Abby


 * North Africa **

__ DAY 1- May 16 __ Oh my goodness! I just won an all expense paid trip to Africa!!!!!!! And how did I get this? Well, I was the one-millionth caller (Call 1-800-SUE-THEM) and I got this free trip to Africa. This is the best day of my life! I am taking my World Cultures Book with me that way I know more about my countries. And you’ll never guess!!!!!! My friends Cheryl and Michaela also won this trip but from a different company. Kinda creepy, isn’t it? Well, we’re going to meet up in some of the countries. This is going to be great! I’m first going to Morocco. Right now, I am landing in Morocco. Wow! Morocco is awesome! Did you know that the liver is the symbol for love, not the heart? And, according to my World Cultures Book, the language here is Amazigh, but by identity they (the people here) are recognized as Arabs. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Morocco is "rich in civilization". The first people here were the Berbers, so some of the people's history and traditions are based of them. They are a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Cool stuff! My first stop, with my friends Cheryl and Michaela, is at the Cascades d’Ouzoud. It is a beautiful waterfall. It is the most famous waterfall in Morocco! And, apparently, it’s a 100-meter fall. Wow! That’s a pretty long fall. This place is really relaxing and soothing. Not to mention, you can go swimming! There is more than one view of the Cascades d’Ouzoud. Wow, this place is great. Tomorrow, I will be going to the Overnight Camel Trek over Erg Chebbi Dunes!

-Abby C. The Cascades d’Ouzoud

__ DAY 2- May 17 __ Here I am in Morocco, Africa! I thought maybe yesterday was just a dream and I’d wake up in my room. But no! It isn’t a dream and I’m here with my friends. I was reading more of World Cultures Book and apparently 98.7% of the people are Muslim. Interesting! Well, after lunch, my friends and I are going to the Overnight Camel Trek over Erg Chebbi Dunes! Then I’ll be flying to my next country! And, sadly, leaving my friends. It’s close to Merzouga, and from there we’ll go to the Chebbi Dunes. This thing take normally two days, instead of one, so I’ll be leaving early. First off, I get to ride a camel (no offense to the camels, but they really need a bath) through the Sahara Desert. Then I get see flamingos and search for wildlife in the desert. Maybe I’ll try what they call sand boarding. Later, at night, I get to hear the drums be played late into the night near the campfire. Then I get to sleep under the stars at the Sahara Desert. I know I’m going to be sorry to leave such a cool place like Morocco!

-Abby C. People riding on camels!

__ Day 3- May 18 __ Good-bye Morocco! And hello Egypt! Yep, that’s right! I’m going to Egypt! I left Morocco at 3:00 am, flew a plane, and landed in Egypt around 6:42 am.

Some interesting facts about Egypt: their major crops are sugarcane, grains, fruits, vegetables, and cotton. The percentage of population that works on agriculture is 29%. The country is mostly desert. They are a republic and became a country somewhere around the 1950s. People tell folktales to entertain themselves. They live in less than 4% of the land. I read those interesting facts on flight to Egypt. The first place I’m going to in Egypt is the Nile River. A lot history has happened down there, not to mention, it is a really cool place! Moses was sent as a baby down this river (I think) and it has embarked itself onto history. Apparently most Nile cruises are 3 to 5 days, but the captain of the ship has promised to let me off early, so I can explore so more parts of Egypt. I hope I don’t get seasick.

Nile River -Abby C.

__ Day 4- May 19 __ Wow, the Nile River is fascinating! And, luckily for me, I DID NOT get seasick. The river was actually quite calm. Well, now I am going to: The Great Pyramid, at Giza. It is one of the oldest and largest pyramids here. My goodness, it is tall! Apparently, it’s base is around 230 meters! My neck hurts from looking up at the very top for so long. There are three chambers inside it, though I didn’t go in or try to figure out if that was even possible. Sorry, but spider webs, traps out to kill you, and dead bodies are not my kind of thing- whether there’s gold or not! Also, it has been tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years!

-Abby C. The Great Pyramid

Work Cited Ten Interesting Facts about Morocco."//TravelingEast — Your Online Source of Travel Guides and Tips//. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 May 2013. .

"Egypt: Cruising on the Nile River." //Egypt Travel Guide - Tour Egypt//. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 May 2013. .

"From Merzouga: Overnight Camel Trek over Erg Chebbi Dunes, Merzouga." //Book Tours, Attractions & Activities online | GetYourGuide//. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 May 2013. .

"LookLex / Morocco / Cascades d'Ouzoud / Surplus of water." //LookLex [Travel guides / Encyclopaedia / Language course]//. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 May 2013. .

email. "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia."//Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 May 2013. 


 * East Africa **

__ DAY 5- May 19 __ Welcome to… Kenya! Kenya is near the Red Sea and has a Great Rift Valley. It has the 31 million people living here. 1/3 of people live in cites. The country is two times the size of Nevada and its capital is Nairobi. They are developing a free enterprise system. Tourism is a fast growing industry. Kenya won its independence in 1965. In Kenya I am visiting Nakuru National Park. My friends rejoined me here. Yay!!!!! It in central Kenya, northwest of Nairobi. It is known for its ecological diversity with flamingos. I love flamingos! Mostly wooded areas and bushy grasslands surround it. Apparently, it has 56 species of mammals and 450 species of birds. I can’t wait to see all the animals it holds! Flamingo

-Abby C.

__ DAY 6- May 2 __ I must say; it was worth going to that National Park! I had so much fun. The rhino and buffaloes were awesome. Well, now I am going to Oloolua Nature Trail in Nairobi. I heard that along this trail there is 33-meter long cave! And there is a 20-foot waterfall close to the forest entrance! Wow, what a big waterfall! It also has a relaxing picnic site. If you want to camp, this would be the spot. Oloolua Nature Trail -Abby C.

__ DAY 7- May 21 __

This is Zambia. According to the World Cultures Book I brought Zambia is slightly larger than Texas and Lusaka is its capital. Most people who live here work in mining and service industries. It produces copper, which makes 80% of the countries income. Zambia holds the Zambezi River, on of its largest rivers. This country won its independence in 1964. Presidential representative, is its government. The population is around 10 million. I am going to the Victoria Falls for two days with Cheryl (unfortunately Michaela left.) This is one of the Seven Wonders of the World because of its beauty. It is also called, “The Smoke that Thunders” and “the greatest known curtain of falling water.” The columns of spray can be seen miles away! Also, there is something called The Victoria Falls Bridge, built directly below the falls and has a magnificent view from that point. I will be staying over night in a hotel in Livingstone Upper. The Victoria Falls -Abby C.

__ DAY 8- May 22 __

The Victoria Falls is amazing! I got to walk across the lip of the falls! It is possible, if the water is shallow enough. In fact, you can walk across this lip all the way to Livingstone Island. There is a natural rock pool right on the edge of the falls were people can swim safely right to the very edge of the raging waters! I was to scared to do it. Although, I saw others do it! That must have been awesome (for them) yet terrifying! The Victoria Falls -Abby C.

Work Cited ​ " Victoria Falls & Livingstone Zambia > Zambia Safaris from ATR." Africa Travel Resource : Tailormade safaris. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2013. . (tags: none | edit tags)

Boehm, Richard G.. Glencoe The World and its people: Eastern hemisphere. Teacher wraparound ed. New York, N.Y.: Glencoe/McGraw Hill, 2005. Print. (tags: none | edit tags)

"Wikipedia." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2013. . (tags: none | edit tags)

destination. "Zambia - Victoria Falls." Zambia, home of the Victoria Falls. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2013. . (tags: none | edit tags)


 * South Africa **

__ DAY 9- May 23 __ Good-bye Zambia, and hello Botswana! Botswana lies in the center of South Africa. This country became independent in 1966. Diamonds are 75% of the country’s export income. Farming is difficult, and they only produce half the food they need. The official language is English, but 90% of the people speak Setswana, an African language. Western lifestyles and clothing are common here. Botswana is is a parliamentary representative. Their one word motto is: Pula, means rain. There isn’t a lot of rain here, and droughts often occur. In Botswana, I am visiting first the Chobe National Park. It is famous for the 120,000 elephants it holds. I’m in luck! Apparently, the best times to visit the Chobe National Park are in May-September. Herds of zebra, eland, buffalo, giraffe and wildebeest congregate this time of year. The Chobe National Park lies in the Okavango Delta. The water cruise (which I’ll be taking) is most popular at sunset. I can’t decide whether to go at noon, when it is less busy and I’ll get a good seat, or at sunset, when it is super busy but an amazing sight! Giraffe -Abby C.

__ DAY 10- May 24 __ The Chobe National Park was amazing! Next, I am going to Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta cuts through the Kalahari Desert, creating an inland water system, which helps the wildlife that lives there. Every year the delta floods, covering over 16000 kilometers! The best time to view the delta is at the peak of the flood, around May-October, the dry season. The wildlife is more concentrated on the islands, making it easier to see. There are a bunch of mammals and birds here. The Okavango Delta is an amazing sight! Okavango Delta -Abby C.

__ DAY 11- May 25 __ In the region of South Africa, I am going to the country literally named South Africa. Couldn’t the people thought of a better name then South Africa? Well, on a Geography Bee, it wouldn’t be hard to find, because it is the south of Africa. I read some interesting facts in my book on South Africa. It touches two oceans: the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. 44 million people live here. Most are black African ethnic groups. They make up 78% of the population. You can find the biggest mamma here-the African elephant. Also, you can find the smallest-the miniature shrew. South Africa has an unitary presidential republic. It became independent in 1991. Apparently, South Africa is one of the most industrialized country in Africa.

My first stop, with my friends again (my friends left me in Botswana), is at Johannesburg. Johannesburg is the second largest city in South Africa. It holds more than 3 million people! It has art galleries, museums, and many more attractions. Even an African Flea Market-whatever that is. And, to see the city at night! It is so beautiful; the city seems to glow! Johannesburg -Abby C.

__ DAY 12- May 26 __ Today, I leave to go to the Table Mountain National Park. It is one of the Natural New 7 Wonders of the World, sort of like the Victoria Falls. From here, I will be able to see the Cape of Good Hope. It has magnificent mountains to crystal seas with pretty bleached white beaches. It (Table Moutain National Park) is located at the tip of South Africa, near Cape Point. (Cape Point is down south more.) North of Table Mountain is Signal Hill. Table Mountain has many pretty plants, like flowers, and lots of wildlife. The Southern Right Whales entertain thousands of spectators every year. And they have penguins down here! I’m not sure what kind, but apparently they do! Table Mountain National Park

-Abby C.

Work Cited

"Joburg Tourism." //Joburg Tourism//. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. .

Category. "Botswana's Top Attractions - What To See and Where To Go in Botswana." //Africa Travel Information - Africa Travel Tips and Advice//. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. .

"Gangrene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. .

"Table Mountain National Park." //(Official Site) SANParks - Africa's Premier Wildlife Tourism Destinations//. Soth African National Parks, n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. .

"Table Mountain National Park, South Africa." //South Africa Accommodation, Hotels / South Africa Travel//. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2013. .

Boehm, Richard G.. //Glencoe The World and its people: Eastern hemisphere//. Teacher wraparound ed. New York, N.Y.: Glencoe/McGraw Hill, 2005. Print.


 * Central Africa **

__ Day 13- May 27 __ I am now going to Angola, Central Africa. Some cool facts about Angola: it is twice the size of Texas and has an exclave. An exclave is a small part of the country separated from the rest of the country. This exclave is called Cabinda; forests here thrive. The north is hilly while the south is a rocky desert. The official language is Portuguese. It is the home of the giant sable antelope, and it can’t be found anywhere else. Angola became independent in 1975. Its main source of income is from oil. It is a presidential republic. I am visiting the Iona National Park first. But, before I go into detail, it’s my birthday! Yay! Angolans don’t celebrate birthdays much differently then we do. In fact, they serve cupcakes (instead of cakes) and give sweet smelling candles as presents. Going back to the Iona National Park, Iona National Park was proclaimed a national park in 1937. It is the largest national park in Angola. West of the park, is the Atlantic Ocean and in the south is the Curoca River. I can’t wait to see the exotic wildlife here! Iona National Park

-Abby C.

__ Day 14- May 28 __

Today, I go to the Kissama National Park. It became a national park in 1957. The vegetation varies in this park; from mangroves to savannas to dense woods. Kissama is about 2.5 million acres long! Animals came from over-populated areas in South Africa and Botswana to Kissama! Travellers, who come here, will have the chance to discover deserted beaches and stunning landscapes. The Atlantic Ocean and Longa River are some of its borders. Elephants, rhino, and buffalo are protected from poaching in this park. Kissama National Park -Abby C.

__ Day 15- May 29 __

Now I go to… Central African Republic (CAR). CAR is a landlocked country, and consists of flat rolling plains, plateaus, and savannas. Diamond mining is a very important. The population is 3, 375, 771 or 3, 375, 772 if you include me. CAR became independent in July 12, 1960. It has a presidential republic.

First, I am visiting (with Cheryl) the Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park. The southeast entrance is easiest to enter and exit. This park is against all poaching, whatsoever. The people who set up this park took many endangered or threatened animals. There are numerous rivers here. I hope to go on a boat trip. Fun times! Cheetah

-Abby C.

__ Day 16- May 30 __

I am going to keep visiting the Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park. It is located near the border with Chad. The National Park has three types of landscapes: a flood plain, a mountainous south, and lowland plains. It has numerous rivers flowing in and out of the park; supporting the wildlife that lives here. The park holds 320 bird species and large mammals, like hippos and buffalo. The park was made because of the poaching that was in this country.

Chameleon -Abby C.

Work Cited "Angola - Guided Safari - 10 Days / 9 Nights - Coastal & Kissama Park Safari - New African Frontiers." New African Frontiers - The most comprehensive travel service available in Namibia -. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2013. . "Angola, IN Birthday Candle Delivery."Birthday Balloons, Flowers Online | Birthday Gift Baskets, Birthday Gift Ideas, Fathers Day Gift. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2013. .

Boehm, Richard G.. Glencoe The World and its people: Eastern hemisphere. Teacher wraparound ed. New York, N.Y.: Glencoe/McGraw Hill, 2005. Print.

Incorporation, laws & Articles of. "Quicama National Park | The WILD Foundation - The WILD Foundation." The WILD Foundation - Working for Wilderness, Wildlife, and People. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2013. <http://www.wild.org/where-we-work/quicama-kissama-national-park-angola/>.

"Iona National Park Angola Safaris: Jenman African Safaris." African Safaris - Small Group Safaris in Africa: Jenman African Safaris. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2013. <http://www.jenmansafaris.com/african-countries/angola/attractions/iona-national-park.html>.

"Kissama National Park - WELCOME TO ANGOLA." WELCOME TO ANGOLA. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2013. <http://www.welcometoangola.co.ao/_kissama_national_park&ctd=284>.

"Places to Visit in the Central African Republic | USA Today." Travel Tips - USA Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2013. <http://traveltips.usatoday.com/places-visit-central-african-republic-59674.html>.


 * East Africa **

__ Day 17- May 31 __ My last region is here. East Africa. I have two countries until I get on an airplane and go home to America. My second to last country is Ghana. Ghana has a tropical landscape with sandy beaches, swamps, and rainforests. It is one of the top ten fast growing economies. Ghana’s people have many different ethnic groups. The population is 24,6 million, and English is the official language. The country became independent in 1957. In Ghana, I am visiting the Cape Coast Castle. It is one of the old castles built in the 17th Century, along the Atlantic coast. Cape Coast Castle was mostly used for slave trade. They took this castle and moved it to Accra, the capital, in 1877. It is by far the most impressive castle here. Not to mention all the history behind it! What an exciting place! Cape Coast Castle -Abby C.

__ Day 18- June 1 __ Now I am visiting Accra, capital of Ghana. Accra is large city with 2 million people living in it. It is one of Africa’s “safer” capitals (that’s nice to know). Accra has a mixture of modern buildings, shantytowns, occasional castle, and lively markets. Most of the noise is around Makola Market, the closest market to the Atlantic coast. Accra has many attractions here. It has many beaches and museums. I am thinking about going to the art gallery; it looks really fascinating! Accra -Abby C.

__ Day 19- June 2 __ Now, I am down to one country left. Senegal. Some interesting facts about Senegal: its landscape is almost exactly like Ghana’s. Tropical, with lot’s of sandy beaches. The official language is French and the dominant religion is Islam. It’s economy is stronger than its neighbors, and is based mostly off of agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Ghana has a high literacy rate. The people have a tradition of story telling. Here, I am visiting Lake Rose, or the Pink Lake. It is a shallow, salty lake that many tourists love to visit. Why? Well, on sunny days the lake’s water turns to a pink because of the water’s high salt content. Also, I will be able to see local traders scrape salt off the lake’s bottom by hand! Not to mention I get to swim! Who does not like swimming? Lake Rose -Abby C.

__ Day 20- June 3 __ My last day at Africa has finally come. I must say, the trip was super fun, and, by any chance, you are saving money up to go somewhere, Africa is the place! Today I visit Dakar, the capital of Senegal. This city holds 1.5 million people. The sights and sounds here are amazing. Not to mention the food here is delicious. Markets sell art, food, jewelry and many other items that look super cool. Tonight, like every other night here in Dakar, people will be playing music late out into the night. That is what Dakar is known for. The music could be French jazz, American hip-hop, or percussion-based music. Apparently, the museums are great here, that’s what a lot of people have told me when I ask. Unfortunately, the time has come for me to leave. Good-bye Africa, and hello America!

Dakar -Abby C.

Work Sited Boehm, Richard G.. Glencoe The World and its people: Eastern hemisphere. Teacher wraparound ed. New York, N.Y.: Glencoe/McGraw Hill, 2005. Print.

Category. "Ghana's Top Destinations - Best Destinations in Ghana, Cape Coast Castle, Accra, Kumasi, Mole National Park, Kakum national Park, Kokrobite and more.." Africa Travel Information - Africa Travel Tips and Advice. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2013. <http://goafrica.about.com/od/ghana/tp/ghanatopattractions.htm>.

"The Top 10 Things to Do in Senegal - The Travel Word." The Travel Word - Local Voices. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2013. <http://www.thetravelword.com/2012/06/13/the-top-10-things-to-do-in-senegal/>.

email. "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia."Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page>.