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OCTOBER FEATURE: "INNOVATIVE PRESENT DAY USE OF CATALINAS: This feature is about a determined individual, "PIERRE JAUNET", whose nostalgic and realistic recollections of that versatile and reliable Catalina, directed him to prove that the amphibious model is still a viable investment in today's development of speed and high-tech.
(Before you continue reading, get your atlas or a decent detailed map of Africa available! Also be sympathetic to the writer of this coverage; albeit that the information contained is verifiable, direct response has yet to be received from a personal letter to Pierre Jaunet sent in August.)
Mr. Jaunet had been in Africa from north to south and fascinated with its variations of attractions. Like many of us that like to share, this led him to perceive optimum means to sharing within a means of free-enterprise being involved. The best vehicle for this scheme in his determinations was the "Amphibious Catalina". Of course, where could he get a Catalina was not the only challenge facing Pierre. He had to provide details of the itinerary, obtain operation permits from each host country visited, determine logistic support requirements, know what vaccination requirements existed, select the most pleasing sites to visit and among other considerations, the accomodations had to be correct! Prepared with these criteria, he sought financial support. If you were asked to help finance such a scheme, you can understand the obstacles he faced.
Pierre envisioned a "Catalina African Safari" from North Africa at Cairo, Egypt to at least as far south as Okavango Swamps in Botswana. The vistas and visits would include: The sights along the Nile (pyramids and other ancient Egyptian attractions, Aswan High Dam and land on the resultant Lake Nassar), (the series of volatile cataracts especially the "6th cataract" that was so viciously swift, the ancient southerly invaders from Egypt ceased their expedition), (the bifurcating of the Nile at Al Khartum/Khartoum in Sudan to Lake Turkana/Rudolf as its 200 mile length extends mainly into Kenya). From Lake Turkana the Nile sights are exchanged for the highlands of the Ndoto mountain range, passing near Kenya's highest mountain, "Kirinyaga/Kenya" to visit the Kenya capital city, Nairobi that is famous for its spectacular market-place, museum and its peculiar (one-of-a-kind) snake park. A short flight from Nairobi passing the Snows of Kilimanjoro with Tanzania's and Africa's highest mountain of 19,340, this flight's stop is in Tanzania on an airstrip beside Lake Manyara. The stay here is long enough to travel overland through imposing countryside to and within Ngorongoro Crater that contains one of Africa's densest concentrations of exotic species of large animals. After a night's stay, in specially prepared bush tents with all the proper amenities and food, a full day is spent touring within the crater before leaving for Zanzibar, also of Tanzania. (Note: Zanzibar, once a famous independant island nation only 35 miles in length and about FIVE wide with lessor small islands not shown on most maps, in 1964 joined "Tanganyika" to form the United Republic of Tanzania.) Many pleasant and unsuspecting wonders of Zanzibar, the spice island/s of the world, is the usual highlight of many African visitors. The Catalina alights and is moored in a sheltered cove in the proximity of the "Spice Inn" for accomodations. Departure from Zanzibar, the Catalina proceeds over the Kipengere Mountain |
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