"I bless the rains down in Africa...Gonna take some time to do the things we never have" - Toto

The following pre-trip entry is necessary to confirm that this "blog" thing is going to work.

Not that there is a plan - but the trip design through Africa is loosely based on the number "7".  Starting in Morocco and running east along the top, through Tunisia, Egypt and a side trip to Jordan and Israel (gotta stay in the family good books).  Then a hop over to Ethiopia and onward south through Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa (with side trips from SA to Mozambique and Madagascar).  Yes, I know the last few countries pretty much ruin the number 7 (so maybe it is more like the letter "Z"). 

We are going higher tech this time with a netbook in tow.  That likely means more (but shorter) entries.  We will also be uploading a new set of photos to flickr each month (with a link identified in this blog).

Since there are so many current and ex-Government types who will be following this, here are a few Q&A's:

Q1: There seem to be a few countries being skipped on your route, why?
A1: We created two rules in our trip design:
a) If the country is going to make it difficult to enter - then we won't enter (i.e. Algeria, Libya).
b) Skip the "dodgy" countries (Sudan & Somalia) - plus the "Gulf of Aden Somalian Pirate Experience" excursion was sold out anyway...

Q2:  Why the 7th continent in the title?
A2:  This trip will offer both of us the opportunity to check off the last continents that we have not visited (Africa will be the seventh continent for Dave, and for Les it will be her 6th, but we are also going to Australia, so that will be her seventh).

Q3: What is thegoobers?
A3: thegoobers is our travel hotmail address based on Dave's childhood use as a personal descriptor.  While a goober is often used as a slang word for peanut, it is also used to refer to a person that is silly or goofy!

Here are a few extracts of better "Goober" definitions from urbandictionary.com (no, I did not make these up - hey check the website for yourself):

- A term of endearment used in place of a person's real name; a nickname. Used only in the most loving of ways with no negative connotation at all...for someone who is pure, innocent, warms your heart and makes you smile.

-Someone who acts crazy and makes people laugh, sometimes knowing it or not. Another way of calling some a nut.

- A goober is a lovable goofball who is incredibly well meaning and extremely attractive. Goobers are often the source of unexpected and inappropriate comments or outbursts. Their good natures make them totally fun and irresistibly sexy. Anyone lucky enough to love a goober will never be bored.

Note: The original plan entailed six weeks in Australia en route back home from Africa - but we had to cut that portion of the trip out and return home early due to an illness in the family. It will be reschedule - stay tuned!

See you in May.



Dave & Les