gnatweds

Okay, okay, the husband has been messing around with your heads showing you pictures but no stories... so, am stepping in and *finally* touching the 'puter since we left 11 days ago.

Warning: Looooong post

Day 1: Arrival in Jo'burg for transfers into Livingstone, Zambia
The red eye flight was quite hellish, for some reason, we couldn't sleep for long despite the pharmaceutical help. Arrived in Africa at 7 am. Found coffee after clearing customs at 745 am. We checked into our - get this - British Airways flight (!) to Zambia (I tell you the Brits never left the continent... more elaboration later) and within 20 minutes, we had followed our bar fly instincts and found ourselves with gin tonics in hand.... all before boarding at 1045 am!

Arriving in Zambia was a shock to the system. You know how we complain Sg is hot? It is nothing compared to Livingstone the day we arrived man. The heat literally baked the moisture out of you and you simply did not want to open your mouth for fear of dehydration within seconds.

We attempted to stay awake in the afternoon, and despite some beers, it was an unequal fight and we simply went to bed and slept for oh, 17 hours.

No, no kidding.

In essence, the only thing we did of note in Zambia was to 1) get used to the heat (somewhat. Ok, ok, more like we experienced our first taste of how hot Africa can be) 2) see Victoria Falls, altho' it was quite dry on the Zambian side and we were reluctant to cross the border into Zimbabwe with all the trouble there 3) get into a helicopter where we saw elephants from the air a la those National Geographic TV shots 4) marvel at this place called the Royal Livingstone and whinged about how we could not afford it *snigger*

The helicopter ride hovered over the Falls and through the downstream gorge. It was extremely expensive at US$170 a pop. But once in a lifetime I suppose, and it was quite spectacular. We were lucky and we got to sit in front, so plexiglass in front of me, pilot of the left and G to the right. (4 brit pensioners were stuck in the back… muahhahahah... oh, one of them got quite sick with the weaving to and fro - the pilot's idea of showing us the sights was to dip the copter all the way on its side and yell through our ear phones ... looook, loook there)

But the bad bit: G fell sick. Very sick. And he would have this fever that would not break for the next 7 days or so. Almost called in emergency evacuation from the middle of the Botswanian plains man.

On Day 3: Transfer from Zambia to Botswana via car, boat, 4X4, 12 seater plane to our first safari camp called Savuti. Won't give you all the details - what would we be talking to you about otherwise when we get home ;) - but suffice to say that it was the first time that we passed through immigration without ever seeing an immigration officer and there are erhm... processes to make sure you don't foot and mouth disease (or was it hoof and mouth??...) into Botswana.

And it was absolutely brilliant;

A short list of stuff we saw:
Lion (cubs too!)
Leopard (thanks to super sharp eyes of guide)
Cheetah (almost impossible to spot)
Hippo (one got pissed off enough to lunge completely out of the water and did... I jest you not... a pirouette)
Bat eared fox (super cute)
Mongoose (skittish as hell, biggest sighting - 16 of them running across the dirt track road)
Elephants (kena charged quite a number of times and one of them was *just* outside the tent and a herd invaded our camp, lotsa babies)
Honey Badgers (apparently rare to spot - but we saw three)
Leopard tortoise (in the middle of the savannah!!)
Bush babies
Spring hares
Crocs
Baboons
Cape ground squirrel
A bunch of predatory birds
Civet cat
Aardwolf (!)
Hyena
Vultures and maribou storks
Warthog (remind us to tell you why they are called radio botswana and how they taste)
various hoofed creatures - zebra, giraffe, springbok, impala, kudu, eland, bushbuck, tssebe, and this super rare thing called a Sitatunga.

But being on safari did not agree with G. He was sick and the 5 am mornings simply did not agree with him much. :) He was also suffering from withdrawal from email and connections.
Also we were killing ourselves every morning - we kept reminding ecah other about the foods that we were missing, Laksa, tar mee pok - hiam jiou juay, char kway teow, and the antelopes around us kept bringing to mind geong cheong lok yeok(translated spring onion deer meat) - slurps.

But of course, like all good Singaporeans, we brought the rain to Africa. It got so cold that we were wearing our thick clothes on safari. Cheh.

Then, before we knew it, we were on a flight into Cape Town.

People have been (surprisingly) extremely friendly. Except it is a bit dodgy when street kids hassle you for spare change.
Have plenty of stories to tell you about our "adventure" at Cape Point; table mountain, Robben Island, where Mr Mandela was imprisoned; Penguins at boulders.

To conclude this post...
Okay... upshot of all the thinking about chinese food? we succumbed tonight - our last night in cape town .... we went to a chinese restaurant.
All I can say that it was a chili fix and that's about it.

Nat looking over the edge wondering where the okavango delta went

abhorring the introduction of TV,internet,mobile connection and all things urban

she promises to blog tonight, which has to be seen to be believed.

District 6 museum

http://www.districtsix.co.za/

You know you're far far away from home when the top prize of a beer raffle is cattle

BTW they aren't cheap. S$300+ for each head of cattle

St Louis(i thought it was an american beer) beer from Botswana

thought i'd post some pics to whet your appetites for the stories to follow.

we are now in Cape Town and will transiently have internet connection.

Although, Natalie is still in denial after having spent 6 days in isolation in the bush.
(no TV, no internet, no mobile network. It almost drove me mad, mad, MAD!!!!!!!!)

she is refusing to check her email. For now.

we are more than half way through our trip now, just a few more days in Cape Town and then onward to the winelands.

won't be too long before we're back and at work :(

EG

sluuurrrp! getting ready for our hiatus in south Africa by sipping on a gin and tonic

we're both brain-dead(GCS 3) at this point in time although the photo of nat tells otherwise(as it was taken just after I said "hey, we have an internet connection here - at harry's bar, T2, no less)

in anycase, there's just another 20 mins to go till boarding, an eternity when GTs are $13 a pop

watch the blog, we'll try to post our safari photos once we hit cape town(on the 24th of nov) where, hopefully, we'll find an internet connection.

meanwhile, time to pop the stilnox soon and zzzzzsssss....

BTW, I've just popped my blog cherry.......shiverssssss.....what a bloody geek

EG

People have been chasing me for an update after yesterday; so I thought I'd be good and work on the blog.

Both of us now have a shiny gold ring - yes, that Tolkienesque Ring - which in the duskness bound us, on our fingers.
















The weather looked pretty dodgy at first, but it cleared up beautifully in the afternoon and boy, it was really very still and very humid.

G went first to do dry runs at the boat; so Neil, an old friend, and ai-lien accompanied me.

So; I arrived at the Marina at about 4.15 pm - G was already on the boat looking very spiffy but very hot (!) and sweaty (!!!) in his outfit.
Everyone's make up was melting off as we waited for the JP, Brother Emmanuel to arrive.

Arti and Kim, the wedding planner, worked wonders with the boat - they put fabric and flowers everywhere, including the state room; there were flowers strewn on the floor, it was simply gorgeous. Am afraid I have no pictures - was more worried about other things and didn't go a clicking with my mobile phone cam.

We sailed out to a quiet bay near St John's island; and there, a really beautiful, intimate ceremony took place (there were just 15 people on board - including, us, parents, photographer and JP).

The skyline of Singapore was amazing, and the bestest present - as the ceremony ended there was a gorgeous sunset. Like really beautiful.

We sailed back to One15 Marina on Sentosa Cove and the after party started.

Unfortunately, that's when I and G started losing track of what was happening - there was a lot of alcohol and no food in our tummies - ie: big trouble.

I fell off the boat accidently (snigger)... it didn't hurt at all. And G was gallant enough (!) to jump in after me. Wha, this man must love me!

But by 10, we were both pooped. Like seriously pooped. Couldn't keep awake and we were feeling quite ill; so we did the unthinkable - we left and came home to sleep!

It was no joke, we didn't even bother getting the barang barang out of the car - we just took the keys, opened the door and crashed.

The first day of marriage has been quite funny and fun. We've been taking the mickey out of each other by calling each other: "Husband" and "Wife". Eg, "I'm hungry, Wife"or "Husband, pass me that drink!"...

We woke up at 5 am this morning starving from all that alcohol, and no dinner. So we made instant noodles! After that, we went to sleep again. Heheh.
















And the first day of marriage is a beautiful day!!!!!! What a contrast eh?

In the morning, we hauled ass to Rick's boat - you will not believe HOW MUCH alcohol we ordered and despite the binge (our guests were drinking without us till about midnight or 1 am)
there's a lot of left! and it had to be brought back.

















This is *just* the beer! In Eugene's car boot - I didn't take photos of the 6 bottles of prosecco; or the whiskeys and brandies... geez.

So right now, we're having a post party right here - attempting to get rid of the stash!

Blog later!

Ooooh boy, do I have the nerves or what!

Its 1.15 pm - the make up artist is coming at 2 pm. Am attempting to eat lunch. Sigh. stomach is topsy turvey.

Got loads of calls wishing me happy birthday this morning - big *muaks* to everyone.

Eugene's mom and dad came over this morning and brought brunch and flowers!!!! for me, so sweet right?



Flowers in the foreground and breakfast/brunch on the table in the background and if you look closely enough, you can see the papier mache piggies in the kitchen right at the back.

I'm kinda freaked out - there's no wet weather plan for the boat.
And check it out:



Ugh. Can't eat anymore. Feel totally fluttery....

Okay, I think the next post you read, I'll be a Mrs.

It is the big day tomorrow - amazing how the year has past.
Can't sleep.

Anyway, today, we went shopping for gene's tux shoes - saw a gorgeous pair at Ferragamo. But, ahem... they were a bit pricey lah. $715. Might still get them... I think they are gorgeous.
Gene just got a haircut - he's not terribly impressed with the cut, but I think its nice.

But halfway through shopping, we got tired, so we did the next best thing: we stopped for beers!

After that; we picked up the flowers - they have to stay in an air-conditioned room the entire night because they are so delicate!



here's a picture... nice? Done by Greenpoint. Spending loads of moolah on the flowers man.

We went for an early dinner at this new Russian place at Tanglin - it's called Kalinka Malinka. There's a cold room (-15 deg C) where you can have shots of vodka. It's like the ice hotel and bar in Stockholm, Sweden. Strangely, I was at the Ice Bar, was actually staying at the hotel but couldn;t get in because it was booked solid. Hummm.

Anyway, there are coats and stuff outside the door. At first, G was quite the hero... didn't want to wear a coat. He came out a minute later and was yelling for one. Apparently, he thought it was +15 deg C.

snigger.





It was a blast lah. Really funny.
Plus the food was superb. Will recommend it ;)

Hey by popular request; am going to post pixes of piggies: But here's what goes into piggies: First the tapioca starch - an economical way of making glue. You need at least five, if not more newspaper layers on your balloons.




Then you beg all your pals to bring toilet rolls from home - yes, this is our accumulated stash.




Tah dah. The piggies. Cute ah?

Today, a couple of friends came over and helped with the papier mache pigs, one died a horrible death when I deflated the balloon too quickly :(
One of friends, Dr Chew SB, was a real whiz at cutting out the ears and the leggies.
Very touched tt everyone is pitching in. I'll keep the photos till after the dinner la. Don't want to spoil the surprise. But am getting *quite* attached to the little buggers. Think I'll be very sad when they have to be smashed.

We've had a good week away from work.
On Monday, collected the various dresses and stuff. Then, the girls (Ai-Lien and Judith came over to make the piggies)
Tuesday, went to settle the flowers for the dinner - quite opulently done. Then, went to check out Rick's boat. Of course, major mistake that....decided to have a few wines, next thing I know, I was knocked out on deck. Gene didn't do much better - he's got awful scratches on his leg coz they *decided* to go swimming... by jumping off the boat. Sheesh. He got whacked against the dock.
Wednesday - lots of running around to get various implements for the ceremony and to sort out little oh-ohs - and tarnhow threw a small get together at his place in the evening.
Today was piggie day. Two of em are ready... not a very good survival rate. Three have died on the way hummmm, either cos the balloons burst, shrank and the layers just can't hold the shape.

Okay, post again when I have the energy.

Three days to the big day.

I have the permission to post some photos from the hen night... will post the... urhm... more politically correct ones. Hehehhehehe.

So here are some. If I manage to get my hands on G's Stag, I'll post em too. urhm... the more politically correct ones too of course. Hehheheheh.



The girls, save one, Su-Yin, who's taking the photos. From left, Arti, Ai-Lien, Judith, me, Serene and Tanya.




That's Su Yin!
(NB: Ignore the outfit... trust me, you really don't want to know)



Getting grilled by Kumar - our Uniquely Singaporean Drag Queen, by his own admission no less.


Having generally a great (if albeit embarassing) time