Arusha to Mto wa Mbu

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We stayed at the Meserani Snake park, just west of Arusha. In the morning, we looked at the snakes, crocs and birds of prey that the snake park had in captivity. Then we visited the Maasai cultural museum to hear about how the Maasai are keeping their culture alive. There was a model home and also life size depictions of various scenes from Maasai lilfe. This was narrated by a Maasai man, who answered many questions from our group.
 
The off to Mto aw Mbu. On the way, we had an opportunity for a more authentic look at Maasai life by visiting a Maasai village. The ladies and children were ready for us, with a wonderful singing welcome. The women put a necklace on Richard and he joined them for a little fun. Small children under 7, which is school age, were all around and wanted to touch us and our packs, cameras, and other things. We took lots of photos and video. We were invited into a home 6 at a time for a talk by a Maasai guide who is a student at University in Environmental Conservation in Dar es Salaam.

Nice camping park, swimming pool, bar, grassy lawn, although muddy. Live band playing African music at night.

In the afternoon, we went on a bike ride on "African bikes" through village, banana trees with green beans below, led by Manuel and Gabby. Two flat tires, lots of kids all saying hello and Jambo. Lake Manyara, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, hippos. Birds at the lake - flamingos, marabou stork, mokoros reflected in the lake, craft market, banana beer. 

Tons of photos and video once again, which we will post on Flickr one of these days.

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