Pakistan update

So... things have happened with the upcoming Pakistan trip. Or rather; the not-anymore-upcoming trip. Yup - it has been cancelled.

To be honest it wasn't much of a surprise, though. We were informed by the travel agency that they were waiting for the embassy in Islamabad and the Foreign Ministry to update the travel information for Pakistan and more specifically the area where we would be trekking. I am assuming that if the travel information isn't positive enough insurance companies won't insure the travel agency/tip. The travel agency had been promised updates were coming, but reaching the deadline the agency had at the end of November nothing had been done yet. We were informed in the beginning of December that they had pushed the deadline and expected to be able to commit to the trip between Christmas and New Year's eve.

And nothing was heard - until a few days ago when receiving the mail cancelling the trip. It wasn't much of a surprise due to not hearing anything way past the deadline so I had more or less settled on the fact that I wouldn't be going this year - though it wasn't fun having my suspicions confirmed anyway. But I was promised that as soon as they would be able to put up the trip again (next year or later) they would start off informing those who had signed up now. 

So now I have to start looking for new destinations. So much work!

Back to watching animals

In Denmark when quitting/being laid off from a job, depending on contract and agreement with the (former) employer, you are able to get some of your leftover vacation paid out into a vacation fund which you can get paid out when you are going on vacation (as you in your new job won't have saved up any vacation yet at that point you'll be able to fall back on the previous-job-money). 

Between Christmas and New Year's I was reminded that I have vacation money to spend - and the way the system works they need to be spent before the 1st of May. 

Oh, dear.

So obviously I need to go travelling. I mean - the vacation money shouldn't go to waste, right? Planning on going to two different cold areas later in the year I was thinking about something warm, and adding the fact that it has been a while I have been on a safari the decision was fairly easy in the end.

12th-13th of March

Flight from Copenhagen to Johannesburg. I am flying via Dubai and while the overall trip would have been shorter if I went over Europe I get to go in A380s. And because Emirates prioritize economy class from Copenhagen there are economy seats on the top floor of the plane. Guess who was willing to pay for a seat reservation on the top floor? And the flight was dirt cheap. Like... really cheap.

Meeting with the group the 13th in the evening and getting barbecue.

14th - 16th of March

Driving to and spending time in Kruger NP. I am looking forward to this - especially expecting to have a better driver/guide than back in 2013 which ended up being a bit of a disappointment. Finishing the tour in the park by driving to different park, Karongwe Private Game Reserve. 

17th - 18th of March

Spending time in Karongwe Private Game Reserve, hopefully spotting plenty of other and more animals. Ending with returning to Johannesburg.

19th - 20th of March

Flight back to Copenhagen, finishing hopefully a very successful safari. 

It'll be great getting back into the heat and dust of safari'ing. When going it'll be 2 years since my last safari so it's about time getting out there again.