5-6-6!!!

That is the magic number of riding days until Capetown (Five riding days until, Windhoek Namibia, then six riding days 'til our next rest day, and then a final six riding days til Capetown. We still have over 1,500 miles to ride, but given what we've been through so far, this definitely feels like the beginning of the end.

I'm in Maun, Botswana which is the launching point for safari's in the Okavango Delta. I may take a small hour-long plane flight over the delta, but otherwise this will be a true rest day.

Past few days we have been riding very long distances (over 100miles/day) through a national park. We've seen antelope, giraffes and some elephants (see pics attached).

That's about it for now. Pics of restday (and my tent and my mess), elephants, and morning sunrise are attached.

-later Goose

Pictures Say it best

Greetings all.  I'm in an internet café in Livingston, Zambia, which
is located on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls.  We arrived here on
Saturday, and have had two rest days.  Sunday, I just sort of bummed
around town and bought some little souvenirs, and then went to the
Falls, which is amazing.  It is about twice the size of Niagara Falls,
and the amount water that flows through there is unbillilable.  The
fact that water is such a precious commodity during the trip, and
always having to conserve water, made the sight of the falls even more
magnificent.

Today I took a motorized handglider over the falls.  After the
handglider trip, the sequence of the next two events was not ideal:
1) First went to the Zambezi Sun (a posh hotel) for an all you can eat
breakfast, 2) then went to the bridge over the Zambezi River (which
divides Zambia and Zimbabwe) and bungee jumped off of the third
highest bungee jump in the world.  Pics attached.  BTW, if you are
wondering why I'm wearing my cycling helmet, it's 'cause I borrowed a
friend's helmet cam for the jump.  Footage is wild.

Pics attached—Enjoy!

Thanks again for all of your support and to everyone who has donated
to Charity Water.  If you have not yet donated please do so from
www.gogoswami.com.

Catch you in Botswana – Goose – over.

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Rain Rain Go Away

I'm writing from Lilongwe, Malawi, which is surprisingly modern, and much differenty that any other African city we have been through.. It sort of feels like small U.S. college town; even went to a nice Italian restaurant last night (mushroom and bacon pizza, incase you were wondering).

The weather here is gorgeous. Sunny and probably about 90. Today is the first day in the last 2.5 weeks without rain. I (and I think most other riders are) am constantly in fear of whether or not it is going to rain. I think that waiting for the rain is worse than the actual rain itself. The biggest problem of course is drying out b/c even when it is not raining the air is so moist the clothes never dry properly and are damp. The rain has also sparked up some hostilities amongst the riders, which are so petty they are not worth writing about.

We have 29 more riding days left. Seems very doable, but I am sort of burned out. Physically my body is holding up relatively well. I am actually one of the stronger riders now, due both to me getting much much better, and also b/c many riders' bodies are deteriorating. The majority of riders over 40 are having trouble maintaining body weight, and many are just a shadow of what they were during Jan. But mentally, I'm completely exhausted. I'm numb to the scenery, and the novelty of camping everyday has faded into a pain in the ass. I'm generally fine with riding my bike for about the first 60% of each day, but the final 40% really wears me down. I'm hoping that part of the mental fatigue is due to the rain. Some riders are worn down more than me, and have already begun counting the days. My official policy is to not begin any sort of countdown until we reach Victoria Falls, but it is difficult when there are riders who tell you each day exactly how many riding days and km remain. Victoria Falls is also knows as the Africa's Adrenaline Capital, so I'll keep you posted as to what sort of crazy activities we do on our day off.

With only a third of the trip remaining, I'm also hoping that donations to Charity:Water will start pouring in!! (insert smiley emoticon). Thanks again to all who have donated (just over $3,000 so far). If you have not yet donated please consider doing so (www.gogoswami.com). I'm told that the April 9^th American Idol will have a piece on Charity:Water. Keep your eyes peeled.

Attached is a pic of me, and two of my close friends: Max (French Canadian) and Alex (German), on our rest day today.

Thanks for all the support.

Goose