Safari

Trip Start Feb 20, 2009
1
3
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Trip End Apr 23, 2009

Flag of Tanzania  ,
Saturday, March 14, 2009

We just returned from the safari- It was the two of us, a driver and a Land Cruiser (with pop top) for 5 days. We went to 3 conservation areas/national parks- Lake Manyara , Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti . The first and last nights we stayed at the Highview Hotel- seemed like a palace to us. After the fact, we decided it is probably equivalent to a Motel 6 in the states, but seems like paradise here. The middle two nights were spent at a temporary campsite- big tents with beds, shower water came from a large bag hanging from a tree. It was no Highview hotel, but much nicer than our real tents on the Kili hike.

I've seen a lifetime's worth of Baboons. You could practically touch the hundreds of zebras and wildebeests. Hippos, giraffes, elephants, galore. We returned from lunch one day to find a large bull elephant about 10-15 feet from our tent. We pulled out the video camera for that one.

I have to say, one of the highlights of this trip is the hot air balloon ride. (thank goodness, right? With all that talk about it prior?!) We woke at 4:45 to get to the balloon site by sunrise. It was amazing! Chad and I just tried to post some pictures, but I think the (limited-English-speaking) internet room attendant thought we were trying to hack or install a virus with how adamantly she told us to stop. I'll try again once I get to the orphanage.

We stopped by one of the Maasi villages- the last remaining t rue "tribe" in Tanzania . They have a distinct look and even more distinct aroma. The government has allotted them land and they still heard goats and cattle- you can spot kids with their herds over the Ngorongoro Crater region. They live in mud and stick huts, wear red and purple toga-ish things. So intriguing. I was talked into "dancing" with the women, which consisted mostly of jumping around. Unfortunately for me, the video camera came out for that one too...

We stopped by the orphanage on the way back so that Chad could check it out. It is located 4 miles UP a dirt road on the on Mt Meru. If I choose to go to town, it is a 4 mile hike down to catch a daladala (taxi-like minibus that should hold 6 but manages to squeeze in 12-15) and then a 4 mile hike back up upon return... The area is beautiful and very lush. We met the kids- so cute and soo tiny for 4-9 yr olds. The school room is bare- little tiny desks and a blackboard. Wish me luck!

Chad leaves to go home today and I head back to the orphanage. Will continue to send out updates (and pics).
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Comments

tracymmarshall
tracymmarshall on Apr 2, 2009 at 11:51PM

Quit your day job
Susi Q,
I think you need to quit being an SLP and become a photographer for National Geographic! Your pictures are freaking amazing!! I hope you had a really good zoom lens and weren't actually eye to eye with elephants ;)
xoxox Love you, travel safe!

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