Lusaka

Pioneer Lodge & Camp

For the past 3 weeks Steve had been making enquiries about upgrading our Cruiser's suspension. With the help of family, friends and 'connections', we managed to get hold of the IRON MAN agent in Lusaka, with positive results. Our accommodation for the next few days was on the opposite side of Lusaka, Pioneer Lodge & Camp. There was no road to our accommodation other than through Lusaka. Ros and Theo left Roy's Camp a bit later than us, and we're heading straight to Pioneer Camp. We managed to get hold of Mondi, the person who would install the new suspension, got a quote from him, and organized for Steve to bring the Cruiser in to his workshop the next mornng. We stopped at Toyota, and Steve replaced the filters on the air conditioning and the air filters on the vehicle. The road through Lusaka was 'interesting'. When we hit the Great Eastern Road that took us to Pioneer Camp, the traffic eased off a bit, and we noticed more modern buildings: shopping centers, hotels, and a beautiful University. Pioneer Camp was about 22 km outside Lusaka. Their chalet facilities did not look as good as our own beds and once again we decided to camp. Ros and I were excited to see a washing machine (don't laugh!) at the lodge and immediately organized our washing to be done. Dinners at the Lodge were really good and reasonably priced. Steve got up at 05h30 the next morning so as not to be stuck in traffic. Well, the story  about the fitting of the suspension to the Cruiser is best told by Steve. I had never seen Steve so frustrated, desperate (and a few other words I could add, but should rather not). He got home that night at 19h00! The ordeal was not over. He had to return the next day to have a few more things fixed, and was up again at 05h30. He got home at 17h00 the second day. The Cruiser looked good, and Steve had a smile on his face. The next morning we were up once more at 05h30. Steve went to town to refuel, while we packed and got ready for our next adventure: South Luangwa!