Africa Run

ssc · Post by **ssc** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 5:34 pm

Just got back from a trip to Africa--Namibia and South Africa. The jet lag is killing me, but the trip was interesting. I have never gone this early in the year and it was the rain season. It rained almost everyday, which means lots of bugs and snakes. We came across a 10 foot black mamba in a tree. It was shot and I will post pictures. They are quite deadly. We also saw moniter lizards and a large puff adder. I had a too close encounter with a 5 foot boomslange. I was relaxing in a chair with a good book in the yard of the camp when I felt something brush against my elbow. Another bug, or so I thought, and as I looked over, I saw the green head of the snake not more than 10 inches from my nose and just going under my elbow. It had slithered up the chair and was headed to the table next to me. I don't think I can post the exact expression I used as I bolted from the chair. We did catch it and I will post pictures. Scared the hell out of me and they have very dangerous venom.

Got some good pictures and the cruisers are very impressive. Saw some with over 900,000km and a 73 with 3900km. According to a tire shop we stopped at, the true workhorse tires that are sold for the working rigs are the BFG AT's. Will post some pics later.

Will post some pics when they get done downloading.

Regards, Steve

ssc · Post by **ssc** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 5:51 pm

pics

: 10 foot black mamba; Nam 10 087.jpg (892.52 KiB) Viewed 2788 times

: Nice troopy with diff locks; Nam 10 107.jpg (542.76 KiB) Viewed 2788 times

: this rig has over 900,000km; Nam 10 074.jpg (720.94 KiB) Viewed 2788 times

: 1973 with 3900 km; Nam 10 055.jpg (689.98 KiB) Viewed 2788 times

: Boomslange; Nam 10 129.jpg (581.02 KiB) Viewed 2788 times

ssc · Post by **ssc** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 6:05 pm

: View; Namibia 10 168.jpg (3.61 MiB) Viewed 2788 times

: Sable; Namibia 10 409.jpg (3.35 MiB) Viewed 2788 times

: Big Boy; Namibia 10 351.jpg (4.23 MiB) Viewed 2788 times

: Rhino; Namibia 10 303.jpg (3.3 MiB) Viewed 2788 times

: Sunset; Namibia 10 141.jpg (2.58 MiB) Viewed 2788 times

ssc · Post by **ssc** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 6:25 pm

: Zebra; Namibia 10 696.jpg (3.57 MiB) Viewed 2788 times

: Springbok follow the leader; Namibia 10 624.jpg (4.47 MiB) Viewed 2788 times

: Black face Impala; Namibia 10 606.jpg (3.04 MiB) Viewed 2788 times

: Bad Boy; Namibia 10 593.jpg (4.97 MiB) Viewed 2788 times

: Singing Jackels; Namibia 10 528.jpg (3.37 MiB) Viewed 2788 times

cruiserlarry · Post by **cruiserlarry** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 7:25 pm

Wow - Steve, those are some unbelievable pics !!! I am envious of your experience - what an amazing trip, with or without rain...

Did you manage to stuff one or two of those Landcruisers in your luggage ???

sdnative · Post by **sdnative** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 2:10 pm

Wow, those are some great pics. You can tell you know a thing or two about photography.

There goes my chances at photo of the month

Glad you made it back in one piece. So where's the new cruiser?

ssc · Post by **ssc** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 4:13 pm

Hi All,
Jet lag is still messing with me. I did make an offer on the blue cruiser with the 3900km. We shall see. It is a left hand model. It had been in Germany for years and when the owner died it shipped to Nam. So many of the rigs were outfitted for exploration. Many had the tents on top. Pickups had an alum shell with doors and holders for petrol and propane. Troopys had door systems and where set up nice. The suspensions were basically stock and the weight of the bull bars and winches did not concern anyone. The suspensions were set for one ton though. Most had the diff locks. I will see if I can find some pics and attach. I did see many of the 80's and if not able to get a new 70, which appears to be impossible, I will start to look for a 97 LC. Eric, looks like you had fun at the wheel and shoot.

Regards, Steve