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My blog is about our life after MORTGAGE FREEDOM (achieved Oct 2012), saving hard for TRAVEL EXPERIENCES and EARLY RETIREMENT from my job as a teacher. I also have an ULTIMATE LIFE LIST (which works like a Bucket List)of dream travel destinations and experiences. Please leave a comment if you can. I love reading them! A little about me! I am so grateful for the life I’ve been given. I don’t need ‘things’ to be happy. I appreciate my family, friends and the value of experiences over the materialistic. By respecting the power of money and using it wisely we have had a beautiful, simple wedding and bought a tiny cottage with some land overlooking fields. We try to live simply and appreciate the beauty of the nature around us. But we have an adventurous side too. I met Mr SFT whilst travelling in Cambodia. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY!

WHAT IS SEALED POT SUNDAY?

PLEASE JOIN US FOR SEALED POT SUNDAY!!

Have you been emptying your purse each week into your pot?

Have you found a coin down the back of the sofa and fed your pot?

Have you been putting in all your £2 coins or Loonies or Gold Coins in?

Have you 'saved and not spent'-not having that coffee has meant more for the pot?

Please pop along EVERY SUNDAY and share your week with the other GLOBAL SEALED POT CHALLENGERS. It's a chance to get to know and support each other! Maybe pick up an idea or two? And keep the momentum going-we have 34 more weeks to go until we open our pots together.

Thursday, 26 July 2012

DAY 474-490 SFT'S FINALLY ON HER WAY TO AFRICA!

Hi Everyone!





Today has been last minute checks, packing and a bit of sewing of 2nd hand items of clothing which I am hoping will stretch a bit longer.


We sorted out our budgets the other evening and I'm happy that we have a contingency-necessary even on a trip....because 'I don't want to miss a thing'.


Thank you for all your kind messages, you are all so wonderful and I will miss you. 


Prepare yourselves for my posts when I return!! 

I thought I'd post the map and a brief itinerary


Friday 27th July-Fly overnight to Jo'burg then catch connecting flight to Maun, Botswana.

Trip Itinerary

Sat 28th July-Day 1-Arrive in Maun. Check in hotel. Relax or explore Maun 'a dusty frontier town on the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta'.

Sun 29th July-Day 2-Drive to Houseboat-Situated on the west side of the Okavango Delta. Take smaller boats out from Houseboat to explore wildlife of surrounding area.

Mon 30th July-Day 3-At Houseboat, Okavango River, Botswana.-Optional Excursions-hippos, crocodiles, bird watching. Enjoy sundowner.

Tues 31st July-Day 4-Tsodilo Hills-San Bushmen believe that this was the site of the first creation, considered a holy and sacred place. Can view rock paintings.  Last night on Houseboat.

Wed 1st August-Day 5-Leave Botswana-head north to Namibia's Caprivi Strip then onto Livingstone in Zambia. Arrive at Lodge

Thurs 2nd August-Day 6-In Livingstone-View VICTORIA FALLS-Take Helicopter Flight. Elephant Back Ride. Overnight at lodge.

Fri 3rd August-Day 7-Head back to Botswana to the Chobe National Park-Flooded grassland, San Pan and the Chobe River, one of the Zambezi's main tributaries, home to an abundance of wildlife-including up to 35,000 elephants (the largest number in Africa).-Go on Safari.  Area famous for it's red and gold sunsets. First proper African camping experience.

Sat 4th August-Day 8-Explore Chobe River.-Safari  Camping under African skies

Sun 5th August- Day 9-Explore Savuti Region-Safari-San Bushman Paintings. Camping under African skies

Mon 6th August-Day 10-Drive to Moremi Game Reserve (tucked in the North Eastern sector of the Okavango River)-one of Botswana's most diversified reserves in terms of scenery and wildlife. Swamps, islands, forest and dry land. Camping under African skies

Tues 7th August-Day 11-Explore wildlife in Moremi. Camping under African skies

Wed 8th August-Day 12-Drive into OKAVANGO DELTA to our camp. Set out game viewing along the amazing crystal clear waterways. Camping under African skies

Thurs 9th August-Day 13-Whole day in Delta. Camping under African skies

Fri 10th August-Day 14-Final Game Drive-Drive onto Maun. Game Flight over Okavango Delta. Overnight in Hotel.

Saturday 11th August-Day 15-August-Maun/Overnight flight to UK.


I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU! to everyone who has supported Mr Sft and I on our blogging journey-
supporting our frugal living in our bid for

mortgage freedom
and
unforgettable travel
experiences!


Big Hugs xxx

Sft x

Posted by at

39 comments:

  1. Safe travels...I'll miss you but I am so looking forward to hearing all about this journey.
    Take care
    Jane xxx

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  2. Thanks Jane! Can't believe it's tomorrow!

    Sft x

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  3. Hope you have a lovely time. Looking forward to seeing pics when you get back xxx

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  4. Thanks Emma! We have 2 memory cards with capacity for 2000 photos!

    That's mind boggling!

    sft xx

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  5. Have a wonderful time, you've worked hard for it xx

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  6. Have a great trip, can't wait for you to catch us up when you get back xxxx

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  7. You have an absolutely fabulous time! Can't wait for stories and photos when you get back. Be safe.

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  9. Thanks for sharing your itinerary - I will so enjoy following along - several of the places I'm quite familiar with. Wish I was stuffed in the duffel bag and coming along again!

    Here's to plenty of awesome game and many beautiful birds - I'll raise a glass to you at sundowners.

    Hugs - Mary

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  10. Fran-Looking forward to sharing all my highlights!

    There will be plenty of stories to share Cheapchick!

    Mabel and Maisy-We seem to have been looking forward to the trip for ages! Yes, it has been hard work, but worth it.

    Thanks Laura, can't wait!

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  11. Mary-I enjoy following trip itineraries.

    I wish I could take you with me!

    Infact I wish I could take all my blogging friends, that would be one crazy trip!

    Really looking forward to the animals and esp the birds!

    I'll certainly be toasting everyone with a sundowner each evening!

    Sft x

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  12. Have a wonderful time and although I have not joined in much lately I NEVER miss your blog,I wish and pray for your safe and happy holiday.Carole xx

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  13. Thanks Carole, And I think of you and your family often and with affection.

    Sft xxxxxxx And one more for your Mum x

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  14. Oh WOW!! It's here, have a fantastic time, be safe and enjoy yourselves.

    What an adventure awaits you ...amazing!

    Sue xx

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  15. I know Sue, it's finally here, everyone else has been counting down to the Olympics and we've been counting down to our trip :)

    I will enjoy every second.

    Sft x

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  16. Have a wonderful time! It has been lovely sharing your journey, through your savings and preparation, for your big adventure.

    Stay safe and have fun.

    I look forward to hearing all about it when you return.

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  17. And you enjoy Dublin Becky!

    I think all the savings and the prep has helped me appreciate this trip all the more.

    Can't wait to share my stories.

    Sft x

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  18. Have a fab time. Can't wait to read your posts all about it!

    M
    x

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  19. Can't wait to write them.

    It is certainly worth keeping a journal on trips. It helps you remember so much. And I love that the pages can look scruffy as that's part of the charm of the trip too.

    Sft x

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  20. I hope you have a lovely time, it sounds like an amazing holiday.

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  21. Thanks Ilona! We can't wait!

    Sft x

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  22. Sounds absolutely amazing!!! Have an amazing time! I can't wait for photos & stories when you're back!

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  23. Thanks Carla!

    Not sure if the photos will be up to yours but each will tell a story!

    Sft x

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  24. can't wait to see the photos. It looks like you'll be seeing a lot. Have a super time, I'll be thinking of you.

    Gill in Canada

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  25. I can't believe all the waiting is over & it is finally here.

    HAPPY, HAPPY TRAVELS!

    Take Care & Bon Voyage.

    Sx

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  26. Have a wonderful time - it will be so exciting to see your blog on your return. The houseboat - what a fantastic idea, wishing you lots of fun and safe travel. Bettyx

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  27. Thanks Gill. Yes our schedule is very exciting, I hope there may be some moments of calm and relaxation.

    Thanks Sandra. We leave in less than 3 hours.

    Thanks Betty. Really looking forward to the Houseboat! Will remind me of Agatha Christie-with crocodiles!

    Sft x

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  28. Wow you have so many exciting things lined up! Let us know when you get back about how to plan such a trip please! :)

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  30. Right we are off to have our adventure now!

    Thanks again for all your well wishes.


    Hugs

    Sft x

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  31. I wish you a safe trip, come back safe and sound :) Already looking forward to your posts after your journey :)

    Have a great flight :)

    Hugs

    Betty x

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  32. At the time I am writing this you are well on your way. Have a fantastic time, thinking of you.
    Safe trvels.
    Patricia

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  33. Travel Chacha Provides a many types of tour, india luxury Holiday tour, vacation packages in india. For more information visit to Vacation Packages

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  34. You'll be there by now, so I hope you have an amazing time! sf x

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  35. Yay, your on your way. By the time you read this you will be back, so i hope you've had a fantastic holiday, all the preparations sound fantastic. It sounds well organised and full of great adventures. I hope you've been able to see all that you wanted to and have enjoyed that amazing feeling of being totally alive when you experience or see something breath taking:-) Can't wait to hear all about it.xx

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  36. By the time you read this it will all be over. hope you've had a brilliant time Judy xx

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  37. Hope you're having a fantastic time!

    Look forward to hearing all about it soon!

    Kay :)

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  38. Wow, I have missed out on a few things lately!! Right now you are either driving to or have arrived at the Moremi Game Reserve. I can't wait to hear all about it! I love seeing your itinerary - makes it seem so much more REAL! I'm hoping all is going gloriously - talk to you soon!

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  39. Hope all three of you are having an amazing time, I can't wait to hear all about it on your return. Oh, and I hope you're taking plenty of elephant photos to share too. I've just been catching up on the posts you made whilst I was away. Thank you so much for the Lovely Blog Award, I shall do a post about it soon. I really enjoyed your Interesting Facts About Botswana post, I don't really know much about the country so I learnt lots.

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