Thursday, December 30, 2010

Preparation

Preparing correctly for a trip of a lifetime takes careful thought because I do not want to end up in the middle of nowhere realising that instead of packing item A, I should have packed item B.
The wrong choice could mean the difference between life or death!

First Steps:
1. Beach Buggy
2. Vaccinations
3. Visas
4. Equipment
5. Sponsorship
6. a million other things that I will think of as the project develops.

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My vehicle of choice is a 1972 VW Beetle converted into a 2006 Beamish Beach Buggy. A Beach Buggy is also known as a Dune Buggy, which is a recreational vehicle with large wheels, and wide tires, designed for use on sand dunes or beaches.

Why a Beach Buggy?
It's all about having fun!
No one has ever travelled from Cape Town to Cairo in a Beach Buggy.
Beach Buggies allow for exploration of areas where an ordinary 4x4 vehicle just won't be able to drive through. A Beach Buggy has an air-cooled engine, they are simpler, lighter and easier to maintain as they don't have the 'wet' cooling system elements.
The Beetle engine is basic automotive engineering. Travelling through remote areas, there will always be someone close by who would be able to repair the engine if necessary.

Vaccinations required
Yellow Fever -  The yellow fever virus is mainly transmitted through the bite of the yellow fever mosquito. Yellow fever begins after an incubation period of three to six days. Most cases only cause a mild infection with fever, headache, chills, back pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
Hepatitus A and B - Hepatitis is an infection of the liver. Such infections are generally serious because of the central role the liver plays in the detoxification of the body’s waste products. Hepatitis A is acquired principally from contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B is acquired by contract with contaminated body fluids, especially blood.
Tetanus - a medical condition characterized by a prolonged contraction of skeletal muscle fibers. Infection generally occurs through wound contamination and often involves a cut or deep puncture wound.
Typhoid - a common worldwide illness, transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Typhoid fever is characterized by a slowly progressive fever as high as 40 °C (104 °F), profuse sweating, gastroenteritis, and nonbloody diarrhea. Less commonly, a rash of flat, rose-colored spots may appear.
Polio - an acute viral infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route, by ingesting contaminated food or water. Different types of paralysis may occur, depending on the nerves involved. Spinal polio is the most common form, characterized by asymmetric paralysis that most often involves the legs.
Meningitis - an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs. Meningitis can be life-threatening because of the inflammation's proximity to the brain and spinal cord; therefore the condition is classified as a medical emergency.
Diphtheria - an upper respiratory tract illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity. A milder form of diphtheria can be restricted to the skin.
Pertussis - also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is known to last for a duration of approximately 6 weeks before subsiding. The classic symptoms of pertussis is a paroxysmal cough, inspiratory whoop, and post coughing vomiting.

Visas
Namibia
Not required by SA Passport holders, for a maximum period of 90 days.
Zambia
Not required by SA passport holders for less than 30 day stay.
Tanzania
Are required by SA Passport holders, $50 single entry valid for 30 days
Kenya
Not required by SA passport holders for less than 30 day stay.
Ethiopia
Are required by SA Passport holders,
Sudan
Are required by SA Passport holders, Visa cost R665.00 + banking fee of R57.00,takes 14 working days to process.
Egypt 
Are required by SA Passport holders, Free of charge, 5-7 working days to process
Libya
Are required by SA Passport holders, visa fee R430.00, takes +- 3 working days to process.
Tunisia
Are required by SA Passport holders, One week validity cost R85.00 anything more than one week is R300.00, takes 14-21 working days.


 Equipment
1 x Phillips screwdriver
2 x flat screwdrivers
1 x hammer
1 x set of sockets/wrenches
1 x spare wheel
1 x wheel spanner
1 x axe
2 x rolls of duct tape
a lot of positive thoughts

What more would I need?

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