Vinnie Morgan Mzungu Warrior

about african trails

2009-12-02T00:14:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-26T04:19:00.000-07:00

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 :(

2009-07-24T03:56:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-23T02:34:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-22T02:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-21T02:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-20T01:56:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

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

Day 20 - 22 Clubbing & Elephant Orphange

2009-07-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

Just before we left camp today, me and rosie fed the wild monkeys! one even held my finger with his hand! so cute! Matt's quote of the day "I wish I didn't just blow my nose, now I can smell how bad I stink" and that's true, we stank pretty bad.

So we arrived in Nairobi where I bought the most amazing necklace - it has a silver map of africa! the perfect memory! A few of us then went shopping in Triangle market. Haggling the prices down and chatting to the locals was great fun! Anh and Karli spent $100 on one stall haha! The rest of us bought paintings, carvings and random african memorabilia. Anh's attempt at asking some asians for a taxi home didn't quite work so she doesn't always have the luck with the men!

Me with the dala dala local bus

Anh and miss argentina enjoying the scenery from the truck

We went clubbing in the night to an irish bar - it was such an awesome night! We danced so much and had loads of fun. me, stumpie and dave busted some funky moves! By the end I was thrown into a taxi because I slumped over the bar. The pic below sums the night up.

Rosie, Abi, Me and Christin - Clubbing!!!

Damn, just 2ft from a bed. Good effort

Major hangover the next morning but no way was I missing out on the elephant orphanage. We got to see a baby Rhino - my favourite animal and 2 groups of baby orphan elephants. They were all falling and splashing about in the mud pool. I just wanted to jump in with them!

Me with baby Rhino running away behind me

Baby orphan elephants playing in the mud pool

After this we all went to the famous masai market and Charlie went to town to buy a new camera! Anh cracked me up with her rendition of "i.. beee..lieve i believe i believe i believe" dance (apparently from shrek?) and Andi bought the tape worm tablets we needed after splashing around in the stagnant water.

Day 18 - 19 Masaimara Game Park

2009-07-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

Wooooooooooow!!! One of the best days of my LIFE! Before we entered the best game park in the world, masai women tried selling souvenirs and typical Jen paid over the odds! Lol. Henry drove like a mad men, spotting animals miles away. We saw loads of animals and just missed a kill. Today though I wish I had a big zoom lens.

herd of elephants crossing the park

We only spent the afternoon here so back at camp the cook team rustled up mexican fajitas - my favourite! With Anh and master chef Dave at the helm the food was stunning! Its a shame a few of us had the shits.

The cook team at camp

The next morning at 6am we found a lion kill. She was dragging a wilder beast back to its cubs. She was so powerful.

female lion dragging a dead wilder beast

We saw plenty more animals and a guard even gave us a tour of the hippos and crocs. We saw hundreds of thousands of wilder beast all ready to cross the river.

herd of wilder beast and zebra

Then just with 1 hour left, Henry spotted a leopard through some bushes but when he got closer there was a steep bank. Everyone shouted out the truck to drive around but I shouted "Go on henry you can do it" and he was crazy enough to try - only he got us stuck! OMG this was the best thing on the trip, we were stuck in a big ditch! The wheels were spinning in the air so a few of us jumped out to help Henry dig us out. At one point a few of us ran off to find lions then common sense kicked in so we ran back scared!

2 hours later and the fun was over because we were crawling in the stagnant water under the truck digging us out. Henry gave it another good go and nearly tipped the truck so the girls jumped out screaming. I had to carry Anh and Karli over the water but Anh got sprayed in mud from my flip flop so we had a big mud fight - it was so funny!

A small elephant running past our truck

2 lions sleeping in the bush

Zebra and Giraffe roaming the land

My jeans were so ruined on the truck, I used petra's pen knife to turn them into shorts. Andrew moaned so much to stop for a pee we eventually let him out in the bush and buzzed henry to drive off but he didn't. We also had to take worming tablets because of the water but that was worth it. Masaimara was amazing and only cost $60. The best $60 you could ever spend!

Day 17 - Naivasha

2009-07-07T06:22:00.000-07:00

This morning a few of us went to Elsamere, once the home of Joy Adamson and Elsa the lion of Born Free. Elsamere is now the centre of the Born Free Foundation and we got to see a small museum, watch a documentary, walk in the gardens and eat traditional english tea. This was really cool and the girls loved it but I found more fun running around in the "do not enter - wildlife" bush.

Later in the day we went to a flamingo lake to see hundreds of flamingo and other wildlife. One problem there wasn't any. But we still had a great time, cooked up a BBQ and played in with the kids crossing the pool off hippo shit. The tree was wobbly and Anh and I nearly fell in.

Paddy feeding the kids from the back of our truck

Pond of hippo shit

Me Lynne and Paddy's beard

Later in the evening we trecked to a salt lake, drank wine and ate a gorgeous buffet on a floating restaurant!

The boys posing on the mountain above salt lake

Back at camp we played some drinking games and went clubbing with henry. the bars were quiet and the club was small and shoddy but this was africa and we loved it. we danced with the locals and had a great night. driving along henry was dodging zebra and cows who were just running out on the road which was so funny. matt was gagging to get laid and he met his girl - a local chick who he spent the next few days with- mostly in my tent!

Me and Anh in the club with Matt and his girl in the background

My bed for many nights on the truck! Comfier than it looks!

Day 15 - 16 Hells Gate

2009-07-06T04:41:00.000-07:00

We were just about to spend a pretty amazing couple of days in naivasha. We picked up new people - Andrew, Abi & Dave and Henrieta. Despite it only being 2 weeks in, we really were one big family so none of us wanted new people but it turned out they were awesome! We all loved Abi & Dave and Andrew was some character. He walked on the truck in an illuminous yellow mickey mouse t-shirt, tight red jeans and red shades. Me and Rosie whispered 'Gay' and I can't believe we never asked him! Henrieta, a 50yr old doctor from Holland was a dick. She'd be pulling faces and bitching behind everyones back and constantly moaning! ARGH!

Dave & Abi join the tour

We camped on the shore of Lake Naivasha, with hippos grazing just feet away. Naivasha is also Henry's home town and by now myself and matt were desperate to go out clubbing so Henry did just that! Read on..

Karli posing with the hippo

We hired bikes and cycled 35km around Hell's Gate National Park. We saw zebra, boar, giraffe and antelope. I made a poor effort running after zerba! Petra's bike broke and then she fell off. I felt so sorry for her, I cycled with her all the way and carried her bag. This bike ride was killing my knees but I just had to battle on. My bag was full with water, sausages and chipattis which made it worse.

the gang on the 35km bike ride through hell's gate, kenya

me returning after chasing zebra

me and anh by the entrance to hells gate

The gorge was awesome, we had so much fun climbing the hills and hearing stories from our tour guide. The top of the mountain was pretty scary! Then we went to a masai village, had a tour around their huts and spoke to the locals. Anh got up for a masai dance after they showed us how to make fire. At this point I thought - England, a work and money driven depressing society full of political bullshit or Africa, a land full of fun, happy people wanting the best from their lives. So anytime soon I'm going to be a massai warrior!!

masai tribe dance

me with a masai chewing twigs

top of a mountain gorge

climbing through a narrow gorge

andrew close to falling in the water through the gorge

Back at camp some monkeys had raided our truck and eaten all our mangos and other food! haha this was sooo funny, they just left scraps everywhere!

Day 13 - 14 Kembu Camp

2009-07-03T03:28:00.000-07:00

Leaving Uganda, we were heading back into Kenya to El Dorat town and back to Kembu Camp. The roads are so bad and dusty - perfect for some more truck surfing! Trying to setup the kitchen was crazy, we got so muddy and petra hates getting dirty its so funny! Every chance I had to wipe my dirty shoe on her I did. Karli fell on her ass too and didn't have clean pants hahaha!!

petra coming back on the truck after toilet stop in the bush

So today I asked Henry for a spitroast, but Jenna wasn't too happy. Gutted! But for food, Christine cooked us burgers, sausages and kebabs to celebrate July 4th! Nice!

today's cook group at Kembu Camp

I went for a run in the morning and half the village came out so I guess white people running here must not happen too often! They were all waving, smilling and shouting, it was pretty special. I got back to camp and Anh took me through a gruelling abs workout, it nearly killed me. Despite being small she's built like a shit house.

We spent the rest of the day playing games and sunbathing. I even had time to write lyrics to our song - 'dont worry be happy'. Here are some the lyrics..

Some of the troops cilling in the sun

Me cooling down Karli with a bowl of cold water

Rosie updating her diary at camp

This is a song from all of us
About our trip on Henry's bus
Dont worry, be happy

He doesn't like to call his truck a bus
And if you do, its 10 press up
Dont worry, be happy

Our night in Kumbu camp was a really big hit
But some dodgy cooking gave us the shits
Dont worry, be happy

Henry cooks us food like those yummy chipattis
Without the fun and games we'd be such big fattis
Dont worry, be happy

Canada, England, Argentina and Wales
We're the best ever fuck truck on African Trails
Dont worry, be happy

We went to Navasha where Matt got laid
If it wasn't for Henry, he would have paid
Dont worry, be happy

SING ALONG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyYZUhSeRYc&feature=related

And by now I've got Henry shouting "I like, high five" every time he sees me! When you see an african saying that, its the funniest thing ever. LEGEND!

Day 12 - Bungee, Jet Boat & Quads

2009-07-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

Everyday here is such a buzz. You wake up at 6.30, shower, eat breakfast, pack your tent and then you're on the road or a mad adventure for the day. Then you're back at 6pm setup camp, cook food and hit the bar! Its Awesome!

Today everyone went to a local community education project but a few of us chose to the jet boat and quad biking instead. Manic driving around villages, dirt tracks and rural farm land was loads of fun. At one point (this is how random africa is), we drove to the edge of a cliff and found a cow tied up.

dirt track cliff over the nile with a random cow

Paddy giving a boy a free ride

The jet boating was crazy, we were flying down the nile, inches away from smashing into the rocks. We all got soaked. There's nothing like this in the UK so we made the most of it. Back at camp a few of us had a go on the bungee jump. I have never been so scared in my life and had to jump with paddy. Rosie filmed us and said "this is you vinnie boy shitting your self" haha I was! Next year I want to jump in Cape Town - the biggest bungee in the world.

jet boat

After a wicked day, Birgit and her cook team cooked a crazy but stunning mince and banana bake with rice. It was LUSH! Here's my version of it having cooked back in England.. mmm..

bobotie back in england

Day 11 - Boom Boom White Water

2009-07-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

I woke up very drunk and matt gave me more vodka for breakfast. Our raft guide nearly stopped me from rafting because I was messing around and signed my name as mickey mouse! Anh thought it would be funny to feed me water from her mouth and feed me spagetti, but we all know Anh, it was just an excuse to kiss me! Our group name... team donkey punch! Woohoo! Bring on the rapids!!

team donkey punch!

So we hit the rapids hard and fast - myself and andi were at the front and have to say did a pretty good job! - Watch the video if you can! We had so much fun, had a few cuts and grazes and did plenty of swimming! Tim was a legend! Awesome place, awesome day. THIS IS AFRICA!

Big Brother rapid over the River Nile

waterfall

Day 9 - 10 Kampala

2009-06-29T08:22:00.000-07:00

Everyone at the back of the truck

We spent the next 2 days driving through Kampala back to Jinja. It was independence day for canada but Anh and Karli went to bed early! BORING! I got wasted and didn't want to leave the bar. Actually I only slept a few hours before we went rafting! Awesome!

Karli stamping the canadian maple leaf on her hand

Day 8 - Gorilla Trecking

2009-06-28T08:28:00.000-07:00

silverback mountain gorilla in ugangan rainforest

female gorilla in the trees

gorilla pulling a funny face eating

some of the mzungus, stumpie, ella, petra and birgit

me and one of the guards with his AK47

the group sitting down in the forest having food

I love the outdoors and a little adventure so today was awesome for me! Despite costing a whopping $550 it was a once in a lifetime experience. It took 3 hours to find them and then Jen fell and screamed which meant we were charged at by one of the gorillas! OMG I was shitting myself - it stopped a few feet away from me! I was just about to collapse and pass out whilst frantically trying to take a photo! Awesome!

We got to see a couple of younger gorillas playing in the trees, a silverback and a female gorilla. After an hour with them, we cleared some bush and had food overlooking the mountains. We ate chapattis and sausages from the night before and trekked back to the truck seeing elephants and some colourful birds on the way. The guards gave us certificates and thanked us for the business. They called us mzungu's in the mist :) Great day, loved it!

We got back and everywhere was flooded. I still had Henry's rain jacket so starting running around camp like a big kid! The kitchen on the truck was left open so all the food and plates were ruined and some tents were left open and Charlie in particular was heart broken when her camera broke. I felt so sorry for her but she got a new one the following week! Good news - Rosie got a 1st class degree so she got wasted!

The barmen dug up the floor boards to get matt's cigarettes

The night we found out Rosie got a first :)

Day 4 - 7 Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda

2009-06-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

Me, Anh and Jenna in the Lake at sunset

Henry drove us 12 hours today whilst we had played cards, truck surfing and the classic eye spy! Most people were reading but I hate reading so I drew a tattoo of a cock on Petra's arm! Henry told us the permits might be for Congo where there was some trouble which made me want to go even more but eventually we went to the safer ugandan forest.

Henry getting back on the truck

Because matt snored like a bear, I started sharing tents with Chrstine (love you christine)! The bar was next to the lake, we had table service and a huge camp fire every night so it was perfect!

Lake Bunyonyi, our campsite

The next day we went to an orphanage school. I was late and ran in the opposite direction to everyone else so I spent an hour in another school. The headmaster showed me the school, their objectives, the staff and even had the infants sing to me. This was quite emotional for me. The school had 600 pupils and I spent a little time showing them where Wales is and teaching them english. They were all amazed and so excited they were all running around me, touching and pulling the hair on my arms. I felt like a celebrity.

The local school waving goodbye

I'm now busy trying to establish an organisation that will help build an IT education centre for the community and the four surrounding schools. If anyone want's to help, please get in touch through my website, www.mangostudio.eu

a mango sign!

When I realised I was at the wrong school, I went back to camp and Henry arranged for a local to drive me on his bike to the orphanage school. After some time here, we spent the rest of the day sunbathing. Jen made friends with Teddy the camp's dog, who followed her everywhere and slept outside her tent at night!

Anh and Karli sunbathing

chilling out enjoying the sunshine

The next day there were only 3 of us, the rest went gorilla trecking and to Magahinga National park. We took a canoe across to one of the islands where thanks to my grandad playing me all them years ago, I kicked ass in checkers! The locals called us mzungu corkscrews because we were paddling around in circles. We only just made it back before our canoe sank too but at least coming back we mastered how to steer and made it look easy! Great little trip!

canoeing with jen on the lake to one of the islands

When everyone came back they made me jump off a 25ft tree into the lake. about 15 people were watching so I couldn't back out but it did take me 5 minutes before I jumped!

Me jumping 25ft into the lake

me and karli on one of the lake's islands

Me and Karli canoeing

The next day we chilled out. Jenna was singing and teaching me new words like ambidextrous and promiscuous. Karli was telling me the worst jokes ever and Stumpie and Ella were entertaining us all as ever. A few of us watched the lions Vs south africa second test and then got drunk. Anh was drunk for the first time ever and she was sick loads. I booted her ass into her tent and left her with Karli who was pretty peeved at me. But.. I did help Anh to brush her teeth only I her face n toothpaste hahaha!

Day 3 - The Equator

2009-06-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

Another long day on the truck. Henry had fixed our amp too so we were all singing along to Rocky and 'dont worry be happy', well most of us could sing except Jen! haha

We stopped off at the equator and then walked around Kabale town. Rosie and I got a bike ride tour with one of the locals who couldn't really speak english so just kept saying "big hotel". We camped in the deepest Crater Lake in Uganda which was pretty cool, it had a swimming pool and a great little bar.

Crossing the hemisphere

Anh and our baby Fatimo

At breakfast Petra dropped her cornflakes and i was laughing so hard! Oh and Paddy managed to paint my toe a bright red without me seeing but as I write this (its now 27th September 2009) I still have it on about 1/3 of my toe!! Oh and I forgot to pay my bar tab but it was only 1 small water.. no harm done!

Day 2 - Jinja campsite

2009-06-22T05:53:00.000-07:00

I went for a quick run at camp - about 3km but in boots and a steep incline! never again! Matt, Rosi and stumpie cooked today and fed us raw chicken. nice! by now everyone was covering themselves in deet to keep away those mozzies!

We had a great night here drinking and having fun. There were monkeys jumping all around us and the sunset overlooking the river nile was beautiful. Adrift the adventure company that ran the site were sound! Matt was pretty stoned so I left him laughing away just outside the tent and went to bed.

monkeys on the road

henry and matt in jinja with the river nile behind them

Day 1 - Leaving Karen

2009-06-21T05:35:00.000-07:00

SO our tour is about to start. We paid our deposits and were on our way! I was soooo excited. There were 17 of us: Me, matt, charlie, jenna, rosie, christine, petra, karli, anh, paddy & lynne, andi & birgit, stumpie & ella and 2 randoms who quickly left.

Destination: Uganda Mountains. To get there we had to drive through Kenya. I was in awe with everything and hung my head out of the truck most of the way. The poverty was unreal - people were surviving by selling pots of charcoal, tomatoes or bananas on the side of the roads.

one of the villages in kenya

After a long drive we camped at Kembu. We passed Mount Longonot and some buffalo, monkeys and zebra. We went to a local village where the kids were shouting "mzungu" - it took me a few days to work out it meant "lost white man". Every african calls white people mzungus. After a village tour, we pitched our tents (it got dark about 6pm) and everyone went to bed but myself and matt stayed up chatting away having a great time. It was only the first day but I was totally chilled out and so happy, I couldn't stop smiling and already never wanted to go home!

the reggae reggae boys with two mzungus

On my way..

2009-06-20T05:13:00.000-07:00

Our overland trip route through Africa

Typical me here. I didn't sleep for 2 days, I booked my insurance on the way and packed in just 30mins. I left Middlesbrough, ran after my train and flew from newcastle to Dubai. I hung out with a kiwi air-stewardess Tamila to kill the 8 hours I had to wait in dubai and on the flight to Nairobi I was sat next to a priest who just had tongue cancer and had a chunk of muscle cut from his arm to reconstruct his tongue! SO.. it didn't really hit me I was going to Africa, until I was in Africa! Awesome!

I arrived with no money and didn't know where to go but that's just me! When I got to camp I got myself a cider and got chatting to everyone including Matt! He's a cockney geezer and some legend! I also met Jenna, Charlie and Petra from Argentina. I could never remember her name so the whole trip I called her Miss Argentina! Later that night we met HENRY our truck driver from African Trails (the overland tour company) - this guy is a legend! His first words were - "where are my gorillas?", then he said Happy Days!

Henry called his truck a truck and if you called it anything else you had to do 10 pressups! His tshirt even said "its not a bus, its a truck". The truck was to be our home for the next 4 weeks and was the ugliest heap of metal but we all loved it and had some fun times in here!

our truck maria aka the f*ck truck

The first night I crashed with Miss Argentina who for some reason showed me her entire suitcase including UV protected shorts and tupperware boxes! Then in comes Rosie. Her first words were "owight welsh boy". Then she slated me for a while before snoring the night away!