Rocking up at Tripoli airport, I was the only female passing through Security on arrival. To say I stood out like a sore thumb would be an under statement. The to-ing and fro-ing with my passport didn't help matters and I couldn't understand the sudden chuckle bursts from the guards. Eventually my passport was handed back to me and I got ushered through, but there was definitely some distinct mocking going on. It wasn't until the end of my trip, that my agent kindly explained the misunderstanding (although he too was laughing). The Libyan Embassy in London had translated my job title "Contractor" to "Builder" !!! Thanks guys...
Anyway, all that joking aside, what a fabulous country Libya was. The ruins of Leptis Magna and Sabratha blew me away. Sitting amongst them, looking out to the Med, wind in my air, sun on my back, I tried to imagine myself in Roman times. I think we studied the Romans at school even more than we studied the Egyptians, so I was digging through the recess of my memory to visualise it all. I can't believe all that has happened to this country over recent months and I can't believe Colonel Gaddafi is dead. I remember very clearly my guided tour of his museum of treasures and gifts from world leaders. The propaganda was rife, but it was a fascinating insight. I felt completely safe walking around on my own in the capital Tripoli, no hassle from men to speak of, and a very modern, cultured feel to boot. So, aside from the joke about the builder, the over zealous hotel porter who wanted to do anything for me in return for a visa, and the mega amount of litter everywhere you looked, Libya scored very highly and I feel privileged to have seen it before the revolution. One day I will go back and compare notes.
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I was going to be taking approx 10 flights during a 2 1/2 week jaunt to Ethiopia and Kenya, but it was the hot air ballooning in the Maasai Mara I was most looking forward to. It was still pitch black when we arrived at the site around 5ish. Everyone was sleepy and cradling their coffee, but you could feel the buzz of excitement and anticipation in the air. For most people, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. An awesome flight over 1 of the best known game reserves followed by a beautiful champagne breakfast in the bush. It doesn't get much better than that! It seemed to take ages to "blow up" the balloon, but as dawn approached, we finally got the signal to climb into the giant basket. The best way I can describe this is, it's like taking the brace position - but on your back with your legs in the air. Very elegant when you're all strapped in. I remember the heat from the propane on the side of my face, the roar of the gas, shielding my camera underneath my jacket and waiting for the basket to lift so we would be seated upright. We actually did quite a bit of waiting...and waiting...and waiting...and then it went flat - the balloon and the experience. Turns out it was too windy to fly. At the time I was bitterly disappointed. Having missed out on the Serengeti during my trip to Tanzania several years ago, I thought I'd get lucky second time around. But it wasn't to be. And looking back now, I'm very glad. Since that trip, there have been a couple of very high profile ballooning accidents caused by freak windy weather.
So, I dedicate Number 19 to my almost Mara ballooning experience! Back to Tanzania now for Number 20 of "29 of the best", this time in the north and camping on the Ngorongoro crater rim. It wasn't as comfortable as Bots - no beds, no loos with views and only cold water to wash away the dust in a grimy shower block - but the location was incredible. Pictures don't do it justice and neither do words. Just go there to see it to believe it!
Luckily nothing snuffled through our tent that night, but the ladies next to us had a warthog going for their shampoo. It's a local tipple don't you know... Bizarrely, there was mobile phone reception right down in the middle of the crater, so I was texting the wildlife feast before me to Colin. I don't necessarily think this is a good (ethical) thing but, at the time, having cheetahs lounging all over our vehicle took my breath away. To be that close... Before I hit you with number 20 on the list, here's a recap of 29 to 21...
29: Family time in Albufeira, Portugal 28: Celebrating Songkran Festival in Bangkok, Thailand 27: Wild Dogs in Mikumi, Tanzania 26: Microlighting over Vic Falls, Livingstone, Zambia 25: Wild camping in Botswana 24: Sibling time in Brittany, France 23: Clubbing in Belgrade, Serbia 22: Entering a pyramid in Cairo, Egypt 21: Walking safari in Mlilwane Game Reserve, Swaziland In October 2006, I took my mum and big sis on their first ever safari to South Africa and we also had a couple of nights mid-tour in the little Kingdom of Swaziland. The King had just married his 13th or 14th wife when we arrived - imagine that! We stayed in these funky beehive huts and took a walking safari out in the game reserve. We saw plenty of what I call "tame game" - antelope, zebra, wildebeest, that sort of thing - no big cats because Mlilwane doesn't cater to any. The danger on this safari were the crocs, but I'm pleased to report we didn't have any casualties. The whole experience whet my appetite for more adventurous walking safaris like the ones being offered in Ikoma, Tanzania... On the way out of Swaziland, we stopped at Swazi Candles craft shop and watched the workers making these beautiful animal shaped candles. I just had to buy some!
As a kid, you study the Egyptians countless times at school, so how chuffed do you think I was when, in May 2008, I realised a childhood dream of mine - to go inside a pyramid... I had 48 hours in Cairo and a hotel inspection list as long as my arm, but I had to see those pyramids. Being able to walk around inside, just me and my guide, was incredible - even if the stench of ammonia and the 40 degree + heat was unbearable. I was beside myself with excitement! On that trip I also got to see the Spinx, some beautiful hieroglyphics (which have always fascinated me) and the legendary burial mask of Tutankhamun. I barely scratched the surface of this magical country, but it just made me want to go back for more and more and more. And I will!
Hot clubbing prediction for you coming in at 23 - Belgrade is where it's at! Wait for Easy jet to start flying in and it'll be full of hen and stag parties and Irish bars in no time... We explored the club scene whilst we were there in October last year. People open up their basements for parties, but I also loved the regular nightclubs. Great beats, buzzing atmosphere and interesting concepts in a city where, despite its recent history, I felt strangely alive. An interesting fact for you - the Serbs are a very tall race. I felt like a midget in comparison. Also check out this Supermarket Concept Store in Belgrade by studio reMiks. Pretty darn innovative :)
Drank the best pina colada in the world this weekend people. OMG, it was delicious! Head on over to Guanabara, a fab Brazillian club in London if you wish to experience it...
Ok, so on with the countdown and rewinding all the way back to June 1998 now. We took a family camping holiday with Sunsites to Brittany, France and I remember one of the last days we were there, my siblings and I headed down to a little beach we'd uncovered earlier on in the 2 weeks. Like most things that happened more than a day ago, I don't remember much of what we talked about, but I do remember that we sat on the rocks there (in the heat of the day - couldn't do that now!) for a good 4 or 5 hours chatting and watching the tide go right out and then come all the way back in again. When you're young and your brother and sisters are always around, you don't really appreciate one another. You fight with each other, annoy each other, shout, laugh, cry... yet I can honestly say, hand on heart, for those precious few hours we spent together we were all the best of the friends. Really laughing my head off at Miranda Series 2 guys and girls, and also really enjoying the camaraderie between Indie authors on Twitter this week. I've made so many new friends and I can't wait to have time to delve into their work.
Now, back to my 29 of the best... Still in November 2005 and sticking with my favourite continent Africa, we stayed in some of the most beautiful lodges during a "flash" trip through Zambia and Botswana - flash because we zoomed around a lot of Bots in just a week and we were also reccing a new in style tour - but my highlight was actually the 1 night we wild camped. 3 things you can't beat when you're camping on safari - a loo with a view, a glorious bucket shower to wash away the sweat and the sand and the dust, and drinking beers around the fire under a jet black African sky. It was magical. That same day, we'd driven very very slowly through a dense herd of elephants, just us and the elephants and they were so close, you could reach out and touch them. I didn't take pictures because I didn't want to startle them, but that intimate encounter will stay with me forever. Words cannot do it justice. Enjoy the piccies! An early morning microlight flight over Victoria Falls... Let the pics do the talking... SIMPLY INCREDIBLE
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AuthorBlogging is an amazing concept so here I am giving it a whirl. You'll get words. You'll get pics. Sometimes a vid or two. You'll get tongue in cheek, the odd humble opinion and an honest insight into my travels and writing life. Maybe even a few gems along the way. I'll be musing on home turf as I see more and more of the UK and sharing my experiences further afield on holidays and adventurous trips across the globe. Archives
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