I've seen the 'Big Five', i.e., Elephant, Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Lion & Leopard & I birded for all I am worth. It has been a soul changing visit to the land of my ancestors - my first trip to Africa & surely not the last. This wonderous trip ends tomorrow.
Blabber aside, today's agenda was checking out Amboseli.
Cattle Egrets, now commonly found in North America accompany elephants
You never know where you'll spot Hyenas - this pair are enjoying a post-mud bath snooze.
Hippos - notoriously dangerous - trot about like tanks on parade
Yellow Baboons
Impala
My favorite - a happy Cheetah If ONLY I could have one for a pet, like the Egyptians of old
Wha... you talking to me?
Water Thick-knee
Great White Pelicans
Gray-crowned Crane
Western Yellow Wagtail
White-faced Whistling Ducks
African Spoonbill
Long-toed Lapwing
Black-winged Stilt
African Jacana
African Jacana
Malachite Kingfisher
White-bellied Bustard
Have to say, I grew up in a time when Africa was either a National Geographic special or old Tarzan movies. As a kid the version of Africa I was shown frightened me. As a kid, I was afraid of most insects and was certain there back then a trip to Africa would be terrifying with insects the size of guinea pigs. That view of Africa presented to me was so, so very wrong. All I have seen of the continent from North Africa down to Tanzania, is heart poundingly gorgeous and the only insects I have seen on this vast continent were butterflies. I wish more than anything that my first trip overseas had been to Africa. Ila and I will be on a jet headed home tomorrow. I can't wait to come back.
Today the tour headed for Kenya's Amboseli National Park. But first, we apparently had some major SHOPPING to do! So our first stop was Safariland Galleria, a massive gift shop, i.e., tourist trap, that specializes in Tanzanite products. Tanzanite is Tanzania's endemic mineral gem, but more on that shiny blue stone in a bit.
Before our hosts shouted 'Let the Shopping Begin', a lovely Tanzanian lady gave a talk about the history and mining of Tanzanite - a mineral only found in this corner of the world, Tanzania and Kenya. Being the hyper little Chaos demon that I am, I was far too excited to give the talk my full attention. There were souvenirs to examine and I & my credit cards were rearing to go.
Our cheerful tour guide
Views down into the shop interior
Truly the gods of goodies smiled upon us this day
There was much artwork for sale
stairway wall...
Gleaming blue Trillion cut Tanzanite gems
The front and center stone is coming home with me
First stop when turned loose to browse, was the gemstone area. One of the ladies in our group was determined to buy a full set of Tanzanite jewelry - a ring, a bracelet, a necklace... the whole shebang. But as for me, I've collected gems and minerals since I was 19, back when dinosaurs ruled the earth. I went for a rough, uncut stone. I am fairly sure I paid more for the stone than it had a right to cost, but one must support local economies, right? The stone was purchased and handed over to me in a cute little zippered & cushioned cloth bag. The stone has some major traveling hours in its future.
After purchasing my gem, I bought some minor odds and ends - beautiful odds and ends mind you! Then I meandered outside where I actually chatted a bit with some handsome Masai gentlemen. I complemented their cool sandals and they were kind enough to show off their foot gear to me. The sandals are made from repurposed automobile tires. The soles of the sandals are tire treads that literally cradle their feet.
When everyone had shopped their wallets flat, and the one lady had cleared out the jewelry department, we were off to our next stop for lunch and a tour. The Sanga Workshop is in Arusha Tanzania.
Shaga is a workshop where folk with disabilities learn a trade or three and produce high quality goods for sale. The products made include blown glass goods, jewelry, woven fiber textiles and other goods. But first things first, "Where's lunch being served?"
Buffet area
I chose various tasty goods from the buffet bar.
My lunch was topped off with a lovely icy sherbet
Honestly, the most interesting thing about our luncheon was the intruders. Vervet Monkeys wandered around the building rooftops. The monkey below was the hit of the day as he showed off his electric blue boy bits.
'Yeah, they're blue - and 100% brass!'
Shanga's tiled reflective pool - so tranquil
Shanga Workshop Tour Guide
The looms in the workshop were noisy and HUMONGOUS! I love spinning wheels and seeing the ones they used, made from what was available to them was impressive. See below for yourself.
We were entering the Pride lands, and on our eventual way to our lodging, Ol Tukai Lodge.
Leaving our van we took the v. pretty stroll along a wooden walk way, leading us to the main lodge entrance
Lodge entryway dead ahead!
The serving area of the lodge's GINORMOUS dining room.
A bonus - that is a bonus for me, not you - are these birds spotted on our last game tour for the day.
Blacksmith Lapwing
Spur-winged Lapwing
Little Egret
Pied Kingfisher on a true roadtrip
Grumpy looking Goliath Heron
It was a long day, but Ila and I decided we deserved to have some down time and relax with a drink. We strolled along the walkways from our room to the bar area, which had many comfy places to lounge. We were just sipping our drinks, when another little dream of mine began to manifest. A host of Masai men nearby, began to sing and leap in their traditional Adumu Dance - something I'd always hoped to see for myself one day, and today is that day!
