Latest Reported Position:

S 14.02973 E023.62312

Kabompo Pontoon, Lukulu 

Daily Summary:

Anton submitted his daily report at 19:30, an hour an half later than usual after they had just crossed the Kabompo river by pontoon.  They arrived at the pontoon after it had closed for the day, with the operators living in the village on the other side of the river. They managed to persuade some locals to take them across by mokoro to find the operators, struck a deal and were taken across the river a while later. Although arriving in the dark at Kabompo, they had travelled 60km further than planned for the day.  They were going to sleep in the village, thanks to special permission granted by the chief of the village.

Their day ran much according to plan.  Before they left King's camp, they hid a cache  (at S 14.67088 E022.66166 - check the detail later on www.geocaching.com)  

The scenery was quite spectacular, with the endless yellow grass plains broken by green forest islands.  The overnight stop is also in a very wooded area.

Tomorrow they will visit the town of Zambezi and meet up with Mark Hillhorst, missionary and one of the king's advisors.  The party will hand over the clothes collected by Inge Matthee and her classmates.

Mark has got a programme of activities ready for the party when they arrive. He is also manager of a lodge in the vicinity where they will sleep over tomorrow night.

They are still undecided whether to continue with  the journey as planned, or whether to stay another day and use the day gained earlier.

Highlights:

They are receiving SMSs from across the world: South Africa, USA, Colombia and these are much appreciated;

Today's scenery;

Hiding the first of 3 planned geocaches;

Two pontoon crossings, one at Lukulu across the Zambezi, and the other at Kabompo;

Anton got solidly stuck in mud, and was recovered by Jan in the Prado - to the delight of Alet!

The 29 MHz radios were working 100% today!  Anton will report their secret with instructions and photos when they return.

Lowlights:

The hyenas did not return to last night's camp;

This morning, both batteries on Jan's Prado were flat and the vehcle had to be jump started (Comment: Bridging the battery management system and parking the vehicle for two days - say no more!)

Alet was not looking forward to cooking in the dark at Kabompo.

Observation:

While doing his report-back, Anton commented on the heavy thunder in their vicinity. 

Rest stop at a waterhole on the Plains

Jan having lunch

Alet enjoying a Provita and picnic ham

Cruiser on Ferry over Zambezi at Lukulu