You’re Welcome! The ubiquitous greeting in Tanzania. I first was startled but then realized it was more “We welcome you here” and I respond with Thank you. When I proceed with “How are You?” it breaks their practiced tourist pattern and we may have an actual conversation as I want to focus on them rather than avoid their approach. Ah perspective, intent. We are here to blend in with the scene in Africa. Experience life in their way. Glad to have the time to stop in villages, shop at street stalls, camp at Overlander places. Just coming out of Serengeti National Park and entering Ngoronogo Crater area.
Our entry was a difficult day with roads of corrugated dirt, speeding trucks and buses, a blown tire and though we changed that on the road found another flat tire the next morning. We now know vehicles race down these washboard roads doing at least 60 km/ hr to “smooth” out the bumps and everyone wants the best part of the road no matter what lane it happens to be in. Also found a fuel station at the Park HQ and they had tire repair so we adjusted and got on with focus at hand. We did find the wildebeest migration heading north to Kenya following the rains and good grasses. With effort and perseverance we found a ridge line and valley covered with wildebeest, zebra and some impalas all restless and moving NE. Weather patterns had been mixed and guides were saying animals appear confused and not sure about best pastures. Single large wildebeests would grunt, run at another often near a group lying down. They appeared to be herding the troops: come on guys, time to move! Wonderful to pause and get into the behavior. Many photos, videos and Rob exclaimed “Now we are having fun again”. Tomorrow we go down into Ngoronogo crater, a protected area full of wildlife because pickings are good there and quite barren in surrounding plains in they make the trip up and out. Then we will move on from Tanzania. We have found it more expensive and less friendly than other countries. Focus on individuals and create good experiences. On we go.
Really enjoying tales of your trip!
Tim,
Unlike our sailing trip I am actually taking lots of go-pro movies and stills so I’ll do a slide show in Denver when we get back to share.
You guys are traveling pretty fast, at least faster than I’ve read what other bloggers do. I guess with a 4 month trip, your seeing the highlights of each area. pretty spectacular I must say.
You’ll have to give us some of the details with the truck buying & then selling of it. Sounds like it went great picking it up thur the Bushlore outfitter. I think that was the one.
Thanks for all the post, your connection service must be a really good.
Seems y’all are posting every few days, no matter where you are.
Be safe,love your blogging. Dirk
Dirk,
It seems traveling is usually a balance between planning too much and traveling too fast or missing out on things you want to see. We have definitely been moving very steadily but so far none of it has felt really rushed. We think we might slow a bit in the next month though. Yes the truck experience was good and has worked out so well. We wasted almost no time from arrival to hitting the road and it turns out we have everything we need and have used almost everything we brought or bought.
all sounds great…checking in on requests for us to bring…gin?