Three Times Through

At 5:30 A.M. I couldn't manage a swallow of coffee but while still not myself, I am so much better. Off we go at 6 A.M. for another flying adventure.  We arrive early at the  Nairobe airport because there were THREE security checkpoints in addition to baggage screening and the requisite immigration lines. At the gate we boarded stinky buses into which not another human being could have been crammed for a long, slow ride.  When we stopped, the cork flew out of the bottle and we were all flung toward the plane. We settled ourselves and our possessions for a 30-minute with me wondering why not drive. Not a good choice given road conditions so there you go. We meet Chris and Clara at the airport and learn that Chris will be our guide throughout our visit in Tanzania and that Clara is the local Born Free representative. We later learn that the exotic looking Clara is half Dutch and half African and that her Dutch relatives likely lost their land when their land leases expired, this the policy of the Tanzanian government that is now fifty yeas old.

Chris is just wonderful. He takes us on a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park and teaches us a lot about the animals and ecosystem of the area. We enjoy talking with him very much, especially about the Masai people who populate this area. We are tired when we arrive at Exploreans Lodge but quickly revive  when we see the absolutely stunning grounds and attentive staff who great us with herbal-scented towels and greetings of Jambo, hello in Swahili. The staff at the lodge speak Swahili, their native language and English, at minimum.

Our quarters are all private residences with a large living room that has a small office space and fireplace. The bedroom is huge with king size bed, another fireplace and an easy chair and footstool.  Each room contains a day bed, as well. Extra large bathroom with bench and a shower to accommodate two persons. When I stepped out onto our lanai, I could have reclined one the divan, or sat at the table. Instead I stood at the rail and watched an elephant across the way who watched me right back. Heaven, anyone?