Heading into the blue...................

Looking out across the English Channel ~ Spring 2009

Sometimes I stand looking directly across the Atlantic Ocean, dreaming about another trip home across the vast expanse of water.  To a familiar place, the country of my birth, the place where family and longtime friends still live and wait for me.  If you've read my profile you know I've been traveling that route for over 47 years, back and forth until it's become second nature.  Usually it was fun, several times the journey home was sad.

Rockers on a Summer's day in Wake Forest, North Carolina ~ 2008 

Leaving the comforts of my adopted home here, my next journey will take a curve.  The familiar things of my English home will be missed this time when the plane turns away from Europe and heads South towards the African continent.  One stop in Dakar, Senegal to refuel then on to Johannesburg, South Africa........18 hours to relax (luckily in Business Class) and to share thoughts with my friends about our adventure ahead.

Flying like a bird....to some place new and strange. 

 A safari is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists to Africa, traditionally for a big game hunt; today the term often refers to a trip taken not for the purposes of hunting, but to observe and photograph animals and other wildlife.  There is a certain theme or style associated with the word, which includes khaki clothing, belted bush jackets, and slouch hats.

~ From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ~

Safari means "long journey" in Swahili - originally from the Arabic "safra" meaning a journey.

I've already read several books about the countries I'll be visiting, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.  I've watched all the movies I could get my hands on.  My wonderful friend Paula who's taking me on this trip of a lifetime has shown me photos she's taken on numerous previous safaris! I think I know what to expect......but I know it will be the unexpected that will blow me away!