An African Adventure

Written by Harold McNeill on July 10th, 2017. Posted in Travelogue, Adventure


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An African Adventure/G Tours

NOTE:  Six albums of the tour photos of this adventure is now posted
on the McNeill Life Stories FB Page. One is yet to be posted.  A full post story will be added to this blog in January 2018.

Link Here to Photo Albums from Cape Town to Kruger, Karongwe
and Victoria Falls. One album yet to be posted.
Link: An African Adventure

Victoria, B.C.

One afternoon in late June, my cell phone rang.

“Hello.”

Hi, Harold, Garth here.” (Nonchalantly): “Hey buddy, you interested in an African adventure?”

(…thinking…sure Garth, what’s the catch? I thought we were all going Russia, right? St. Petersburg, remember?)

Garth (excited): “Guess what? I just won an all-expense paid trip for two compliments of the BC Lottery Corporation.

(…Wow…are you asking me if I want to go with you? Awesome, but what about Esther and Lynn? Don’t you think they might be a little upset? No kidding, you won again, you lucky bugger.)

Garth just wins these sorts of things. Not that long ago we were at a Rotary fundraiser in Sidney when Garth won an all-expense paid trip for two to Ireland. Am I surprised? Not one bit. Jealous? Perhaps a little, but hey, it’s inspiring, and it keeps these old bones moving.

Besides, Lynn and I were also winners that night in Sidney, as just when they were drawing Garth’s ticket for the Ireland trip, I received a cell call from the Victoria Humane Society telling me Lynn and I were approved to take that little Shih Tzu puppy we had our hearts set on.  It was Garth who tipped us off about that puppy.

He interrupted my thoughts: “Think you and Lynn can join us?

(…awe, not just me then… silly question. After so many shared adventures and so much fun traveling with the two of you, we couldn’t let you head out to deep dark Africa without us.  Remember we did the Middle East in the middle of a war.  So here we go again as this is obviously a Dunn Deal.

Harold: “For sure Garth, let’s look at the numbers. Have you told Esther?”

Garth:  “Not yet.

While Mr. Lucky (Garth D.) picked up his trip through an online lottery, I didn’t feel totally left out as I won a similar lottery when I married Lynn. She’ my Ace in the Hole for, as many of you know, she is a well-connected Travel Consultant whose Best Bets have never failed the Dunn’s, McNeill’s or other clients over the past several years. Was there ever any doubt our new travel plans would merge with the Dunn’s?

1. Going off the Grid

Wadi Rum

Jordan (2015): Small groug tours offer the best chance for an off the grid tour. In te photo above, a camel ride awaits Garth, Esther, Lynn and Harold as we head to at Bedouin Camp in the Wadi Rum desert (full set of photos).

As in our other small group tours — the Mediterranian/Middle East/Suez Canal with Oceania, and Cambodia/Viet Nam/Mekong River with Uniworld — National Geographic provides exciting, close up and personal tours with local guides who know their business and the people whom we shall visit. The ability to move away from the regular tourist routes provides a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture and customs as we found when travelling the backwaters of the Mekong River.  Even when travelling through the heart of Europe we often found ourselves well off the beaten track.

2. First Stop Pre Tour Extension: Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa

Over our first few days in Africa, we will enjoy the delights of Cape Town, the Legislative Capital of South Africa. As a matter of interest, South Africa is among a select few nations having multiple Capitals. In South Africa, the other two being Pretoria, the seat of the President and Cabinet, and Bloemfontein, the Judicial Capital.

I wonder how it would work in Canada if we split our capital between Ottawa, Edmonton, and Montreal? Boy, that out to stir things up. What about the United States, say between Washington D.C., and Mar-a-Lago? Oh, that’s already being done you say? Fair enough, it seems to work on a week-by-week basis. Now back to travel.

Also, during our visit, one of our early tours take us to Table Mountain National cape-1Park park which includes the Cape of Good Hope. Although Good Hope is often named as the southern tip of Africa, that is in error, as the most southerly tip is Cape Agulhas some 150km south-southeast of Good Hope. Hence, Good Hope as more often referred to as the ‘south-westerly’ tip of Africa.

The last time Lynn and I travelled that far south was on a visit to Invercargill, NZ (2009). While there we spread ashes of my mother, Laura Isabel Skarsen, at 46° S. There was no particular reason for spreading her ashes at that point other than in later life mom became an adventuresome soul and knew she would appreciate the gesture.

The tip of the South Island of NZ is about 1300 km closer to the South Pole than is the Cape of Good Hope at 34° S. Given Canada’s Southern boundary rests along 49° N, it is evident the majority of our country is much closer to a pole than either Africa or NZ. Hey, and we even own the North Pole, don’t we? However, believe that as we may, the Russians, United States, and a dozen other countries disagree.

As for Good Hope, I suppose a place called Good Hope is an ideal spot to set off on this adventure as during our Indochina travels, our companion, Garth, dodged a bullet as upon his return he was waylaid for a few months for a little repair work to the old ticker. Now that he is again fit as a fiddle and back to those 10k walkabouts, he will be called upon to set the pace for our upcoming adventure.

3. Johannesburg and Kruger National Park

Kruger

After a few days in Cape Town, we head north to Johannesburg where we prepare for a six-day land cruiser/camping/hiking visit to Kruger National Park and surrounding game reserves. It’s by no means raw back-country backpacking, but we do get to experience the outback in 4 X 4 Land Cruisers with pre-set camps along the route.  We are heading out in late spring, so the temperatures are still moderate and the verdant countryside filled with migratory birds. Big game, is a little harder to locate because of the lush vegetation, but I’m sure our tour guides are well aware of the best sighting locations.

4. Victoria Falls, in the southern heart of Africa.

GC_Africa_Zambia_Victoria Falls_Aerial View_APT_LR

Upon returning to Johannesburg, we head for the southern central core – the juncture of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Angola, and Zambia – the very spot where a gentleman by the name of David Livingstone, first set European eyes on the majestic Victoria Falls.

Who could forget the immortal line uttered by Henry Morton Stanley after finally tracking down the good Doctor on the shores of Lake Tanganyika: “Dr. Livingstone, I presume”. A simple greeting to be sure, but one that survived the vagaries of time. Much water has flowed over those falls since Dr. Livingstone first discovered the majesty and mystery of that dark, secretive continent.

As it is well established the human race began its long trek to the present day fromBushmen of Kalahari
the core of Africa (Ethiopia I think), one has to wonder how the African people
might have fared had they been left to their own devices rather than the social systems and religions imposed by colonial powers? Perhaps the Bushman of the Kalahari, into whose territories we shall intrude, might have set the standard for peace and goodwill that was, for the most part, absent among nations whose primary goals were to colonize, subjugate, and plunder.

As I have gone political again and with Canada celebrating our 150th anniversary,
I wonder why it is we have wiped from our history the fact this geographic
territory we now claim as our own, was originally claimed and settled over a 12,000 year period before the Nordic, British, French and others even knew the Canada-Native-Indiansearth was round. As the old saying goes, “people in glass houses…”

Video: The First Canadians

Given I won’t likely be able to resolve these issues, the opportunity to visit such a unique area of the world and being able to learn (first hand) about the people, it impossible to turn away. Also, as a bit of salve on those old wounds, background reading and information from others, suggest National Geographic Journey’s/G Adventures, to be extremely sensitive to the local people and places upon whose lands we will intrude.

As time and internet connections permit, we shall keep you posted as to our progress across part of Africa and if you have any questions about the best way to put together your next adventure (perhaps you could join us on a trip to Africa). Just give “Travel Lynn” (TM pending) a call.

Cheers

Harold

Area Maps and Web Sourced Photos

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Henry Morton Stanley meets Dr. Livintstone

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Comments

  • Harold McNeill

    October 10, 2024 |

    Comments are reduced to 15 words.

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.