I have NO IDEA what Lens Ken bought not "my thing" you can ask him when you see him.

Ngaire, am excited for you to see Wild Dogs. If they have newborn it would seem like they should be there for a while.

Yes, one week from tomorrow I also start the long journey to So Africa. One long plane ride, short layover then another long overnight flight then short flight from JNB to CPT.

Really looking forward to this trip.

Ralph, I'll drink to that!

NO link to his newsletter it was all imbedded in the actual email. If anyone wants to see it let me know and I will send it to you.

Pat, neither of us took the malarial medication last time. Mark couldn't because of all his various physical issues, and I just didn't.

Thanks Pam, thats what I'm thinking.
Sure going to miss you three ....somehow wont seem the same....will hoist one to all absent friends, Pat

I have never had an issue with the malaria meds. Malerone is used for a lot of auto immune issues including skin conditions. It is relatively safe. I do get thrush from them, so I take thrush meds.

Pat, of course, talking about "three", and they would be Carol, Mark, and Pam? Not sure everyone here is in the loop. But since Carol and Mark are no longer with us, and had such wonderful adventures on the ROAR's and NILE, here's my toast to Mark and Carol, too, as both had hoped to be on this trip. Great travel friends, and wonderful people and I feel lucky to have traveled with them and known them. NOW, here's another toast for a great ROAR 3 trip for all of those onboard!

I got my package for Roar III, Part Deux! I am beyond excited and eagerly wait for reports from the folks on Part One.

------------
Helen

Helen,
Fred and I are looking forward to meeting you and Jerry for Roar III, Part Deux! When will you arrive?

Jan

Hi Jan! We arrive in Capetown for Birkenhead House on the 18th. Are you and Fred going there as well or just the Camps? We are also looking forward to meetng you and hearing all about your latest adventures. What a great trip you have been on!
---------------
Helen

Helen,

Have a great trip, we will be anxious to hear from you. Thanks also for the notes.

Thanks so much Susan. I am so very sorry about your house.
-------------
Helen

Heard from Duncan at Leopard Hills. The wild dogs are denning actually on Dulini Land which is even closer to Leopard Hills and so the odds of seeing them are VERY GOOD. Duncan is arriving back at camp on April 26 so he will be there. Gary is now Head Ranger and he is there right now also.

From Lion Sands - Hyena DEN with pups! One of my favorite sites they are adorable.

Very exciting Ngaire!! Can't wait to get there. We also need to conjure up a cheetah and I'll be very happy.

I can hardly concentrate on work. One week from today and we will be up in the air two hours on our way!

Me too Andi! We are leaving Saturday morning. All packed and ready! I keep taking clothes OUT of my suitcase. Ngaire will be proud.

So excited for all of you Part One'ers. The sooner you go, the sooner it will be our turn. Please post as you are able.

I have heard bad things about ATMs esp in J'burg so think I am going to get cash before I go but how much???

Fingers crossed for the wild dog sightings!
----------------
Helen

Looking forward to meeting you Cindy! We leave Wednesday. How many suitcases are you bringing? It's the shoes that get me.

Cindy and Andi you girls have a wonderful time - just do not stay up as late as Andi, Marcie and I did on Fun in hotel BAR surprise!!! - 2 am???

LOL. Where did we HAVE to go the next day, Joanne!? The Bar? OK, I know we need our beauty sleep. I will miss you, Sweetie.

On this trip, I will have to go to bed early...or get eaten by whatever...and the 5am wake up calls...those will force early bedtimes.

OH GEEZZZ I think we got on ship next day - I think Marcie and I were talking in tongues about 1 AM and you were taking notes SOBER ones!! ..hope those notes have been destroyed - JK JK JK (think we talked about our great hubbies and how they spoil us) :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ;) ;)

Oh, I'm going to publish those notes... but not till we're all famous. You won't believe what you said. :blahblah:

Me too Andi! I have ONE suitcase and of course a separate one for the safari. My safari bag is very small...David's not so much. Yes, shoes are the killer. I think I have 5 pair. Funny how the workout shoes have to be pulled at the last minute....just no room. ;) ;)

Ladies - I wear a pair of flats and pack one pair of athtletic shoes. Shoes will "eat your lunch" including weight and space. Ken has the same one pair of brown (kind of dress shoes) and wears his athletic shoes. That is it for us for the shoes!

We are doing the Gorillas post ROAR lll and can only have 33lbs each TOTAL including ALL hand luggage. Kens Camera/Computer bag weighs 30lbs!

Talk about a struggle this has been the hardest packing I have ever done. That leaves 30lbs for everything else - almost impossible. However the Cameras are a MUST GO or my Mr. Nice Ken would turn into something else.

I found some luggage called ASAKS and a 26' duffle with wheels weighs under 5lbs. I got a carryon rolling 22" duffle I put his camera bag in as it would be a killer to carry during the flight another "hernia" in the making. I just did not want to take heavy duffles without wheels this time. I have a small but spacious cabin bag that weighs less than one pound. Great stuff and STRONG not cheap! So that was 11 lbs in the actual bags so now I have 22lbs left for clothes, toiletries (they weigh a lot) everything else for both of us.

We could not store and pick up later either as fly into Kigali and home from Nairobi no way to "pick up luggage" to take home.

Susan kindly offered to bring a bag back for us when she comes back from South Africa and that was fantastic. So I am bringing two
ASAK duffles (one each weigh about 20lbs each) and Susan will take one home with her after the safari. That really helped a lot as we have normal clothes now for Birkenhead and La Residence. When we go to the Gorillas we will only have 30lbs of personal clothing,toiletries, tickets etc just absolute necessities and of course 30lbs of cameras. That is 10 nights long in total we can to make it.

I still only have 10lbs of personal clothes so I will NOT be changing for dinner at the camps.

Ngaire Where there is a will there is a way!!!

Seriously, what a lot of effort that must have taken for you wo work all that out! And Ken without his cameras? Like a day without sunshine!

Way to go Ngaire....I want to hear more about the gorillas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ray's first love are the gorillas.....If you are leading a gorilla trek in the future please sign him up,oh, and me too.
You are the Queen of packing.

And I thought I packed well this time!!!! I have a steamer trunk in comparison!

Yikes! 33 lbs including carry-on! That would certainly be a challenge in my house even w/o the cameras. Wearing the heaviest stuff has always been our answer to weight limits.
Us too for any future gorilla trips!
--------------------
Helen

Ugh, I haven't started to UNPACK yet. Don't forget the warm coat and gloves and hat...that takes up room! It is only 60s in Jbrg. and so cold in the mornings and evenings on the safaris. I always look like a Pillsbury dough boy in my many layers. But, I now have my Oppossum hat and gloves.

Everything is on the bed and dresser in guest bedroom....Ray actually had all his things out BEFORE ME! Do you think he may be anxious to go?

It's the camera equipment that uses up our cabin luggage.
1 bag for Birkrnhead and La Residence (to be stowed)
1 duffle bag pp for camps.

I'll post weights after I pack.
Pretty well wearing everything from ROAR 2, as Ngaire says, the animals wont notice and neither will the humans.

we each have a bag for cpt/birkenhead/laResidence. mine is 30# my little duffel is maybe 10 at the most. Really the safari piece is so easy..no thought required! I think I remember at Roar 1...I think it was Suzy that had the picture of the bag sitting by her door that said ready to roar? I always think about that picture! I remember how excited I was just thinking about that trip!

...and they all do a beautiful job of doing your laundry each day! It is the trip of a lifetime and no one cares if they see you in the same clothes again. Layers are definitely the way to go.

Any of you on ROAR 3 want to try this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNeN...69F24F311D9B&index=18&playnext=4

Its the camera gear that weighs the most. Camera, do I take the spare ?, which lenses to take. Binos are not light but may need them. Decisions , decisions. I think I have it figured out and probably have too much but do not want to do without.

Thank goodness we can leave a bag at Fed Air. That allows for something other than the safari stuff for Birkenhead and La Res.

The most difficult is color cordinating the safari clothes. LOL

Arlene, that is unbelievable!!! Thanks!

Packed today. At last, I packed light! So far, so good.

Has anyone left yet?

Doug

Sitting at home waiting for my brother to pick me up for trip to LAX. Going to have a late lunch or early dinner with him then off to LAX. Repacked a bit this am. Reduced weight. No bino. Did not use last time and they are heavy and bulky. Too many camera lens I fear but decided to bring anyway.

No laptop but taking new IPOD 2. Fun toy and replaces Kindle has music and games to play. Using it now to spend time waiting for Richard.


I just hope I did not forget something.

You'll get bino's at the camps.just ask

Have a great trip. Enjoy it all.
See you soon.
Doug