Vanaand begin my langste vakansie ooit!

(English below)

 

Dit is 'n snaakse gevoel wat hom in my borskas kom tuis maak het. Vanaand hou ek op met werk. Twee weke van nog FSA admin afhandel, laaste dingetjies aan die fiets, vriende hier en daar totsiens sê. En dan is dit 15 Maart.

 

Die Naboom2Germany t-hemde het gister gekom. Ek is baie tevrede. Baie dankie Lynne en Silver Cube Promotions! Lynne, jy was 'n ster in alle opsigte!

 

My laaste twee visums is goedgekeur.

 

Op hierdie kort noot groet ek vir dié week.

 

 

A good traveler has no fixed plan, and is not intent on arriving.
~ The Way of Life - Lao-Tzu ~

 

 

It is a strange feeling that came and settled in my life. Late afternoon I leave the office for the last time for quite a time. The last two weeks will be filled with last FSA admin chores, last preparations on the bike, saying goodbye to friends. And then it will be 15 March.

 

Yesterday the Naboom2Germany t-shirts arrived. I am so happy with it! Lynne and Silver Cube Promotions, thank you so much! Lynne, from the beginning you were a star!

 

I had a call today. My last two visas had been issued.

 

On this note it is a short goodbye for this week!

Weet julle wat 'n "doohickey" is?

(English below)

 

Een van die lekker dinge oor die toer is die baie mense met wie ek kontak kry. Sommige persoonlik, ander net per e-pos.

 

Ek het van ene Hein Bence 'n e-pos op 18 Februarie gekry. Daarin vra hy my of ek die KLR se doohickey vervang het.

 

Doohickey? Iemand kon my met 'n veer omslaan.

 

Op die internet vind ek toe uit dis die naam vir die "idler shaft lever".

 

Met meer lees vind ek toe uit die doohickey het op ouer modelle probleme gegee en is in die nuwe modelle nou verbeter. My fiets is nie oud nie en ook nie die nuutste model nie. Vir veiligheid gaan ek die ding vervang.

 

Hein, vir jou en al die ander wat e-posse gestuur het, baie dankie! Die klomp motorfietsryers is werklik 'n saamstaan klomp mense.

 

Vandag was dit 2 weke en 2 dae. Net twee weke en twee dae.

 

Reisgedagte:

 

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the places and moments that take our breath away.

 

 

 

One of the most pleasant things about Naboom2Germany are the many people that I meet. Some I meet personally, the others only via email.

 

On 18 February I received an email from Hein Bence. In the email he asked me whether I had replaced the doohickey on my KLR.

 

Doohickey? I was dumb-struck.

 

On the internet I found out that a doohickey is the idler shaft lever on the left side of the engine.

 

I started reading and saw that on the older KLR's the doohickey did give problems. On the newest model it had been replaced with a better, stronger lever. My bike is not old and is not the newest model. What now? For peace of my mind I am going to replace the doohickey.

 

Hein, to you and all the other people that sent emails, thank you! The friendship among the bikers is really something special.

 

This morning the clock showed 2 weeks and 2 days. Only 2 weeks and 2 days.

 

Travel thought:

 

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the places and moments that take our breath away.

Uitslag van bloody insane visumaansoek wat rubbish is

(English below)

 

Vandag loop ek nie op vier silinders nie, net so op drie. Alles gaan stadig, rukkerig, en die groot vrede is nie in my nie.

 

Thuli het netnou oor die moeilike visum gebel. Ek vertel julle netnou meer daaroor.

 

Die laaste paar dae was ek met indrukwekkende mense deurmekaar. Ek is bevoorreg. Miskien is dit die rede hoekom ek binne so onvredig is. Ek wil begin ry. Daardie mense weet al hoe dit voel as jy in dae se sand is en die enigste pad is die pad verder vorentoe. My sandervaring daarenteen is beperk tot 'n paar honderd kilometer. 

 

Ray Muller het in een van sy skrywes geskryf:

   

• This trip is going to be one of the most challenging and demanding undertakings of your life. This is a very physical, mental and spiritual challenge.

Ek raak nou haastig om in die saal te kom! Laat die uitdagings, probleme, burokrasie, sand en modder, woestyn en hitte kom! Ek gaan nie altyd regop bly nie maar ek gaan elke keer weer opstaan.

 

Terug na Thuli: Die moeilike visum is uitgereik!!!!!! Ek het nie omkoopgeld betaal nie. Die man van die ambassade het heeltyd gesê as ek 'n retoervliegkaartjie sou gehad het, dan sou hulle die visum gee. Ek het op die internet die goedkoopste retoerkaartjie van die buurland af soontoe gekoop en dit saam met die visumaansoek die tweede keer ingegee. Noudat die visum uitgereik is, gaan ek die kaartjie weer kanselleer. Ek gaan nie nou die land se naam noem nie, eers as ek klaar is, sal ek julle sê wie dit was.

 

Hoe sinneloos kan burokrasie tog wees!

 

 

 

Today my engine isn't running on four cylinders, only three. For some reason I don't have the relaxed feeling of having everything under control.

 

Thuli called an hour or so ago about the difficult visa. More about that later.

 

The last few days I had contact to a number of impressive people. I am so privileged. Perhaps that is the reason for my inner dissatisfaction. I want to get going. I want to experience what they've experienced already. They know the feeling of being in sand, and the only way out is the track ahead of you, stretching out for days and days of hard riding. I feel irritated that my own sand experience is limited to a few hundred kilometers in Botswana and Namibia.

 

Ray Muller wrote:

 

• This trip is going to be one of the most challenging and demanding undertakings of your life. This is a very physical, mental and spiritual challenge.

I am ready for the challenge. Let the problems, bureaucracy, sand and mud, desert and heat start! I am not always going to stay on top but I will get up each time.

 

Back to Thuli: The difficult visa has been granted! I didn't try to bribe them. The difficult gent said a couple of times to me if I had a return air ticket they would have issued the first time. In the internet I bought the cheapest return ticket from the neighboring country and added it to the application the second time. They issued the visa. And I am going to cancel the flight ticket now ... Forgive me for not giving the name of the country now. I will do that, as soon as I have travelled through that country.

 

How ridiculous can it be.

 

Ek staan verstom oor die goedheid

(English below)

 

Ek het vandag 'n diep filosoof ontmoet. Sy naam is Marius Venter van Interexcel - www.interexcel.co.za.

 

Hy het verlede jaar met twee vriende vanaf Tunisië tot in Suid-Afrika gery, tot by Kaap L'Agulhas, met motorfietse. Die webblad oor hul rit is by http://www.itsaboutliving.co.za/

 

Ek het verlede week navraag by Marius gedoen om miskien sy BGan, 'n satelietterminaal, te huur. Daarmee kan mens enige plek ter wêreld die webblad opdateer, al is dit in die middel van die woestyn.

 

Nie net is dit 'n baie duur apparaat nie, ook die bedryfskoste is baie hoog.

 

Op 20 Februarie antwoord Marius my op my e-pos: "Daar is geen koste - solank jy dit geniet."

 

Net so.

 

Ek was vanoggend by Marius. Wat 'n interessante mens met eie opinies! 'n Denker. Gaan kyk na sy webblad.

 

So, dis nou finaal. Danksy Marius se ruimhartigheid sal ek julle almal op hoogte van Naboom2Germany kan hou, van daar waar geen internetkafees of selfoonopvangs is nie. Ek sien uit na die eerste woestynfoto op die dagboek, met sand, 'n motorfiets, 'n tentjie.

 

 

 

 

 

Today I met a philosopher, a person with a broad mind and view on many things. His name is Marius Venter from Interexcel - www.interexcel.co.za.

 

Last year he, with two friends, travelled down the length of Africa, from Tunisia to Cape L'Agulhas, South Africa, on their motorcycles. The website about their trip is at http://www.itsaboutliving.co.za/

 

Last week I sent an email to Marius, enquiring about renting his BGan, a satellite terminal, with which one can get internet access via satellites anywhere on the earth.

 

Not only is it expensive, the operational costs are immense.

 

On 20 February came the reply on my email: "No costs - as long as you enjoy it."

 

As straight forward as that.

 

I met Marius this morning. He is a very interesting, deep person with his own views on life, travel, and religion. Have a look at his website.

 

I can now confirm it. Thanks to the generosity of Marius you will be able to read daily updates on Naboom2Gemrany from the most remote spots on earth where there are no internet cafes or cell coverage. I look forward to the first desert picture of only sand, a motorcycle, a tent.

Naboom2Germany plakkers

(English below)

 

My fiets lyk nou al hoe meer na die fiets wat by veraf vulstasies 'n nuuskierige of twee sal lok. 'n Mens voel al hoe straal die fiets die bekoring van ver stofpaaie uit. Die rede daarvoor is die twee mooi plakkers wat Rina Bondesio vir my geborg en gister op my fietstasse geplak het. Rina, baie baie dankie! Jou bydrae maak my reis net nog lekkerder.

 

 

My KLR looks more and more like the long distance traveller that it is. It is already surrounded with that undefined aura of adventure. The reason are the two beautiful stickers that Rina Bondesio sponsored and put onto the panniers yesterday. Rina, thank you so much! The stickers will contribute so much to tell the people that I am going to meet during the trip from where I come and where my destination is.  

Besoek uit Pretoria

(English below)

 

Ek het die naweek besoek uit Pretoria gehad. Johannes en Liezel Cronjé kom 'n láááng pad met my. Ons is bosvriende, redeneer-vriende, ons het ook al in mekaar se hartseer gedeel.

 

Ek het in 2003 een Septemberdag in Kasane aangekom het na 'n lang tyd in Moremi en Savuti sonder kontak met die buitewêreld. Toe ek my selfoon aansit, het 'n sms van Johannes deurgekom. Hulle 17 maande oue seuntjie Ruben is dood.

 

Terug in SA het ek twee hartseer vriende aangetref, maar deur hulle geloof so sterk dat hulle eerder hul vriende ondersteun het as andersom.

 

Van Johannes kom die spreuk: "What a spade I've got in Jesus". Hoe groter die probleem (bostaal - hoe dieper die sand) hoe groter is die Genade (Bostaal - hoe groter is die graaf).

 

Hulle het dié naweek die eerste plakker op my nuwe tasse kom plak.

 

Die storie moet julle nie bedruk maak nie. Inteendeel. Dit maak my elke keer opnuut opgewonde as ek daaraan dink dat daardie plakker vanmiddag oor drie weke bo in die noorde van Botswana is, besig om 'n wonderlike boodskap uit te dra! Op die foto is Leané, Ruben se tweelingsussie, Johannes en Liezel.

 

 

 

Friends from Pretoria came to visit me this weekend. Johannes and Liezel Cronjé and I shared many fires on a long and twisting road that lies behind us. We shared so much in our friendship: Joy, but also sadness.

 

One September day back in 2003 I arrived in Kasane after a long time spent in Moremi and Savuti without contact to the outside world. After I had switched on my cell phone an sms from Johannes came through. Their 17 month old son Ruben passed away.

 

Back in South Africa I met two sad but strong friends. They supported rather their friends than the other way around.

 

From Johannes came the saying: What a spade I've got in Jesus. The bigger the problem (bush lingo - the deeper the sand) the bigger the grace (bush lingo - the bigger the spade).

 

This weekend they put the first sticker on the new panniers on my bike. 

 

The story may sound sad, but it is not. I get so excited when I think that today in three weeks that little sticker will be up north in Botswana, spreading a wonderful message of hope! On the photograph are Leané, Ruben's little twin sister, Johannes and Liezel.

Nog 'n regmerkie, een minder om te gaan

(English below)

 

Ek het vandag by die bank die Amerikaanse dollar gekry wat ek bestel het, presies in klein note soos ek gevra het.

 

Nog 'n reëling kry nou 'n regmerkie agterna. Een minder bekommernis.

 

Ek het vanoggend van Ray Muller (Tours for Africa www.toursforafrica.co.za) 'n paar blaaie met Afrika-toer-waarhede ontvang. Ek gaan so nou en dan een van die waarhede met julle deel.

 

• There are no guarantees in Africa. It doesn't matter how efficiently or effectively we have organized and with whom, things will not/if/but/when/will inevitably go wrong.

Geestelike voorbereiding: As die dinge nie reg loop nie, so what? Die hemel is steeds blou, water loop steeds afdraende, gaan en vind die oplossing vir die probeem.

 

Geniet jul naweek!

 

 

 

Today I received the American dollars from the bank as I ordered it, small values, the right numbers.

 

Now I can put a tick after another "To do". One worry less.

 

This morning I received from Ray Muller (Tours for Africa www.toursforafrica.co.za) a few files that will help me with my preparation. A few things struck me, and I would like to share some of them with you over the last few weeks.

 

• There are no guarantees in Africa. It doesn't matter how efficiently or effectively we have organized and with whom, things will not/if/but/when/will inevitably go wrong.

Mental preparation: If things go wrong, so what? The sky is still blue, water still runs downhill, just go and find the solution for the problem!

 

Enjoy your weekend!

Ek juig terwyl ek omkyk!

(English below)

Die boonste foto van die maan moes eintlik heel onder gewees het. Vandag wil die "editing" nie so lekker werk nie. Jammer daaroor.

Ek beleef vandag 'n juigdag-terwyl-ek-omkyk! Eergister is die koerier summier weggestuur van die ambassade wat my visumaansoek as filosofiese snert beskryf het. Vandag was die koerier weer daar met dieselfde visumaansoek plus my dobbelstuk van gister. Hulle het dit aanvaar en Woensdag sal ek hoor of die visum goedgekeur is! Dan vertel ek julle wat ek gedoen het.

My tweede juigrede: Ek het gister 'n e-pos uit Pretoria ontvang wat my sprakeloos gelaat het. Ek hoop om binnekort alles te kan bevestig. Kan julle dit voorstel as ek in die woestyn kampeer, dis net sand, my fiets, my tentjie, en dieselfde aand kan julle die dag se berig en foto op die webblad sien? Die moontlikheid bestaan!

Daar is nog engele hier op aarde.

En ek juig omdat ek einde volgende week ophou werk ... (nee, vir een keer in my lewe voel ek nie sleg om nie op kantoor te wees nie :-)


The first photograph of the eclipse of the moon should have been the last in the series. For some reason the editing doesn't work today.

Today I feel like singing and shouting. The reason? My visa application, that one described as philosophical rubbish, was again delivered to the embassy today, included my piece of gambling of yesterday. Two days ago the courier was sent away without them even taking the forms. Today at least they took it. I will know the outcome next Wednesday. Then I will tell you what I've done.

The second reason why I am singing and rejoicing: I received a very exciting email from Pretoria yesterday. There is a very, very good chance that I may get the equipment to do daily updates via satelite on the website! Can you imagine reading the daily update, seeing a photograph of my desert camp, my bike, my tent, and sand?

There are still angels on planet earth.

And I rejoice, because, end of next week I stop working... (And for the first time in my life I will be glad not to be at office :-)

Maansverduistering / Eclipse of the moon

Ek het die foto's vanoggend geneem. Met die volgende volmaan is ek in Malawi, daarna Soedan, daarna Tunisië ...

 

I took the following photographs this morning. With the next full moon I will be in Malawi, then Sudan, then Tunisia ..

Visums, dobbelspel sonder beskerming

(English below)

 

Middag! Ek het gister vertel van die een ambassade se reaksie op my visumaansoek. Ek het vandag 'n baie groot waagstuk aangegaan om weer 'n voet in die deur te kry. Werk dit, lag ek al die pad. Werk dit nie, is my toerbegroting 'n venynige slag toegedien. Nou is dit wag en kyk. Ek sal na die tyd alles vertel.

 

Ek het vandag my dollars gaan bestel by die altyd-behulpsame Mariaan by die FNB op Naboom. Ek het 'n begroting per dag waaraan ek moet hou: Petrol, kampering, kos. Hoe verder ek 'n dag gaan ry, hoe minder gaan die eet wees, en omgekeerd. Ek gaan streng by my begroting hou. Dit gaan opwindend word.

 

Groete!

 

 

 

Good afternoon! I told you about the one rejected visa application yesterday. Today I decided to take a huge risk regarding the visa. If it is going to pay off, I am going to laugh all the way. If not, my travel budget will suffer. I didn't have any other choice. It is either a visa or bust. I should know the outcome next week, and then I will tell you what I've done.

 

Today I ordered my dollars from the very helpful Mariaan at our FNB branch in Naboomspruit. I have a set budget per pay: Petrol, camping, food. If I have a long day in kilometers I am going to eat less. As easy as that. I have to stick to my budget, and that is going to be fun, believe me!

 

Regards!

Snert en filosofiese, psigologiese onsin!

(English below)

 

Ek gaan nie die naam van die land noem nie want dit kan my kanse op 'n visum beduiwel.

 

Vanoggend was daar 'n oproep vir my. Die betrokke land het my visumaansoek afgekeur.

 

Ek bel terug en praat met 'n heer wat nie sy naam wil noem nie. Hy bevestig dat my visum afgekeur is. Hy glo my eenvoudig nie dat 'n mens met 'n motorfiets van Naboomspruit tot in Europa kan ry nie! Sy woorde: It is rubbish, it is philosophical and psychological rubbish!

 

Ek het gelag al was daar niks om oor te lag nie! Het ek dit maar net kon opneem!

 

Ek het geweier om dit te aanvaar. Dit het hom net meer irriteer. It is our right to deny a visa without giving any reasons.

 

Hier het ek dus nou nog 'n bergie om oor te klim. As dit verby is, sê ek vir julle watter land dit was.

 

Alles in die lewe is 'n spel van aksie en reaksie. Kort na die slegte nuus kom daar 'n e-pos aan van Mariana (van Jaarsveld) vir wie ek baie baie jare gelede Duits gegee het. Haar e-pos het my laat lag, het my laat besef dat ek ook dié visumprobleem met 'n groter lag gaan aanpak. Mariana, baie dankie vir jou e-pos! Ek waardeer dit regtig.

 

So pas was hier 'n koerier by die kantoor. Hy het vir my die Carnet de Passage kom aflewer!! Dit was die voorlaaste belangrike ding om afgehandel te kry!!

 

 

 

 

I am not going to mention the name of the country because I still have to get a visa for that country.

 

This morning I had a call. The unmentioned country rejected my visa application.

 

I called the embassy and spoke to a gent who refused to give me his name. He confirmed that my application was rejected. He didn't believe me that one could travel on a motorcycle from South Africa to Europe! His words: It is rubbish, it is philosophical and psychological rubbish!

 

The only thing I could do was to laugh. If I only could have recorded our conversation!

 

I refused to accept it. That irritated him even more. It is our right to deny a visa without giving any reasons.

 

There is thus still a little problem to solve. When that is over I will tell you which country it was.

 

Everything in life is a game between action and reaction. Shortly after the highly unpleasant telephone call I received an email from Mariana (van Jaarsveld). She was one of my pupils in the German class many years back. Her email brightened up my day and let me realize that also this visa problem will be tackled and solved. Mariana, thank you so much for the email! I do appreciate it!

 

A few seconds ago a courier was at our office. He brought me the Carnet de Passage!! That was the second last hurdle to cross!

Maandag 18 Februarie

(English below)

 

Die van julle wat Zimbabwe ken en nog kan onthou hoe dit in Vic Falls lyk, sal miskien die Wimpy onthou. Die Wimpy was op die hoek van die pad wat inkom van Bulawayo en die pad wat uitgaan na die krokodilplaas en ook die ingang na die Zambezi Nasionale Park.

 

Ons het al baie by daardie Wimpy op die sypaadjie gesit en wafels geëet, terwyl honderde verarmde Zambiërs hulle verflenterde stootwaentjies per voet vanaf Livingstone, oor die brug en dan die lang opdraende op tot in Vic Falls gestoot het. 'n Ruk later is daardie karretjies met buigende en slingerende wiele dieselfde pad terug, volgelaai met die broodnodigste: meel, olie, suiker, sout.

 

Nou is dit blykbaar omgekeerd. Zambië beleef 'n bloeitydperk en die mense in Vic Falls kry swaar sonder die basiese lewensmiddele.

 

Dit was lekker dae in Vic Falls: Warm winterdae, die goue kleur van die son, die gedreun van die valle in die verte, en daardie lekker gevoel van op-vakansie-wees-in-Afrika.

 

Vandag oor vier weke is ek weer in Vic Falls, die eerste keer in sewe jaar. Dit gaan interessant wees om te sien hoe die dorpie nou lyk. As die Wimpy nog daar is, gaan ek weer daar sit en 'n koppie koffie drink. Miskien is daar nog wafels ook. Ek twyfel egter baie sterk.

 

Toe ek op Naboom gekom het, het ek 'n stukkie bos langs my huis gekoop sodat ek altyd die bospatryse in die oggend kon hoor skreeu. Ek het selfs 'n 3x3 seiltent daar gehad, met twee beddens in. Ek kon in my eie bos kampeer! Tussen Kersfees 2004 en Nuwe Jaar het die tent en een bed oornag verdwyn. Affirmative shopping.

 

Ek moes nou 'n stuk van die bos verkoop om die werk aan die motorfiets en my reis te kan betaal. Dis 'n verlies. Wat gaan ek terugkry vir die verlies van die bos? Ek weet nie. Ek weet egter dat ek oneindig meer gaan terugkry. Die verlies aan die bos gaan 'n wins wees aan ervarings, belewenisse, lewensindrukke. Ek gaan die LEWE ervaar.

 

Soos die dae minder word, ervaar ek ook iets anders. Daar het 'n ander kwaliteit, byna 'n intensiteit, in my vriendskappe gekom. Ek het die naweek in die Vrystaat gekuier. Wat 'n voorreg om so intens te kan kuier, musiek te luister, saam met Jacques en Estelle Roos vergange reise te herleef en nuwes te beplan, na Marietjie se foto's van Oos-Afrika te kyk en haar ervarings as gids saam te beleef. Ek en die Rose het baie gedroom en gelag: Miskien is daar eendag 'n voortsetting van Naboom2Germany: Rusland, Siberië, Kanada, Australië. Wie weet.

 

Ek sal vir julle 'n foto van die Wimpy in Vic Falls op die dagboek sit nadat ek daar was.

 

 

 

Those of you that know Zimbabwe and Vic Falls will remember the Wimpy in Vic Falls. It was at the corner of the road going to Bulawayo and the road going to the croc farm and Zambezi National Park.

 

We spent many hours at that Wimpy, sitting at the tables outside, eating waffles and watching the poor Zambians streaming over the border with their old carts to come and buy food. They came all the way from Livingstone, over the bridge and then up the hill to the shops in Vic Falls. Some did that trip even twice a day. After their shopping they went back down the hill to Zambia, their carts swerving all over the road. They needed the meal, salt and oil.

 

The situation has changed. The economy of Zambia is on the up, while Zimbabwe, you know ...

 

Those days were wonderful: Sunny winter days in the African bush, the thunder of the falls down the road, the streets filled with backpackers and other tourists.

 

Today in four weeks I will be back in Vic Falls, the first time since 2001. I look forward to seeing the town again. If the Wimpy still exists I will go and have a coffee there. Perhaps there will be waffles. Perhaps.

 

When I moved to Naboom I bought a piece of bush next to my house. I loved to hear the birds early morning, to go and sit in my own bush with a cup of coffee. I even had a 3 x 3 canvass tent there with two beds in it. I enjoyed camping in my own bush! Between Christmas 2004 and New Year the tent and one bed disappeared overnight. Affirmative shopping.

 

I had to sell a piece of that bush now to finance the upgrading of my bike and my trip across Africa. That is a huge loss to me. What am I going to get back to compensate for the loss? I don't know. However, I know that what is a loss now will change into a major gain later on. I am going to experience so much, going to see wonderful parts of the world, I am going to meet people that will definitely change my life in many ways.

 

As the time is running out I experienced a change in my friendship to many of my friends. It is getting more intense. I visited Jacques and Estelle Roos in Welkom, Free State, this weekend. We had so much fun! We listened to music, watched so many photographs and videos of their visit to Canada, we re-lived many trips to Botswana and planned even more. Marietjie is a guide at an overlander company. Her photographs of East Africa touched my soul. We all had our dreams of faraway horizons: Naboom2Germany. Russia? Siberia? Canada? Australia?

 

After my visit to Vic Falls I will upload a photograph of the present-times Wimpy. It must be a black-white one, or sepia.

Die "nuwe" KLR 650

(English below)

 

Ek het gister my KLR in Johannesburg by Tours for Africa gaan haal.

 

Toe ek op die parkeerterein stop, kon ek nie my oë glo nie. Waar ek 'n redelik kaal KLR verlede Donderdag daar gelos het, het 'n nuwe fiets gestaan, toegerus vir die slegste wat Afrika kan bied.

 

Dit is debateerbaar wat was nodig en wat nie. Vir my is die antwoord eenvoudig. As mens 'n fiets koop en in suidelike Afrika baie gaan ry, kan mens dit met die standaardfiets doen. As mens oor Afrika wil ry, alleen, sonder 'n begeleivoertuig of ander ryers, as mens nie by Afrika wil stop nie, dan is elke verbetering 'n stukkie lewenspolis wat mens koop.

 

Wat my die meeste aan my fiets verras het, was die rygerief van die nuwe swaardiens skokbreker en sterker vere voor in die vurk: My fiets staan hoër, ek ry baie stabieler en voel ook veiliger. Brandstofverbruik: Ek was taamlik pessimisties weens die hoër windweerstand. Johannesburg tot Pretoria het ek gemiddeld 80 km/h in die verkeer gery, tussen Pretoria en Naboom 110 - 120 km/h met 'n redelike kopwind van links tienuur. Toe ek op Naboom gisteraand volgemaak het, was die verbruik 20.91 km / l!

 

Ray, baie dankie vir die baie professionele werk aan my fiets! Op die foto is Ray (regs) en sy baie bekwame seun Donovan. Soos sy pa het Donovan al Afrika tot Kairo op 'n motorfiets deurkruis.

 

Vandag is die vyftiende Februarie. Vyftien Maart vertrek ek.

 

 

I went to fetch my KLR in Johannesburg yesterday.

 

I couldn't believe my eyes as I stopped at Tours for Africa. Last week Thursday I left a naked KLR there. On the parking area for bikes stood a "new" KLR, fitted for the worst that Africa could throw at you.

 

It is debatable what was necessary and what not. If one buys a bike to tour here in South Africa a standard bike is sufficient. However, if one plans to ride over Africa and continue beyond the African continent, if one is alone without a support crew then every piece of accessory that is fitted to my bike now is like life insurance. I don't want to do this tour without that.

 

The new heavy duty suspension was the biggest surprise. I sit higher on the bike and it feels so much more steady and safe. Fuel consumption: I had my doubts about the influence the panniers would have on the fuel consumption. Again a surprise. I filed up in Johannesburg, cruised along with the traffic to Pretoria at 80km/h, from Pretoria to Naboom at 110 - 120 km/h with quite a strong headwind from left ten o'clock. I filled up again in Naboom. The bike gave me 20.91 km / l!

 

Ray, thank you so much for the work done so professionally! On the photograph Ray is standing on the right and his son Donovan on the left. Like his father Donovan is a well-travelled young man who did Cape - Cairo - Cape already on a motorbike!

 

Today is the 15th February. In one month I leave on my trip. One month!

 

 

Donderdag 14 Februarie

(English below)

 

Ek het van die Du Toitgesin van Bethal na aanleiding van die Russise hoofweg 'n Powerpoint van 'n Boliviese bergpad gestuur. Interessant. Dit is nou by www.naboom2germany.co.za/BolivianHighway1.pps

 

 

I received from the Du Toit family from Bethal a Powerpoint presentation, showing pictures of a mountain pass in Bolivia. Incredible. The link: www.naboom2germany.co.za/BolivianHighway1.pps

Libië o Libië!!

(English below)

 

Ek sit en werk in my kantoor. Na twee weke bosveldhitte het dit vandag gereën. Die aarde juig saam met my oor die nattigheid.

 

Ons krag is af en dit pla my nie, ook nie die gedreun van die kragopwekker 'n paar meter van my af nie. My hart voel lig, want ...

 

ek het 'n oproep uit Libië gehad!!!

 

en more, Donderdag, kry ek my fiets terug!!

 

Ek glo nie iets kan meer my Libiese visum keer nie. Op hierdie punt wil ek twee mense se name noem: My ou bosvriend Johannes Cronjé, en Jean Visser. As ek êrens vasdraai, is Johannes die mens wat die internet verder deursoek en altyd met talle moontlikhede my e-pos. In een van sy soekpogings het hy die Landcruiser forum gebruik, en so het Jean Visser op hom en my afgekom. Tussen dié twee se raad het ek op mnr. Bilgasem Shlebk afgekom, en het die hemelpoorte van Libië (byna) vir my oopgegaan. Baie dankie!

 

Na 'n week sonder my fiets kan ek more weer opklim. Ek sien so uit daarna.

 

 

Gister binne 'n halfuur het ek twee e-posse gehad. Dit was van twee mense, Hendri van Rooyen en Peet Geldenhuys, wat vir hulle nou KLR's gekoop het. Dis wonderlik! Ek wens julle duisende veilige kilometers toe! Ek kon egter nie 'n glimlag keer toe Peet skryf hy het al klaar ook 'n ongeluk gehad en sy arm gebreek nie! Peet, ek ken jou nie maar ek hoop jou arm genees gou en dat jy nie jou KLR kwalik neem nie!

 

Groete!

 

 

 

I am at office, working (for a change, Lize, my colleague, would say!). After two hot weeks we had rain today. That is so wonderful!

 

We have a power cut at the moment, and strangely enough it doesn't bother me. Neither the noisy generator a few meters from me. I feel like singing, because ...

 

I had a call from Libya!

 

I get my bike back tomorrow, Thursday!

 

I don't think anything can jeopardize the chances for a Libyan visa now. I have to mention the names of two people: My old bush buddy Johannes Cronjé and Jean Visser. Johannes is always willing to help when I get stuck somewhere. I mentioned my struggle regarding a Libyan visa. In his internet search to help me he used the Landcruiser forum. Jean Visser read that and called me. Between him and Johannes I found mr Bilgasem Shlebk, and the heavenly gates to Libya opened itselves a bit for me. Thank you so much Johannes and Jean!

 

After a week of abstinence without my bike I can ride it again tomorrow. I really look forward to it!

 

 

I received two emails yesterday. Two guys, Hendri van Rooyen and Peet Geldenhuys, bought themselves two KLR's. That is wonderful! I wish you both many thousands of accident free kilometers! However, I had to smile. Peet already had an accident and broke his arm. Peet, I wish you a speedy recovery and that you and your KLR will form a formidable team!

 

Regards!

Suiderkruis

Goeie more!

 

Ek het baie interessante leesstof oor die Suiderkruis van Rina Bondesio ontvang. Dit is 'n PDF dokument van 864kb en is nou by www.naboom2germany.co.za/Suiderkruis.pdf

 

Good morning!

 

I received interesting information on the Southern Cross from Rina Bondesio. It is a PDF file of 864 kb at www.naboom2germany.co.za/Suiderkruis.pdf

Suiderkruis

(English below)

 

Ek het vanoggend half 5 my koerant by my voorhek gaan haal. Die Suiderkruis was opvallend duidelik. Ek het besluit om my kamera te gaan haal want binnekort gaan my rug mos suid wys terwyl ek al hoe verder van die Suiderkruis wegry.

 

Op beide foto's moet julle na die kleur van die boonste ster in die kruis oplet. Die kleur verskil van die ander drie sterre in die kruis. Ek wonder wat die verklaring is. Kan enige iemand help?

 

 

Early this morning I went to fetch my newspaper at my front gate. The Southern Cross was so bright. As I am going to leave it quite soon I decided to fetch my camera and took some photographs of it.

 

On both photographs the colour of the top star in the cross differs from the other three stars. I wonder why. Anyone that knows?

Dinsdag 12 Februarie

(English below)

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will lead you there." -- unknown


Ek het hier bo eers Woensdag geskryf. Ek voel of ek nou voor die tyd kan uithardloop!

Opwindende dinge is besig om te gebeur. Soos wat alles in plek val, sal ek vertel.

Ek het gister Libië toe gebel. My kontakmense bestaan werklik. Ek voel nou meer gerus oor die deposito wat ek moes betaal.

Tot binnekort weer!


I first thought it was Wednesday today. I feel as if I could run faster than time at this moment.

Exciting things are happening. I will tell you more about it as all the loose ends come together.

Yesterday I called the contact people in Libya. They really excist. I am so glad. I got worried abut the deposit I had to pay.

Take care, we'll speak soon again.

St Johns kerkie

Diep in die bos, in die Waterberg naby Vaalwater, staan hierdie besonderse kerkie. Ek gaan later meer oor hierdie kerkie skryf. Ek beleef keer op keer pretensielose, eerlike Christenskap hier.

Vrydag 8 Februarie

(English below)

'n Heerlike naweek lê voor die deur. My laaste naweek voor ek my motorfiets terugkry!

My visums vir Tanzanië en Ethiopië is uitgereik. My visumaansoek vir Tunisië word tans verwerk, vroeg Maart is dit die Egiptiese visum. Libië swyg weereens soos die graf. Niks nuut nie.

Lekker naweek aan julle almal!


I look forward to the coming weekend. Next week I should have my KLR back.

My visa for Tanzania and Ethiopia have been issued. The application for Tunisia are being processed now. Early March it is then time for the visa for Egypt. From Libya no email, nothing. Nothing new.

Enjoy your weekend!

Lodie

Fietshemel

Weer Donderdag

(English below)

 

Ek het vandag weereens besef hoe ongelooflik bevoorreg ek is om in die Bosveld te kan leef. Die vroegoggendverkeer verby Pretoria en in Johannesburg in was vir my 'n riller. En daar is mense wat dit elke dag tweekeer moet doen...

 

My fiets is nou in die bekwame hande van Ray Muller van Cy Tech. Ek glo nie daar is 'n meer ervare mens vir al die opgraderings as Ray nie. As mens die foto's teen sy mure sien waar hy al met sy motorfiets was ...

 

Ek het verlede week van vriende 'n poskaart uit Timbaktoe (Mali) ontvang. wat die poskaart besonders maak, dit is tien maande gelede gepos!

 

 

I realised again how privileged I am to live in the Bushveld. I had to negiotiate the early morning traffic past Pretoria and into Johannesburg. It was a nightmare for this soul from the bush. And then there are people who have to drive those roads twice daily.

 

My Kawasiki is in the most capable hands of Ray Muller of Cy Tech now. I don't believe that there is anyone more experienced than him to do these upgradings. One only has to see the photographs of him and his motorcycle to realize that he conquered Africa by bike.

 

Last week I received a post card from Timbaktoe (Mali) from German friends. What is special about this post card? It took ten months to get to me!

 

Lekker aand! Geniet die aand!

Woensdag 6 Februarie

(English below)

 

Goeie more!

 

Wat is blinde geloof? Om jou vrou saam met Tom Cruise vir 'n naweek weg te stuur, of jou man 'n naweek met Paris Hilton in Londen te laat deurbring? Of om 'n groot deposito aan 'n onbekende Libiese agentskap te betaal sodat jy moontlik 'n visum vir Libië kan kry?

 

Dit is wat ek gedoen het. En hier op die dagboek sal julle binnekaort kan lees of die blinde vertroue vrugte gedra het, en of ek die dorpsgek was :-)

 

More neem ek my fiets Johannesburg toe vir al die opgraderings by Cyc Tech. Volgende week kry ek dit terug en dan sal ek foto's op die dagboek sit hoe my geliefde nou lyk.

 

 

Good morning!

 

What is blind faith? Is it to send your wife on a weekend with Tom Cruise, or your husband with Paris Hilton for a weekend in London? Or is it to pay a huge deposit to an unknown Libyan agency in the hope that they could secure a visa for Libya for you?

 

That is what I've done. You will read here on the diary whether my blind faith paid out, or whether I was the biggest fool on earth. :-)

 

Tomorrow I am going to take my bike to Johannesburg to Cyc Tech for some upgradings. I should get it back next week. Will post some photographs on the blog of my dearest (not in pink!) to show what has been done.

 

Groete / Regards

Vir almal

Vir almal wat nie van die groen blog gehou het nie en selfs beweer het hulle het 'n pienk (!) een gesien, hier is die ou ontwerp terug. :-)

 

To all the complainants who complained about the green blog and even saw a pink (!) one as well, here is the old design back.  :-)

Dinsdag 5 Februarie

Goeie more!

 

Ek het die volgende einde van verlede jaar van my ou vriend Johannes gekry. Foto's van hoe dit op 'n Russiese hoofweg lyk. Dit is 'n PowerPoint Presentation van 1.49mb.

 

Kliek hier: www.naboom2germany.co.za/russianhighway.pps

 

I received this presentation from my old bush friend Johannes end of last year. It shows a Russian highway. Why do we complain about Escom and power shedding? It is a PowerPoint Presentation of 1.49mb. Click on the link above.

 

Maandag 4 Februarie

(English below)

 

Middag!

 

Ek het die naweek die twee internasionale rybewyse gekry wat ek moet hê op my rit deur Afrika. Ek is nuuskierig of ek dit ooit gaan nodig kry.

 

Hoekom 2?

 

Sommige lande het die 1949 Konvensie op Padverkeer onderteken, ander die 1968 konvensie. Ethiopië het geeneen van die twee konvensies onderteken nie.

 

Dit werk mos so. As mens al die dokumente het, vra niemand daarna nie. Ek sal laat weet of ek dit ooit nodig gekry het.

 

Vanoggend om agt het die 40 dae voor vertrek verander na 39 dae. Ek kan nie nou eers meer 40 dae vier nie :-)

 

So 'n laaste nagedagte. Rusland. Wladiwostok. Aanluitend aan Naboom2Germany. Sou dit nie lekker gewees het nie? Dit bly egter nog net 'n droom.

 

 

Good day!

 

I received both my international driving permits this weekend. I am supposed to have two. Whether I am going to need them? I don't know.

 

Why two?

 

Certain countries signed the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic, others the 1968 convention. Ethiopia didn't sign any of those treaties.

 

Life works like that. If you have all your documentation in place nobody asks for it. I will let you know whether anyone has asked for my international driving permit.

 

This morning at eight the count down changed from 40 days to 39 days. I'm gonna give you 40 days, to get going!

 

To end off. Russia. Wladiwostok. Directly after Nabbom2Germany. What an idea! What a dream! However, for the time being it stays a dream.

Sonnige Vrydag

(English below)

 

More!

 

Die week kon nie beter eindig nie.

 

Ná die afsê deur die versekeringsmaatskappy het ek gaan wyd soek en op 'n Europese maatskappy afgekom wat bereid is om reisversekering aan 'n motorfietsryer te verkoop. Natuurlik is daar voorwaardes soos dat jy 'n lisensie moet hê, padwette en -reëls gehoorsaam, maar dit is tog nie 'n probleem nie. 'n Mens koop die versekering aanlyn, kan dit aanlyn verleng, aanlyn eise indien en selfs reiswaarskuwings aanvra terwyl jy op reis is.

 

Ek is besig om 'n hele kompie ervaring op te doen terwyl ek my eie toer reël. Ek gaan later al die inligting op die webblad sit. Dit sal voornemende ouens en dames baie help in hul voorbereiding van hul eie Afrikatoer.

 

En dan ... my visum vir Libië word al hoe meer 'n realiteit! Abdul? Wie de duiwel is Abdul? 

 

 

Good morning!

 

This week is going to end on a perfect note.

 

After the insurance company withdrew their quote I stumbled on a well-known European insurance company that specializes in travel insurance for adventurous single travellers. There are conditions for motor cyclists, but that isn't a problem. it is fair to expect of an insured to have a valid drivers' license and to obey road rules etc. One buys the insurance on-line, can extend it on-line, can submit claims on-line, and you even can ask for travel warnings on the countries through which you are going to travel.

 

While organising my tour I am collecting so many pieces of valuable information. I will put it on the website after returning from Europe. That will help many future travellers through Africa a lot.

 

And then ... the chances are getting better and better that I will get a visa for Libya. Abdul? Who the hell is Abdul?