Safari with Jenn & Dylan

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Dear Bloggies, Jennifer and Dylan have arrived from CA and they look wonderful. It's been a year without family and it was hard. But, now that we are together it's time to go on safari and do the tourist things. We met them at the Kilimanjaro Airport and recognized them instantly; we look a little different: thinner, grayer, older but they saw us and knew who we were. After talking non-stop we all got some sleep before setting off early the next day with a Lushoto guide Omari, driver-guide Lewis, and chef George in a Toyota Land Cruiser with raised roof and off we went. The van was roomy enough and had all the comforts of tent camping: sleeping bags, pillows, table & chairs, outside choo (pit toilet), but no cooking or dishwashing. First stop was snake park and Masaai Cultural Center, both of which were very interesting. Then onto Lake Mayara Nat'l Park. Picture a pink lake due to flamingo plumage; there were thousands of birds floating on the water. Then, on the way back to camp we saw lions taking a siesta in a tree, elephants trampling through the forest, giraffes picking the top leaves, and hundreds of baboons in family groupings with all ages represented...infants nursing, youngesters on dad's back, teenagers, and then the babu and bibi. Back to camp for a delicious meal and early to bed. Off to Serengetti, but around the rim of Ngorogoro Crater's rainforest. Lushous and green then arid and dust as the plains take over. Great animal viewing as it's wide open country with only an occasional acacia tree. You can see the Big 5 and we did...except for the black rhino. We saw lions feeding, cheetahs hunting, serval cat walking. Zebras and wildebeast by the hundreds grazing together for safety (zebra's eyesight plus wildbeast's hearing). Many water buffalo drinking. Jackels and hyneas on the prowl looking for leftovers. Many birds and lizards. We never felt rushed. If we saw something interesting, we watched for as long as we wanted. It was super! Next was into Ngorogoro Crater for camping. At our camp site were 2 elephants who were using their trunks to turn on the water fountain and consume a few mouthfulls. And, the highlight of the morning was the hippo pool where we had coffee and cookies while we waited for one to emerge...didn't happen, but we saw open mouths and splashing. Next...how about a black rhino (there are only 33) and baby nursing. Does a safari get any better than this? It was a perfect trip and we loved every moment. More after we've taken them to see our site and how we really live. love, Dave & Wendy

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