Father/Son Safari Part 1

I am back in Hanga now after nearly 3 weeks away. It has been a busy January so far! Busy, full, but very fun and rewarding. And so wonderful to be able to spend most of the travels with my dad.

After a short few days to relax after the festivities of Christmas here in Hanga, it was time to trek back to Dar Es Salaam to meet my father who was coming for a visit! I traveled back to Dar with Br. Kastor on December 30, spent New Years Eve with him and the family of one of my students from St. Laurents, and then prepared for my father to arrive on January 1 at 11:00 PM!



There was a lot to do in a short amount of time. We certainly didn't do everything or see the whole country, but we came close. There wasn't much pre-planning involved for much of the two week visit, but that turned out for the best in most cases (though it did make for some added frustration). What a great experience it was for both of us. We will be telling these stories for the rest of our lives!



I think this Father/Son Safari will span at least 3 posts...maybe 4. So check back again soon!



After picking my dad up from the airport, we went back with Br. Kastor and Br. Kulwa to the guest house in Kurasini to spend the night. Our bus left the next morning at 9am for Arusha! We still took time to have some chai (tea) meet some monks, eat good chocolate from the Amsterdam airport, and unpack my Christmas gifts. Then we both went to bed for a few hours of sleep before the long bus ride.

Here is my dad at the Ubungo bus station in Dar waiting to get on our bus to Arusha. It was a hot trip...

Of course, on the way through Moshi traveling to Arusha you pass the highest mountain in Africa. Here is the view of Mt. Kilimanjaro from our bus window.

We spent one night in Arusha, got up early the next day, and planned a Safari! Our safari was only one overnight, but we were able to see both Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorogoro Conservation Area. Simply stunning. This is me with my backpack hiking through Arusha with Mt. Meru in the background.

Here is dad with our safari vehicle. There is a large section in the middle of the roof that comes off so you can stand up to watch the animals as you drive. It was a pretty smooth ride!

Dad standing with our safari guide Alex in Lake Manyara National Park.

Sometimes the animals get confused where the National Parks are...this elephant was outside of the park just on the road between Lake Manyara and Ngorogoro Conservation Area. It took its time and crossed the road in front of us. We could have reached out and touched it. Literally.

We stayed at a lodge right on the Ngorogoro crater ridge. The crater is an extinct volcano that has become somewhat of a garden of eden paradise. It is stunningly beautiful. Here is a view from the dining room where we had dinner and breakfast.

We rose early the next morning to see the sunrise over the crater. After breakfast we were in our vehicle just before 8 AM and on the road to decend into the crater.

check back again tomorrow for part 2 with many animals from inside the crater. We only missed seeing one of the big five...