From Arusha with Love

We've made our way through two days of Dar es Salaam, and three days of safari in the Selous (pronounced Sell-oo) game reserve in the south of the country. Now we're in Arusha, ready to spend a few days exploring the northern parks before we attempt Kilimanjaro starting on the 2nd of July.

Here's a rundown of where we've been so far:

Day 1:

Flight from Denver to Houston. Flight in Houston delayed 9 hours due to electrical problems. This delay turns out to be exactly the delay needed in order to meet Jacob and Jessica in Amsterdam. Plus now the airline pays for the hotel!

Day 2:

With Jacob and Jessica in Amsterdam. Nearly walk into them at train station before seeing them. Eat at delicious restaurant with good pizza (not as good as Nostrana). J&J miss train; we share free hotel room (Holiday Inn) and play Coloretto and Battle Line.

Day 3:

Flight and arrival in Dar es Salaam. At Schipol, quote weight of bag in pounds, not kilograms, leading to confusion and potential overwieght baggage charge. Flight arrives in Dar, Mike's sleeping bag and pad do not. Clear customs, and miraculously a taxi driver (Frank) meets us at airport and drives us to hotel.

Day 4:

Confusion and culture shock in Dar. Locate cell phone shop, purchase cell phone and SIM card. Visit tourist information centre and obtain inaccurate map of city. Most tourists do not walk. Everybody here speaks English. Go for lunch at great Indian/Local place. Get called monkeys by irate taxi driver (mad we were walking?). Get quotes for safari in south--- most too expensive/incompatible with our desires.

Day 5:

Another early morning--- jet lag almost recovered from. Luther House chai provided by hostel is the only way to start the day. Will buy some before returning to States. Visited more safari companies--- attempted to book through Coastal Travel, but schedules all required return to Dar in the midst of safari. Instead, attempted to walk to Utalii safaris, recommended by Tourist Info lady. Mistake--- we ended up at the beach. Several phone calls later, they picked us up and drove us to their office (far away). Prices reasonable, seemed like it was not a scam. Booked.

Ordered lunch based on prices, and ended up with more food than we could eat in days.

Day 6:

Tour company definitely not a scam. Travel to Selous game reserve, past picturesque villages (no pictures--- blame Erin) and thousands (?) of tiny children who were the cutest ever. Lodge (hippo camp) is surprisingly spacious and comes with flush toilet and laughing hippos. (Never thought I'd be on a) Boat safari with guide Ali. See hippos (Osama bin Laden) and crocodile (George W Bush). Audio to come.

Dinner is more than we can eat.

Day 7:

Safari in Selous. Full day of driving--- giraffes are too trusting, zebra too skittish. Baobab tree is our lunch spot--- hugs ensue. After lunch: Lion, Buffalo, and more Impala and Giraffe. Sunset is spectacular--- orange and red across the yellow savanna.

Day 8:

Walking with guide Moses. We track an elephant through the bush, nearly get attacked. Only quick action by Moses ensures our survival. Half day game drive in afternoon--- we catch a glimpse of leopard, but he runs away before we could get camera out.

Day 9:

Today. Flew from Selous to Dar in tiny plane; Dar to Arusha in large plane. Muche cooler here. Mt. Meru beckons in the distance. Olduvai gorge tomorrow, and the shifting sands..... more to come after that.

See pictures at flickr:

(link to come)