Red Alert #1 - Holes in my Soles goes to AFRICA!

Developing 'My FavouRED OZ Things' was ALMOST as much fun as finding a new OZ Scenic Public Toilet!!  So much fun, I didn't stop at one ... and 'My FavouRED OZ Things #2' became an entertaining (for me!) way of fulfilling my guest post promise on Jim's wonderfully diverse travel blog 'Holes in my Soles'!

Q:  But what's BEYOND the marvellous RED of OZ??

A:  RED ALERT of course!!

Q:  What's RED ALERT??

A:  Glad you asked!  A unique opportunity for RED lovers around the world to share their amazing RED travel pix on Amazing Australian Adventures!  Oh, and an EXCLUSIVE interview with Red Nomad OZ!

SO ... a big round of applause to Jim for agreeing to be the guinea pig my first RED ALERT guest!!

Red dunes of Sossusvlei, Namibia

Red warning signs! South Africa

Red ochre covered Himba women, Namibia

RED: Jim, these photos are amazing! Where were they taken?

JIM:  South Africa, Namibia and Botswana: these countries can hook you with the excitement of a wild animal popping out of the bush unexpectedly and frightening the cr*p out of you! Can't get enough of that!

RED: All three countries look fascinating - I particularly LOVE that sign - but what attracted you to Botswana as a travel destination?

JIM: A very tempting offer to ride shotgun on a stagecoach leaving at High Noon from Pretoria for Victoria Falls and return. As front passenger in the lead 4WD, I got all the best views as it's the following vehicles that have to stay well back for the dust to settle. Downside though is the vehicle coming at us that doesn't stop in time will get us...as happened!

Makgadikgadi Pans Sunset, Botswana

RED: The sunset shots are magnificent! But how can you tell it's in Botswana and not elsewhere - OZ, for example?

JIM: Those parts of Africa are known for the fiery red and orange sunsets. The fine dust of the red soil hangs in the atmosphere creating incredible colours when the sun is at low angles morning and night. Even more so than Australia's Red Centre. Especially awesome to have elephant or giraffe silhouetted against a setting sun.: nowhere else you can see that.

RED: I'm SOOOOOO jealous!  That's never going to happen in OZ!!!

Makgadikgadi Pans Sunrise, Botswana

RED: What was your most memorable Botswana experience??

Red guys insisting "Pay up mate!"

JIM: Still to reveal the tale about that. Let's say in just one  day all of this was packed in - bogged vehicles, road smashes, bureaucracy hassles, elephants up close and playing hide-and-seek with 4 lions in the dark will make for exciting reading. I can't wait to go back!

RED: ARRRRGGHH!  Can't wait to hear about it!

RED: I love the hornbill! Just how close did you have to get for that shot? 

JIM: That was an extraordinary sighting! Kruger Park. That guy just strolled out of the bush with his partner who is rather drab in comparison. He stopped, preened himself, then when he was ready he promenaded one way then the other showing off, then walked right up to the car, pecked my camera and said "OK. Show is over. Pay up!" Love that brilliant red face and crop.

RED: I guess the elephant was even MORE scary to photograph - I don't care that it's not red!  What are some of the hazards of wildlife photography?

JIM: Looking through the viewfinder trying to get that great shot, you can be so engrossed that you forget how close the lion is getting. I looked up once to realise the lioness could have lunged against the wire fence and had me.

RED: Have you ever decided against taking a photo because it's just too dangerous?

Chobe National Park. Not red but lovely. These guys wanted past and walked up to our bullbars.

JIM: When you are surrounded by elephants with their knees brushing the bullbars, and others whose tusks are scraping the side windows you don't make any unnecessary move nor point anything at them that they may interpret as a threat. Best put the camera down, sit quietly, and enjoy every second...as it may be your last.

RED: How long have you been blogging?

JIM: Almost two years. Started off as an attempt to chronicle our travel experiences, then people from all over started popping up saying they enjoyed reading my stuff. Thought I had better get better at it, and give them more. Amazing that now when I'm travelling everything is looked at more intensely, with a view on how it should be written about or photographed.

RED: Yes, looking at the world through blogging lenses sure does change a travel experience!  Luckily, for the better!!

RED: How has your blog changed since you started blogging?

JIM: I suppose the writing has improved. Gee, I cringe when I go back to the early posts, and re-write and edit a lot now. Still some cringe factor there, don't look anyone!.

RED: What's your proudest blogging achievement (apart from guesting on my

blog, of course)?

JIM: Blog4NZ took off early this year after I floated an idea on a Facebook travel group. We have had a big dip in tourism - the Japanese tourists stopped coming, the financial meltdown and the perception much of the world had of New Zealand after the Christchurch earthquakes sadly affected decisions to travel here. Blog4NZ saw 1,000's of travelbloggers writing, and sharing across Social Media 100's of positive artices about why travel here should still be done. Proudest moment was when Tourism NZ got in behind our effort!

RED: Including me - it was an AWESOME initiative!  What types of blogs do you enjoy reading?

JIM: I enjoy - reading about outback dunnies right here. I like to know where they are, you never know when you got to go.

RED: Haha!  Well ... you kind of HAD to say that, didn't you?!?!

JIM: Barbara has a great site, about places she's been to that I have been to or want to get to, writes in a very good interesting narrative style. Seems to get deeper into places, people and culture than many writers.  Visit Barbara at http://holeinthedonut.com/

Norbert does a very interesting travelblog for things South/Central America. Now on his round the world trip I'm following this intrepid and interesting writer. Hope he makes it downunder for a beer or three.  Visit Norbert at http://www.globotreks.com/

There's a fun, likeable, good all round life blogger who rides bucking broncos through the English language I like to keep tabs on. Roy has a marvellous take on life.  Visit Roy at royd-spiltmilk.blogspot.com/

A J Poliquit stands out for me as a travel writer. He's eloquent with words, not grandly so, but engaging and at times funny.  Visit AJ at The Transcendental Tourist

Kris is great. Fun girl, and you'll love reading her work.  Visit Kris at Absurd traveler.

RED: I look forward to checking them out!  What's your biggest blogging turn off?

JIM: List articles. "5 things you need to know about..." A real turn off. Shopping list travel writing. I like reading people's perceptions of places and about their experiences.

RED: Jim, it's been a pleasure.  But have you got any more red stuff for us before you go?

Chobe River sunset, Chobe National Park, Botswana.

Damaraland Sunrise, Namibia.

Thanx so much, Jim!  Those African REDS are amazing, and will be a hard act to follow for my next RED ALERT guest. 

Next RED ALERT guest?  Who's that, you ask??

Glad you asked again.  It could be YOU!!!  If YOU'VE got some RED travel shots that show off YOUR part of the world, you could be the star of RED ALERT #2!  Or #3 or #4 ...

Contact me via my blogger profile page if YOU want to see your name in (RED) lights - I look forward to bringing you more Round the World REDS soon!!

Let Jim & I know what you think about the inaugural RED ALERT#1 below!  We'll do our best to keep up with responding to the overwhelming avalanche of comments ...

See you next time!

PS  For more information about Jim, check out these links:
Jim McIntosh
Shoemaker & Travel Blogger http://holesinmysoles.blogspot.com/
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=652863280
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