Monday morning.
Sun shining.
No rain coming for the entire week.
No wind blowing.
Humidity a bit lower.
Temperature a comfortable 80F - in the shade!
The kind of day I've been waiting for.
Time for spraying - but not plants!
The back garden is not very pretty now after many weeks of constant heat
and dryness, however today it provided a good airy outdoor space to get busy
preparing our clothes, travel bags etc. for the upcoming Kenya trip.
We already had several pre-treated clothes from past Africa visits, however they've
been laundered a lot so have probably lost much of their insect repellency.
Other items we are taking also need help as mosquitoes continue to
spread malaria and now zika. Spraying with Permethrim is not something we
really like to do but with me who has a serious allergic reaction to
mosquitoes - and oh how they love me - I cannot take a chance. Will also
be spraying any exposed skin with a Deet repellent often once we're settled
in our camp.
Guess I can leave perfume at home this trip!
It's always quite a rigmarole getting everything in order for safari or expedition
type vacations. With luggage sizes/weight restrictions, especially when small bush
planes are used, you need to take only what you will really/truly/honestly require.
Good planning and a bit of ruthless editing when actually doing that final pack is
definitely required.
The items are all dry now and taken indoors.
Thankfully this product is just about odor-free and does not stain fabric.
We have a good handle on what we'll be packing in a couple of weeks - so Bob I and
are now spending an hour or so on this beautiful afternoon going through our
'KENYA' folders and weeding out paperwork we've doubled up on, and thereby
minimize what we need to haul in our backpacks.
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Good luck in all your preparations! Whew! That is alot to do. I can't even imagine.
ReplyDeleteYou're ahead of the game so that you won't be panicked at the last moment. There's a lot of planning into such a trip. But what an adventure you're embarking upon!
ReplyDeleteI like it that you prepare so well for your trip, you really are a seasoned traveller! By the way, I didn't know such a thing as pre-treated clothes exists. I shouldn't be surprised, really, as there is a whole industry of outdoor clothing offering all sorts from rain- and wind-proof to insect repellent items - I just didn't realize how good they are.
ReplyDeleteYes these insect-repellent treated clothes are great, but rather expensive. Lots of hikers swear by them - I could even use them in my garden where we have so many mosquitoes, also ticks which carry a fatal disease here called Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever! It's amazing that any of us survive to old age isn't it?
DeleteHope you will have a wonderful, and mosquito free, holiday.
ReplyDeleteExciting.
ReplyDeleteYou are pros at this by now, I can see! Your advice regarding paring down is good advice - right down to the paperwork. An hour of preparation at this end will, I'm sure, pay off in a big way once you are on the ground.
ReplyDeleteHave to admit I've had quite a lot of prep for expeditions now H, mostly thanks to friend Paula. Who would have ever known six years ago that I would ever see such amazing places in the world! I seem to have storage boxes full of clothing for every known climate and condition on the planet. . . . . . . anyone out there who needs waterproof everything, bushveld khaki, thick socks and duffel bags, just let me know!!!!!!
DeleteMary -
Deer hunters air their clothes out before going to the woods, to de-scent them, often with pine tree fronds. What an adventure coming up. My daughter went to Finland once in summer and said the mosquitos even bit the part in their hair. Spray well as there are lots of insect infectious diseases in Africa.
ReplyDeleteDonna I was really lucky on former trips to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, had no bites as I always sprayed well, slept under nets of course, and always take an anti-malarial med.
DeleteBut, did get a leech clinging to my foot in Australia - wow that was gruesome and made me realize I must be sweet as creepy crawlies and flying bugs just seek me out!
Wasn't it delightful to have a break in the heat and humidity? It was wonderful to get outside again.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to see what goes into your preparations for a safari trip. I can see how important it is to safeguard against the mosquitos, but I had no idea the precautions began this far ahead of time.
Wow, can I ever tell you're a seasoned traveler! You're much more adventurous and brave than I am. I don't think I'd go to a country where I'd have to take all those precautions. I'll just live vicariously through you and your stunning photos. :-)
ReplyDeleteI never knew you had to spray your clothes with repellent! I am looking forward to hearing all about your trip.
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to Penny but it's good idea to at least do your outerwear, then use regular insect repellent (I use Off Active with Deet) on exposed skin, because you are doubly protected. There were 214 million malaria cases in 2015 and 438,000 deaths worldwide.
DeleteThe good news is that increased protection and control have led to a 60% reduction in deaths globally since 2000.
Guess it means using protection against those tiny beasties works - but now we also have the ZIKA virus to be very concerned about also!
Oh the anticipation! I am glad that you are taking these precautions, Mary. Very wise!
ReplyDeleteHave a sfe trip! looks like you are doing everything to be prepared. I hate mosquitoes too as I have a sensitives skin.
ReplyDeleteYou're well prepared for your trip and presumably have malaria tablets as well? I only made one trip to Africa in the summer (the first one) and swore never again because of the heat and humidity. After that I went in their winter which is altogether more pleasant and also less risk of mosquitos:)
ReplyDeleteOh yes Rowan, wouldn't dare go without MALARONE (Atovaquone/Proguanil) an anti-malarial prophylactic. Start on them one day before leaving here, take one a day in Africa, and then for a week after return to US. I don't seem to have a real problem from it other than a slightly sore throat if I recall correctly - better than contracting malaria!
DeleteThe weather? Looks like it will be dry and not too hot - perhaps around 80F at most, with cool nights after sunset and perhaps nippy early mornings - that's better than the summer we've had here! Fingers crossed, we hope so much to view the annual Serengeti Wildebeest migration while staying in the Mara.
Not like popping into Torquay for a spot of shopping is it? You are so well-organised, Mary. Have a wonderful time and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteLove this Mike! Have to organize well ahead and then whittle down the pile of necessities! Torquay at Christmas perhaps? M&S list is growing, and the pull to come home is always playing with my head!! No place like home is there?
DeleteThanks for the good wishes.
Mary -
You could teach me a thing or two about packing, Mary! I like the idea of spraying your clothes. I have such sensitive skin as you know, I wonder if doing that at the lake before our evenings outdoors would benefit me.
ReplyDeleteI may have misunderstood...I thought you and Bob were going on a cruise. Maybe my poor hearing? I'll double-check with A. In any event, safe travels!!
Love to you both,
Jane