“One day you’ll leave this life behind – so live a life you will remember” – Avicii

I’m off to Africa (negative Covid test willing). 35 nights of vacation.  South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe (maybe…), and Botswana.  Nearly 4 days on planes and in airports just to get to Africa and back. It’s going to be Epic.  A bucket list trip that I’ve always wanted to do – and I want to do it while I’m still young enough to do it my way.  Not on a group tour. Not with everything planned out to the minute.  Freedom to explore.  To go off the beaten path.

A lot has changed since February 2019 when I booked this trip.  New job. New city.  Covid. A year of immense personal and professional challenges.  Speaking of Covid, it has already made this trip interesting.  Have you ever tried to find someplace that does PCR tests in the middle of nowhere (with under 24 hour turnaround!) in sub-Saharan Africa so you can cross the next border?  Lodges and hotels have had to be rejiggered.  Where I would normally stay right in the center of cities/towns, and attempt to really experience life like a local – Covid precautions dictate that I will be much more cautious than I normally would be or like to be.  (Then again, I’ll be traveling through some of the least populated ground on Earth anyways.) I may well miss out on Zimbabwe due to current Covid restrictions. But, whatever may come, it will still be an amazing trip.

“I’m a million miles from where I’m from but there’s still a million miles to come” -Avicii

I’ve got to say, this quote really speaks to me as I study my Ethiopian road map.  After all, the trip begins with a self-drive tour of Namibia.  With few paved roads, (I believe I’ll drive on 2-3 of them – total- once leaving Windhoek) and few people, I’ll be on my own. I mean sure I’ll have a satellite phone in an absolute worst case scenario – but it’s not like there is AAA.  From the urban wilds of Windhoek, to a 1000+ foot sand dune and sea life galore in Walvis Bay, crusing past shipwrecks on a packed salt road in Skeleton Park, to ancient rock art, desert elephants, petrol shortages (note to myself: fill up wherever and whenever you pass an open station with fuel!), a desert camp that requires a 2 hour 4×4 ride from the nearest road, Etosha National Park, and the Caprivi strip, it’s this first half of the trip that should be most interesting.  The rest of the trip involves a hired driver. But, the Namibian portion, will be a true adventure.  Just the way I like it.

(Of course, sitting on the edge of the top of Victoria Falls will definitely be a rush as well!)

Hopefully, I’ll see a ton of wildlife.  I know I’ll have lots of time to think, be introspective and contemplate what it means to exist on this amazing planet we call home.

I don’t know how often I’ll have wifi, but when I do I’ll be updating this blog.  Come for the fun. I aim to make sure my sense of humor comes through in the posts. Or, just visit to get some good bedtime reading to send you right off to sleep. Feel free to subscribe (enter your email in the bar on the top right of the page) to be notified when there are new posts.  Or, just check in every once in awhile.  Game on.

“Hey brother, there’s an endless road to rediscover.” -Avicii