Here are a few of the pictures from the Cheetah Conservation Fund. I am still having difficulties getting my pictures from my camera to the blog.  Arrrggg.  I will figure it out!!

 

 

More adventures in Namibia!

We just returned from visiting the Cheetah Conservation Fund!  It well exceeded my expectations.  Very well maintained, excellent museum, friendly staff and the cheetah's are soooo amazing.  It is my first time seeing these animals so close up.  They really liked Cassia as she is more the size of prey that they like to hunt! 

 

 

We started with watching a 10 min video on the work they do at the center.  We then visited the museum that was very well put together.  Very nice displays and thorough information.  We had paid for the drive through the compound where the cheetah's that will not be returned to the wild live.  They do return some of the cheetah's to the wild but those ones are kept seperate and away from humans.  It was sooo impressive to be so close to these beautiful cats!  The program they have at the center for the cats is very good.  They exercise them by running them behind a vehicle every morning.  The cheetah's they keep there are to educate people.  Since they started the program the number of cheetah's in Namibia has stablized because the farmers aren't killing them now that they are better educated. It's the leopards that are more responsible for killing live stock as they hunt at night.  Cheetah's hunt in the morning and early evening so are more visible to the farmers so they were blamed for much for the live stock killings on farms.  If you want more info on what they are doing here go to www.cheetah.org 

Trying to post some pictures but having technical difficulties!  Hopefully can post some later!

 

Our first African Safari!

I have been trying to update the blog for 2 days now but lost all my work last night that I had done.  Argggg!  So here it goes again!

We were super excited to pick up our new bukkie and get started on our adventure to Etosha National Park.  We were lucky to get our bukkie when we did as they hadn't recieved the bank wire transfer yet.  I guess they really trust Canadians!! 

Etosha is about a 2 hour drive from Otjiwarongo.  Lots of beautiful scenery along the way.

We arrived in the Park a little later later in the afternoon and checked into the resort Okaukuejo to ensure we could get a room.  Our room and the resort was really nice.  The buffet dinner was awesome.  Cassia ate 3 beef steaks.  The meat is really way better here!  It is all free range and organic no factory farmed meat here!

 

On our first cruise around the park we didn't see any really big animals but lots of birds; ostrich, great painted snipe, secretary birds and lots of little colorful ones.  We found out later that the secretary bird is actually a rare bird to see in the park.  Overall we saw around 5 of them.  Very cool looking birds!  The ostrich are really easy to spot because of their big black butts. 

Cassia taking a picture of a leopard tortoise!  She was so excited.  That was the highlight of her day!

 

 

Our second day driving through the park was amazing.  We were thrilled when we saw a heard of giraffes first thing in the morning as we came around a corner!  We were snapping pictures like crazy!  It is really a different experience driving through the park on your own as you can take which ever routes you want and stop as much as you like.  The one thing you are not allowed to do is get out of your vehicle.  We did only to pee but made sure we were in open plain areas so we could see all around.  I was a little nervous the first pee I took in the park!! 

 

This was the first room we stayed at in the park!

Kori bustard.  We saw lots of these birds too!

 

The first heard of giraffes we saw! 

 

                                                            

 

The biggest highlight for me was the heard of elephants and the little baby elephant we saw crossing the road right beside us!  So incredible.  I feel so blessed we got to come so close to these incredible animals!  They just appear so peaceful!

 

 

I will write more later as I am just leaving for another adventure to see the Cheetah's.  More to come!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impressions of Namibia so far!

Namibia is proving to be a very dynamic country.  The old, new, traditional and modern all mixed into this beautiful country with dramatic nature all around!  When I thought of Africa at first I never imagined a place like this.  The main stream media only shows us the suffering and hardships of nations that struggle.  As much as Namibia still has it's struggles overall I would say it is a progressive country. 

The Riches take on Namibia so far;
There is a still a segregation of whites and blacks but it is suttle looking in from the outside.
They love their meat and there is plenty of it!
Customer service could be improved upon overall.
The Africaans make awesome pastrys
Namibian beer is really good and I love the Savanah Dry (like a dry apple cider)
The weather is hot and hot and then more hot! 
You can wait a long time in the wrong line up and no one really cares!
Their fast food restaurants are awesome.  I love Wimpy's!!
Vehicles and camping gear are more expensive than Canada!!! 


Stay tuned for my update next week when we return from our Safari through Etosha National Park!!! 

Our first week in Namibia

It's almost been 1 week since our adventure in Namibia began.  We were greeted at the airport by Vaughn and the B2 Gold driver Benjiman.  It is so nice to be back with my man.  We have been very excited about starting this new life together and now it has arrived.  Still after almost 1 week here I feel like I am just on vacation.  I think once we get into our own place and start buying stuff for the house it will feel more real. 

We spent our first two nights at the Windhoek Country club.  It is a beautiful resort with all the amenties one would find at any 4 star resort.  Cassia really enjoyed the pool.  It was nice to take it easy the first couple of days to get over the jet lag.  Cassia didn't miss a beat while it took me about 4 days to really feel normal.

We had a plan that we would go out and buy a vehicle on Monday so we could drive to Otjiwarongo ourselves.  Hahahahah!!!! Well it is not that easy to say the least.  It is now Friday and we will have a vehicle tomorrow.  We have purchased a brand new Nissan 300 hard body.  Our plan was to buy a used vehicle. After looking around in Windhoek and finding out you either have to pay cash or have a bank account here that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.  Vehicles here are very expensive and used are not any cheaper.  After lots of internet searching and going to all the dealers in Otjiwarongo we decided our best bet is to buy new.  Yikes!!  Way more than we wanted to spend but in the long run we will be able to resell when we leave and not lose too much.  Plus we have a vehicle that is totally reliable and with warranty.  So the half day we spent in Windhoek looking at used vehicles was a bit of a waste but it made us realize that things aren't as easy as we think. 

Once we figured out that we won't be getting a vehicle in Windhoek we got a ride back with Lucas in the B2 Gold mini van.  It actually worked out perfect for timing.  We stopped in at a fast food place (not so fast) for some food then went to get our luggage we left at the resort.  We have realized that waiting in line is very normal here! 

The drive to Otjiwarongo was really cool.  I saw a giraffe in the distance and Cassia spotted one really close to the fence that is close to the road!  We saw lots of baboons and tons of wart hogs.  This is all just as you are driving down the main road! 

We arrived at the Falcon's nest guest house around dinner time.  Our room is very simple and cozy.  We had dinner at C'est Si Bon our first night here.  It was very good.  Cassia and I shared the ribs.  They definately love their meat here.  So far all the meals I have had have been great. 

Our first real day in Otjiwarongo we spent walking around checking things out.  We also tried to open an account at the bank.  Again proofing to be difficult.  We waited for about an hour in a line up to be given a piece of paper with all the info they need.  We decided it is easier for B2 to help us with that.  We checked out a few furniture stores to get an idea of costs.  My first impression is that they have a very different taste in furntiture.  After looking around some more and also realizing we are looking in the cheaper stores it's not so bad.  I have found a few couches that are deceint for sure.  It's really no cheaper here for furniture either.  I really wonder how some of the lower class workers survive here.  Some things are way cheaper (grocieries are probably half price) but really compared to what the average worker makes it must be really difficult to live! 

We went to the Crocodile farm for lunch and a tour.  Really nice place.  The gardens are beauiful!  All the food on the menu is from their garden and the crocodile is raised right there at the farm.  Yes we tried Croc and it was very tastey.  It's like a combo between fish and pork!  Very high in protein.  The blacks here will not eat it though.  They don't believe in eating reptiles???  Interesting.  Cassia loved the Croc farm.  They have tourtoises there too that you can pick up and feed.  I have lots of great pictures but I am having problems uploaded them because the files are too large.  I have changed a setting now on my camera so I can put more picturs onto the blog.  So stay tuned!! 

Our dinners and breakfasts are provided at the Falcon's nest.  The food is plenty and very tasty.  I have to watch how much I am eating as I feel the waist line expanding already!!  The beer tastes good too!!  Day 2 and 3 in Otji Vaughn and I spent figuring out what we will do for a vehicle.  Cassia spent the days hanging out at the Guest house.  They opened the pool finally so she was really happy once she could get swimming.  She has also spent lots of time skipping.  She is getting really good. 

This morning we interviewed a lady for a nanny position.  Cassia is really excited to have a nanny.  Her name is Judy and is in her early 30's.  She has three kids of her own and lots of work experience.  She will help with cleaning, laundry and the garden.  She is super excited to get a job.  I think we will hire her.  It is very common here to have a nanny.  I am excited to have help with the house as Vaughn will be working so much as well I feel we are really helping someone by hiring them as good work is hard to find for some. 

These are a few pictures of where we are staying right now.  We will be moving into the house on Dec 2nd!!  As much as this is a great place to stay it will be nice getting into our own house!

 

Well that sort of catches us up to today.  I will write more later!  Enough computer for now!   

I would have never imagined I would have been living in Namibia just 10 months ago.  When Vaughn was offered the job overseas it didn't take us long to decide this was an opportunity of a life time.  Vaughn was off working in this completely foreign land within just 2 weeks of accepting the job with B2 Gold.  Cassia and I made the best of things while Vaughn was off but knowing all the while that we soon would be off to this mysterious land. 
We knew nothing about Namibia before Vaughn got the job offer.  I started researching Namibia and was pleasently surprised with everything the country had to offer.  It is said to be one of the most peaceful nations on the contenant of Africa. 
When Vaughn left back to work after being home in September for his 3 week break I began preparations for our move.  As much as it seemed to be forever since I saw Vaughn the time went fast because there were so many things to do.  I sit here now in our room thinking "wow I am here and it feels so natural.  I think I have been preparing my whole life for an adventure like this".   Everything has so beautifully fallen into place and perfectly designed.