southeast Africa: when trips go very very badly
Jul 24, 2022, 1:20 pm
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 179
What a story. But I'm absolutely shocked by you here.
You made a choice to travel to the bush, in a remote part of Africa. You had an accident - fair enough. However, when you came across a tow truck, you felt the need to insult his vehicle (on multiple occasions), you insulted their roads, their country, and it appears you've insulted their use of Portuguese language too - all so you can "get back on schedule".
The guy in that truck did not need to help you - but he chose to. Perhaps, count your blessings. If the tone of this post is anything to go by, I would have refused to. Perhaps, in future, stick to package tours where everyone is there to serve you and your needs.
You made a choice to travel to the bush, in a remote part of Africa. You had an accident - fair enough. However, when you came across a tow truck, you felt the need to insult his vehicle (on multiple occasions), you insulted their roads, their country, and it appears you've insulted their use of Portuguese language too - all so you can "get back on schedule".
The guy in that truck did not need to help you - but he chose to. Perhaps, count your blessings. If the tone of this post is anything to go by, I would have refused to. Perhaps, in future, stick to package tours where everyone is there to serve you and your needs.
I paid (a very large amount) to be rescued. This wasn't charity, it was for a paid, expensive service. Considering how quick you are to form opinions and criticize me, I find it hard to believe that you don't do the same for anything you purchase. Regardless, I am fully entitled to form opinions for things that I pay for. If you do not agree, that's certainly your right, but I am not going to apologize for voicing my opinion of a service that was provided for a fee.
As for the roads of the country, I stated facts. The roads are in poor condition. I'm not going to apologize for describing the roads as I experienced them, and then forming an opinion of the roads that I needed to drive on.
I didn't insult their use of the language. That was a reference to my (poor) ability to speak their language.
If you don't agree with, or like my tone, so be it, but you aren't going to convince me (or possibly others) of your position when your tone is hostile, abrasive, and based on erroneous assumptions.
Jul 24, 2022, 1:57 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KOA/PHKO
Programs: Starbucks Gold :-)
Posts: 831
You're coming in super hot here.
I paid (a very large amount) to be rescued. This wasn't charity, it was for a paid, expensive service. Considering how quick you are to form opinions and criticize me, I find it hard to believe that you don't do the same for anything you purchase. Regardless, I am fully entitled to form opinions for things that I pay for. If you do not agree, that's certainly your right, but I am not going to apologize for voicing my opinion of a service that was provided for a fee.
As for the roads of the country, I stated facts. The roads are in poor condition. I'm not going to apologize for describing the roads as I experienced them, and then forming an opinion of the roads that I needed to drive on.
I didn't insult their use of the language. That was a reference to my (poor) ability to speak their language.
If you don't agree with, or like my tone, so be it, but you aren't going to convince me (or possibly others) of your position when your tone is hostile, abrasive, and based on erroneous assumptions.
I paid (a very large amount) to be rescued. This wasn't charity, it was for a paid, expensive service. Considering how quick you are to form opinions and criticize me, I find it hard to believe that you don't do the same for anything you purchase. Regardless, I am fully entitled to form opinions for things that I pay for. If you do not agree, that's certainly your right, but I am not going to apologize for voicing my opinion of a service that was provided for a fee.
As for the roads of the country, I stated facts. The roads are in poor condition. I'm not going to apologize for describing the roads as I experienced them, and then forming an opinion of the roads that I needed to drive on.
I didn't insult their use of the language. That was a reference to my (poor) ability to speak their language.
If you don't agree with, or like my tone, so be it, but you aren't going to convince me (or possibly others) of your position when your tone is hostile, abrasive, and based on erroneous assumptions.
Jul 24, 2022, 2:51 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
Thanks. It wasn't only Google that was routing me this way. The offline OpenStreetMap engines were also doing it (MAPS.me, OsmAnd+). I'm guessing the underlying issue is that the road data presents these routes as real "roads", so anything consuming that data inherently trusts them.
Very entertaining (although I'm sure you didn't set out to be). Thanks.
A couple points for readers that might help.
1. African Portuguese and South American Portuguese (i.e., Brazilian) are not the same, as I found out when negotiating with some African governments. If you are not yourself fluent, don't trust the translation program's suggestions without checking, since it may not be programed for the continent on which you find yourself.
2. If you're driving into or through the bush in Africa, try to stick to Toyotas. They are durable, forgiving, and really stand up to the guff. I noticed that not only commercial (civilian) folks favor them, but also embassies (even the US Embassy) favor them. I asked a US Embassy RSO in one African nation who had served in various African nations and he said there is no comparison with any other brand.
A couple points for readers that might help.
1. African Portuguese and South American Portuguese (i.e., Brazilian) are not the same, as I found out when negotiating with some African governments. If you are not yourself fluent, don't trust the translation program's suggestions without checking, since it may not be programed for the continent on which you find yourself.
2. If you're driving into or through the bush in Africa, try to stick to Toyotas. They are durable, forgiving, and really stand up to the guff. I noticed that not only commercial (civilian) folks favor them, but also embassies (even the US Embassy) favor them. I asked a US Embassy RSO in one African nation who had served in various African nations and he said there is no comparison with any other brand.
this is also the reason why toyota tends to command higher price during resale. high demand.
Jul 24, 2022, 3:03 pm
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 179
I only listed two maps. The third that I used actually was tracks4africa, which honestly isn't much better. It categorized most of these roads as "main offroad" which is not very useful when that can have a wide variety of meanings. Some parts of these "main offroad" were in decent condition, others were far worse.
Jul 24, 2022, 4:32 pm
#40
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,976
How did you rent the vehicle in JNB for dropoff in Lusaka? And how was the damage covered? Did you have some kind of insurance or were you charged at the end?
Jul 24, 2022, 4:49 pm
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 179
Jul 24, 2022, 4:58 pm
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 179
It was a one-way rental, and I had full insurance coverage from the rental company. I lost the 200ZAR security deposit, but that was it.
Jul 24, 2022, 4:59 pm
#44
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 179