An Introduction to our trip planning to South Africa!

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My friend Gail called me from Los Angeles and left a message on Saturday, October 17th, 2005.  She asked if I wanted to go to South Africa!  I  of course, immediately said yes and then told Gail to began our trip planning.  In this photo we are going to dinner at the Captains table on the Uniworld Cruise in the Netherlands in the spring of 2004!  Check out our trip to the Netherlands on this link!    Gail suggested we may fly into the Lake Victoria region and visit the Victoria Falls, something I have always wanted to do!  We then would fly back to Johannesburg and drive to Kruger for a few days, back to Johannesburg and fly to Port Elizabeth and drive along the coast to Capetown.  It is interesting that my friend Barbara, whom I met in Turkey in November of 2004, asked me to go with her on a trip in October of 2005, check out our trip to Costa Rica.  So two friends have asked me to travel with them in the course of just a few months!  Life is good! 

This information is per my friend Jeff who has been to Capetown twice!  He said:  Concerning the Malaria drugs, try not to take the Larium. It has the easiest regime (1 tablet per week), but it messes with your mind. One of the possible side effects is suicide. It doesn't happen that often, but you only have to kill yourself once and then you're dead.  

Don't believe the doctors/drug companies when they say that side effect is so rare.  I took the doxycycline. It just made me feel a little bloated, and you have to try to avoid the sun, which is easy, you just wear a hat. You shouldn't be trying to tan anyway in South Africa because the sun can be pretty intense.

And this information is per my friend Barbara, whom I met in Turkey!  She said:  I took the chloroquine pills for malaria every day during our trip to Turkey (and the week or so before according to directions).  there was a whole list of possible side effects. The main one being dizziness and problems with equilibrium. That's why Helen didn't take it but I had no side effects or problems taking it at all.  It's the most recommended drug for malaria.

After all this helpful info, everyone I talked to has taken the Larium and hadn't any response, suicidal or otherwise so, I did take the first pill and nothing happened.  So one a week for two weeks before and during and after the trip for a total of eight weeks.  

#2: Bright colored clothing should be avoided and white clothes will show up dust and dirt. Red makes you very conspicuous to the wildlife especially on a walking safari. Khaki, brown and olive colors are ideal.

#3: Not packing something warm. Although the days in Africa can be blisteringly hot the temperature will sometimes drop sharply at nights. Pack a jersey, pullover or safari jacket.  

February 27