October 06, 2015
October 06, 2015:
My computer has been repaired and it looks like I'm back online.
When I crossed into Zambia from Malawi, 01 Sep 15, I started having issues with what I thought was my gear box on the way to Mfuwe. It turned out to be that my drive shaft was going out and going fast. I spent a few days in Mfuwe camping at the Croc Valley Lodge accessing my options. Best option was to get the moto to Lusaka, however it would be a 13 hour ride and the moto would never make it. I did make it to Chipata, 100 miles, and spent a day trying to find some transport, no luck. On Sunday, 06 Sep, I decided to get an early start and take my chances. I rode to the main highway, T4, in the hopes of finding a truck that had room for me and the moto. I managed to ride for a couple miles, the moto wasn't going any further, and as luck would have it I found a 10 ton box truck in front of a shop being loaded with some furniture. The driver was headed for Lusaka and had room, he just needed to make one more stop to load some peanuts. It was around 07:00 am and by 07:30 the moto was loaded and we were on our way. After stopping to load 7,500 lbs of peanuts and then once to deal with a broken front wheel, no spare, we finally rolled into Lusaka at 11:40 pm. I had the name of a place to stay along with the street and the driver found it fairly easily. A very long day but everything worked out great.
After a couple days of searching I decided I needed to get the moto back to South Africa, finding a place to do the work wasn't an issue however getting parts looked to be problematic. I also checked into having my computer repaired and the one iStore in town wasn't able to do anything, they suggested South Africa would be the best place. So best option, load the moto into the belly of a big bus and take a 24 hour ride to Johannesburg. Crossing borders with a broken moto turned out to be quite a hassle, however with some side deals and smooth talking the driver and I managed to get it through.
Rather than take me to the bus station in Jo-Burg the driver dropped me off at a petrol station just south of Pretoria along the N1. I called Zambesi BMW and they sent a vehicle to pick me. It was really amazing how things worked out, and all without a computer.
It only took three days to get the moto repaired, along with a new drive shaft I had the clutch replaced as well. The moto feels like new again! The computer was a different issue, that took three weeks, however it was a lot cheaper than buying a new one. I lost a few photos but oh well.
June 26, 2015:
I took this photo about 30 miles south of the village of Kasane, Botswana. The situation reminded me of a time in Canada, next photo.
From July 14, 2015
Some where in Northern British Colombia, July 2012. Ride - Blackstone, Virginia to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and back.
From July 14, 2015
June 29, 2015:
Spent a few days hanging around Kasane and then headed for Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe:
From July 14, 2015
Victoria Falls:
From July 14, 2015
From July 14, 2015
There had been heavy rains in Angola and the amount of water passing over the falls created a lot of mist.
From July 14, 2015
From July 14, 2015
Locally made axes for sale:
From July 14, 2015
From July 14, 2015
From July 14, 2015
Mozambique:
From Mozambique
From Mozambique
From Mozambique
From Mozambique
From Mozambique
From Mozambique
Malawi:
From Malawi
Cape Maclear:
From Malawi
From Malawi
From Malawi
From Malawi
From Malawi
From Malawi
Rubber tre plantation:
From Malawi
Nkhata Bay:
From Malawi
From Malawi
I might hang out in South Africa for a few more weeks and then resume my journey north. The plan is to go as far north as Kenya and then head for Europe, maybe in March, so I've got lost of time.
Life is great!