Crossing Africa
Who Lucie, Lachlan, and Bow Wow
Their occupations Gypsy, Slick Suit in Finance, Dog
The trip Crossing Africa by 4x4
How did Vagabond Van come about? When and where did the adventure begin?
We actually met in Edinburgh in Scotland in the summer of 2009, we were both living there at the time. I'm Scottish and Lachlan's Australian. He was a slick suit working in finance and I was more like a raggle taggle gypsy! I had launched my eco-boutique-on-wheels, Vagabond Van, the year before and travelled all over the UK trading at music festivals and events. I had studied textiles at university and spent holidays exploring Africa. Vagabond Van was born from a desire to share the inspiring design talent that I'd come across in Africa (often using waste materials) and to live an exciting bohemian life.
The real adventure began when I met Lachlan. We discovered that we shared a passion for travel and a dream to do something remarkable. On date five, flying over cobblestones in the back of a black cab, we hatched a plan to drive across Africa helping communities along the way through trade.
Lachlan's background is in IT. He set up the Vagabond Van online shop which has allowed us to maintain this nomadic way of life.
"On date five, flying over cobblestones in the back of a black cab, we hatched a plan to drive across Africa helping communities along the way through trade."
L U C I E, L A C H L A N, and B O W W O W.
Where have you been, and where are you going?
We three have cut our teeth on over 25,000 km of dirt roads across Southern Africa. We've camped in dry river beds in Namibia by Himba homesteads, we've swum with whale sharks in Mozambique, tracked shy black rhinos in Swaziland, camped in the middle of the Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana and been accused of trying to assassinate President Mugabe in Zimbabwe! And much, much more.
We are flying back to Britain next month to trade with Vagabond Van at the summer festivals and to launch our new project, Band4Hope. We'll return to Cape Town three months later and embark on the drive back to Britain.
"Being together 24/7 (for the most part cramped in an extremely small space) highlights any flaws and the Landy has dents from stones meant for Lachlan to prove it! "
How has traveling together changed the relationship for the two of you?
We knew that driving across Africa would be a challenge but had no idea that, undoubtedly, the hardest part would not be corrupt border officials, terrible roads or even the lack of Vegemite but would, in actual fact, be having to deal with each other. In a confined space. For months on end. With no break.
Being together 24/7 (for the most part cramped in an extremely small space) highlights any flaws and the Landy has dents from stones meant for Lachlan to prove it! It has been seriously tough at times; you can't just slam a door and walk out when you're stuck in the middle of a dessert, you have to face up to problems and each other but we've come out the other side stronger and with a far deeper love and respect for one another than when we set off.
Our dog, Bow Wow, was not part of the original plan but a chance encounter with this township puppy at an animal welfare centre in Cape Town sealed the deal. He is an integral member of the team as an instant friend maker, alarm system, protector, loyal companion and of course, peacemaker!
"...some of the stuff we’ve learned...Don’t mess with warthogs...‘Now’ does not mean now (nor does ‘just now’)...Lives could be saved by not having elections...It helps to write your worries in the sand and let them wash away with the tide...Africa makes everyone humble."
When you dream of a trip like this, the reality of it is often completely unimagined, and even unimaginable. What are some the strangest, quirkiest, or most unexpected things you've run into so far?
Our journey thus far has taught us a great deal – here’s some of the stuff we’ve learned in no particular order:
Travel light for a more comfortable journey.
Never leave sizzling sausages unattended.
Always purify drinking water.
Food tastes better eaten African style with hands (wash first).
Words are not always necessary to communicate.
Don’t mess with warthogs.
No point worrying – we’ll always manage to ‘make a plan’.
Crocodiles are allergic to cats.
Braii-ing (BBQ-ing) is an art form and taken extremely seriously.
The African sun is unforgiving – always wear sunscreen.
Nothing is ever perfect in Africa, but everything is negotiable.
We have to stick together to stay safe.
With a little imagination, you can make surprisingly tasty meals with very few ingredients, most of them canned.
‘Now’ does not mean now (nor does ‘just now’).
Combies are not just taxis, they’re also police ATMs.
A smile and friendly banter go a long way.
Lives could be saved by not having elections.
It helps to write your worries in the sand and let them wash away with the rolling tide.
Chimbuku beer may be ‘smart & portable’ but it’s not drinkable.
It’s important to leave your camera and note book behind sometimes.
Zoos around the world can play a crucial role in protecting Africa’s endangered species.
There are very few truly wild places left.
This is the life we love to live – exciting and spontaneous, never knowing what the day will bring.
You can take the dog out of the township but you can never take the township out of the dog.
Africa makes everyone humble.
You've likely met a lot of different people along the way in Africa. Seen a lot too. Can you tell me about a day in the life of the Vagabond Adventures that stood out from the rest? Something that made you say, "wow, I can't believe I'm here in this moment experiencing this!"
Perhaps our most stand out experience was meeting the Himba people in Namibia. This semi-nomadic tribe have managed to maintain their traditional way of life for centuries, rejecting the trappings of the modern world and surviving in the harsh, often waterless conditions of Kaokoland. It was fascinating to learn about their extraordinary beauty rituals! The women spend hours every day smearing a mixture of ground up ochre (red rock) and butter fat all over themselves to cleanse their skin and to protect it from the sun and insects. They never wash themselves with water. They are such warm, kind people; by the time we left, Bow Wow was a red head from all the stroking!
Read more about our adventures with the Himba tribe here.
Thanks guys!
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ps. When The Vagabond Adventures set off again, Soulbird will have the scoop. So, do check back!
~Fáti
Oh...and pps. Bow Wow has just been re-sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition, quite an achievement for a township puppy!
Photographs Lucie + Lachlan
of the Vagabond Adventures
and the Vagabond Van boutique
