| I was chatting with my friend Brian over | | | | over there that are so big they'll pick you up and |
| breakfast recently; we hadn't caught up for such | | | | carry you away."Our coffees had arrived. I |
| a long time. Brian is an international pilot and | | | | reviewed what Brian had told me so far. "Light |
| spends quite a good deal of his time overseas. | | | | clothing; something warmer in winter, hat, insect |
| "Where have you been for the last month?" I | | | | repellant... sounds simple so far. Is there anything |
| enquired."Africa mate, Africa," he replied.I was | | | | else," I asked."Oh yes mate," he replied in a |
| surprised by this..."I thought you just flew to | | | | nonchalant fashion. "There sure is. Take sunscreen. |
| Europe and the U.K.""No. I wasn't working. I was | | | | You'll need it. Take loose change when you're on |
| on safari mate," he said.I was surprised.."Safari! I | | | | the road particularly in South Africa. Great |
| know you're adventurous but I didn't think you | | | | freeways but in a four hour drive to Kruger |
| were that game.I've been thinking of doing a trip | | | | National Park we copped seven tolls!""Brutal mate," |
| like that. How was it?""Brilliant mate, absolutely | | | | I said."Yeah, sure was. I thought I was back home |
| brilliant. If you've been thinking of doing an African | | | | in Sydney. I wouldn't carry a wallet though," he |
| Safari trip don't think too long about it. It was | | | | said taking a sip of coffee. "Why not?" I |
| simply stunning," Brian said excitedly. His tone | | | | asked."Well, I wouldn't carry a wallet in an urban |
| suddenly picked up. "When were you thinking of | | | | area. Let's just say it's safer not too.""Got you," I |
| going?""I'm not sure. Have you got any | | | | nodded. "Is that it?""One more thing," he said. "Just |
| suggestions for a safari newbie?" I asked."Sure," | | | | make sure you have id with you all the time. You |
| he replied. "Summer time is good.""Where did you | | | | won't believe how many people get caught |
| go?" I asked."We went to Bongani on the edge of | | | | without their passports on them. On last year's |
| Kruger National Park in South Africa," Brian | | | | safari I got taught a neat little trick. One sure fire |
| responded."It was perfect for us. We stayed at | | | | way not to forget your passport.""What's that," I |
| the Bongani Mountain Lodge..." I interrupted | | | | asked.Brian finished his coffee, wiped his mouth |
| quickly."Mountain Lodge! I thought it was a safari. | | | | and said.."Well mate, before you go to bed at |
| Weren't you supposed to be roughing it?""I was | | | | night, put your passport and one shoe in the |
| mate," he said. "You know me. Anything below 5 | | | | room safe or somewhere out of sight...""What? I |
| star and I'm roughing it!" We both laughed. Brian | | | | butted in. "Did you say one of your shoes?"Brian |
| had a dry sense of humour."Okay," I said. "Give | | | | still had his mouth wide open. Then told me.."Stop |
| me an African Safari preparation list. What are | | | | interrupting!""Okay. Sorry... can't help myself," I said |
| the things I should prepare before I go?"Brian | | | | apologetically. Brian continued.."The reason you put |
| gave his chin one of those pensive mood type | | | | one of your shoes away is because when you're |
| rubs. He paused for a while. Meantime I ushered | | | | getting dressed in the morning; when you |
| over the waitress.."Two more flat whites please." | | | | remember you've put one of your shoes away |
| Brian looked up at me and in his usual dry Aussie | | | | you'll also remember it's with your |
| tone started giving me a checklist."Don't get too | | | | passport.""You're a genius mate," I said with a grin |
| carried away with taking a heap of stuff with | | | | on my face. "That's why you get paid the big |
| you," he said. "Travel Light.In summer you just | | | | bucks."Brian thanked me. And then said.. "And I'm |
| need light clothing. Winter time, the days are | | | | not charging much for this advice. Just pay the |
| warm but the nights get cold so you'll need | | | | tab and we'll call it even."So there it was. A crash |
| something warm. Don't go overboard | | | | African safari course for newbies from a |
| though.""What about a hat?" I asked. Brian looked | | | | seasoned safari veteran.And the best part is; you |
| at me as if I was blonde, which I'm not; not by | | | | don't have to be a "Jungle Jim" type to appreciate |
| hair color anyway."Mate," he said a little | | | | it!Dean Caporella is a professional Journalist an |
| sarcastically. "You're in Africa. It's hot. Of course | | | | Sports Broadcaster who takes an interest in a |
| you need a hat."I tried to maintain a little | | | | wide variety of topics. Dean, like most of us, is |
| dignity.."What about mozzies?"Brian looked at me | | | | drawn by the mystery and adventure of Africa. |
| a with a little more approval this time. "Ahh! | | | | "You just have to marvel at this magnificent |
| Mosquitoes! They can be a real pain. Definitely | | | | continent. So much history. It's wildlife, flora and |
| need insect repellant. Mate, there are mozzies | | | | sheer magnifence. It's so unique. |