SITE BEING REFURBISHED
Some years back Jean, who was a physiotherapist, and Sean, who fiddled in shipping, realised that middle age was upon them and decided to do something about it.
Plans were made – and remade. The house was exchanged for a flat. Homes were found for beloved pets. Business commitments were sorted out.
At last, after about 5 years, we were ready to take on our dream. To take a two year sabbatical and explore our own backyard – South Africa and neighbouring territories.
We were equipped with a Defender 90 LandRover, a caravan that we had adapted with a stronger axle and LandRover wheels, a tent, a small inflatable – “Misafi II”, powered by a 20 year old 3hp Seagull, and a whack of other stuff – some necessary, some not.
Communications were covered by a cell phone and a laptop. (Bear in mind that we were still in the 20th century, and access to the internet was usually obtained by Jean standing on the Landy’s roof holding the brick cell phone above her head.)
Our aim – to wander wherever the whim took us, returning home to Durban every 6 months or so.
The attached letters were send off to our friends and family every 2 or 3 weeks. They are not, and never were, intended to have any literary quality, and if we offend anyone we sincerely apologise (unless, of course, they deserved it.)
Unfortunately we did not have as many photographs as we would have wished and their quality was not good – they were taken by early digital cameras and optimised to send by email. We have updated these now, in places, with photos taken by Jean with a conventional camera – unfortunately it means that there are not many shots of Jean. You may click on these photos to enlarge them.
ONCE ENLARGED USE THE LEFT ARROW BUTTON TO RETURN TO THE SITE.
Anyone who has the inclination or patience to read these letters will realise that we are fond of the bush, rugby, tea (in Jean’s case), and Hankey Bannister whisky (in Sean’s). It may appear that we have chauvinistic tendencies – not so!. We might at times, take the Micky out of people of various nations, but it is meant in fun not malice.( Check with our pal “Schultz” aka P. Buchholz.) We are even, normally, polite to Australians and New Zealanders – particularly big strong ones.
If perchance you enjoy the tales of our travels, why not try it yourselves.To give you an indication, the costs, which included all living expenses for two, including fuel and normal vehicle maintenance, worked out, over the two and a bit years that we travelled, at less than 200 Rand per day (that was in 1998 – 2000 – the price of fuel will have escalated that cost enormously).
We would be delighted to answer any questions – if we know the answers – from potential travellers. you may contact us at sean@misafi.co.za . We will get back to you as soon as possible.
For those who cannot make head or tale of the site navigation, bear in mind that we normally sent our emails off as we arrived at another destination – thus the description of where we stayed is likely to be retrospective. Sounds Irish? – Never mind – there is a search facility on the Home page.
P.S.
The Fikawe Tribe, whose name we borrowed, were a tribe of vertically challenged people who were constantly getting lost in the long grass – hence their cry “We’re the Fikawe”. (They were brought to the attention of the outside world in that great ballad “The Wild West Show”.)