African Safari Preview

It is just under a month until I set out for a four country African Safari. I was able to get our flights changed to non-stop at no extra charge.  This will save us about ten hours of travel time compared to what the OAT (Overseas Travel Adventure) original schedule was.  Since the trip to South Africa, I am told by my pilot friend, is the longest non stop in the world I think cutting out the extra hours is a good thing.  Imagine, the longest possible!  My pilot friend is the father of the girls I babysit most weeks. He is the one who was the technical adviser on the film Flight so I guess he would know!

I am writing today from my new Asus so that I can get used to using it.  It came with a full version of Office 2013 so I think now I will be able to write in Word offline and then cut and paste into here when I have internet.  And I don't think that will be often.

I will soon post an itinerary here and hope to encourage friends to sign up as actual followers.  I think I have to delete the email notifications but will have all that in order soon, particularly before I set out on this animalrific adventure.

I also hope to be able to post a lot of pictures.  I will have two cameras with me, as yesterday I ordered a new one from Amazon.  Just now my phone dinged me to let me know my package will be here by 8 p.m. tomorrow evening. Lately things have been coming so fast that there is no time to build up anxious anticipation. And I really think it will be here by ten in the morning.  The last few deliveries arrived by way of a van labeled The Last Mile.  It is a local service that has apparently been nominated by Amazon to enhance delivery, particularly on more costly items, like this new camera.

The camera is a Nikon S9700 in a cheery and easily identifiable shiny red finish.  It has the GPS ability like my favorite camera but also is internet capable so that pictures can be uploaded instantly.  I would think the best use of this feature would be to let my Facebook Friends and you know that I am alive and well and have not yet been eaten by a lion!

He doesn't look hungry, does he?

The good thing is that I have time to learn to use it.  I also ordered extra batteries as I know that using GPS, and I am sure also the internet, sucks up battery like the juice was unlimited and free!  I also know that the tented camps have limited hours of electrical use and that it is provided by generators. recharging the batteries may be iffy. I also am not sure if in the middle of the famed Kalahari desert there will be excellent  internet available.  We will find out and, if you are patient, I will do the best I can.

I really enjoy writing, particularly now that there are not a lot of people around with whom to talk.  So I appreciate you reading this, and at least pretending to enjoy it!  So, as I soon will be saying in Botswana - Ke itumtes.  Thank you.