The Real Africa

Well, it's been a fantastic couple of days. We took off to the Ngorongoro Crater a few days ago and I have to say it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. It is so impressive. We went for an afternoon game drive where we saw a ton of Zebra, Buffalo, lions, even 3 rhinos (although far away). I finally got my warthog picture. Apparently there warthogs aren't scared of people. We then set up for our coldest camp of the entire trip on the rim of the crater. It was very cool looking accross to the crater, but it also meant some interesting visitors through the night, like the buffalo who walked right past the loo as I was in there (ahh!!!). But it was pretty unreal. The morning was miserable and I was quite dreading the rest of the day, but as soon as we got off the crater rim, it was beautiful and we all started stripping layers. We then headed to one of the most important sites for human kind - the Olduvai Gorge, which is actually supposed to be the Oldupai Gorge, but suffers from years of mispronunciation. It was cool to see where so much of human history is found. Beyond what has been found there archeology wise, it is quite an impressive site on its own. From there we made our way to the Serengetti and went on another game drive. At some level, I am getting tired of game drives which seems absolutely retarded, but ah well. We saw a cheetah, a leopard and an astonishing number of wildabeast, as we caught the end of the migration. Siobhan and I couldn't help but sing some more Lion King, much to the annoyance of some of our truck mates. Anyways, that night camping was also crazy. We were out in the wild amongst the wildabeast and zebra, which means one thing - lions. Luckly I had a good nights sleep with no incidents. Another game drive in the morning, and a long drive back to Arusha. Last night was a bit of a party as it was our last night as a group. We had a lot of fun. This morning was pretty tough for me as I had to say good bye to all but one of my group. There were a few tears shed. I am now in Moshi, where I start the trek up Kili tomorrow. Wish me luck. Hopefully next post will read "I made it!"

Not much new...

Ok, so we had a really long drive yesterday and are now in Arusha. We drove past Kili and my goodness, I am in for quite a climb. John (the 18 year old Englishman that I am climbing with), looked like he was going to vomit when we finally saw the mountain. Although I have to say mt. Meru looks much bigger and more intimidating. It's cooled down quite a bit now that we are further inland and further north. I actually slept in my sleeping bag last night (although as many of you would guess, my feet were still hanging out the end). Today we go on a Massi village walk. Then tomorrow it is off to the Ngorongoro Crater and then to the Serengetti. I'm excited to see some animals again as we haven't really seen anything since Zambia.
Anyways, Thane, sorry about the lack of photos, but I don't have the patience to deal with the internet speed over here, you'll have to wait till I get home to see the photos. Holly - the food has actually been really good, although I don't know if you would call what we are eating African as one of the guys on tour is an Aussie chef, so Tristan pretty much cooks everything for us. We have had a few dinners in villages, and I have to say, I could not eat that on a regular basis. I was expecting to loose so weight on this trip, but with Tristan's cooking, I have definately put a little on (lack of excercise doesn't help either). Katie - I hope the baby comes soon, I know you must be going crazy. I keep wanting to check my email, waiting for the email from Dustin. One of the girls on our trip is a nurse and her recommendation was to do a lot more of what got you in this spot in the first place and you never know. But can't wait to hear the news and see the pictures. I've been trying to figure out if the baby will look more like a Stringer or a Vermast. Anyways everybody! I should get going. Have some laundry to do. Talk to you all before I head up Kili. Good luck Katie and Go Sens Go (pretend the picture has a Sens sweater instead)!

A trip back in time and then some beach time

So we arrived in Zanzibar two days ago to pouring rain. We were running through the very narrow streets of Stone town to get to our hostel in ankle deep water. Thank goodness for flip flops. Anyways, we explored Stone Town once the sun re-emerged. We had lunch at the old fort and ended up doing a fair amount of shopping. I've ended up with some beautiful paintings. Just now I have to carry them around for the next month and a half. Anyways. After paying some guy to show us back to the hostel (the most confusing place I have ever been and I am good with directions), we headed to Mercury's for dinner (named after Freddie Mercury of Queen - born in Zanzibar). The sunset may have been one of the most wonderful I have ever seen. We had a great night that night. Unfortunately another group staying at our hostel wasn't so fortunate. One of their girls got grabbed coming back from a night out. They grabbed her bag, but then one of their guys jumped in and his stuff ended up getting stolen instead. Poor guy. Anyways, everyone is ok, he just has to go through the whole issue of getting a new passport and such. Now, don't everybody worry. They did make some dumb moves that set them out as targets, so. Anyways, yesterday we headed for a spice tour which was amazing. Although I got absolutely eaten alive by mozzi's even with heavy duty spray on. It was really cool to see all the different spices and fruits and such. We finally got to the beach around 3. And I will tell you, it is perfect. White sand beaches, turquiose water, a beach side bar. It is great. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the water - great relief for all my bites. This morning our whole group (minus one), headed out snorkelling. Now, once I got comfortable, it was great. Although all the Northern aussies were a little disappointed, didn't hold up against the great barrier reef. I enjoyed it. We were in pretty open water so, you had to be careful about getting pulled away, but the fish were very cool. Even saw a clown fish. We then sailed back in for lunch and here I am avoiding the sun for a little bit. It is beautiful here, would love to come back to spend more time. Only a week left on this tour and then I have to haul by butt up Mount Kili. Talk to you all soon!

Travelling through Tanzania

Hey everybody. So I have no made it to Tanzania. We left Malawi two days ago and have been travelling across southern Tanzania for the past two days. We are now in Dar on the coast and will be heading to Zanzibar tomorrow. I can't believe I have been gone almost a month. This nezxt 3 weeks is pretty exciting; Zanzibar, Serengetti, Kili, Mom gets here. Unfortunately I don't really have that much to tell over the past couple of days. Two days ago we went into a local market and each had to pick out outfits for eachother. We called it the fancy dress party. I ended up with a lovely gold number. All of the boys ended up in women's clothing. It was a lot of fun. Lots of laughs. The process of getting the clothes was fun too. Bartering in the local market. Everybody trying to sell you their stuff. Anyways, I don't have much else to tell you. Just have to say Go Sens Go! I can't believe they make it to the final the year I am away and can't be there to cheer them on, or gloat. Anyways, talk to you all soon!

Paradise on Lake Malawi

Well, we've been in Malawi for a few days now. We are staying at a place called Kande beach. It is quite beautiful, although you can't swim cause of a parasite in the water (well, you could, but if you get the parasite it will eat your intestines). Anyways, there are hammocks all over the place and it is pretty relaxing. Yesterday I got my hair braided. It took three men (yes men) 2 1/2 hours. The other girls had one person each and were done in 1 hour. Oh, the joys of massive amounts of hair. Anyways, a few have fallen out, so I have to go back and get them fixed today. We went on a tour of the town today, although everywhere we went they asked for money, which is getting a bit annoying. At the primary school (grade 1-8), we were invited into the classes and such. I walked into what turned out to be a grade 8 class (96 students), and asked what class they were in, then I looked on the board and there was the female reproductive system. Well, I was like 'oh, never mind, I know what that is' and then blushed slightly, which they thought was really funny. I got laughed out of a grade 8 sex ed class. Anyways, the teacher then came and was trying to tell me what they were learning about, so I got to then sit in on the class, it was pretty funny. This afternoon we are just hanging out and then we are having dinner in the village which should be interesting. We have 2 more nights in Malawi and then off to Tanzania. Robin - you are welcome to my closet, just make sure it's clean when I get back. You can even borrow the rust jacket. Kevan and Brayden - I picked out gifts for you today. Mouna - I am glad you miss me on the starbucks runs, I had a dream about an 'Ali Special' a few nights ago. Talk to you all soon.

Elephants, Rhinos and School Kids

Well, it has been quite a couple of days in Livingstone. Two days ago, I went on an elephant ride. I got Madunda (the misbehaving elephant). He was pretty funny, never listened to the guide, always eating and taking his own trails. There was two babies, one 2 years old, one 4 weeks old. It was pretty cool. Yesterday morning, 8 of us headed over to one of the local preschools. Kids were 4-7. It was so much fun. They sang for us (I knew most of the songs, or versions of them), and we played games and then they asked us to sing (little did they know what they were asking for). Anyways, it was fantastic. The kids were so wonderful. I also went on a walking rhino safari. I was a little freaked out as I was just waiting for one of my slithery friends to appear, but there weren't any, so that was good. We got to within 2 m of the two rhinos. Apparently they really don't care if we are there because they have no predators. Then we kept walking to see other animals, although Aaron (from Oz) and I were kinda over it once we had seen the rhinos. It's funny how common an elephant seems now, let alone giraffes and zebras. I am still working on a picture of the ever elusive warthog though. They are quick little buggers. Then last night a bunch of us went to this African restaurant where they drummed and danced and then they got all of us up dancing. It's funny to see how little beat some people have. My West African dance did come in handy cause I have some idea how to shimmy (well I know how it's supposed to work). Anyways, a lazy day in Livingstone today, then off to Lusaka tomorrow. Oh, trying to keep up on the hockey (Go Sens Go!!!!). Happy Mother's Day Mom, Love you lots! Oh, one other thing. You all will be glad to know, we have had two trips to the hospital and neither of them have been me. One was a burnt hand cause one of the guys fell in the fire and the other was a dislocated ankle and broken tibia from a game of cricket. But I was not involved in either and remain healthy (thank goodness). Talk to you all soon!

A week in Africa...

Ok, Halina, you were right. It's not that I can't get internet here, it is just so ridiculously slow that I loose my patience. Anyways. I have been in Africa just over a week now. And it has been spectacular. I have seen the big 5 - rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and water buffalo, as well as giraffes, hippos and lots of monkeys. I have seen one snake, bit fortunately it was squished with its guts everywhere in the middle of the road. Our first night in Kruger National Park (South Africa), we went for a night game drive and was it ever amazing. A leopard and her two cubs definately the highlight. We've been on a full day game drive where we could spot the entire cast from the Lion King and have found a kindred spirit in Siobhan (for those of you who don't know Celtic spellings, thats Shivon) who also knows all the words to all the songs in the Lion King and has no problem singing with me, to the horror of her brother and the rest of our crew mates. Our group, until today where we split off, was mostly Aussies, with two Kiwis, 3 Danes and girl from N. Ireland and me, the token North American. Our Guides Danie and Dzingi, where absolutely great. Today we switch to our new guides, of the original 18, 9 of us are carrying on North to Nairobi. So, we've been in South Africa, Botswana and are currently at Livingstone in Zambia where the Victoria Falls are. Yesterday I went micro-lighting, which was more then I could have imagined. It was so impressive to see the Falls from that view point. Aaron (from Oz) went bungy jumping yesterday, the rest of us went and cheered him on. In a couple of hours I will be off on my elephant ride with two sisters, Marrin and Jenny (more Aussies). We are here in Zambia for 2 more nights and then off to Malawi. I will hopefully be able to get some pictures up, if not I will just have to share them when I get home. But I am having a wonderful time, enjoying every bit of it. Hope to update you again soon.