Safari At Selous: Day 4: "Happy Birthday To Me!" (That's For You, Alex)

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We woke up just as the sun was rising over the Rufiji River and we prepared for a 2 hour walking safari. It was my birthday and I was feeling every day of my 51 years.

Rice porridge once again (it was growing on me) and then we were off to the game reserve.

Upon arrival, we met up with a local guide who walked us around the area close to the park entrance. He carried a rifle in case any giraffes or baboons got freaky with us. None of them did.

It was a nice walk, but to be honest, a couple more hours of sleep would have been nice.

The first thing they showed us was hyena dung. Interesting really... it had a white colour because the hyenas eat the bones of the animals they capture. I didn't take a picture of it. In hindsight I wish I had.

The coolest thing we saw on our walk was the skeleton of a hippo. Apparently, the huge thing was wandering at night, looking for food, when it dropped dead from natural causes. Needless to say, the other animals in the reserve had a feast and left the bones. It happened a while ago, so the people at the reserve arranged the scattered bones to make a display of it.

After the walk, we had breakfast at the camp and then headed home in the truck.

When we stopped for lunch, Scarce said to me, "Mr Robert, I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes."

I did what I was told and then heard a small group of Tanzanians singing Happy Birthday to me as Scarce presented me with a birthday cake, made with fresh bananas and complete with candles. Scarce baked the cake while we were on the walking safari. Somehow he made it only using charcoal. He was so proud of himself. Very sweet.

In all our excitement of the event, we cut the cake without getting a picture. Scarce even took a bite out of his piece. We reassembled the cake got the picture. I assured Scarce no one would notice the bite marks (in the borrom right hand corner).

All in all, it was a very good day.

I have said it before and I will say it again, I am a very lucky man to be here.

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Photos

51 Never Looked So Good!
Up at 6AM in the pitch black eating rice porridge... Happy Birthday to me!

Drying my Shorts Before The Walking Safari
I sat in my chair without knowing how wet it was from the morning dew.

Warthog
These things are nervous little creatures that run away as fast as they can.

Dayna & A Termite Hill
The thing on the left is a termite hill. It stood about 10 feet tall. I tried to get Dayna to stand closer to it. She said no.

Hippo Skeleton
Apparently, this one came out of the water in the night and then drop dead from old age. The other animals had a feast.

Crocodile Tree
The locals call it by this name because of the texture of the bark.

The Four Of Us Leaving Hippo Camp
Katuku (our driver and guide), me, Dayna, and Scarce (our chef).

Comments

[Drew]

Happy Birthday Bob
What a wonderful way to enjoy your birthday! Many happy returns.

[auspicious]

For a short length blog, I thought this was very interesting with aspects of a safari you don't often hear about like the hyena dung and hippo skeleton. Thanks for sharing and happy birthday!

[Amit]

Lol. Good to see you're being treated well on your birthday.

[Amit]

That was kind of them to just put two candles there, although I imagine it would have been a fire hazard if they put the correct amount. ;-) Miss ya Bobby!

[Amit]

Nothing says 'Happy Birthday' like hyena dung and hippopotomus carcass! Looks like your amazing adventure continues!

[Amit]

Bobby, we all know you are devilishly handsome....shame we can't see that in this particularly picture. ;-) Miss ya! Happy Birthday!

[Deb Holbik]

Happiest of all Birthdays Bob!
Many happy returns. Got your postcard. Amazing and as usual speechless at the beauty in your photos and jealous of your fantastic adventure. I look forward to more, please. Love and miss you buddy. Enjoy your life. xoxo Deb & Peter