Families living their dream by seeing world
Shaanaaz de Jager WEEKEND POST REPORTER	Published:Jan 21, 2008
TWO Port Elizabeth brothers – both doctors – and their families, who swopped comfortable home living for trekking around in trucks, are living their dream by seeing the world. The Allie families, who call themselves the Globeriders, told Weekend Post this week, via e-mail from Sweden, that it had been their dream to represent Nelson Mandela Bay by travelling and spreading the spirit of “ubuntu” around the globe. The Globeriders Cape2Cape team left South Africa in March last year and have travelled through more than 20 countries. They are hoping to return home in time for the Fifa Soccer World Cup in 2010. The team originally consisted of 11 members, but had to say farewell to three due to financial difficulties. The group now consists of Dean Allie, his wife Vanita, and children Zack and Troy, and Dean‘s brother, Gary, his wife Jo- Anne and children Jade and Dane. “We will be in Sweden for about 12 days and the highlight so far has been linking up with Jo-Anne‘s sister and husband (Eleanor and Dominic Swartz) and visiting their son, Jody, who now lives there,” said Dean. The Globeriders will then move on to Stockholm, Oslo, and the fjords north of the arctic circle. Referring to the families‘ four children, he said: “It‘ been very tough for us to fit a disciplined teaching programme into a daily schedule with driving and hectic sightseeing. “Selling our homes and cars was a big step, but not as difficult as we thought it would be. Once the decision to tackle this venture was made, it was really easy to do what we needed to do,” he said. The Allies, who had to sell most of their belongings before embarking on their adventure, said like the rest of the world they were feeling the pinch of increased fuel prices. “Europe to date is about 10% above budget. “Fuel costs are double what we anticipated and we have been free- camping a lot more to reduce costs,” Dean said. “Most of the money comes from the sale of our properties and the shortfall is made up by working en-route. So far we‘ve had a five- month working stint in Ireland and are trying to organise to work in Canada again next year. “The kids are doing great and are probably enjoying the journey the most.” The two families have been snorkeling in Egypt, climbing Mount Sinai and surviving sandstorms in Sudan‘s Nubian Desert. For Dean, Vanita, Zack and Troy, each country visited had its gems and there were many countries they would love to revisit, including Tanzania, Zambia and Ethiopia. For Gary, Croatia stood out for its mix of historic cities, dramatic coastline and incredible natural beauty. Jo-Anne loved Egypt‘s rich history with its “vibrant, bustling and stunning landscapes, magnificent snorkeling and great food”. Jade and Dane, on the other hand, loved Namibia‘s sand-dunes and its wild animals – and the freedom of being on the road in that country. The Allies stay in contact with their families and friends in South Africa and the Eastern Cape via the internet. Their website (www.cape- 2cape.co.za) is another tool for loved ones to see what the group is up to and how they are doing. “Whenever we can get internet access, which averages about two to three times a month, we communicate with all,” Dean said. “The women tend to get more homesick than the men, but it‘s mostly family and friends that all our hearts yearn for.” The Globeriders “adopted” the Happy Home for Children with Disabilities in Mthatha early on in the journey, as it caters for children with physical disabilities and HIV/Aids. Going along wherever the Allies do is a soccer ball from a Nelson Mandela Bay football club, to be signed by soccer federations wherever the families land — as part of a campaign to promote the 2010 Soccer World Cup. “Having the football signed by the many football federations around the world has given us a great platform from which to promote the Bay and South Africa,” Dean said.