Tanzania a fav stop in Africa, but how do you say “line” in Swahili?

We went on a Safari, something I never thought I would do, and Tanzania is definitely shaping up to be my favorite country so far on the continent. Not only did we see SO MANY animals in the wild, but we spent the last few days in Moshi which was a really nice beautiful town at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. We couldn’t afford to climb it (though I could probably use the workout) but we did a nice little hike to a waterfalls in the town of Marangu. We hiked down the steepest staircase to a waterfalls and ate some of the sweetest carrots that I picked up and shared with our slightly (or maybe very) stoned guide, Marco. Back in Moshi we spent a couple (10+ ?) hours in front of the TV at our Hostel (Kilimanjaros Backpackers Hostel) which was the only real plus of the spot because it had satellite and we caught up on the latest video clips and watched some cheesy romantic comedies from the states, nothing new but it was wonderful all the same. Then we bussed it back down to Dar Es Salam where we are spending a few nights before we depart for Zambia and Victoria Falls!

This morning we went to the Tazara Railway Station to buy train tickets and our very passive positive manners were slightly aggravated by the complete lack of ability of locals to use the line system, we spent a good hour at the opening of the 1st class ticket line and a one point I put both arms on the rails that one-would-think could stop people from jumping to the front. But no, a small (Tanzanias here in the capital are a bit shorter than those up north, and we were feeling kind of giantess) older man who had line jumped in front of us, then left bump to the front of another line, came back to pass us and take his original stolen position. Needless to say we spoke up (lacking Swahili skills at this point) and I refused to move my arms so he could pass. Well, he pried my fingers off the bar and forcefully pushed his way back to the front. I closed my eyes and imagined the joy of our good ol’ American pull-a-number system. Anywho, we got over that quickly because the train didn’t sell out, and happily high-fived as we made our way to the Mozambique Embassy.

Zambia and Moz here we come!

Leah is about to see many wild animals. Hurrah!

Why? Because tomorrow we (Linds, Dacia and 3 other girls we’ve met whilst staying at the Arusha Backpackers Hostel – Lizze, Julia, plus 1) are setting out for a 4 day Safari in the Serengeti and 2 other national parks, the Norongoro Crater and Tangirine National Park (?) camping and all that (and it’s costing me a hefty 505USD, but you’d think it’d be ALOT more!). It should be lots of fun and they said its pretty certain we’ll see a ton of animals (giraffes! yay! perhaps a lion or two?).

The BIG 5 are: Elephats, Lions, Rhinos, Buffalo, Leopard… I think that’s the list. Though I’m most excited for a possible Hippo and hopefully and family of Elephants! After that we’ll be spending a night next to Mt Kilamanjaro in a town called Moshi before going on to Victoria Falls in a few days of painful bus rides and then to Mozambique and HOME!!! Hurrah! (Getting excited to get home because it’s getting so close… but will if feel like I never left?)

Tanzania. Updates. Raging.

We headed out of Mole Nat. Park to the capital, Accra, Ghana. Internet speed like you couldn’t believe. Vodaphone I LOVE YOU. Did an overnight flight to Nairobi (does that count when you spend 3 hours in a country?) and it was SO COLD. I don’t know if I’m prepared for Michigan winters. Then we flew to Dar Es Salam.

After a ATM-that-is-functioning hunt we got money and headed to Zanzibar Island for a relax time. The old Stone Town (we stayed at the Karibu Inn, really nice, cheap, great location) was beautiful and historic with meandering streets and amazing woodwork. We saw dolphins up close and personal during an excursion to “Swim with the Dolphins”, which consisted more like jumping in the water right after we saw them swim by… but it was fun and exciting (except for the weird water lice a.k.a. jellyfish (?) that stung us all over). Then we SCUBA DIVED!!! Lindsay and I stayed underwater for a total of 1 hour 10 minutes checking out coral and fish and it was amazing! I definitely have to do a course somewhere, sometime.

After taken the WETEST ferry ride back to the Dar Es Salam (maybe we got ripped off on the tickets, nothing new) we spent a day running errands, prepping for Safari time and our next stop, Mozambique. I’m definitely getting anxious to get home now… and the gift luggage is only getting heavier!

Love and Hugs!!! LeAH