After 14 weeks and 43,000 km (about 27,000 miles), six equator crossings, and countless run-ins (or near misses) with incidents of civil and political unrest (Zanzibar, Kampala, Nairobi, and Ethiopia), I am finally back home in the US! It's been a fun, challenging, and unforgettable journey. Pictures can be found at www.kossenjfk.smugmug.com.
In an effort to share our travel thoughts with friends and family, my travel companion Melanie and I developed the following "most" list:
most expensive: South Africa most inexpensive: Ethiopia
most beautiful: Uganda most beautiful beaches: Mozambique
most awkward: Malawi most aid workers / ex-pats: Malawi
most livable: Zambia most to do: Tanzania
most mystical: Rwanda most impactful: Rwanda
most historical: Ethiopia most adventurous: Zambia
most developed: South Africa most undeveloped: Mozambique
most exotic: Zanzibar most tasty: Zanzibar
most disappointing food: Tanzania
most inaccessible: Mozambique
most dangerous reputation: Kenya
most uncomfortable transport: Mozambique
most crappy border crossing: Mozambique to Malawi
most obvious communication barrier: Mozambique
most unobvious communication barrier: Tanzania
most friendly locals: Uganda and Zambia
most friendly tourists we met along the way: Germans
In addition, I personally have a list of the Top 10 memories of my trip:
1. white water rafting on the Zambezi River (terrifyingly memorable)
2. laying on top of Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world
3. watching the sunrise while camping in the Serengeti
4. visiting the International Criminal Tribunal & genocide memorials in Rwanda
5. trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda
6. relaxing on Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda
7. Zulu dancing in South Africa
8. snorkeling off the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique
9. exploring Table Mountain in South Africa
10. eating traditional foods and talking politics with local families
Here's wishing you and all your loved ones a very happy holiday season and a wonderful 2006 filled with joy, peace, and good health.
Janine
