A shot from on the way to Swakopmund.

Not too much to report. I'm back in Windhoek, had a job interview yesterday, not getting my hopes up, but hopefully it will lead to a job starting on monday.

I'm taking the weekend to enjoy Windhoek, and relax in the city

Cheers,

Eli

A quick but major update

Photos to come, so don't harass me.

Two days ago, I spoke with the a couple of the chief pilots in town, and things looked fairly grim for a job, at least in the next couple months. So instead of renting my house, Ian (a Brit buddy) and myself have travelled over to Namibia. I am currently in Windhoek (Vind-hook), and will be travelling to Swakopmund in the afternoon. This is a coastal city in Namibia, and rumors are good for a job.

The trip over here was interesting to say the least. We (Ian and I) left Maun at 8:30 in the morning on a non-airconditioned bus, thankfully the day was overcast and the overall temperature was fairly low (about 28). We bussed to a "city" called Ghanzi (Han-Tzee), prior to arriving we had to go through three foot and mouth decontaminations. Nothing major just time consuming. From Ghanzi we caught a second bus to the Botswana boarder, cleared our exit customs, and start walking to the Namibia Boarder. It was just under a kilometer, but it was over 30 degree and we had all our gear. Once at Namibia customs we were both granted 90 day visas, and started walking to Windhoek (340km... yes three hundred and forty), fortunatly by step number 20 or so we managed to hitch a ride costing us 150 Rand each, or about 20CDN. After arriving in windhoek I checked into the hostel and went to bed as it was now nearly 10pm.

Windhoek is a beautiful city, or maybe I just came from Maun and anything that doesnt have donkeys wondering the streets seems amazing. Either way it's a huge improvement, with over 300,000 people, there are tall buildings, malls, shops and plenty to do. The country is also very pretty with hills and "mountains".

Anyways have to keep this short, more to come once i'm establised in Swakopmund.


Cheers.

Eli

New home, New Animals

Alright, well I've been here in Maun for exactly three weeks and finally I am moving out of my tent tomorrow morning. The place is on the other side of town, right down by the river. My rent is 1500 Pula a month... or about 250CDN, so Fairly cheap... even though it is much more then I am currently paying for my tent. The place is small, but it still has one bedroom, one living room (currently a second bedroom, but I will change that), a Kitchen (full appliances), and a Bathroom. It's on a very large piece of property with four other houses. The landlord seems like a nice guy, he runs safaris in the delta. It's a little out of the way (about 2km, where I'm currently staying is 12km), so I think i'm going to go shopping for a bike in the next couple days.

On the Job front... Nothing to report

On the flying side of things... Nothing to report

On the animal side of things... a little to report:

As you can see from the top picture, I found some more giraffes in My favorite park. You can get much closer then they look in the photo. Also Don't nag me about not shaving... there was no water this morning. I was wondering down one of the less maintained paths in the park (very hard to follow), and eventually got lost, off the trail. I then found myself surrounded by about 50 Baboons. These ones are fairly skiddish and run off when you get within about 50ft... still pretty close. They don't mind your being there if you just sit down and wait for them to get acustom to you. Finally also say some warthogs today at the park.

Now the last picture was from Friday night. I put my beer down to go and play pool and when I came back this little guy was happily perched on the top of my beer. I left him to do as he pleased and he left my beer after about 5 minutes.

Well that's all I have for you today, I will post pictures of my new Casa in the next couple days (and a link for google maps so you can see where it is).

Cheers,

Eli

Games

Here we have one of the Local games. There are two variants on the game, both which are fairly simple, but hard to explain. I'll be honest, I tried writing up a how to on the more complicated version, but after reading what I had wrote decided not to post it. I'll try to explain the simple way of playing the game.

Each player has their own side.At the start they place two beans in each of the holes, except for the square one. The object of the game is to get all your beans into your square hole.

For each players turn, they pick all the beans in one of their holes and distribute them one by one into the subsequent holes. If you finish on the Square, you go again. If you end up on a hole with more of your beans, you pick up all the beans (including the one you just deposited) and repeat the previous steps. Your turn ends when you place a bean in a hole with nothing in it. Oh the game is played counter clockwise around your half of the board. That pretty much covers it, it's a very entertaining simple game that is often played in the Delta with holes in the ground and rocks.

In other news, I'm no longer hanging out at Kavango Air. Now each morning I get up, head to the airport and try to mooch flights off of every company. The one major plus from the Kavango Air experience was that John (the Chief Pilot) has agreed to be a reference for me for future jobs.

And final Bit to add, the stars down here are spectacular. Amazing. There is almost no pollution, and no mountains so you see from horizon to horizon stars like I have never seen before. I'm sure those of you way up north (Dereck, Greg) get the same effect, on the other hand when I go out to look at the stars at 2am, it's still in the twenties (positive).

Until next time,

Eli

Zebra, Nuts, Maun

What else could you ask for :-P

Well the title says everything I have to say... Downtown Maun, is nothing exciting, but I did see some Zebras, which are pretty cool.

Camps and Flying

Well folks, finally I think I have the post and update that most of you have been asking for. Unfortunately it is not that I got a job, but more that I finally took my camera out for a day of flying into camps. Over the last two days I've spent my time flying into safari camps in the Okavango Delta.

It all starts off with showing up at the airport and asking every company if they have any flights that you can ride along on. Once you find one (I find I average about one flight every two days), you simply get a ticket, and jump in the airplane. I'm always in the right seat, and fly the entire flight, pretty much acting as an autopilot for the employed pilots. Now the type of aircraft really depends on the day, but it ranges from Cessna 172's to Cessna 208's.

The pictures from the air of the delta, does not do the delta justice. These ones I was at 2,500' above the ground. On scenic flights we fly down at 500' which provides a much better view but I still don't think any picture I take from the plane will do it justice. The delta is also sprawling with life. You see herds of Elephants, groups of Giraffes, and pods (?) of Hippos. There are wildabeasts, zebras, buffalo, impalas.... everywhere.

After landing in the camp, in this case Seba Camp, I get picked up by a land cruiser, and driven into the camp. These are not your typical pitch a tent and make a fire places. These camps range between $2,000 and $7,000 US dollars a night. It's amazing. You arrive and within minutes the camp manager comes and greets you (as a pilot looking for work). They then feed you until you explode, everything is free of charge for pilots. I then opted to wonder around and amire the expansive the canopy, the buildings, and the wildlife. Even if I'm not employed, I am thoroughly enjoying my time down here. The free thing extends even more when you get back to Maun. Every employed pilot knows that you are not making any money, so insist on covering most of your tabs and dinners. If I wasn't a pilot, I would be tempted to come here and just pretend to be one, haha.

Anyways I'm exhausted and will be heading to bed early tonight. I hope everybody is well over in Canada, and I really enjoy reading the comments on this thing.

Cheers,

Eli

PS: That's an Elephants skull I'm leaning on

Yes I know... Same as last post, some random animal that you can see back home... Don't start with me!

One of the cows that lives near my tent, as you can see from his shoulder he has switched owners numerous times. Nothing new to report really, But when something comes up I will put it up here. On the next sunny day I will take a day off and go take some pictures

Cheers

Eli

No pictures... Just MAN EATING KILLER ANIMALS!!!

Mum, Don't read this post... Mwahahaha

So I figured I'd write a quick post about some of the critters that one can find around my tent. I'll start with the "cute little innocent" ones, then work my way to the "man eating killer" variety.

First of all the caterpillars, millipedes, and centipedes.... Everyday I wake up to about 20 or so caterpillars climbing over my tent. most are little green guys about an inch long. These little guys grow into butter flies about the size of a bowling ball... actually... they are huge... Then there are the big spiky ones... these are about the size of a cigar and covered in spikes... when scared they vomit green goo everywhere... and not just a little green goo, a whole lot of green goo. Yesterday I awoke to the biggest millipede I have ever seen crawling over my stomach... he was about 8 inches long... fortunately they are not poisonous or anything, just creepy. finally the centipedes, haven't seen too many of these, I'm told they are poisonous though.

Not all the animals are that cute... for instance a on Tuesday, I got out of bed (very sleepy), and mozzied down to the showers. Open the door to one of the stalls, and there sitting on the bench: a spitting cobra. No coffee on the planet could wake you up faster then seeing that snake first thing in the morning. Speaking of snakes, here are a couple that hang around the area:

Spitting Cobra: These "little" guys are deadly. They spit poison into your eyes to blind you, then bite, I think they have about a 50% kill rate in adults. fortunately they are relatively docile and do not attack unless provoked. One of the people at the camp actually trip and got tangled in one, and never got bitten.

Black Mambas: If I were to have nightmares about any animal down here... it's these guys. Nearly 100% kill rate in Adults, in as little as 10 minutes after the bite. Oh, they are very aggressive and territorial. They can grow up to about 4.5 metres, and the most amazing thing is that they can support themselves on one third of their length. This means that a 4.5m snake can "stand" 2 metres in the air.... scary.

well thats enough about killer snakes around my tent. I apologise for the lack of pictures, I am working so hard at getting a job, and combined with the massive thunder storms have not had the opportunity to take many. When I do, I will post them

Eli

This one is for Rob

Yes I know... I am in Africa and I just posted a picture of a donkey...

It has been a very hectic and exciting week here, and I have not had the time to take out my camera much, or update my blog. But after email number 5 from people harassing me to update (it's only been 4 days...), I decided to find time to write a new entry.

Mum, you wanted to know what my daily life is like so I will try to go through an entire day here in Maun.

I get up every morning at 6:30am, there is no need for an alarm down here. The sun rises and the animals start making so much noise it is impossible to sleep. Roosters are my alarm, there is one that enjoys spending time around my tent (which as of now has weathered about two dozen thunder storms). After getting up it's off to the shower. This is not like the showers in Canada. It's outdoors in a stall, heated by the sun. So it's not hot in the morning. The Dung beatles enjoy the showers, and they are big... like golf ball size... there are millipedes everywhere, praying mantis love sitting on your towel, and apprently two weeks ago there was a cobra in the shower... yes a cobra. After the quick shower it's a 200m walk to the main road.

From here I wait for the Combi. The ten person van usually has about 16 people in it when I get in, so it's a little tight. the record for a combi I have been in is 21 people, very cramped, but the people are great. The ride into town takes anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes. Some of these drivers drive down ever side street for miles to pick people up, then drive under 20km an hour. Others are maniacs... It's like Combi Roulette.

On a side from my day, a little talk about work. I have been at Kavengo Air everyday now since Tuesday. It's a small company, there are 4 pilots here. As for aircraft they have 2 Cessna 172's, 2 Cessna 206's, and 2 Cessna 208's. They have been very good to me, and have had me flying up in the delta for 6 hours in the last two days. I was on a 5 hour of flight time, internship/interview. John (the Chief Pilot) has been very straight forward with me, they dont know if they will hire another pilot this year, but as long as I'm around here I'm in if they do. So I am going to stick here, they give me flight time, it's airconditioned, and the people are awesome. Hopefully in the next couple entries I will know for sure whether or not I will get a job. If I do: Great. If not: I will have all my delta time in to get my licence converted over and try somewhere else. I really am hoping for this company though.

So after getting off the Combi I come down here to Kavengo air. I spend my day chatting with the boys, and whenever there is a flight I go on it to build time. The flights around the delta are amazing. Yesterday we did a scenic flight. 1 hour of low level (500ft), following rivers, lakes, and lagoons. We saw a herd of almost 1000 elephants, hundreds of hippos, giraffes, wildabeasts. The terrain is stunning. Then comes the thunder storm dodging... there are storms here like you wouldn't believe. they don't last long, but they are so impressive.

After the day at Kavengo, I get a ride home from one of the pilots. From here I usually go out for drinks with all the other pilots. There is an American camped next to me who is a great guy (also looking for work). The bars here are very friendly and all outdoors. After drinking with the boys and getting all the latest on potential jobs, I hitch a ride with some back to my camp and go to bed.

On a random note: I've been trying some of the local food. So far I have had this dry meat stuff (Meat is meat applies here, just dont ask), it's quite good and tastes like jerky, but is probably donkey or something. Also bone marrow, super rich, and has a texture like Escargot. Then some of the foods down in the market.

Well that is all for now. When I find some time I will start taking more picture I promise. I also don't take my camera on flights yet. I will start when I have a job.

Cheers,

Eli

Walking in the park

There is a park that is about a 15 minute walk from down town, right across the river. I was walking down a path in the park, looking at some of the picture I had taken (so not paying attention to what was around me), and when I looked up (way way way up) there was a Giraffe about 15ft away from me straddling the trail. I took a couple quick pictures, he stepped off the trail, and I continued on my way.

I've discovered that at the camp I'm staying at they give a 75% discount to pilots, the cost of tenting has now gone down to 15 pula a night, or about $2.25. Also all of the companies here are great, and let me use their internet, power, and most importantly air conditioning. I almost got up in the air today to check out the Okavengo, but unfortunately it did not work out. All the companies have offered to take me up flying whenever they have a free seat.

I've spent the last two days wondering around the streets of Maun, trying to get used to where everything is in the city. I will try to post some photos of the town in my next post. anyways my battery is low so I should end this now while I still can...

Cheers

Eli

Maun Under

Well I'm here in Maun, and before I go any further I want to explain how to say the word Maun. It's like "down" with a "M", not like "lawn". Now that that is taken care of I can write a quick blurb about life down here on day one.

After landing in Maun, I went outside and right infront of me was "Delta Air", so I went in and had a good solid conversation with the chief pilot and looks like i'm going to be going at least a month unemployed no matter where I apply, but I was sorta expecting this. He then proceded to give me the names and address of every other chief pilot and town, and what to expect from each one. Steve (the chief pilot of Delta Air) is a great guy, and I am hoping to get on with his company.

After a quick meet and greet with every chief pilot in town, It was off to Audi Camp. This is where I will be living until I find a suitable place to live closer to town. It's about 20km from down town, but very easy to get to. I took a "combi" for the first time, essentially a Van crammed with people, but very cheap. The 20km cost 2.75 pula, which works out to be under $0.50CDN. The locals are great with me, as I have no Idea how these things work, but have been managing thus far.

Audi camp is not what I expected... It has a swimming pool, showers, and a Massive bar (in the photos). Food here is cheap, as is beer. A burger and salad is 40 pula (7.00CDN), anda beer is 13 pula (2.00CDN) (at a bar... In a resort). So it is nice to be in a country where the Canadian dollar is actually worth something. On a side note, I bought a cell phone down here, it was 200 Pula with time on it and a SIM card (about 50CDN)... no contract... the only down side is making calls is expensive, but all the pilots seem to rely on text messages.

There are animals everywhere in town, no not Elephants. But everywhere you look there are Cows, Ox, Bulls, Goats, Chickens, donkeys and Dogs, on every street, in every yard... everywhere. Tomorrow I will be checking out the game reserve and I will try to upload some pictures afterwards, but the internet here is a bit Dodgy.

As for my tent... As you can see from the pictures, it is small... very small... but it shall do for sleep in. Well that is all for now, until next time

Eli

Africa!

I have finally landed in South Africa. Unfortunately there will be no pictures on this update, as I have not had the time to take any, and I am exhausted. But I will write as much as I can about the last couple days, they have been busy.

I spent my last day in Austria hanging out with Conny, and had a wonderful time. Conny again thank you so much for everything, without you I would not have been able to spend time in Europe, I look forward to meeting you down in Botswana, or somewhere else in the world in the not to distant future. I left Vienna at 7:30am on the 31st, and arrived in london at 4pm. After making my way to the hostel (This time it's the pub and hostel used in the Guy Richy films: Lock Stock and two Smoking barrels, and Snatch) Great place to stay. New Years was spent in Trafalgar square watching the most amazing fireworks I have ever seen. Then to bed at about 1am, things are just too expensive to do in London. The next day was spent with an Aussie, an American, and a Swede in the pub of the hostel. Good times.

After Touring the Royal Gallery and the Imperial War Museum, I headed off to Heathrow for my flight to Doha, and Johannesburg. I was flying on Qatar Airlines, which was amazing. Three course meals for breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, 150 movies in the entertainment system, and best of all...Free Booze in economy class! A Brief stop in Doha, made my connection, and landed here in Johannesburg at 4 in the afternoon local time (I left london at 8pm the previous day). I tried to check into the hotel at the airport but unfortunately it was over 800CDN a night, one the locals recomended this local Guest House, where I am currently staying is fantastic. Kenny, Rhoda, and Godfrey are amazing hosts, I highly recomend this place to anyone heading to South Africa.

I'm afraid that this is all I have for today, I fly to Maun, Botswana tomorrow morning, and will try to do an Update with photos sometime tomorrow night.

Until Next time,

Eli