Reset search
Misadventures Of WandaMisadventures Of Wanda
Edit routeSatellite

Misadventures Of Wanda

Join us as we travel the world in our motorhome, our first trips will be close to home in Europe but soon we’ll be shipping Wanda over the pond to Canada and then the States. Norwich, United Kingdom
Follow Message
  • Misadventures Of WandaThe Elephant Coast
    Day 3

    Breakfast and Markets

    March 26 in South Africa ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    Ellie and I didn’t sleep well atall, the room didn’t get much below 25°c all night, we were absolutely sweltering and I was glad to get up at 6am to go and do a morning workout and just as I stepped outside to start Pete came out.
    He asked if we slept ok and I answered honestly and said no it was roasting and he said didn’t your room have air conditioning like mine?
    Obviously not.
    Once we were all dressed we jumped in the car with our luggage and went down the road for coffees and breakfast at Wimpy which took about an hour, then we headed off again aiming for Peiters house but we stopped at a market first to get fresh fruit.
    It was an amazing market where we picked up a big bag of avocados for £1 and a sack of pineapple for £1. Ellie and I went and looked around the arts and crafts where there were loads of hand carved wooden ornaments. Some of the carvings are unbelievably intricate.    Read more

     
  • Misadventures Of WandaThe Elephant Coast
    Day 3

    Winterdodgers Backpackers (Petes Place)

    March 26 in South Africa ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Around 2pm we left the game drive and headed for the a spar supermarket to do the grocery shopping for the next few days. Considering it was a Sunday it was super busy but except for decent meat we got everything that we needed. We’re going to have to go back out to a butchers to get meat at a later date.
    Then it was back in the car for another 90 minutes until we got into the town of Sodwana Bay and took a sharp left when the tarmac ended and we drove for 15km on sand tracks across the biggest vegetation sand dunes in the world. It was quite a hairy ride as we slid around the deep ruts with Karen the car beeping at us all the way warning us of no traction, then we dropped down the other side and the vegetation got much thicker just before we drove through a river.
    Then it was sand tracks again for another 5km and we found a bottle shop in the middle of nowhere and Pete brought some beers before we finally ended up where we wanted to be.
    Petes home.
    It was an amazing site and in true Pieter fashion we were greeted by 3 land rovers and the old safari land cruiser he had just bought to do up last year. Once out of the car he showed us around and it’s certainly unique and very rustic but it’s a huge place and suits Petes personality down to the ground.
    There is a large open plan living area where guests can congregate and an open plan kitchen. Along the back wall are another four rooms, the first is Petes bedroom, then a bathroom then what will be another guest room but is currently storage and at the end another guest room with 2 single beds. Pete also now has a cat called Milly who he rescued from Kubu Island out in the salt pans late last year. He picked it up in a right state as a kitten with blood all over it’s face and scars on it’s back and he did say, had he been on his own he probably would have put the cat out of it’s misery but the group of people he was with at the time didn’t want to so the cat ended up getting in the car and doing 3 weeks of Safaris across 3 countries until finally ending up back at Petes home which is where he lives and looks very happy.
    The grounds and garden are flourishing with food like bananas and avocado, lemongrass and lavender. Aswell as chickens each laying 2 eggs a day.
    There are also 2 guest houses outside and Simon who delivered Karin the car from Johannesburg is staying in one and we have the other. It’s a super nice place and a really chilled atmosphere. When we turned up there were another 2 guests there but we think they were bringing Simon alcohol as he’s quite the drunk but they did seem like nice people and said they would be back tomorrow.
    After getting settled and having some well needed drinks and fresh pineapple the 4 of us took a hike out across the sand dunes and I found a chameleon which of course Ellie wanted to adopt. Then it was back to the house just before it got dark and we all watched the Geckos chasing the moths up and down the walls while Pete cooked us a lovely spaghetti bolognaise. Then at 8pm we all headed off to our beds for the night.    Read more

     
  • Misadventures Of WandaThe Elephant Coast
    Day 3

    Imfolozi & Hlunluwe Game Reserve

    March 26 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    From the marketplace we headed further north, but before we got to Petes place he wanted to take us on a game drive and show us 2 special parks.
    The Imfolozi & Hlunluwe conservation parks are home to the big 5, and are set out as tourist areas but there are no tourists because they don’t do any advertising. The main reason for these parks existence is to conserve and repopulate other areas including world wide. This is also where they train the rangers in capturing and releasing all species, and it’s where the capture and release programs where invented. There is even a museum with photos dating back to the 1930’s of various techniques being used, it was a fascinating place.
    Driving through the parks we were super lucky spotting Impala, Zebra, Water Buffalo, elephants, rhino, and even baboons. This was a great start to trip.    Read more

     
  • Misadventures Of WandaThe Elephant Coast
    Day 2

    Pete & St Lucia

    March 25 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Leaving at 12:10pm, We touched down 50 minutes later in Durban and this time there was no security checks and we sailed straight through the airport, collected our bags from the carousel and as soon as we left the baggage area Pieter was there to greet us.
    It felt like we had never left Africa and we picked up exactly where we left off, laughing and joking all the way to the car park where Karin the car was waiting for us. It was great to see her again aswell and this time I was riding shotgun.
    It cost him 850,000 rand to repair the damage on Karin after our last trip and he told us that he was selling her to get 2 more land rovers to match the 3 non starting land rovers he already has, and she should have gone last week but the guy who was dropping her off to him in St Lucia had, had an accident and smashed the front up and he’s only just got it back from the insurance.
    It will be a shame when he does get rid off her, we love Karin as much as Pete, but Pete doesn’t get attached to vehicles like us.
    From the airport is was a 2 hour drive to St Lucia, Pete took us on a water safari and even though it was really windy we did get to see lots of hippos, Zebra, bee eaters, cormorants and a fish eagle. It also gave us a chance to get our bearings, and we had a great time.
    Then Pete took us to our lodgings for the night which is a cosy lodge with a double and single room. It has a large lounge and open plan kitchen and a beautiful bathroom. This is much more fancy than what we’re used to but because it’s the off season Pete said it’s only slightly more expensive than a campsite.
    We dumped our stuff in the rooms and then went straight back out for dinner at a restaurant Pete uses regularly on his trips. Pete had Sushi, I had a special burger with local ingredients including a super hot sauce and Ellie had a pizza with spicy chicken and cheese and avocado on top. All of it was superb.
    Then it was back to our hotel where we gave Pete the bottle of whiskey we had brought him and he was like a kid at Christmas which really pleased us, and even though it was just 8pm we were all exhausted from a long day and with nothing much else to do we called it a night. Our first proper day had been a success.    Read more

     
  • Misadventures Of WandaThe Elephant Coast
    Day 2

    Back to the Airport

    March 25 in South Africa

    We arrived at Johannesburg International airport at 9:50am with plenty of time to spare for a 12pm flight. It was a good job, as checking the bags in took nearly 40 minutes and then we had to go through security.
    This time security wasn’t as bad, partly because it is a domestic flight and partly because we had learnt from last time and emptied anything that could be deemed dangerous into our hold luggage.
    Our plan was to buy a data sim at the airport but there was nowhere obvious on the way in and once we were the other side of security all the shops had run out. We’ll have to be extra vigilant in Durban and try and find somewhere.
    With no SIM card and nothing to do except eat the Biltong I had purchased we headed for the departure lounge ready to board at 11:30am and fly out at midday.
    This is getting real now…….. next stop Durban and to meet Pete. We arrived at Johannesburg International airport at 9:50am with plenty of time to spare for a 12pm flight. It was a good job, as checking the bags in took nearly 40 minutes and then we had to go through security.
    This time security wasn’t as bad, partly because it is a domestic flight and partly because we had learnt from last time and emptied anything that could be deemed dangerous into our hold luggage.
    Our plan was to buy a data sim at the airport but there was nowhere obvious on the way in and once we were the other side of security all the shops had run out. We’ll have to be extra vigilant in Durban and try and find somewhere.
    With no SIM card and nothing to do except eat the Biltong I had purchased we headed for the departure lounge ready to board at 11:30am and fly out at midday.
    This is getting real now…….. next stop Durban and to meet Pete.    Read more

     
  • Misadventures Of WandaThe Elephant Coast
    Day 2

    First night done & breakfast

    March 25 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    We were both awake at 7:30am, listening to heavy rain running off the rooftops. The bed was comfortable and even though the room was hot we had the ceiling fan on and we were both so knackered we probably could have slept standing up.
    Breakfast is included with the room so at 8:30 we both headed into the restaurant area where there were 8 tables and a huge choice of breakfasts. The were cereals and bread laid out with various jams and it was help ourselves to orange juice, tea or coffee. We also had the option of Omlettes or a traditional farmhouse breakfast.
    We both chose the farmhouse breakfast as we didn’t know when our next meal will be, and it was delicious.
    Then it was back to our little room to pack up ready for our driver to take us back to the airport at 9:30. Our next stop is Durban. We were both awake at 7:30am, listening to heavy rain running off the rooftops. The bed was comfortable and even though the room was hot we had the ceiling fan on and we were both so knackered we probably could have slept standing up.
    Breakfast is included with the room so at 8:30 we both headed into the restaurant area where there were 8 tables and a huge choice of breakfasts. The were cereals and bread laid out with various jams and it was help ourselves to orange juice, tea or coffee. We also had the option of Omlettes or a traditional farmhouse breakfast.
    We both chose the farmhouse breakfast as we didn’t know when our next meal will be, and it was delicious.
    Then it was back to our little room to pack up ready for our driver to take us back to the airport at 9:30. Our next stop is Durban.    Read more

     
  • Misadventures Of WandaThe Elephant Coast
    Day 1

    Aerotropolis

    March 24 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    By 10:30pm we had gone through security which was relatively easy, except for the guy infront of us whose passport had expired, and then it was off to collect our bags.
    From the bag collection I picked up a trolley and we then headed to an ATM machine to draw some cash out before phoning our motel for a collection.
    We were told to wait in pick up area 3 which was easy to find and we then spent 20 minutes talking to an African host in the waiting area before being picked up.
    20 minutes later we had arrived at our first sleepover. The Aerotropolis Motel and there was no waiting around as our driver showed us straight to our room.
    It’s a nice room, with a large double bed, toilet, shower and tea and coffee making facilities and it’s clean. We’re only here for one night and the driver has arranged to take us back to the airport at 10am for the next leg of our journey.    Read more

     
  • Misadventures Of WandaThe Elephant Coast
    Day 1

    Stop 2, Johannesburg

    March 24 in the Netherlands

    At 10:15am we boarded our next flight, and I personally was dreading this one, sometimes we have great times, with good food on the airlines and sometimes we don’t.
    This flight turned out to be the 10.5 hour flight from hell. It went horribly wrong straight away when we realised we had aisle seats instead of window seats. Immediately after take off the rush for the toilets started and almost every single person that walked past managed to bump me. On top of that we had a baby crying, disgusting food this time and they were really stingy with the food aswell.
    Just as I’d really had enough we started descending and finally at just after 10pm South Africa time we landed.    Read more

     
  • Misadventures Of WandaThe Elephant Coast
    Day 1

    Stop 1

    March 24 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌬 10 °C

    We were up at the unearthly hour of 3am. Our bags were packed and ready to go by the front door and after a few coffees we were ready to depart at 4am, Ben had got up bright and early at 3:30am ready to deliver us to our first stop.
    For this trip we had decided to do it in stages. Norwich to Amsterdam. Amsterdam to Johannesburg and then Johannesburg to Durban.
    We were at Norwich by 4:40am and we thought we had plenty of time to spare for the 6:15am flight and after paying £10 each for the airport development ( Conning ) fee ( tax ), we promptly joined a very short queue to drop our bags off.
    Unfortunately for us we were behind students and most of them had more than one bag so had to pay for extra baggage which a group leader was paying for at the final tally of bags but he kept wandering off. Then to top it off 3 students had written the wrong name on the flight details and each had to pay £26 each to get a name change and then the flight boarding crew had to phone each boarding desk all the way down the flight line to let them know the changes.
    This took forever and by the time we got done with our bags we had 10 minutes to get through security. Then I got stopped because of the zips in my trousers and then my camera bag got searched and I was warned about carrying electrical tape. It was a nightmare.
    Finally we were on the plane and no sooner had the plane gone up, it was coming back down and into Amsterdam.
    Flight 1 was done.    Read more

     
  • Misadventures Of WandaThe last Kingdom Roadtrip
    Day 4

    The Great North Road

    March 3 in England ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    We left Skipworth common just after 9am. We all had a good nights sleep until around 6am when the temperature in Wanda seems to be at it’s coldest. Even Ella got cold and plonked herself inbetween us to get extra body heat.
    We started off on the A19 heading towards the M62 and from there we were heading south to pick up the A1.
    A few junctions before joining the A1 we left the M62 for a small village just outside Blythburgh where we filled up with Diesel before diverting through the back lanes and on the A1 or as it commonly known The Great North Road.
    There is nothing great about the great north road atall. It is a duel carriageway that runs from the south to the north of the country and it wasn’t fit for purpose when they originally built it so to compensate for the flow of heavy traffic they built the A1M which is just as bad if not worse because it goes from 3 lanes down to 2 and back to 3 again at various long stretches along it’s entirety. On both roads if there is accident it pretty much means a road closure and today was no exception.
    No sooner had I joined the great north road when we saw a traffic update on TomTom saying a 2 minute delay that within 30 seconds had jumped to a 6 minute delay then another minute later it jumped to 18 minutes.
    Fortunately TomTom also gave us an alternative route and soon after joining the duel carriageway we left it and headed through the back lanes and country roads running parallel to the A1. We could see the traffic backed up and it must have been atleast a 10 mile tail back and I was glad we had just managed to avoid it.
    12 miles later we rejoined the A1 the other side of the closure and it was eerie experience driving on a duel carriageway in broad daylight with no other traffic and it stayed like that until another 2 junctions and 20 minutes had passed. Then it was traffic as usual.
    We didn’t make any more stops and decided to do the whole 250 mile journey in one hit and luckily there were no more hold ups, but the last hour of driving was murder as we were both very hungry because we had skipped breakfast.
    Just after 2:30pm we arrived home and Ella was super pleased and flopped straight on her bed. She didn’t enjoy motorhome life.
    We emptied Wanda of our belongings and food and parked her back in the drive. It took us over 2 months to get her that dirty when we were in Europe now we’ve been away for a couple of days and she is black.
    I don’t think we will be motorhoming again in the UK anytime soon. The rubbish on the side of all of the motorways disgusted us and makes us ashamed to be British. The roads are also in a state of disrepair in the whole country and you really notice potholes in a motorhome. We didn’t really feel wanted anywhere we went with height restrictions on car parks and time limits at the car parks we could get in and we had no where to fill up with water, empty the toilet or grey waste without paying £25-£30 staying at a campsite. Most of which are closed at this time of the year.
    We will definitely be sticking to Motorhoming Europe where Wanda is welcomed.    Read more

     

Join us:

FindPenguins for iOSFindPenguins for Android

  • 2023© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Support
  • Legal notice
  • English