about african trails

If you're thinking what company to have an overland tour with, hopefully my blog will help you. I have no doubt african trails was the best - everyone was like minded up for a laugh and all aged 18 - 32(ish). Every other overland tour (dragoman, odyssey etc) that I saw looked bored and quiet. In Lake Buyani, some of them wanted to join us - we were that cool! They were also way more expensive and not as daring.

African Trails website had all the info I needed for the trip which was perfect for me because I left everything last minute - but don't be like me and leave your jabs until last minute. I couldn't have a couple because it was a 4-6 week course of injections.

The staff were awesome - when I arrived, they sorted me out. The tour drivers (we had henry, mandy and carl) were just the best and one day when most of us were on safari, the owner took about 6 of us to his house for a few beers and BBQ - how awesome is that!

My mate went with them in 2001 and he would say the same - without doubt - choose african trails. I loved them so much in a few years I might go back and spent a few years being a tour driver!! PS - My blog made their website woohoo! www.africantrails.co.uk

Life back in England

TIA AFRICAN TRAILS!

The best 5 weeks ever are over. Its back to an english lifestyle of gloomy weather and pound signs. The trip sure made everyone realise there's more to life. I can't wait to go back. The best things I brought home are a masai painting, an african necklace and a toe STILL covered in nail varnish from the first night on tour! Matt probably came back with more. Cough.

Life in England can get pretty muddy.. Leeds Fest 09

So one month later, I'm back to working hard and playing harder. I've left an awesome 6 years in Newcastle and Middlesbrough to sample some Bristol before I move on, emigrate to Africa and start the first ever Mzungu Masai Tribe!

Seriously though, if you're thinking of Africa, please please do it - its the best experience ever and its not as most people perceive. Its friendly, safe and incredibly welcoming. There's so much to do every day and the people are amazing.

Petra - Miss Argentina, I miss her so much. We had some good cheeky fun times that I'll never forget. I'm going to visit her next year for sure. I even spoke to her mum! Ha love you petra keep smiling :) x

Matt - Legend. The first few weeks were the best and we had such a laugh! Shame about his grisly bear snoring. Keep in touch man!

Jenna - One crazy girl, so much fun. She understands me better than I do. I can't wait to see her on X-Factor uncut lol. Despite her new career as a lawyer, we're still gonna party hard!

Rosie - she made me laugh and I can't wait to go clubbing with her. Good luck with your big city job Rosie! Cracking boobs and it wasn't me who took the photos!

Christine - talking of boobs. wow. From NY, me and Christine spent most nights buddying up. She has a wicked outlook on life and some cool stories.. Bring on London!!

Paddy n Lynne - Legends. So funny, up for anything, intelligent and some good views on life! Can't wait to see you guys soon, enjoy the year out! TIA! Big up D4!

Freddie - Only knew her a few days but definitely worth a mention! she's so sweet and we had loads in common. I could fall in love with Freddie, she's THAT cool. x

Charlie - phenomenon girl who totally loved africa and all the animals. Wish I was there when the new guys joined. Camden here we come baby!!

charlie, petra, vinster - reunion in london!

Anh - omg where do I start? Most of my fun was with Anh. Even now, I speak to her and I'm laughing so hard. We're getting married on Henry's truck and Karli's gonna be our maid. Fact.

Karli - Captain Sensible with me n Anh. I miss her "hey vinnie" and her laugh which sounds like a seal being clubbed. Don't work too hard and have fun!!

Stumpie n Ella - THE coolest couple ever. Captain Caveman was up for everything as was Ella. They just smile all day and are so chilled out. My best memories are with these guys.

Abi n Dave - they're awesome and living my dream of travelling the world. Big hugs Ali-licous and Canonball Dave..

Andi n Birgit - Who the fuck put germans on tour? Good move! These guys were super funny! Andi's humour was sarcastic, witty and dry! Birgit was a stunning cook!

Andrew - A heart of gold, a brain of peas. Once I got used to Andrew I thought he was funny and always gave us a laugh.

Alex, dan, katie, kate, rob, seana, katie, Ash, Ellie, Katie, max, cristina - I only had a few days with these guys and didn't get to know them, but could tell they were ALL awesome! Wish I could have stayed on.. you're all sexy!

Have fun, be happy and keep in touch! Love you all x Enjoy the blog..

Day 36 - 40 Dubai

Dubai Dubai. I heard so many good things but I'm not a fan.

Leaving third world africa to rich mans Dubai was surreal. I knew hotels here would be crazily priced so when I arrived late at night to Dubai I just slept at the airport. Then I got a taxi into the city. The wealth is increadible and so when I turned up covered in dirt and smelling like a cat's ass I couldn't wait for a shower.

The first day was 47 degrees and Rama txt me to wish me well, all was good. I ended up watching a filipinoo band - (petra would have loved it) and then ended up at some dodgy asian dance hall with winking belly dancers and strange men. I didn't stay long.

The next day I went on a desert safari. This was pretty cool but I nearly killed myself quad biking - I cleared a 6ft sand dune before crashing down head first. Alloutadventures in newcastle was better!

Killer quad bike

Shopping in Dubai was awesome. I spent loads especially in Ted Baker and Bershka. After Deira Shopping Centre I went to Jerumia beach - the best beach ever! But there was no-one english speaking around (apparently tourism is bad) so I went to see Ice Age 3! Awesome! Then I went to Ski Dubai. Happy days! I love snowboarding so I couldn't wait to hit the largest indoor slopes in the world. It was soooo good - I even attempted a few kickers!

World's largest indoor snow slope

Overall Dubai was ok but over-rated. Its great for shopping but the culture sucks and I don't like the arrogant people. But at least now I've been there.

Day 34 - 35 Bye bye Africa :(

my goodbye kissy kiss

After saying goodbye to the girls, I was all by myself. So I headed to the beach with some danish people and got a wicked txt off Jen saying they miss me and its not the same without me - it made me smile loads! But now with all this time by myself, I was thinking about home. All of a sudden I don't feel too good.

I got the dala dala local bus there so I walked home. It took 3 hours and was pitch dark. The next morning I headed back to Nungwi, the north island. This time on the dala dala, I was like a crushed african chicken - people were all over me, it was so crambed, people were clinging onto the outside and one guy was on the roof. Nuts!

I got chatting to a couple of girls who told me their folks run a hunting company in kenya where tourists can shoot to kill any of the big five. I was so pissed off, I left before I slapped them silly.

I got back to stone town and went out clubbing with ramalovii. He was so funny trying to score me with one of the locals and get with the irish girls. By 6am I only had 30mins to make my ferry so had to run.

Day 33 - Spice Tour

I was sad at breakfast saying goodbye to Matt and Petra! We had a great time together and I was going to miss these guys. I also got to see Freddie and a few others through some railings - sad times!! This was also my last day with Anh and Karli. We went on a spice tour, to a slave museum to a fish market. The smell wreaked so bad and then I saw butchers chiseling into full on bull's skulls! Crazy!

slavery monument

6ft spiders! ..web

dirty big tuna fish

The spice farm was pretty cool. We tasted and dressed ourselves in fruity spices and got to eat exotic fruit (anh loved this) - my favourite was custard apple and lemon vanilla tea! very nice i like! Then one of the farmers climbed a huge tree just to get some coconuts.

Private meal after the spice tour

Our last night at the pier

Day 32 - Road Trip

Anh and Karli were in the South so myself, Petra, Matt, Paddy, Lynne, Stumpie and Ella who all had bikes by now were going to see them. That was the plan anyway..

We were ready to leave at 8am but Paddy drove straight into a wall, cut himself and then said he hasn't been on a bike before. haha so we spent the next couple of hours teaching him and when we made it out of the village, Paddy stalled by the police. This wasn't such a worry only he didn't have a licence and his fake permit was in Lynne's name. I thought they'd just take his bike but instead they laughed and helped him! phew!

Wild monkies and Vinnie

So we arrived at the gas station to fill his tank with oil and were on our way. Two hours later we realised we had just made a complete circle and lost about an hour's drive - I blame Petra! I thought the girls were still waiting for us because I had a random african call me all day saying he was with them. He wasn't.

The next problem was my engine cutting out - I ran out of petrol. Myself and Stumpie drove off to fill a canister and again were quizzed by police. Then.. paddy fell into a ditch and snapped his clutch haha this was crazy, nothing else could go wrong! Seeing paddy in a ditch with a big bike on top of him was sooooo funny and all the village kids were in stitches laughing. I wish I had a photo!

Stumpie wrapped his belt around the handle but we only made it 2 miles back to the same gas station. We decided we had to leave them if we had any chance of making it down.

We say our farewells after one crazy adventure

We eventually arrived at Jambiani and I ran down so excited shouting for Anh and Karli. When I was told they left for Stone Town I was sooo gutted. I really wanted to see them so we drove to Stone Town - another 2 hours - that's 9 hours driving around zanzibar trying to find them! It was the most fun I've ever had! We were swerving around crowds of people, cows, chickens, cars, lorry's, red lights, narrow streets and more! Petra kept shouting in my ear but I knew she was having a loads of fun really!!

We gave up hope of finding the girls until we randomly bumped into them!! I gave them the biggest hug ever and we went to meet a couple of local guys for a quick beer before heading home! Awesome day!

Ramalovii, Karli, Colombo & Anh

Day 31 - A day Snorkeling & Being Arrested

The next morning we headed out to the tropical fish on an old creaking boat made from trees and spotted some dolphins on the way! It was perfect for sun bathing only it was cold and wet. We all got to dive off the boat and swim amonst stunning fish and coral. Typical Andrew had me in stitches as he got rescued in a life jacket. We had a BBQ on the beach (I ate fish people and it was lush) and then headed back to a rain soaked camp.

Don't worrk girls, I'm coming to save you

everyone jumping except stumpie

me and freddie

Me and Kate

Andrew needed to be rescued from the sharks

katie n seana first to jump

Rob, Kate, Ella n Stumps

By now Stumpie had got himself a bike. I love this guy like no other and can't wait for him and Ella to get back to England! So anyway, we went for a drive, this time Freddie came with me. It turned out to be quite a bike ride! First we were pulled by the cops again who demanded we pay $3000 and leave our bikes with them only to pick them up in court the next day. I was livid. No-way was I paying these crooks anything and stormed off back to camp to get our licences. I managed to talk our way out of this mess even though matt was digging us deeper by panacking over his fake licence!

Stumpie looking slick

By the time they let us go, it was dark so we drove back but the floods were really bad. At one corner I couldn't see a way through apart from straight down the middle. BIG MISTAKE! The water was 1ft deep and cut out my engine. Freddie jumped off and I pushed the bike out of the mud. By now half the village came out to watch me. I ran back to rescue Freddie who was knee deep in mud. When I carried her out all the village were cheering and whisteling it was really funny! I managed to get the bike going again and we went home.

mzungu warrior saved freddie from the mud!

This was to be my last night with everyone although I didn't realise. We all went for a big meal and then it hit me, I was leaving for the South Island the next morning and so now was my last time with everyone. In true Vinnie fashion, I said a quick goodbye and left, something I regret now - I wish we had a big party for our last night (stumpie, ella, paddy and lynne were also leaving).

My last meal with everyone

Rosie looking yummy at dinner

Day 30 - Beautiful Zanzibar

Little did I know how crazy the next few days would be. Everyone went on the spice tour and to the north island. Myself and matt hired 250cc bikes. These bad boys had some kick. Within 10mins we had the bikes from Alley Keys, our "permits" and Matt's had a fake American licence. Asked what if the police stop us, Alley Keys just said "this is africa". This was so dodgy plus I'd never rode a bike before but I didn't tell matt that.

Armed with a hand drawn map, we set off to the north, weaving our way through crowded markets and busy traffic all the way. We arrived a few hours later the girls were amazed - this place was in the middle of nowhere!

Matt didn't want anyone on his bike but I brought a spare helmet so of course I couldn't wait to take the girls out for a spin. Step on up Christine. For some reason we were stopped by police, who quizzed and released us. Phew! Next was Katie. We stopped off at this awesome beach at sunset then headed back to camp, only we got lost. I was too stubborn to ask for directions so katie jumped off and we got help!

me and matt at sunset

katie on the bike

I didn't have clean clothes with me so I spent the night in paddy's clothes and a hat the guys brought me from their spice tour!

I drank cocktails with Petra while stumpie was taking sly snaps of masai playing pool and Jen was busting some beach dance moves. Then I started chatting to Freddie and we spent all night on the beach just blabbing away having a great time. She's so cool and by now I really didn't want to leave. All the new guys were awesome. After a few hours sleep it was time for snorkeling woohoo!

me and freddie on the beach

rosie with masai

the boys

Day 27 - 29 Tanzania to Zanzibar

We drove 9 hours through Tanzania and its the first time I've seen tarmac and electricity. We arrived the next day in Dar Es Salem at a camp site on the beach. I ran straight in the sea with a chilled sevanna cider! We were playing games when Karli tore her nails down my back - I was bleeding illuminous blood! cool huh!

Christine buying pineapples

So out of the new guys there were two hot Katies, some really sweet girls and a few funny guys. We played volleyball where Dave was nicknamed "Cannonball" because of his mighty serves and then carried on drinking through the night. Myself and matt got chatting with a load of south africans, one of them seduced me in her honey moon suite but after she had a big arguement with her friend, I made a quick exit.

playing volleyball

beer time @ camp

jen and ash on the beach

The next day we got the ferry to zanzibar. Jen had her boots cut from her bag and it was a quick goodbye to Karl and Mandi. I only knew them a few days, but they were awesome tour guides and I'm gonna miss them! On the ferry my phone tells me my trip ends today. I'm devastated and start thinking about my hectic life back in england. It's not something I wanted to go back to.

so you think its funny to push me over huh

welcome to zanzibar

Quickly forgotten.. on the island we went to african house where a monkey jumped on me. He looked like a weired marshmallow! There was a beautiful food market and we spent our first night in a bed. To be honest, I'd prefer the tents!

food market

Paddy and Lynne at sunset

Day 26 - Ngoro Ngoro Crater

We woke up to this stunning view and a stunning breakfast. Then we saw 2 cheatahs but that was it. Some lions in the distance and close up elephants was all we saw. Well apart from a hyena, a osterich and some hippos but who wants to see them right? I wanted Rhino!!

stunning view of ngoro ngoro crater

cheetah

The crater was baron and was sold as the best game park so we were all pretty pissed off. Back at camp was the first time I got to meet the new guys its just a shame there's only a few days left.

close up elephant

posing photo

The first night with the new guys was cool but by now I'd given up on where I was sleeping so jumped in with Anh and Karli. I was about to sleep on the truck until I realised Stumpie had accidentally changed the lock code! So when I heard Karl in the morning smashing the lock off I knew it was time to wake up!

Stumpie, Lynne Ella and Vinster

ella and rosie looking boobielicous

Day 23 - 25 Arusha

Destination: Tanzania.
Bad news: Henry is leaving us.
Good news: Karl, Mandi and a group of newbies

The gang have one last happy snap with henry

There was some tension amongst the girls today so I just sat at the back of the truck most of the journey. I ate a stunning chip and meat ommlette with Karoma a Kiwi born Kenyan who runs his own tour company - The African Touch. It only cost $1! It was also our last night on maria aka f*ck truck so a few of us slept on there to say goodbye!

Jen and Rosie on the truck

Tanzania views

Most people went on a side trip to the Serengeti National Park and I wish I had too because I missed a great day! Instead a few of us played centurian which last way past 100 shots - so bad that I had to sleep with Stumpie and Ella. Stumpie was sick in his sleep so you can imagine how bad they were!

stumpie wasted having just fallen off his chair

The next morning me and Anh went for a run again and then we went to a masai village museum. After that we went to the snake park where Karli showed us her abnormal guns (I'm just jealous really) and we got to hold a snake and a baby croc. Then we went on a camel ride where one camel ate karli's flip flop.

camel eating karli

anh and stumpie's camel ride

masai village

Just before we went to the crater, Matt caterpolted our tent pole into the crocodile pit! It was soooo funny - a ranger had to rescue it for us but first of all he gave us an orange thinking we wanted that! lol When we arrived at the crater it was FREEZING! I only had shorts and flip flops too, not the best choice on top of a cold mountain!

Andrew giving up on his tent