Jambo

What an amazing trip so far.

Was it only 7 days or so ago that arrived here in Arusha, Tanzania late in the night after what seemed like endless flights?

I didn't expect much that first night, but what a start I had.

I was met at the airport by Seifu, my driver/guide for the safari portion of my trip as well as for various other transport around Arusha. I needn't have worried about whether I'd be able to find him. He had a very visible Lion's Safari sign w/ "Dr. Sarah" written in large letters on it.

That night, I stayed at the wonderful Momella Lodge in Arusha National Park. The drive out there took about an hour over initially paved road, but then quickly changed to a rough dirt road, especially as we neared and then entered the park. That's when my amazing trip began. Can you believe that along the way, we saw a herd of zebras crossing the road? They really look like kind of stunted horses w/ odd tails, short and bristly manes, and those distinctive stripes. As if that weren't enough, we also saw a water buffalo by the side of the road, then several groups of giraffes, scattered African hares, and finally a pair of Dik-Diks (very small and cute antelope - about the size of cats) bounding along in front of us. It doesn't end there. After a good night's sleep in the quaint lodge (a collection of very comfortable "huts" w/ a main gathering and dining room), Seifu arrived to take me to meet my guide and porters in Machame. Before we left, we saw a giant, brilliant rainbow over Mt. Meru (the other mountain here besides Kili; it's about 14,000plus ft). Then, on the road out of the park, we saw a group of about 40-50 Olive Babboons, just calmly sitting by the side of the road. We also saw more groups of those elegant giraffes ambling accross the road. Young and older ones, and ones w/ little birds sitting along their necks and grooming them. A cool start don't you think?