has yet to reach the levels of development in the Caribbean and you can still find a quiet, secluded beach in this mother of all tropical islands.

Get me to Jamaica now!

The Island of Jamaica in the West Indies is the ultimate vacation destination for the package tourist. But head out from behind the gates and you will discover a country filled with rich culture, fun activities and friendly and inviting people. And yes, the beaches are absolutely beautiful. Taking a catamaran tour will give you a view of it’s magnificent coastline.

St. Kitts is paradise.

You may not know much about St. Kitts, but this tiny island packs a punch. With only one major development in the country, it is one of the few Caribbean Islands that still feels like an untouched paradise. Head over to the Reggae bar on Reggae beach or hike up the volcano through the unspoiled jungle to see a birds eye view of the island.

Let Bali into your tropical island dreams

Bali is really the island of dreams. Located in Indonesia, it offers the tourist an island experience with deep cultural roots. Temples line the coastline like the one above. Tana Lot is one of its most sacred temples and you can’t help but feel peaceful when visiting it or any of the great monuments on the island of Bali.

If Koh Lipe doesn't say paradise don't know what does.

Thailand has some of the most beautiful islands and beaches in the world and Koh Lipe is one of those islands. Located right on the Malaysian Border, the trip out to Koh Lipe is worth it. Longtail boats line every beach in Southern Thailand making for the picture perfect setting for anyone travelling to the tropics.

Koh Lanta in Thailsnd

No tropical islands in pictures would be complete without the perfect sunset. We witnessed many a sunset in Thailand and had many to choose from. But it was this one that spoke to me most. It’s looking out over the Andaman Sea at the fiery sky after a perfect day in Paradise.

6. Malaysian Borneo 

7. Thailand 

-

8. Tanzania 

9. South Africa

South Africa is not only beautiful, it is an adventure traveller’s playground to the nth degree.

10. Mexico 

Sure it’s probably the number 1 vacation destination for North Americans to go and chill out on the beach, but there is so much more to Mexico than Margaritas and laying in the sun.

Mexico has some of the most pristine scuba diving on the planet.

The Palancar Reef was made famous by Jaques Cousteau and has never lost speed. Diving in the Cenotes near Tulum will give you a memory to last a lifetime. But there’s more to Mexico than diving. Paragliding and Hang Gliding can be experienced all over the country including Tapalpa and Oaxaca. Mexico is known for its rock climbing too, there are sites all over the country most notably  El Potrero Chico. There is surfing all along the Pacific Coast and mountain biking in Copper Canyon. Of course there is hiking too. Mexico is such a giant country that it is impossible to pin down where to choose to do your vacation.

Monica from a Pair of Panties & Boxers. is taking part in the ’1 Peak 1 Week Kilimanjaro Challenge.

Adventure for a Great Cause

She is currently volunteering for Support For International Change (SIC), an organization that is dedicated to limiting the impact of HIV/AIDS in underserved communities is spreading the word about their latest project. SIC has been working in northern Tanzania since 2002 providing mobile provision of Voluntary Counseling and Testing, reproductive health education and HIV prevention workshops, establishment of HIV support groups, and mobile provision of antiretroviral drugs in conjunction with government hospitals.

Support for Internation Change has teamed up with The Peaks Foundation, an organization that coordinates global mountain challenges for women who seek adventure, a sense of personal achievement, and an opportunity to make a positive difference in the world.

This August they have organized a ‘1 Peak 1 Week Kilimanjaro Challenge’ to support women in Tanzania living with HIV/AIDS and to
reduce its impact by providing education, economic and social support.

“Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was one of the most fulfilling experiences of our lives and if you have ever dreamt of climbing this mountain, now is your perfect chance and for a worthy cause.”

Here are ways you can help:

1. Sign up for the challenge! They are currently looking for fearless females to scale the highest freestanding mountain in the world: Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro. This challenge begins this summer, August 12-21, 2011.

2. Spread the word about the ‘1 Peak 1 Week Kilimanjaro Challenge’ with your readers and fellow wanderlusters. This is a great way to explore the world and make a positive impact in the local community.

3. Share this great adventure with your family, friends and social networks. It is many people’s dream to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and this just may be the incentive they need to go for it!

• For more information visit the Peaks Foundation
• To find out more about the organization and how you can help visit Support for International Change

The sun sets over the southern Ethiopia landscape

It was three years ago that we set off for the cycling trip that changed our lives.  The 2011 Tour d’Afrique kicks off this weekend and we revisited our first two weeks of the trip yesterday in The Tour d’Afrique, the Trip that Changed our Lives.  It was the beginning of ThePlanetD and we have never looked back.

In honour of our three years since the start of our Tour d’Afrique, we wanted to share a photo from Ethiopia.  Ethiopia was by far the toughest section of the tour for us.  With long hot days climbing mountains and dodging rocks thrown by naughty children, it was 23 days of pushing ourselves to the limits both mentally and physically.

We will never forget Ethiopia and to this day we are still surprised by the beauty of the country.

The mountains below we have never had the honour to climb though.  We climbed Mount Kilimanjaro while in Africa, but had to skip Kenya the year we were cycling through the continent because of civil unrest. The Tour d’Afrique didn’t go through that year and we were turned back at the border in Ethiopia having to fly over Kenya.  We have been to France but have never had the honour of snowboarding Chamonix or hiking to Mont Blancs peak although it is high on our list.  We have been to Cape Town but the two times we tried to go up to the top of Table Mountain, the winds were too high and it was shut down.

So when this article came to us from Giselle of My Destination Info we decided that we would love to share it with our readers. It was the perfect inspiration for us to add great mountains to our list of travel destinations.

Magnificent Mountains

What is it about mountains? Why are we so obsessed with those great, foreboding hunks of rock? They’re challenging, dangerous and so far removed from the warm sanctuary of our living rooms they may as well be on another planet.

Perhaps it’s the surge of triumph that arrives as you stumble those final few steps to a misty summit; perhaps it’s the exhilarating joy that comes with hurtling down a powdery white slope on skis; perhaps it’s those eye-watering views observed from epic heights.

Whatever your reason for being allured to the true colossuses of the world – and most people are in some way or another – make sure these three magnificent mountains are at the peak (sorry about that) of your list.

For hiking up…Mount Kenya

At a lofty 5,199 metres, this is the second highest mountain in Africa. Although the two highest peaks (Batian and Nelion) are off limits to non-professional climbers, the third highest, Point Lenana, at a not-to-be-sniffed-at 4,985 metres, can be reached on foot. Reasonable fitness is required and the best time to visit is December through to March – the sunniest months.

Due to Mount Kenya’s location (just 150 kilometres south of the equator) and height, the sights are extraordinarily varied. On the lower, rainforested slopes you can spot classic African wildlife (lions, leopards, elephants…), but higher up, where the temperature plummets, you’ll find yourself pointing the binoculars instead at improbable glaciers, pristine lakes and snowy peaks.

For sliding down…Mont Blanc

Home to the first ever Winter Olympics (1924) and the third most visited natural site in the world, majestic Mont Blanc has been luring snow boarders and skiers since the sports were invented. Looming large above the pretty French town of Chamonix, the highest mountain in the Alps caters to all abilities, with five different ski and snow board areas – Balme, Brevent, Flegere, Grands Montets and Les Houches – to choose from.

But even if flying down a powdery slope with the wind rushing through your hair doesn’t appeal to you, Chamonix alone is worth a visit. This is not a characterless, purpose built resort; it is a genuine town, crammed with museums, soaked in history and full of top notch restaurants and bars. And with its extensive range of cosy lodges and stylish hotels, Chamonix accommodation is second to none.

For passing over…Table Mountain

The flat topped mass of Table Mountain, bearing down over Cape Town, South Africa, is one of the most iconic mountains in the world. There is a range of ways to experience it, including biking, hiking and climbing, but the most memorable is the Table Mountain Cable Car.

Those who suffer from vertigo may want to look away now, but for everyone else, sit back and enjoy the ride – it won’t be one you forget in a hurry. Each cable car holds 65 people and the rotating floors mean guaranteed panoramic views throughout the 1.2 kilometre ascent. Once at the top, there are numerous walking trails of varying lengths, and it will along these you can begin ticking off some of the 1,500 species of plant life – incredibly, Table Mountain is the richest single floristic area on the planet.

6 More Great Places in Africa

The African continent enjoys a vast and ever-changing landscape from lusciously fertile jungles through to the hot, arid desert. If you are visiting anywhere in Africa or better yet traveling through, there are some breath-taking places you won’t want to miss out on. Below are the last six great places to visit in Africa.

Egypt’s Valley of the Kings:

For a period of about 500 years between the 16^th and 11^th centuries BC it was in the Valley of the Kings where the tombs for Kings and all other nobles were constructed. Found on the West bank of the river Nile near Luxor this impressive valley is not only majestic because of the 63 (approximate) royal tombs in the area, but because of the expansive landscape. Most of the tombs are said to hold priceless Eqyptian antiquities (some of which have been stolen over time). It was in this valley in 1922 that the intact tomb of the great historical figure Tutankhamun was discovered.

Namibia’ Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert:

Image by www.freemages.co.uk/

This huge clay pan enclosed by magnificent sand dunes is located in the Namib Naukluft Park. Some the massive sand dunes are an unbelievable 300 metres tall and are often referred to as the highest in the world. When it rains, a rare occurrence, the Sossusvlei fills with water and the resultant turquoise lake remains for long periods as the clay layers allow very slow water filtration.

Egypt’s Karnak Temple Complex:

This is one of the most impressive and largest temple sites around the globe. It is a conglomeration of three main temples and several smaller temples (which sadly are in ruins). The Karnak Temple Complex is also located near Luxor which is home to other impressive sites. It is the only main temple area open to tourists and the general public.

Botswana’s Okavango Delta:

This delta is often incorrectly referred to as the Okavanga Swamp. It is the world’s largest inland delta, and covers an area of 17000 square kilometres. Thousands of years ago the drying up of the Lake Makgadikgadi was the cause of this unique water feature, and it has attracted explorers and tourists ever since. The Okavango River drains its water onto the Kalahari Desert plains in Botswana and forms an intricate and awe-inspiring labyrinth of inland lagoons, lakes and islands – the Okavanga Delta.

DRC/Rwanda/Uganda’s Virungu Mountains:

The chain of volcanic mountains that make up the Virungu Mountains lies on the border of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. Their spectacular beauty is due to their luscious and fertile slopes. They are also the only remaining home of the severely endangered mountain gorillas. They are home to other interesting animals such as Chimpanzees, forest elephants and the okapi (a mammal similar to the giraffe but with much shorter legs and neck, they have stripes down their legs).

Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater:

The world’s largest unbroken, unflooded volcanic caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater measures 19km across, 600metres deep (from the rim of the crater to the floor) and has a total floor area of 260km squared. A giant volcano exploded and then collapsed on itself around three million years ago to form the colossally remarkable crater. It is considered a “natural enclosure” for wildlife – many species are found on the crater floor.

Bio:

“Jade Scully is a copywriter, blogger and online marketing enthusiast who has published her work on a series of online publications and websites including Leeulekker who provide a range of travel and touring information for southern Africa travelers.”

The African continent enjoys a vast and ever-changing landscape from lusciously fertile jungles through to the hot, arid desert. If you are visiting anywhere in Africa or better yet traveling through, there are some breath-taking places you won’t want to miss out on. Below are the first 6 great places to visit in Africa.

Egypt’s Abu Simbel:

Historically moved from their original location the two temples at Abu Simbel are an impressive sight to behold. They were carved out of the sandstone cliff near the River Nile over three millenniums ago – during the reign of the great Pharaoh, Ramesses II. The temples were built to honour the Pharaoh and the Egyptian Gods.

Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro:

This is not just an afternoon hike up Table Mountain; Mount Kilimanjaro (Kili as it is affectionately known) is the highest mountain in Africa, and at 19340ft its not surprising that summiting this impressive mound is a difficult and sometimes grueling task. The highest peak, Uhuru, can be reached by those with a moderate to high level of fitness, and if you can summit you’ll be able to say you reached the point of the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.

More on Mount Kilimanjaro – Mount Kilimanjaro, How Hard is it to Climb

Zambia & Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls:

The thousands of tones of water gushing downwards is the site of the “largest curtain of falling water on the earth”. Victoria Falls is a grandiose waterfall on the Zambezi River at the Zimbabwean-Zambian border. The “Mosi-oa-Tunya” (smoke that thunders) columns of water spray can be seen from miles away and the sound elaborates to visitors just how powerful the water-flow is. On the Zambian side there are relatively-safe natural pools to swim in so don’t forget to bring your costume (and your camera of course).

More on Victoria Falls – Victoria Falls Adventures, Top 5 Adventures in Victoria Falls

Egypt’s Great Pyramids at Giza:

The Egyptians have such a rich and decadent cultural history, and the Pyramids are an important cornerstone in that regard. The triangular architecture of the Pyramids has become the icon most famously synonymous with Egypt, and most of them (there are over 100) were built as tombs to preserve the mummies of Pharaohs and their family-members.

More on Pyramids of Giza – Great Temples and Monuments of Egypt, Discovering Egypt, A Photostory

Namibia’s Fish River Canyon:

After the Grand Canyon of America, the Namibian site of the Fish River Canyon is the most spectacular in the world. With a 160km ravine which measures at about 27km wide and 550 metres deep in some places the Fish River flows in the belly of this giant spectacle. Here you’ll enjoy wide open spaces that allow you to breathe the fresh air easy and take in the vast scenery.

More on Fish River Canyon – Last Day in Namibia, Final Stretch

The Maasai Mara and Serengeti’s Wildebeest Migration:

Arguably one of the most amazing natural events in the world, the Wildebeest Migration is an impressive movement to witness. The migration takes place among the open plains as hundreds of thousands of the magnificent wildebeest and zebra move towards greener pastures. The mass movement is a tense journey for the herbivores as they are followed closely by various predators hoping to benefit from the stragglers’ weaknesses.

Photo credit for Migration: UpHaa.com

Bio:

“Jade Scully is a copywriter, blogger and online marketing enthusiast who has published her work on a series of online publications and websites including Leeulekker who provide a range of travel and touring information for southern Africa travelers.”

Normally we talk about our destinations as we travel through them.  We tell you about our journey day by day and that can be exciting to see what we are up to, but we neglect to offer a summary of what exactly there is to do in each country that we visit.

Since we don’t leave for China until the end of October, we thought that it would be a good time to sum up some of our favourite destinations on earth.

Let’s start with Tanzania

Tanzania was one of our favourite countries in all of Africa.  People with big smiles yelled “Jambo” as we passed. The landscape was lush and beautiful, the energy was vibrant and exciting and the wildlife is second to none. Tanzania is Africa to us. If you happen to have a couple of weeks off and want to visit an extraordinary destination, Tanzinia just might be the place for you.

Here are some things that wil entice you to take off for your next African Adventure.

1. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro – Our number one pick for adventure in Tanzania. To climb to the roof of Africa and look out over the Furtwängler Glacier is an awe inspiring sight.  Climbing the Machame Route gives you an extra day to acclimate to the elevation and it is considered the most scenic route. You will have an excellent chance of reaching the summit of one of the most famous climbs on earth. At 5895 metres, it is a feat to be proud of when you reach the summit. Don’t miss this trek of a lifetime.

More on Kilimanjaro Mount Kilimanjaro, How Hard is it to Climb? , Mount Kilimanjaro Adventure

2. Go on Safari – Everyone has heard of the Serengeti. Every year over a million wildebeest migrate over its great plains along side thousands of the other herbivores of Africa the Gazelle and Zebra. Don’t limit your wildlife viewing to the Serengeti alone though, the Ngorongoro Crater houses the largest density of mammals in Africa. You’ll see everything from lions, elephants, leopards and buffalo. Tanzania is filled with game parks to view the African Big 5.

More Safaris - Chobe National Park, World Wildlife, Leopard Spotting at Yala National Park

3. Snorkel or Scuba Dive in Zanzibar – No trip is complete without island time and Zanzibar is paradise on earth. This spice island is not only beautiful above its turquoise water with its sandy white beaches, it is beautiful below. Considered to have the best diving on the entire east coast of Africa, snorkellers will also be satisfied with what they will see.  Make your way to the north of the island to Nungwi and snorkel only 800 metres off the coast at the Kendwa Reef.

More on Zanzibar - Island Paradise of Zanzibar, Snapshot, A Moment of Zen in Zanzibar

4. Go on an expedition to Gombe Stream National Park – Located on the north Shore of Lake Tanganyika, Gombe Stream is a protected area made famous by Jane Goodall. Hire a guide to take you to trek and see the famous chimpanzees of the area. You are almost guaranteed a sighting of our closest cousins.

More on Primates – Ian Redmond Talks about Gorillas, Great Things to do in Malaysian Borneo

Our Bikes at Sunset

5. Cycle the Country - If you want an epic adventure. Take a ride from Arusha in the north to Mbeya in the south.  See everything that Tanzania has to offer from the seat of a bicycle.  Ride through coffee plantations and lush countryside. This is the Africa you have always dreamed of. Epic climbs through tropical forests, switching between paved roads and bumpy trails will challenge and excite you.  Make your way to the Capital of the country Dodoma. See a Tanzania that other travellers never will and get to know the people of Tanzania up close and personal as you stop for a coke on the side of a highway.

More on Cycling Africa – Our adventure Page dedicated to cycling the continent

I think one of the favorite things people enjoy looking at is a beautiful sunset. Somehow as that sun sets on the horizon it seems to make you forget the days stress and gives you that sense of Ahhhh!

Photographing sunsets is one of my favorite subjects. It always poses a challenge of how to make every sunset photo different. Subject matter is always the key. Some sunsets stand all on their own and others benefit from a subject in the frame.

Here is a compilation of both. As Friday comes to an end let these photo’s take away the stress and up your Ahhh factor!

Sunset at Patnem beach, Goa, India

Gili Air sunset, Indonesia.

Sunset at Chobe National Park, Botswana

Sunset in the thar desert of India

Surfing at Sunset at Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

Sunset at Hampi, India

Kuta Beach, Bali

Sunset over lake pichola in udaipur India

The Island Paradise of Zanzibar

Half way through cycling the continent of Africa, we had an unscheduled 2 week break because of unrest in Kenya. During those 2 weeks we climbed Kilimanjaro but also enjoyed some R&R on the lovely island of Zanzibar. We had always wanted to visit Zanzibar and we were not disappointed. Every day as we walked the southern beach we were treated to beautiful scenes like this.

Zanzibar truly is paradise.

A Charity Built Well

That was why we decided to ride for a cause. Formerly Foster Parents Plan, Plan Canada is an international organization that works at a grassroots level to help communities in Africa develop a long term plan to improve their living conditions. They give them the means to become self sufficient and to no longer rely on foreign aid.

We are blessed and lucky to live in a country that is so rich.  We have the opportunity to travel to different parts of the world and to see different ways of life.

Cycling in The Tour d’Afrique was the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about our cause. It was a large international race that already had followers and a fan base. We easily gained exposure through their website and through media to talk about not only the race, but to raise awareness for our Cause and to direct them to our site and to Plan to find information on how to help.

Poor Community, being helped by Plan

It was an extraordinary experience. Plan is a well run organization. We left for Egypt a couple of weeks before the race started and we had the opportunity to visit a project in Cairo.  Plan picked us up at our guesthouse and we were off to the poorest part of the city. It was an eye opener. There is no possible way we would have been safe to travel to this part of town on our own.  It really was an entirely different world than the rest of the city.We were most definitely in the slums of Cairo.

You can read about our Plan visit in depth at our post Our Plan Project Visit

In 3 months we will be leaving Canada again to travel through Central Asia. Once again, we will be visiting countries that are in desperate need of help. We have not decided yet as to how we are going to give back to these communities, but we do know that we are going to in one way or another.

A School we visited in Malawi

There are so many ways for travelers to give back to communities.

We find that the simplest and easiest way is to write about it. We don’t have the luxury of having instant followers through Plan or the Tour d’Afriques website, but we have worked hard to build our own following with our own travel blog. Hopefully as we grow, we will be able to reach a larger audience and let them know about the social and environmental struggles of the countries that we are about to visit.

Being adventure travelers, we can raise a lot of awareness and gain publicity easily. We can climb for a cause, ride for a cause, cycle for a cause. The list goes on. Newspapers and magazines enjoy hearing about people that have conquered something extraordinary while at the same time supported an organization that is making change in the world.

An Inner City School in Cairo

Travelers can volunteer. Many organizations are looking for volunteers and you have a good chance of being able to help out if you are already in the country.

Teaching English is another way to help. English is becoming a universal language and it opens the door to a world of possibilities for employment. Dave and I volunteered for a night in Cambodia in a small town to help a teacher out. He was from Cambodia himself so his pronunciation of words was off. He stopped us in the street and asked us if we would be willing to lead the class so that they could mimic our pronunciation. Helping out in these remote villages where they don’t have the money or the means for organized western TESL can be a great contribution to the community.

A Child Thrives with the help of Charity

Another easy way to give back to communities is to add a button to your website.  It doesn’t have to be an in your face, give money to my cause hard sell. Simply add an icon in your sidebar linking to a cause that you believe in. It doesn’t cost a thing and you don’t have to do anything else. Visitors will come to your site, read your posts and explore. They may get the urge to click on your charity of choice and investigate or they may not. But no matter what, you will reach a few people and that is all it takes.

There are many ways to help out this world. We are so fortunate to live in a rich country and to have the opportunity to travel the world.  This world brings us a great deal of joy and we feel that the least we can do is to help the communities that enrich our lives so much by giving back to them.

Right now, we are investigating our options for our next trip.

To let people know what is going on can ignite a spark in someone to give. It doesn’t have to be money it could be time. It might not even be fore the cause that you are writing about, it could inspire a person to help in their own community.

Children Welcome us to their Playground

There is definitely no shortage in this world of people that need help.

Do you have any ideas of ways to give back while traveling. Have you volunteered overseas or raised money for a cause? What were your experiences? We are hoping to start a series involving guest writers to talk about their experiences involving ethical travel. If you would like to contribute, send us an email at theplanetd@gmail.com

It was a topic that really made me think about all of the people that I have met on the road and how I have taken so much for granted while I am at home. In an earlier post this week, I touched on the subject, and now, in honor of our post appearing at VelvetEscape and at cheapOair’s blog today, I have been thinking again about the people that have inspired me.

Hard Roads in Ethiopia

Africa was one of our toughest travels to date. We cycled through some of the most brutal conditions the world could throw at us for 120 days.  We would cycle through the desert for 6 days in a row without showering, without cold water and without a comfortable soft bed. We cycled through some of the poorest countries in the world and since we were riding for a charity, we had the opportunity to visit developmental projects to see the work that is being done to help.  We also witnessed first hand the hardships that many people face and the want and need to make a better life.

Upon my return home, I was amazed with the little things.  When I opened my fully stocked refrigerator to to make a meal I thought of the people that I met that don’t even have a refrigerator. As I rinsed my fresh vegetables under my cold running water, I thought about the people of Ethiopia and Malawi that have to walk for kilometres on end to fetch water from the local well; the only source of fresh clean water around.  I think of the people that work in the backbreaking heat tending their crops and the people that can’t just go to the corner store because they don’t feel like cooking dinner this evening.

I can’t deny that I have guilt.  I am not special, I was just born in a rich country given everything that I could need from the day I was born.  I am not a rich person, but living in Canada, you do not have to be rich, to live a rich life.

Dave and I often discuss this idea. Who “up there” decides who will be born in luxury and who will be born in poverty.  When we were in Cambodia, we had a hard time accepting ourselves and felt guilty for being who we are.  The world is not a fair place and travel opens our eyes to it on a very real and deep level.

I am not saying that all people that we meet on our travels suffer.  Many are happy and healthier than people here. We have ended up meeting truly inspiring people through our travels and here are some of the  moments that have touched us the most while we have been on the road.

An artist works at his craft funded through Microfinance

1. In Cairo’s poorest neighborhood Plan Canada took us to see what was being done to help. The people of the inner city were so proud to show us the progress they have made. We visited a micro-finance shop. Talented craftsmen showed us their businesses that they built from the ground up and were now making a living carving beautiful pieces of art and furniture. They had big plans and I am sure that they will fulfill all of their goals.

Gate to Cambodia

2. In Cambodia, we stopped in Kampot and taught English for an evening. The teacher was so proud of his accomplishment. A local villager, he earned 2 dollars for the evening and asked us if we could help him because some of his pronunciations were not good because English was his second language. All we did was help people pronounce words properly, he did all of the teaching, but it was a moving experience.  The pride that everyone felt that evening was unshakable. The students were proud to show off their grasp of the English Language, the Teacher was proud of his important job that was making a difference and their joy and determination rubbed off of us as we felt a certain pride in being able to help in our own small way.

Tea at Inle Lake

3. At Inle lake in Myanmar, we met an extraordinary girl. She invited us into her house and showed us photographs of her mother as as we sipped tea with her grandmother. We talked the afternoon away and she asked for nothing in return.  We were just two people walking along the canal that she happened to want to talk to and our hearts were lifted as we listened to the hardships of her life, but also the dreams that she has and what she has accomplished already.

A quiet moment in Wadi Halfa

4. Wadi Halfa Sudan- we weren’t supposed to be here.  We were simply supposed to get off the ferry from Egypt and move on the next day. But as luck would have it, our support truck was stuck at customs and we had to spend another day in this dried up town on the edge of lake Nassar. It was the next morning when we were walking through the streets that a man invited us to have breakfast with him.  He fed us a hearty meal and kept the sweet tea coming.  As we ate he talked to us of the town. How it was once lush and green and beautiful, but when the Egyptians built the Aswan Dam, they cut off all of the water coming in from the Nile and people ended up moving away.  He was a retired professor in Khartoum and had now moved home to rebuild his life here in Wadi Halfa, people are slowly coming back, but there is a long way to go.  When we tried to pay for our breakfast, he waved us off and that was the first of many experiences in Sudan where people have so little to give, and yet they give so much without a thought.

Dave with students in Malawi

5. Malawi- One of the poorest nations in Africa made famous by Madonna of late. We had the chance to visit a school.  We were greeted with music and singing and smiling faces. This school was a success story in a land that needs so much and the community was so proud to show us their accomplishments.  Their was a well, a soy bean field a playground and several buildings for classrooms.  Teachers and students came out on their day off to give us a tour and talk to us about what was going on.  Children from the village have gone on to university, recieved scholarships and jobs.  Children are monitored for malnourishment and they are not only taught lessons in school, they are taught how to tend the soy bean field and take care of crops. I saw pure joy in the faces of everyone and the success of the community could be felt in the energy all around us.

Check out this wonderful series that has had incredible contributors and we are honored to be included alongside such great writers as journeywoman, MyFolieaDeux and WildJunket, SoloTraveler, Travelogged and AfricaFreak

And find out about travel destinations from other great guest bloggers at CheapOair.

Enjoy this tranquil moment to take you away for a moment.

Nungwi in Zanzibar is beautiful. The perfect place to sit back and relax your aching muscles after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.  Eat plenty of seafood, catch some rays and go snorkeling. You won’t want to leave this island paradise. Get out of Stone Town and head to the northern tip of the spice island. Nungwi is chillaxin’, beautiful and serene.  Only a couple hours by minivan. Accommodations in Nungwi, vary from luxury beach hotels with swimming pools to basic bungalows. Restaurants range from trendy bistros, huts on the beach, cafes and small family run eateries.

Zanzibar has something for everyone….

You can catch a plane from Kilimanjaro Airport and be in Zanzibar in just a couple of hours.   We summited the Mount Kilimanjaro that morning, caught a shared bust to the airport, bought our ticket and were on a flight to Zanzibar a half hour later.  From the most brutal place on the continent at Kili’s Glacier Peak, to the most pamper me destination I can think of in the world. Zanzibar is Paradise on earth.

Africa. A land of extremes. Extreme beauty is what we see today.

]]> http://theplanetd.com/a-moment-of-zen-in-zanzibar/feed/ 4 http://theplanetd.com/plan-project-malawi/ http://theplanetd.com/plan-project-malawi/#comments Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:11:00 +0000 debndave http://theplanetd.com/?p=169

Dave with School Children

After a long wait between 4 countries, we have finally been able to visit another Plan Project. It has been our main objective to raise awareness about the great work that they are doing here in Africa, and to see a project up close shows us what a great cause we are riding for.
We visited Mkoma Preschool today and what an amazing experience we had. After finally hooking up with Patrick we made it out to the school that Plan built. We were greeted by a mob of children and caregivers singing traditional songs beautifully. Their warm smiles immediately made us feel welcome.
Before Plan arrived, the villages surrounding the school did not have a place to study. They crammed into a small church and had limited facilities.
Now, they are thriving with a preschool and a primary school complex, where they are taught creative arts, reading science and nature and even physical education.

Plan Team Malawi

The complex is equipped with clean lavatories, a kitchen to feed them a mid morning snack, 2 rooms in the preschool as well as an office, 7 buildings for the primary school with 1 under construction and even a field of soy beans that they grow and harvest themselves. The soy bean field not only teaches the children how to farm but it is put to good use by keep them nourished.
We were impressed with how happy and proud the caregivers and the children were of their school. They really wanted to show us what they have accomplished. Children showed off their swing set and jungle gyms, and even told us what they wanted to be when they grow up. It seemed that the popular choice was a driver. Makes you realize what you have as a westerner. They probably rarely, if ever get the opportunity to ride in a car, so a driver would be a dream job.

The children were very healthy thanks to Plan. A healthcare assistant visits the school each month to weigh each student to make sure that they are staying strong. If they lose too much weight, they are immediately sent to a clinic where they are fed peanut butter and other nutrients to get them back on track.

A Well Built with the Help of Plan

What we are really impressed with once again about Plan, is how they make each project sustainable. They teach the community the necessary skills to keep the project running after they have left. In doing so, the communities become self sufficient and can remain a success into the future.
It is interesting that we were brought to see a preschool, but once we arrived, we learned that Plan also brought safe drinking water to the community as well. They built a well here and now, instead of walking great distances to acquire fresh water, they can simply pump it from the well close to home.
We look forward to visiting more Plan projects as we travel down through 4 more countries. We really believe in their work and have seen first hand that charities like Plan who build sustainable projects are what this continent needs. Not only to give hope, but to establish a sense of pride in each community that receives their aid.

We would like to thank the people of Plan Lilongwe who took the time out of their busy schedule to take us around.
Thank you:
Tambuzgani Msiska- Community Development Facilitator.
Uranda Mataka- Community Development Facilitator for Early Childhood Care and Development
Patrick Zgambo- Communications Manager.
And to all of the caregivers, parents, children and our driver for the day.

]]> http://theplanetd.com/plan-project-malawi/feed/ 4 http://theplanetd.com/cycling-in-malawi-during-the-rainy-seaso/ http://theplanetd.com/cycling-in-malawi-during-the-rainy-seaso/#comments Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:59:01 +0000 debndave http://theplanetd.com/?p=168 It is a blog full of great news!

First, we had another article and photo published in the Toronto Star click here to read about our Kilimanjaro adventure.

Next, I am back!  9 days and a lot of pain killers and antibiotics later and I am riding again.  I lost a lot of hours, but still hanging on to the lead.  Dave has been amazing pulling me along as I draft behind him in strong headwinds.  Things are going well, I am a little weaker, but should be back to full form in a few days.

We have left Tanzania and are now travelling through Malawi.  We are hoping to visit a Plan Project in Lilongwe, so we will keep you posted on all of the great work that they are doing here.  Just today we saw 3 different signs showing the community projects that they are doing here near Kasunga.  We are really looking forward to visiting another site.  We haven’t been to one since Egypt.  Problems arose in Sudan and it didn’t work out due to logistical problems, Kenya was of coarse a no go since we had to bypass the country and the dates just didn’t work out for Tanzania.  So, we are itching to see some more of the cause that we are riding for and share our experience with you all.

Dave is still EFI (cycling every fabulous inch) of the Tour d’Afrique.  There are only about 11 people left, so I am very proud of him.  A lot can happen in a month and a half, so I am doing my best to keep him healthy, some really strong people have recently lost it due to illness.  Ahhh, Africa, It really takes its toll on you!

I wish I could say that there is a lot of news, but here on the TDA every day is pretty much the same.  We wake up (in the rain a lot more here in Malawi and Tanzania) and ride hard all day.  Today was a great day 104 km in 3hrs and 40 min, so we had the awesome opportunity to visit an internet cafe finally and share our stories with you.

I want to thank you all for your support with my cellulitice.  Janet, you are my cycling hero, so to know you had it and it made you Bambi, made me relax and ride the truck with a little more sanity. I can’t believe how many of you had gone through this before!  Thanks for all of your messages,  I wish I could email all of you, but internet is slow, always slow.

We will try to keep updating more regularly, hopefully there will be more internet cafes as we travel south.  Next trip, we are going satellite all the way!

Happy April Fools Day, Deb and Dave

The section started out in Arusha and we are heading south towards Malawi. Day 1 was a beautiful fast day on tarmac and Dave and I came in with quick times. Dave at 3 hours 11 min and me at 3 hours 30 minutes. I was feeling great after a 2 week rest.

The following days we hit rough roads again, but for some reason I could ride them well by now. Things were going great for 2 days on the gravel and dirt and I was feeling very strong. Dave was so strong that he finished the section in 4 place overall!

But I have a little story to tell you about this crazy tour, things can turn in a heartbeat. On day 2 of our off road riding I had a minor fall and cut my knee open. Dr. Luke was there at lunch when I arrived, gave it a quick clean and off I went on my merry way.

Cut to 2 days later…

I awoke to severe pain and swelling in my leg and had to ride the bus considering I could hardly walk. That night, Dr. Luke took a look at my knee and decided that I could have broken my tibia. Holy crap, there goes my Tour d’Afrique. We set up an X-ray for the following morning and off we went. When I got out of the bush buggy, he saw it in the sunlight and decided that no, it is definitely an infection called cellulitis. I was already on antibiotics, so it should clear up. We went for the X-ray anyway to be safe and since it only cost $2 to have done. Can you believe the price of that one, I even got to keep it. Everyone was so kind at the hospital, all of the other patients were watching me limp and saying Pole Sana (very sorry) to me. Glad to let you know, the X-ray was fine.

However, 2 more days had gone by and my infection was spreading instead of getting smaller. My leg had doubled in size and the redness had spread from my ankle to my thigh and I was freaking out. Dr. Luke is fantastic and he decided last night that we would go on ahead to Iringa and see a surgeon there just to make sure that the infection wasn’t getting worse. Kristen came with me because I refused to let Dave give up his EFI for another hospital visit. Long story short… 2 hospital visits later, several different antibiotics, pain killers anti-inflametories and bed rest have finally allowed me to stand up straight.

We have a rest day here in Iringa tomorrow, so hopefully after relaxing for an entire day in bed, while Dave takes care of the bikes and every other chore that is needed to be done, I will be able to get back on the bike. Riding the trucks is a painful experience!

We enter Malawi in 4 days time and we are back on good roads. I think that someone up there, just knew how much I hate riding on these terrible bumpy roads and decided to give me a break guilt free:) I will keep you posted on my leg, I am guessing one more day on the bus for me, but you never know, a day of good food and rest can do wonders.

Now let me tell you about Dave’s week. He road fast, hard and had a couple of baboons follow him trying to get to his water bottles full of Fast Fuel. I think it was that particular moment that put him into 4th. He probably took 15 minutes off of his time while he was being pursued by these vicious little monkeys:)

All in all it was a tough week. 7 days straight in wet and hot weather, very rough roads, long mileage and no suspension. Looking forward to some cruising on pavement.

Life here so far in the TDA becomes a bit surreal to say the least. Days no longer have names, just distances and vague directions.
This will give you an idea of what we have to go through.

Every morning we wake to the sound of, no not singing birds, but James Brown’s “I Feel Good” or Queens “Bicycle.”

Sun Rise on the Tour d'Afrique in Ethiopia

After the 6:30 am wake up call, it is time to get to work.  Once we have done our morning visit to the Loo (which could range from a hole dug by the staff with a tent plopped on top of it, to a trip to the nearest bush, with a shovel slung proudly over your shoulder) The morning routine begins.

The Toilet.....

Our system is pretty good now and run like a well oiled machine.

We start with buttering up our butts before sliding into our riding shorts then proceeding to pack up the tent and its contents.  Then it is off to the breakfast line with our plates and cutlery to fill ourselves with the morning’s delights. Dry bread, porridge (every day) or if we are lucky some muesli. But not before trying to secure a camping chair to put your butt on, they are like gold, so don’t let it out  of your sight or you may be sitting on the ground with the thorn bushes.

Grab your stool or you will be sitting on the ground!

After eating a plate of that oatmeal or pro-nutro (still don’t know what the hell that is) it is time for the washing of the dishes and packing up your 100 litre red box, which holds your entire life in it for the days you are on the road.  Then it is on to the bikes for the days km, interrupted only by a coke stop and lunch.

If we are lucky we may be allowed more than  1 piece of watermelon.

After dodging the days obstacles, which could range from potholes, to cattle, to rock throwing children, we arrive in camp greeted by the blazing sun and all the soup and dry bread we can eat.

The infamous Red Box

When we get our fill and are feeling up to it, we tackle the red box again.  We normally camp in cow pastures, so we almost always clear away dried cow dung or goat turds  then, set up the tent and wait with baited breath for the call of the wild….RIDER MEETING!  Now we can find out what is in store for us the next day.  And then it is Bon Appetite. Lining up like cows going to slaughter, we await the staff who have positioned themselves behind 3 big pots to dish out Mile’s latest creation.

Time to turn in....our tent

After scarfing down our meals, we quickly retreat to the tent to be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the night…starting with the concerto of snoring, followed by a symphony of farts.  Ahhh, a day on the TDA and only 2 more months to go.

I have to clarify a giant misconception about Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is not easy! We were climbing in a group of 7 strong individuals who had just finished cycling 4500 km in tough conditions from deserts in Sudan, to altitude in Ethiopia and we all agree, it was one of the most physically challenging experiences of our lives. However, also one of the most exhilarating. I am happy to say that we all made it to the summit. Congrats to Rod and Dave P, Connor, Bent, Kristen, Dave and Me! What a great fun group.

To give you an idea of what we were up against, there was another group of 22 people at our camp during our descent and only 9 reached the summit.  We past several parties on our way down after reaching the top who were throwing up, giving up and wanting to go on, but had no chance of making it because they just had too far to go. Bent saw the rescue stretcher being carried up as well, (don’t know what happened there), and we all saw this one guy literally being carried up by his guide. Crazy!

Dave and Deb on Mount Kilimanjaro Trek

Dave conquering mount kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa

I have to admit, we were a pretty solid group and our guide Coleman had great confidence in us. Leaving camp at midnight, we pushed slowly but steadily on through the night,  reaching the summit at our precise goal of 6:00 am.

It wasn’t a cake walk though. At about 5500 metres, we all started feeling it. We would gasp for air and collapse to the ground trying to catch our breath during what short breaks we had. A couple of us had diarrhea, Rod had an out of body experience, both Dave’s were literally falling asleep as they were walking and we all just wanted to curl up and go to sleep. But we carried on. Coleman would only give us a limited break, probably knowing that we wouldn’t get back up if we stayed for too long.

Reaching the summit was a quick and unglamorous event. It was -24 without the wind. We all decided that it must have been -40 degrees with the windchill. We snapped some photos by the sign as our hands quickly froze and then we headed back down ASAP.

Here is where the work began. We had already been climbing since midnight and we had 2 1/2 hours down to camp 1 where we were allowed a 1 1/2 rest before we had to pack up and head down again to our final camp at 3000 meters, another 3-4 hour hike. Unbelievable!

Deb tackling mount kilimanjaro's western breach in Africa

The day before our summit wasn’t easy either. We gained a lot of altitude then. We scaled the side of a cliff and were pretty sure that this was where quite a few people must fall. We walked for a total of 5 hours, ate dinner and had a fitful sleep while we waited for our 11:15 pm wake up call. So really, as Rod said, it was a punishing 30 hours.

The descent was steep and slippery. I must have fallen 15 times. The fatigue was huge and mis-steps happened a lot. Descending is hard. Hard on the knees, the calves, the thighs and the mind. You have already had the glory of summiting so you are so over the climb now and just want it to be done. We finally made it to our tents by 3:30 and were ready to collapse. OK, most of us collapsed, Dave P and Connor had some celebratory drinks with our guides.

15 1/2 hours of solid pain and fatigue. Literally one of the hardest things I have done in my life. We were joking on the way down that we must look like we didn’t make it. All of us just walked in a Daze. Even when our guides congratulated us, it was more like a quick “Oh, thanks, right, I just summitted” I was too worried about taking a nap and getting rid of my cough and trying to find a rock to crap behind- because yes, I was one of us who was suffering from diarrhea.

Sunrise over the glacier of Mount Kilimanjaro

We relaxed in camp for the night and had a little champagne and wine to celebrate and we were asleep by 8:00 pm. The last day was a quick walk to the park gate where we had a beer at 9:45 am. bought the T-shirt (“Just Done It” Kilimanjaro) and hopped in the van back to Moshi.

Yes it was hard and we all said “never again” but I wouldn’t be surprised if Dave and I are sitting at home all nice and cozy one day in the future forgetting all of the pain and agony and we say to ourselves…”Hey, let’s tackle another one.” Even now as I sit in paradise in the beautiful island of Zanzibar recounting my experience, It doesn’t seem like it was that bad. I am telling everyone, that it was amazing and no problem, they could do it. My legs have already recovered, I enjoyed my pina colada upon my arrival and waded in the turquoise waters as fishing boats rocked gently on the waves. Ahhh, Kilimanjaro was magical and now we feel like we could conquer anything.

But first, we must chill. Hakuna Matata (No Problem)