3. February 2017 08:02
by Rene Pallesen
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Leaving Zimbabwe we had the experience of the aircraft (an old B737) breaking down with engine problems prior to our departure. Although this is not uncommon, most international airports would have a team of aircraft mechanics along with spare parts to fix problems.
Victoria Falls do not have all the same facilities due to the low volume of aircraft, so in our case the pilot and co-pilot stepped up and went out to fix the problem themselves. With just a two hour delay we were back underway.
I doubt a pilot from a big international airline would step up and get his hands dirty or even have the skills to fix basic and common problems....credit go to bush pilots!
I reached a significant milestone in karate this week. I graded for my 3rd Kyu (Brown belt) and at the same Kim graded for her 5th Kyu (Blue belt).
On the occation I treated myself to a new dogi (karate uniform).
I was so nervous and tense - and screwed up a few places. There is now a lot of hard work ahead to get to the 2nd Kyu which is at least another half a year away.
Here are some photos from the grading. The ones from the dojo are a bit blurry because they weren't taken from my camera and I don't have the full resolution photos.
20. March 2021 14:03
by Rene Pallesen
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Last year was a tough year with Karate.
First the lockdown meant that we had to go online for training, but even in the dojo I managed to get a lot of injuries.
Some of them visible and some of them not so visible...I have a whole stack of scans and x-rays as souvenirs from this year.
Some could have been avoided, but most are just part of the training.
I even earned an award for it...
The worst one was a kick to my chin. I dont have any photos of it, but I do have the indentation it made on my mouth guard I was wearing at the time. If it hadn't been for the mouthguard I am certain that I would have lost some teeth. This injury could have been avoided.
I have now gone out to buy a new and way cooler mouthguard (I created the design myself). It is thors hammer in the middle surrounded by the Fenrir wolf and Midgaards Serpent.
Even Kim got a few bruises.
13. March 2021 18:03
by Rene Pallesen
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Back in the late 90's I visited Laos. In the northern corner of Laos I acquired two old swords from a local.
30. January 2017 14:01
by Rene Pallesen
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One thing about Zimbabwe was that everything is quite expensive for tourists in Victoria falls.
Back in 2008/09 the whole economy collapsed and the local currency was worth less than the paper it was printed on. As a result the entire country started using stable currencies such as US dollars.
In Victoria falls this means that everything is paid for in US dollars and since everything is more or less government controlled they try to milk tourists for as much hard currency as they possibly can.
As a result most tourists stay for a shorter duration as they probably would otherwise which is a pity as the benefits of tourism isn't shared with the rest of the country.
The country also has all the typical African inefficiencies and illogical processes which I experienced back in my days in East Africa, but which greatly annoyed Kim.
She was however greatly amused when I came back after a walk telling her that I had made her an instant billionaire - with the note here held by Aiden with a smug on his face.
30. January 2017 13:01
by Rene Pallesen
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During the break we decided to make a trip to South Africa and on the way do a quick detour to the Victoria falls on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The first evening we book dinner at Boma restaurant. Even though it is a bit touristy (everything around the falls are) they promised a buffet dinner with various game meat and dancing/drumming.
On the menu was Mopani worms, Wort Hog, Elan, Guinea Foul and spit Lamb.
Poor little Lucas was so tired that he fell asleep in the car there and slept the whole way through.
Although Aiden was tired he did enjoy the experience (in his silly fashion).
The drumming was very interactive and the dinner guests could join in.
Good start to the trip.
19. December 2016 13:12
by Rene Pallesen
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It has been another year and again Merry Christmas 2016.
Following the tradition I have created another family photo for this year. Aiden and Lucas are growing older and also more naughty, so this year we decided to do something different and let the parents have a quiet evening while we let the boys 'hang out' together.
9. December 2016 17:02
by Rene Pallesen
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9. December 2016 15:02
by Rene Pallesen
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9. December 2016 15:02
by Rene Pallesen
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This winter during school holidays I took a day off to look after Aiden. I asked him if he wanted to go canoeing at the Royal National Park about 30 minutes drive from our house.
It was a beautiful sunny morning with not a wind or any other people in the creek.
Afterwards we went down to Wattamolla to have a look at the waterfall and play at the beach.
At Bundeena we had fish and chips for lunch.
He totally crashed on the way home.
