Updates from Africa

As Brian is able to get updates out to his blog from Africa, I'll repost them here so we can keep track of our Mount Kilimanjaro trekers!

Here is his first update from today:

hello from africa     
  
We're alive and well.  Four days of safari in Tarangire National Park.  Lots and lots of wild animals and birds (elephant, zebra, giraffe, etc., oh, and LIONS!)

we have a few free days of birding and adventuring set now, and then we will begin our climb.  Can't wait.

we'll write again when we can as internet access is sparse.
ttyl.

- Brian
2005-10-12



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hello again  

Yesterday we went to Arusha National Park and saw lots of monkeys and baboons, and of course quite a few new birds.  It is on the side of Mount Meru, so we got a quick taste of some altitude and forest.  The coolest things were the hippos that came out to see us, and a lake filled with thousands of noisy pink flamingos !

anyway, today is our off day.  Leanne is getting her hair braided by the pool now, while dad and i update you folks on our adventure so far.  Between us 4 i think we have nearly 2000 photos already :-)  ah, don't you love digital.

We have a meeting at 5 this aft with our climb guides, then one more good night sleep in a bed, with a shower in the morning.  after that, it is up up up.

Different lodge when we come down, so who knows if the internet will be better or worse.  Power isn't very reliable here.

Anyway, talk to you all in a week, and please do write here so we can read all the postings later !


- Brian
2005-10-14

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An today, an email from John (my Dad!) :

Good morning,
I/we are all great. We finished repacking for our climb. We meet with our guide tonight at 5 pm. It is now 11 am.
So the Safari has been wonderful. We spent 5 days touring 2 National Parks. The first 4 days was planned and we rebooked our guide for a one day safari. The wild life is super. The country however is poor. Only a few paved roads and the rest is dirt roads that don't see a roadgrader since I don't know when. We are all getting along and the food is ok but not great. We are staying at a real posh resort compared to the homes on the street/ dirt bumpy road.
The whole economy uses US dollars at 1000 shilling verses one buck. But you can't get US money back so it is a little tricky. No visa charges under 100 bucks. No TV in the room, hydro jumps up and down all the time, just now it quit and the generator came on.
The weather on the safari was hot with cool nights. Cool means you still don't need a jacket.
I think I am at around 1100 photos so far. Brian is at about 5 to 7 hundred.
My 100 nylon shirt and pants are ideal. Just wash and hang and in an hour they are dry. No Laundromats here but the hotel will do them at a price. Three or 4 washes and you could buy a new one.
I see on my computer time you are all still sleeping for it says it is 4 am.
I wish you all the best doing your thing back home.
We will not be able to contact you until we get back and if the hotel has internet. We will be at a different hotel. But we will get to you some how.
With love
John/DAD
2005-10-14

Submitted by Lisa - Wednesday, October 12, 2005 19:16:10

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