Catching the night train to Victoria Falls was a long, relatively uncomfortable trek through Africa that took 13 hours. It was also one of the great experiences of my life. With nine of my teammates we boarded the 7pm train at Bulawayo station for what promised to be the adventure of a lifetime. We weren't disappointed!

Armed with refreshments of the liquid and solid variety, a small music box, a classic CD collection and one change of clothes, we chugged along through the night, having the time of our life. This was a chance to talk, sing, laugh and just hang out with a couple of mates in a happy and relaxed environment. With the gold at the end of the rainbow being a visit to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the journey along the rainbow was equally as rewarding.

Early in the trip a huge African man walked passed our cabin wearing a black and white checked gangster hat. Never one to pass up an opportunity I rushed out and asked him if he would be prepared to sell his cap to me. After some steady negotiation we finally settled on 400 Zimbabwe dollars (approx $A20). Both pleased with the transaction, the stage was set for a best hat competition for the evening. Three hours into the journey seven of the guys had performed similar deals with strangers from the train who were willing to exchange their hats for a few local notes. While they weren't exactly our baggy green caps, they were worn with a similar amount of pride for the journey.

Travelling through the African night I have never seen such a clear and beautiful sky. So many stars dotted the still black sky that it was almost like a natural light was guiding the train driver to our Victoria Falls destination. The light of the stars was almost symbolic of the light that was opening up within the team. With new boys Simon Katich and Matt Nicholson having the time of their lives this was the perfect opportunity for everyone to be themselves away from the pressures of the game. As silly as it may sound, I have been playing cricket with or against Stuie MacGill for the past decade and it wasn't until this trip that I feel I have really met him. Talking about old times, childhood experiences and listening to a person's views away from the working environment is a classic way of forging friendships and really getting to know that person. MacGilla is a fantastic bloke who will become a better teammate because of this unusual but highly enjoyable journey away from normality.

As the sounds of The Eagles, John Williamson and the Best of the Seventies and Eighties made their way from the CD player to everyone's auditory canals, the tension of Sri Lanka and our extended time away from home slowly diminished. When we finally arrived at the Vic Falls at 7:45 this morning, everyone was feeling, admittedly, a little worse for wear but in great spirits nonetheless. We may have missed a net session before the Test match starting on Thursday but I would have to say the way everyone is now feeling we will enter the arena ready to take on the world.

From The Victoria Falls, JL