We look forward to continued comments, emails and SMS, and look forward to see you again soon. (We plan in late March / early April to be in Switzerland.)
love Greetings from Addis Ababa
Xenia and Jonas
Tuesday, 12/01 .1009, 157 km
happy too early - We have come to the first village in Ethiopia, and the policeman wanted to let us continue, after reading the passports also but We then got a car against the health authority and stopped us. Prevails cholera epidemic and there should by no one here ... so back to Kenya, and consider how it should now go further. Father Florian (the German missionary in Ileret) helped us then with water (our supplies are running low) and gave us information on the slopes to Moyale (which is now the only open border crossing to Ä ; Ethiopia).
Later we drove back then all we are brought here yesterday. In Darat gabs a short rest and off we went to North Horr. After 157 km then the big fear: Romans Santana finds himself totally wrong on the slopes - the U-iron content of the axle - leaf spring rear left are broken! So we decide to do right here on the runway in a bush camp and to repair the Santana. Fortunately, this novel has the right spare parts (he replaced the iron recently and taken to replace the old ones ...). Before midnight the Santana is back straight and Almu and Roman do not have to sleep on the jacked-up car.
Wednesday, 02/12/2009, 73 km
morning noticed novel, that a bolt of the leaf spring seat is broken rear right. With a long and thick screw it is replaced. Hopefully this keeps ... Next it's off to North Horr. The slopes are still very muddy and bumpy. Heading suddenly excited. After a thick oil slick we stop looking at the moving front of us and we Santana's underbody to. The oil was to the happiness of another vehicle, but licked novel auxiliary tank. Since it is almost empty, comes out just a little diesel and we can soon continue. In North Horr we go to the Catholic mission, where it has a good workshop. After a while, even found a matching pin. So we camp right next to the Mission (where we can use shower and toilet) and the Santana is repaired. Meanwhile, the angry shaking of bad roads is noticeable in other vehicles. Adriano's roof rack broke in several places and held together with straps. We can buy them directly in the mission diesel, and that we should certainly come to Moyale. The "Henry the Swiss (in Marsabit operates a farm / lodge), we have also taken his invitation, we will but could not accept because we want to direct road to Moyale.
Thursday, 03.12.2009, 208 km
As we left today, it just started to storm and we landed in a sandstorm. At the edge of the "Chalbi Desert" we went over some dunes and Marc's 130-Defender, he remained dependent on a prompt. Since I am too much sand in the air had (still rushed it), I drove him around to serve as the anchor of its winch. Sun shoveling we did not and could continue to rapidly . Go In Kalacha we wanted to fill up with water (in this case should be a good source), but we were too expensive. Moyale we will achieve even so. On a beautiful stretch we went through the Huri Hills to Forole. There, we turned to the border along to go to Moyale. Gabs in the bush then a Bush Camp. Tomorrow we should now Moyale Ethiopia and thus finally arrive.
Monday, 11.23.2009, 332 km
Xenia felt today still do not quite fit, but we are still up to Maralal down. In Nairobi, we have adopted from other travelers and Chris, brought money and refueled. Then we went to the beautiful high street across the Rift Valley. Up the road was paved Rumuruti (but from Gilgil with some potholes), then followed by many kilometers of slopes. We have crossed the equator her, too.
In Nyahururu, we decided to drive right up to Maralal on. That was then but a long day of driving. We were glad when we in the "Yare Camel Club "the Spaniards, the French and an Italian couple (with a new Defender also on the way to Addis Ababa - they make Trans Africa in stages) met. Tomorrow we go together then. Later also met Tina and Lutz (with bush taxi on the way to Cape Town - www.bushtracks.de ) a. Sun gabs to chat much. In the evening we sat a little with the night watchman (a Samburu traditional clothes) together and have talked more.
Tuesday, 11.24.2009, 146 km
We thought there was a short stage today (ONLY 150 km) we started at eleven. The Italians tried in the time to get exit stamps because they do not already have. The runway was then unexpectedly difficult, and so we needed to dusk, to reach the "Lekuka Camping in South Horr.
Wednesday, 11/25/2009, 91 km
And again, in sometimes difficult slopes down to Lake Turkana. It's a lot of bare rocks and rough lava fields. We are pretty shaken up. In Loiyangalani we see only the "Palm Shade Camp to, but the price is too high, so we opt for the El Molo Lodge. Here, we pay less and can even use the pool. A local supplies us with bread and chapatis, we must not even the village.
Thursday, 11/26/2009
Closed - We are sitting in the shade by the pool and play with Jo and Hugo (the kids of the French). Adriano and try Eletra (the Italians) again to get stamps to leave the works, but not.
Friday, 27.11.2009, 149 km
with two passengers (with Marc and novel), we go all the coast to the gate of the "Sibiloi NP". The track is better, but still difficult places. At the gate we do not pay the $ 20 U.S. per person entrance fee and first make a bush camp in front of the park
Saturday, 11/28/2009, 108 km
Today we are looking for a detour around the park. We have compared several maps, but not the first track to the north found. So we drove a little further towards North Horr us to a "slope" (sometimes you could see tire tracks in the sand) found the results to the north. Which we followed up on (in Tracks4Africa marked) "Korka-Village". From there we fought across country to the north through the desert.
There were many deep (dry) rivers and some dunes to cross. Ramon (Santana), Marc (he of the 130-Landy) and Adriano (the new Defender) had to be rescued several times. What do you get the sand ladders, shovels, sand mats and mountain belts in the car? The winch was used by Marc. I'm glad I never needed such help (the only the "sand plate mill" in a soft dune drive I took to complete). Marc's 130-he is a bit too long and he's got some minor damage to the cabin. There were then 3 km from the nearest ski in the dunes a beautiful bush camp.
Sunday, 29.11.2009, 72 km
And off we went across country on track to moderate. After one last deep river bed we have reached this and so it went a little faster (average speed 15 km / h instead of 8 km / h) on. After lunch fings to rain heavily, and so came what had to come: Marc still stuck in the mud. Again shovels, sand sheets and attach winch to put the Toyo, and he was free. A little later the whole thing again, this time was allowed but Adriano's Defender as a fixed point for the heavy 130-he serve Landy. Long as we drove through some deep water runs, until we reached the military post by Darat, where we camped. With the mud it down to my bush taxi per a pebble into the cover of the brake discs (was a nasty grinding noise, but otherwise not bad ...) I had to quickly remove the front wheels to remove the stones.
Monday, 30.11.2009, 87 km
Today we went to mostly very good track, all the park border. Although Roman had a flat tire after 5 km, but the tire was changed quickly and we soon went on to Ileret. Here we are in the area of the military base. Hopefully, the soldiers room not too loud. Roman repaired by using the starter Marc of Santana, as we now often had to push him once. Tomorrow we will then cross the border Ethiopia.
Tuesday, 11.17.2009, 364 km
After we admired the Kilimanjaro, Arusha, we drove over the border to Kenya. The road has quite a lot of potholes and some construction detours. On the Tanzanian side gabs a few tugs, but in Kenya it was all quiet. Kenya probably successfully fight against it. We paid $ 40 U.S. Roadtax and could go soon. Here too, some hats construction detours, but we are making good progress. The "Jungle Junction" (short year) is in Nairobi soon reached and there is a happy Reunion with Almu and Roman ( http://www.buba-seina.blogspot.com/ ) with which we took together in Central Africa. We also meet many other travelers here: Gerhard and Michael (which we have already met in the Caprivi Strip), Markus, the German motorcyclists ( http://www.beyond-horizons.net/ ), a French & # 246; Sische family ( http://www.les4oooo.fr/ ), Hanna and Andy from Switzerland ( http://www.hannaundandy.ch/ ), a P & # 228; tale with a red Landcruiser J45 from Oman, a British couple with Landy, Omar of Egypt with a motorcycle, Zitoum, a French motorcycle rider, and of course Chris (the German head of the year) with his team. In the evening we ordered (English, French, and the two of us) dinner at a Chinese restaurant and it was a fun evening.
Wednesday, 11/18/2009
After we received last night a lot of information about the visas of Ethiopia and the Sudan, we start today with the same visa shopping. We went by taxi to the Ethiopian embassy. Copies of the Carnet, Int. Driver's license, passport and 2 passport photos we had. Since they do not cash that had We then take a taxi to the bank deposit and the 1660 Kenya shillings each (KSh) and with the receipt back to the embassy. Then we waited about 2 hours and had their passports with visa in it along with you. In the evening we chatted a lot with other travelers.
Thursday, 11/19/2009
Today we went straight to the Sudan embassy to apply for the visas. Actually, we should bring a letter of our message. We explained that it was somewhat difficult for Xenia to go to the German and the Swiss Embassy for me, so said the woman at the counter "so give me the documents and the money and come back tomorrow. " We gave copies of passports, passport photos, from our letter and the two applications, each with KSh 4000 and went back to JJ. Since so few travelers are flat (influenza, malaria and other). We decide the les4oooo.fr and the Spaniards continue on together. But as they set off tomorrow, we need to do now quickly exit (on the border with Lake Turkana's no checkpoint, so we get the stamps here in Nairobi).
Friday, 11/20/2009
authorities Marathon - (Carnet stamped) in the morning at Customs, the two Sudan Embassy (Get passports and visas) and (get the exit stamp for next Thursday) so that on immigration. During the day it is getting worse and Xenia as we are back in the JJ, is clear: malaria. Just as they were 10 months in Ghana. This time we are not waiting for the medical findings, but Xenia is now accepting Coartem (our Malaria standby medication) a. Thus it has a quieter night book (with toilet nearby) we for them a bed in the house. So they can lie down at night and she feels better. Now we are the other descendants can hold until Monday or Tuesday. But they have promised to wait for us (cell phone connection works tiptop).
Saturday, 11/21/2009
all week - I'm doing laundry and Xenia asleep.
Sunday, 22/11/2009
rest day - Xenia, it cuts a lot better (it may even talk about food and has a good appetite). I do laundry and go buy supplies for the journey to Ethiopia.
Thursday, 29.10.2009, 424 km
Again it is a limit - We drove the 30 km track to the tar road back and then some 290 km to the border. Then we went wiedermal going on: Many people smugglers who want to help a all (of course for cash) and you the whole hour and a half (so long did the procedure) the ears with chat - with difficulty. On the Zambian side went quickly - Immigration and Custom - but to travel to Tanzania withdrew to the length. First of Immigration for the passports, then Custom for TIR (long queue), Police for the Roadtax (the lady showed complete lack of interest and let me just sit a while before they cashed the $ 25 U.S.). Finally, the gate, and enter everything again in thick black books. The tugs were unlucky, we did not have money changers and no insurance, so we could go in an unguarded moment of it. The road in Tanzania was better and so we made good progress. However, it soon became dark. So we had to find the "Karibuni Centre in Mbeya in the dark. There is something hidden behind a truck parking lot. It has cold showers and toilets is simple, but quite OK for one night.
Friday, 30.10.2009, 293 km
the morning we wanted to quickly buy bread in town, but then came in a long traffic jam, because some important convoy was blocked all the roads. So we drove a little later towards Iringa to the "Old Farm House Kisolanza Camp". Here it 'comfortable and you can buy fresh farm products. We selected 12 eggs and the Fresh Seasonal Basket "(10 kg vegetables) and the nice surprise, what we get tomorrow. The famous night food and the different meat offerings remain we can. In the early evening we have the Mosquito nets to replace the windows.
Saturday, 31/10/2009, 235 km
This morning we were surprised with the big basket of vegetables. Tons of potatoes, tomatoes, beets, cabbage, red cabbage, pumpkins, lettuce, parsley, chives and carrots had to somehow be stored in the car ... Just before departure brought us Mark (the owner) or the eggs (he had now the chickens are squeezed ready ...). Onions we bought on the way to the street.
On good tar road we traveled through beautiful gorges and valleys (Baobab Valley) down into the lowlands and to Mikumi National Park. In Mikumi, we ended up with Joseph in "Tan-Swiss Hotel. He has built up a small but excellent meeting place for Swiss in Tanzania. Since the toilet and shower-house of the camping area is not ready yet, we were allowed in the bungalow of Meggie (the volunteer Meir) showers. The food in the restaurant was tiptop. We have long talked with Meggie and Joseph.
Sunday, 01.11.2009, 320 km
through the Mikumi NP we drove today. We saw the Through road from some animals (zebras, giraffes, elephants, impalas, warthogs).
Then came the last road trip for that week. By Dar-Es-Salaam went relatively well, but the ferry to South Beach was an ordeal. After two hours we went over there and went to the much recommended "Sunrise Beach Resort. Here we meet wiedermal other overland travelers: Heiri and Laura from Steffi castle on the way south ( www.thegreensprinter.ch ), a French family with Renault Truck ( www.les3baroudeurs.com ), a New Zealand couple with Land Cruiser J8 (shipping to Europe) and an English couple (also with J8) on the way north. The English fly but only after visiting India and as people, so nothing will go together.
Monday, 02/11/2009
resting and washing day - We sit around, swim in the warm sea and enjoy the break after all that driving around in recent days.
Tuesday, 03/11/2009
By feet (with taxi and ferry), we went today to the City. We checked emails, informed us about services for Zanzibar and bought one. In the evening we sat together with Heiri and Laura and chatted a long time.
Wednesday, 04/11/2009, 77 km
Since we did not want to go with the car on the ferry, we drove around the outside of the Toyota representative and they had a service . Wiedermal that lasted longer than expected (she first made a small service, instead of the Great ordered). In the evening we went to the "Mikadi Camp" (where Heiri and Laura are now) and decided to stay here, We can find Sunrise Beach Resort "excessively overvalued (also, there was stolen - the British passports and a bag with camera and off my bathing suit the washing line). Late at night gabs but also some excitement because it was broken into a bungalow, while the two guests were in the shower. We also heard that the New Zealanders were stolen in the city center, the chairs from the car roof and the hubcaps. Dar seems to be a very unsafe pavement, so we are on alert ...
Thursday, 11/05/2009
Once again we went into the city (mainly because of an email). But since I have a headache we go back soon and sit around in the shade. In the evening we chat long with Heiri and Laura and exchange other foreign currencies among themselves.
Friday, 11/06/2009
rest day - we read, blog, wash, and do nothing. Heirman and Laura are now further down.
Saturday, 07/11/2009
all week - even lying around swimming a day, read, and so on. In the afternoon we visited Jonas (a German volunteer of the local Waldorf school; www.jonas-in-tansania.blogspot.com ). He would also like to here by car through Africa and we give him many details.
Sunday, 08/11/2009
Today we are having the first car safely parked and closed. With weekend luggage we went back to taxi and ferry to the city to the Zanzibar Fähranlieger vessels. In the crowd I wanted someone to open the backpack, but had Xenia's screams and he went away. At the ticket offices There was again the typical chaos. Each will give you a ticket or something to sell and is now your "friend". We bought tickets for the "Flying Horse" (the slow but cheaper ferry) and went straight on board. Fast time we set off and were three hours later in Zanzibar. There Were there short jam at the immigration (even if Zanzibar is one of Tanzania, there's an entry permit stamped in their passport) and then laid siege to us immediately all taxi drivers and smugglers who want to bring us to a hotel. We looked at three hotels and remained in the "Clove Hotel" in the Stone Town (old town). In the evening we walked around in the city and ate at the "Silk Route", Indian dinner. The Stainers like Freddie Mercury pretty strong (perhaps related to him - Freddie was finally born here). After another walk along the promenade, we are still sitting comfortably on the roof terrace of the hotel and read until our eyes nearly fall.
Monday, 09/11/2009
The breakfast buffet was great: lots of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables, and toast, eggs cake and so on. At nine, we met Muhammad, our guide, and the next three hours we walked with him through the Stone Town. He showed us a lot of small details, the museum in "House of Wonder" and the birthplace of Freddie (very unspectacular). We spent the afternoon on the terrace in the hotel and in the evening we went shopping and in the "Mercury's" food. And again we sat long on the patio until we went to bed.
Tuesday, 11/10/2009
After breakfast, we cleared the room and went buy the ferry ticket. This time we booked on the fast "Kilimanjaro". After a coffee we went on board and froze because the air conditioning was set to cold. On television they showed only a soap opera in Swahili and just before they could show a good film that we could not have looked ready ... In Dar we bought bread quickly and then went back ins Mikadi "where we chatted a bit with other guests. The bush taxi is still intact and there is also nothing.
Wednesday, 11.11.2009, 403 km
little earlier than usual, we are now out, because we have to Dar to drive to the north. But there has been a lot of storage so we can keep the shop and go get money and fill up only (both go to a gas station off the highway). On good tar road we head north. The way in which the African is ludicrous. Above all, the great coaches know nothing. It is raced over and picked up at the most unlikely places.
We're going to just before Tanga, where we are on a small dirt road the "Peponi Beach Resort" turn. As we take the "Pistenkuh" with Sabine and Burkhard ( www.pistenkuh.de ) and looking forward to the chat with them.
Thursday, 11/12/2009
rest day - a lot of washed rumgelegen, read, talked and ate dinner in the restaurant.
Friday, 13/11/2009
read even with a day of rest, bathe, do nothing and have a chat. The Indian Ocean is super warm, the heat and humidity makes us but to create something.
Saturday, 14/11/2009, 181 km
Sabine and Burkhard take it comfortable with the trip to the north and so we say goodbye again from them. We go to the Usambaraberge to "Irente Farm". Between Soni and Lushoto a Green Mamba has crossed the road directly in front of our car. Here at 1,450 meters above sea songwriter cool and there is good bread (finally not toast), cheese and other farm products to buy. Only the shower is very cold (fresh spring water ...).
Sunday, 11.15.2009, 252 km
In the morning we bought in Lushoto in the market fresh vegetables and are then moved back to the valley. On the way to Kilimanjaro, we met Daniel and Tobias ( www.weltperrad.de ) and chatted a bit on the roadside. Shortly after we went back into the air. This time, at over 1600 meters above sea level. In the "Kilimanjaro Coffee Tree Campsite" in Marangu we camp. Here it 'kind of expensive but it has hot water, a kitchen and a lounge to use. Unfortunately, the Kili hidden behind many clouds.
Monday, 11.16.2009, 57 km
Since we Kili this morning, not seen, we decided a night in Moshi to stay. We first in town to drink something and then checked the emails at an internet cafe. In the afternoon we drove to the "Honey Badgers Camping. Towards evening, the Kilimanjaro was then rapidly in the last daylight.
Tuesday, 11/17/2009
In the first light of Kili was then still in full bloom. Thus, we now drive safely to Kenya ...