I met a Singaporean

I never thought I would survive an overland trip, mainly because I am not a 'tour group' sort of person. I HATE to wait for people who do not show up on time. I had only given overlanding a serious thought after Mel said she had a ball on her overland trip in Africa. 

What is overlanding?

It is kind of difficult to explain. One travels on a truck which looks like a bus, with a tour manager (who is technically not a tour guide), often a cook (with his pots and pans and knives and ingredients) and of course, a driver.

Our reliable driver, Steve

One travels on land (obviously) and it is a popular means of getting across countries in Africa and South America. It differs from a conventional tour group in that:

• The overland trip put together people on different itineraries. In my case, there were some on a 57-day trip from Cape Town and stopped at Masai Mara. There were people like me who joined in Nairobi and will stop when we return to Nairobi while others continue on a 35-day journey to Victoria Falls. (It also means that for the first time on my rtw trip, I am the 'norm'. I do not have to explain to my fellow travellers why I am travelling for such a long time - they have either done that/ are doing it/ can completely understand.)
• We are expected to help up in chores (preparing food for cooking, cleaning cutlery and utensils the cook used, cleaning the truck)
• We sleep in tents on lawns in the most beautiful campsites

Our tents (in the bottom left corner), next to Lake Bunyoni, Uganda

Shot of sunset from tent

Pros and cons of an overland trip

Pros:

• travel logistics are organised
• meals are provided

John did wonders with our left-overs and transformed them into awesome new dishes the next day 

Our daily flapping exercise to drying the utensils and cutlery after washing them (if there is a fire, we will dry over fire):

• cheap option (tent) and upgrade options (to dormintory, cottage) available
  

  

  Jane showed us how to pitch our first tent

• meet people from all walks of life (on the truck)
• many activity options available and there is no obligation to join the activities if you so want to chill out

Cons:

• meet people from all walks of life (on the truck)
• travelling with a crew means less interaction with locals whom you would otherwise meet in local shops or markets
• long distance driving means early start (and waking up at 4.30am)

People from all walks of life

You MAY meet people who:

• love to travel and experience different food, culture
• are very sincere and nice
• help with the chores (even if there are not scheduled to do them)
• look after you when you are ill
• never know what their chore for the day is
• tell you where the shower with hot water is
• have a drink too much, end up fighting and keep everyone awake in the camp
• smoke weed at the border and get caught by plain clothes police
• are experienced and give you good/ practical travel suggestions
• know everything and talk non-stop
• never listen when the tour leader does his briefing and ask questions to which answers had been provided 30 seconds ago
• lend you their surf shorts
• lend you their 50 shades of grey

I guess, if you want to join an overland trip, just deal with it! (In my case, I just kept quiet for 1 whole day so that the wrong words did not come out of my mouth.)

I met a Singaporean

I signed up for a 14-day overland trip from Nairobi to Nairobi 5 days before it was due to depart:

Source: http://www.africatravelco.com/TripInfo.aspx?tripCode=NN14

I only signed up for this overland because my first choice could not slot me in. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I met a truckload of Aussies and for the first time in 2 months, a special Singaporean (a nice and sweet one too!).

Qiujie, my tent buddy on most days

Should I continue in Singlish? Wah liao she is nice lor! And chio too. But then hor, she siao siao one. She hor .... (this is where I am gagged – Babe, you owe me one). Qiujie's first post of me on FB was “Day 3 Overland in Africa, 32 days to go! Let's do this! :) Another wonderful Singaporean on the trip, who says Singaporeans aren't adventurous?!”

Qiujie had quit her job and planned to travel for 6 months. When she left London to come to Africa, her friend had told her that he would be the last Singaporean she would see for a long while. And then we met, 2 days after she left London. I think I secretly raised an eyebrow when I first saw her in a dress and with a suitcase. By Day 3, I was glad to have met her - she is normal. 

Miss you Babe!