Simply put Jamie and I after 8 weeks in camp feel we are on a detox from our fancy first world life we left behind in Sydney. The meaning of detox is the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from a living organism, including the human body…well it’s not exactly what Jamie and I have been doing though we have had quite a diverse range of things removed from our life.It has been tricky nailing the feelings and physical changes though here is a summary of what has changed in our daily routines since leaving Sydney.

Living in “the valley “Mfuwe

We now have access to ………
Homemade corns chips, chapatti, yogurt, ice cream, falafels, hummus, the most amazing bread, cakes, desserts, toasted muesli to name a few. All the vege’s are seasonal so no Harris Farm genetically modified vege’s and they use minimal spray mostly on the fruit only. We drink fabulous South African wines and Jamie’s drink local Mosi beer. The night skies are full of 1000’s of stars and planets and we watch the most beautiful African sunsets outside our camp every night. We are woken to lions and a leopard (last night) roaring right outside our bedroom window and eagerly shine torches into the bush and regularly have elephants stopping us from driving and walking around the camp. Yesterday I had a huge bull elephant trying to stop me from driving to the school oval for my afternoon run with the locals.

Traffic jam in camp en-route to work

Traffic jam in camp en-route to work

What we don’t have , our family, friends and neighbour especially cuddles from our grandkids Kaylah, Hugh and Emily (this hurts), TV or movies, shopping, glossy magazines or newspapers, very limited internet, no traffic other than wildlife, sleep in total blackness making it so easy to meditate, no house work or preparing & cooking meals, no washing of clothes and dishes, no sitting in dreadful Sydney traffic and fumes , no mobile gadget stuck to our ears, no Robbie Buck, Richard GLover and Simon Marnie from ABC radio (we do live stream though work when they are on)limited gym, running and bike riding, sadly no gardening though Jamie doesn’t miss mowing lawns, Pinot Gris from Italy, no Coles supermarket, no hairdresser, no Bose sound system to blast Jamie’s music on, no chickens or pets at all, spinach, camembert cheese, strictly no walking at night without a night watchman with you, a car with doors, windscreen or seat belt, no Spit Bridge traffic, no windows in our house just screens with bars for security, no Thai restaurants -this one hurts, no monthly credit card debt, no Red Rock chilli chips. To be honest I think the detox from the chips and Thai food hurts the most.

Meet the chefs who cook amazing food.

Meet the chefs who cook amazing food.

We appreciate and love the staff at Flatdogs, they are our friends and a very hard working team, our wonderful guests who we love seeing their faces after safari and hearing their stories of wildlife sightings in the park, learning about the generosity of our guests who come here to work with charity groups saving wildlife and creating jobs for Zambians, the guests kids who have travelled to some of the most exotic places in the world, spotting Jamie from my desk driving with Chisoni and Charles to a job and our boss’s Jess, Ade and Paolo for giving us this opportunity to be part of their world in the Valley.

It’s taken 8 weeks of detoxing from Sydney life though I think we are both feeling pretty good without all the comforts of first world and very happy with our life in The Valley.

Afternoon game drive safari vehicles, Wendy heaven

Afternoon game drive safari vehicles, Wendy heaven

A special mention to Harold and Lydia who have been so patient, understanding, supportive and cover for us when the rookies mess up….thank you guys.

Jamie and Ade meting morning game drives back into camp

Jamie and Ade meeting morning game drives back into camp