Author Archives: admin

ANC & CORRUPTION In the twilight of his unpopular presidency, Jacob Zuma has to vet his crowds carefully. Almost wherever he speaks, he risks a clamour of boos and jeers, many from members of his own party, the African National … Continue reading →

Zhejiang, China May 9-27, 2017 I am back in Hongqiao for the third time to visit my girlfriend, Anna. I obtained the most incredible flight – US$353 Johannesburg to Shanghai, 16 hours of flying time with a 4 hour lay … Continue reading →

Nickname(s): Bumi Kenyalang – Land of the Hornbills Capital. Kuching Area. Total 124,450 km2 (48,050 sq mi) Population (2015). Total 2,636,000; Density 21/km2 (55/sq mi) Demonym(s). Sarawakian Human Development Index HDI (2000) 0.757 Time zone. MST (UTC+8) Self-government. 22 July … Continue reading →

November 13 – May 7, 2017 Oasis Overland is the only company traveling the entire west of Africa from Morocco to South Africa and they offer the trip only once per year. Sleeping in a tent for over 140 nights, … Continue reading →

Obtaining visas in order to travel overland from Morocco to Cape Town is the major challenge of this trip. On this page, I hope to give as complete information on getting visas as I can. Information is sparse and most … Continue reading →

Swaziland April 29-30 TRAVEL TIPS 1. Gas is about R2.50 cheaper in Swaziland. 2. The South African Wild Card is good for all the Swaziland national parks. 3. It is a frustrating place to drive. there are few directional signs … Continue reading →

Lesotho April 25-27, 2017 Capital and largest city. Maseru 29°28′S 27°56′E Official languages. Sotho, English Ethnic groups. 99.7% Basotho, 0.3% other Africans Area. Total 30,355 km2(11,720 sq mi) (140th), Water (%) 0.0032% Population. 2009 estimate 2,067,000 (144th) Density 68.1/km2 (138th) … Continue reading →

South Africa April 15-May 7, 2017 TRAVEL TIPS 1. Wild Card. This covers the conservation fees (basically the entrance fee) paid every day you spend in a national park in South Africa or Swaziland. For a foreigner, the cost is … Continue reading →

Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan surrounded by high red dunes, located in the southern part of the Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park of Namibia. The name “Sossusvlei” is often used in an extended meaning to refer … Continue reading →

DIAMOND – THE MINERAL Formula. (repeating unit) C Crystal system. Cubic Crystal class. Hexoctahedral (m3m) Color Typically yellow, brown, or gray to colorless. Less often blue, green, black, translucent white, pink, violet, orange, purple, and red. Crystal habit. Octahedral Cleavage. … Continue reading →