Good Bye Tarangire…Hello Paradise!

We packed up and headed out not too early. We had an amazing stay and Safari.  

 On the way out, we did a short Game ride.  Down by the river we came across several lions hanging out on the river bed.  Oh my how cool was that.   

What a great way to end the time in this National Park.  We were headed about 100 Km west to a place called Gibb’s Farm.  I was getting excited, because mom had talked about how beautiful it was and how it was on a coffee plantation.

The road was good until we were about 7 KM away.  Then it was bumpy and rough, but so much to see and watch as we drove. 

We began to see coffee and everything was so green and fertile. Finally we pulled into the gates and wow…it was paradise.  We were greeted with washcloths and a courteous staff who showed each group to their cottage.  The grounds were amazing, so many different flowers and plants.  It did feel a bit like paradise.  Our cottage was awesome! It had a sitting area, two beds, and fireplace, porch over looking a pond, bathroom, shower (both inside and outside) and a tub.  This was beautiful!

 

After we unpacked and had lunch, a small group walked to the nearby Elephant Caves and Waterfall.  It was about a 2 hour roundtrip walk.  As we were walking you could where the elephants and buffalo had been earlier.  There were monkeys and baboons all around.  The Elephant caves were created when the elephants use their tucks to dig in the side of the mountains to get minerals.  It was really cool to see.  The waterfall was really high and we were at the top.  I looked over…mom passed!

After returning, we went to a campfire talk.  They light a fire each night in the organic gardens at Gibbs Farm and some sits watch to keep the animals out of the garden.  We learned about the history of the farm and enjoyed a great story.

Dinner was very gourmet and I was not crazy about it, but all the adults I am with raved about how delicious it was to eat.

When we returned to our room, the beds were turned down and there was a fire roaring.  Because we are so high in the mountains, it had gotten pretty cold.  The fire will keep us warm through the night.

Attack of the Monkeys!

Well we thought we were going to have a relaxing afternoon…but the Monkey’s had another ideas.  Shannon happened to get up and look towards our tents, there were monkey’s everywhere.  They had broken into our tents and gotten my gum and candy bars.  We took off to chase then away.  One of the monkeys had the whole bag of gum.  Chewing it though the wrapper.  Once we got everything cleaned up and straightened back, we went back to the lodge to watch the elephants.  We had to go back a few times to chase the monkeys away, but there was nothing left in the tents for them to eat. After dinner, my mom asked the guard who walked us t our tent if the monkeys would eb asleep now.  He said yes. Then turned his flashlight up the tree above our tent and they were all sleeping in the tree.   It was funny and creepy all at the same time.

 

An Awesome Game Ride

Mom was awoken to my pops being yelled at by the guard to return to his tent. There must have been an elephant or other animal near by. We were all getting up early to go out for a long game ride.  It was almost 6 am, and the sun was not up.  They turn the lights on here at the lodge at 5:45. The lodge runs on solar power and you only have access to electricity a few hours a day.

We headed out, my gram was in search of Lions.  We were in luck we saw two Leopards and lots of other animals.  On our way to have our breakfast in the bush, we came across 4 lions hunting near the swampland.  We watched them track a buffalo and even attach, but they did not kill.  They soon disappeared into the tall grass.  We had our breakfast at a near by picnic area. 

What an amazing experience to see all these animals and watch them in their own environment.  I so love this so far.

We headed back to lodge and will enjoy the afternoon relaxing.

Amazing Day on Safari

Our morning began early.  Some of the group had gone for a Balloon ride over the Game Park.  The rest of us ate breakfast and headed out in one car for a game drive.

We were very lucky today and saw zebras, impala, elephants (at one point we were surrounded by at least 50 of them), ostrich ( a group of about 32 women…Ostrich Women’s Convention), many birds, and 2 cheetah sitting on a hill, and a leopard hanging out in a tree.  Mom said this was very special as not many people see Leopard.  We also were able to see the balloon land and that was awesome.  I took pictures as we went along of the animals we saw. 

We headed back for lunch and then my pops and I went for a swim.  We splashed and had a great time.

After we rested, we headed back out for another ride.  We did not see many animals, but the countryside was pretty. We went to a Baobab Tree that was used by poachers at one time.  I climbed inside to see what was in there.  It was huge and cool to go inside.

We returned to the lodge, had dinner, and headed to bed.  

We’re Going on Safari

Up early and ready to go on Safari.  Today we head to Tarangire National Park for Safari.  It would take us several hours to get there.  On the way, we stopped in Arushi at shop to buy some gemstones.  They were so pretty.  I saw two that I really loved, so mom let me buy them. They are so pretty!

We headed out and made it to the Lodge for lunch.  We are staying in the most beautiful place.  The view is very cool and there is a lot  to see.  Mom and I are sharing tent and it is pretty cool. We have our own porch and need to be escorted there at night by the guard.  The animals roam freely and it is for our own safety.

They have a swimming pool as well, so I had to take a dip.  It was cold but fun to take a dip. 

After we got settled, we headed out on our first game ride in the park. Driving around with the top of our Land Rover popped up was awesome.  We saw lots of animals.  We would stop often to take pictures of animals. This is very cool!

After getting back it was dinner. At dinner, I ordered a Miranda (Black Current Fanta). To my surprise, when I went top rake a sip there was a tiny lizard in my glass.  It was too funny. Bedtime came early, as it gets dark here quickly and almost right at 7. We used solar lights to read and see in the tents.  Tomorrow we will go out looking for more animals.

Hospital and Mom comes home

We went to the KCMC hospital in Moshi.  We toured around.  I went with Gram to the PT school (she started it many years ago).  I was able to meet some of her students and it was a different experience to see the hospital.  I can’t wait for my mom to get home.

Finally about 4, mom got home.  I was so excited to see her.  I ran to here.  She had made it to the top…spent the night in the crater, saw the ash pits and made it back safely.  I was so proud of her.

That evening, we went out for a celebration dinner and then we packed up to head out on Safari tomorrow. 

Can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

Masai Village

We met the chief near the airport and we went on a rough, bumpy road to his village.  We saw a plant that could get rid of my sores and scares.  It was funny to see all the children wearing baby hats because my gram had brought them to give out. I was able to pet a goat. 

We went to Kikaletwa Springs.  It was a place my mom went as a child.  It is a spring that is in the middle of nowhere, but is a fresh water spring.  We were able to swing in the cool water.  They had a rope swing that I enjoyed swinging on.  I almost hit my pops, I swang out so far.

The Masai children loved my hair.  They all wanted to touch it.  We spent the night at the village.  The chief’s helpers dressed us all up in authentic attire.  The elders had council meeting where my Gram and Pops were guests of honor.  They had a cake that had half the American flag and half the Tanzania.  It was cool to see them.