Stunning Botswana (page 6 of 7)

Thanks Michel

I’m so glad I brought back some African memories for you. It’s always nice to dive back into them now and then.

And that outdoor shower reminded me of our trekking-camping trip on the Tok Tokkie Trail in Namibia! I really hope I can do it one day—I saw photos that made me want to go so badly, but yeah, it’s not exactly cheap either… 😕

Just a little clarification: we were camping, sure, but with a local agency, and even if they weren’t luxury lodges, it still came with a cost. But I wouldn’t trade what we did for anything—sleeping in a tent in the savanna is truly one of a kind!

A thousand thanks, Mathilde. That’s so kind, but at over 60, I was still camping in the Libyan desert (back in Gaddafi’s time)—it was absolutely FABULOUS. I’ve also slept in a tent in Mauritania (yes, there were blessed times when we could visit all those countries). If there’s one trip I’d recommend, it’s Ethiopia during the Timkat festivals (their Epiphany)—those are "timeless" journeys, just like Yemen, which I was lucky enough to visit in 1997... And other countries we can’t go to right now, like Syria and Mali (Dogon Country)... But I hope one day (you’re young, so things will change for the better) it’ll be possible again. As soon as a country opens up, you have to go—because afterward, the tourist hordes mean "it’s just not the same"...

But your story is so captivating, and your photos are beautiful. Mine are just "souvenir snapshots" that aren’t worth much, but looking at them helps me relive the atmosphere a little, remember the scents—and that’s already a lot.

Hi Mathilde,

Yes, I know that any trip to Southern or East Africa is very expensive, no matter the setup, especially for families—just the entrance fees for parks and reserves are sky-high. These financial resources are essential for managing and conserving wildlife.

Same here—it’s just souvenir photos for me. Afterward, I make albums that let us relive the trip. I really love those moments because they truly bring back the joy of the experience.

When I talk about a "blessed era," of course it's for us tourists, but do you really think the current chaos (which we’ve left behind) and that’s driving away all the migrants is better than Gaddafi’s dictatorship???? The same goes for other countries where we’ve created more mess and horror than what was already there. Between two evils, you’ve got to choose the lesser one, right?

Hi Mathilde,

Do you make your photo albums the "old-fashioned" way or online? I really loved the old-school albums in the past, even though they were quite expensive. They let us relive the trip while sticking in the photos. Now, like everyone else, I just leave my photos on the PC and back them up on an external hard drive, but I don’t (like most people do) make a few online albums of the most representative travel photos... Too bad, but I have to admit that old albums are really heavy. Still, what a pleasure to flip through them...

And they’re right—because in Botswana (the only country I’ve visited so far), they manage to protect their wildlife really well. It makes the trip totally worth it, even with the costs.

Thanks Mathilde for getting back to me. I’ll take your advice and start prepping for this trip too. Best,

I used to do them the old-fashioned way, but it's true that in recent years I've switched to making books online. Traditional albums are indeed heavy and not always practical to carry around or show. I find it easier with books, and the joy of creating and viewing them is the same. We still turn the pages, but the photos don’t peel off anymore 🙂

Good luck with your prep then! 🙂

Hi Mathilde,

I forgot to tell you that in January, a friend and I are spending about ten days in Benin-Togo to see the Voodoo rites. It’s always intrigued me. Have you heard of it or know anything about it? This time, we booked through a specialized tour operator (Maison de l'Afrique) and have a private guide-driver just for us...

Have a great day. Francine

When I talk about Ethiopia as a "journey out of time," I’m not referring to Addis Ababa but to the Timkat festivals (it’s said they were like this in the time of the Three Wise Men—but we weren’t there to confirm...) and the long roads across the Ethiopian plateaus with a "people who walk" barefoot, dressed in simple wool "cloaks" and carrying a staff over their shoulders, the churches of Lalibela, and so on... and that magnificent nature. Of course, I’m not talking about the extreme poverty of the population....

When I went to Myanmar in 2000 (the country was opening up), I had read in the magazine *Reportages* about the horrors of the military junta, and the article told us: "it’s up to you to decide whether or not to boycott this country." For me, it was the most beautiful country in Southeast Asia, despite everything that was said about it (I know I’m being very selfish), and we saw women repairing the roads, and when we asked the guide why, he always answered: "it’s because they did something wrong." No comment.

I hope your travels bring you the change of scenery and joy we all seek.

Thanks for your upcoming comments, and happy travels!

Oh well. Really not a big deal.

No, I don’t know it at all. I hope you have a great trip and enjoy it without getting… bewitched. Have a good evening, Mathilde

In any case, your travel journal (beautifully told) and the quality and variety of your photos are dreamy and might just inspire a trip to Botswana. ... What’s the best time to go?

Is Namibia your next destination?

Have a great evening.

I'm not sure about the best season. We enjoyed the southern winter because it wasn't too hot during the day. However, mornings and evenings were a bit chilly. Maybe spring or autumn for a happy medium? No, Namibia is planned but after Java, Bali, and Flores.

Hi Mathilde,

You travel a lot, I see.... You’re going to love Indonesia: I went there in 1995 with Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Sulawesi (if you can, make a trip to Sulawesi—it’s really worth it).... Have a great day.

Francine

Thanks, I’ll check it out!

And why not Sumatra too? (I have wonderful memories of the Batak country and Lake Toba), but I’m sure if you’ve chosen your trip’s stops, it’s not by chance—you’re super well-organized!!!!! Plus, my trip was 22 years ago.... Back then, trips like this lasted 24 days.

Hi there, Just so you know, in the "Southeast Asia" section there’s an "Indonesia" forum....😉 Muriel