cw - I am totally serious, yes. Everyone's mouth just fell open when we saw them in the pool, the rest of us all looked at each and said 'no wonder we were overweight'. None of us asked why though, so we can only imagine!

Hello all, the next post is up on my blog - our first day actually ON SAFARI!!

Lynda, I CANNOT believe that about the wetsuits. If anyone in our group had done something like that, they would have gotten a serious talking to by certain members of our group!

Our second day in Amboseli is up on my blog along with a few pictures. Next up: Tarangire.

I'll be headed to Amboseli (via the blog) shortly.

I cannot imagine full wetsuits but I can imagine taking a light skin for cold water. I've taken one to hotels when swimming (with young kids) was a must. Without it, I'd be shivering to the point of feeling ill.

Personally, I just skip the pool in Africa rather than tote the snorkel gear.

Your choice and placement of pictures really makes your blog come alive. I loved the running zebras and you excel at sunsets (or rises.)

So your Maasai guide and husband never did settle on how many cows you are worth!

The first sighting of a watering male ele does make an impression.

Great baboon portrait in today's installment!

baboon and starling portraits are great just as the text! added any new pictures on flickr? thanks.

Hausfrau, I am so enjoying your trip installments. Anxiously awaiting your next, but have a quick question. Since you were on the same exact safari I am leaving on shortly, did most of the lodges/camps have hairdryers? I don't know whether I should throw my mini travel one in or not.

Honestly, I thik that baboon knew he was posing for me. No new pictures yet, but I'll get there eventually!

jfram, I am fairly certain that most of the lodges either had hairdryers in the rooms or you could borrow one from the front desk. Kichwa Tembo (the tented camp) had a nice restroom in the main building with hairdryer "stations". My MIL was concerned about not having a hairdryer. She ended up not bringing one and was fine. A couple of women on our trip who normally worried quite a bit about their hair seemed to worry less about it as the trip went on; we were all pretty casual and so comfortable with each other by the end of the trip that we didn't really care what our hair looked like!

I've now moved on to Tarangire!

Please keep in mind that there are LOTS more photos on my flickr site (see link at top of this post). The photos are arranged in folders on the right-hand side of the page. The best (largest) way to view them is to click on the folder name, then select "View as Slideshow." You can either click through by hand or set it to whatever speed you prefer. (Unfortunately this leaves off the captions, which can only be seen by clicking on the individual photos.)

This is a wonderful trip report!! What kind of camera did you use to take your photos? Your pictures came out terrific!! Let me know...I plan to buy the same one!

What would you say the overall time from Amboseli to Tarangire by road was?

Interesting that you should mention dik dik and black backed jackals as some of your first Tarangire animals. The dik dik photo with the bright green brush is a striking little fellow. Some of my favorite dik dik and black backed jackal photos are from Tarangire.

That’s a good description of the hyrax, a Tree Hyrax , a cross between a squirrel and a koala.

alldaytravel, I used a Canon EOS 400D, which in the U.S. is called the Rebel XTi. I previously had a Canon Rebel XT and was planning to bring it until my little "accident" (see 2 February blog entry); the new model has a much larger screen and some improved menus but for the most part is very similar to the Rebel XT. I used a standard Canon 18-55 mm lens for landscapes and a Canon Ultrasonic 70-300 mm zoom with image stabilization for the wildlife shots.

atravelyn, I didn't note the driving time details, but we left Amboseli at 8 am sharp and I'm guessing we arrived at the Tarangire gate around 4 pm, followed by a 2-hour drive to the lodge. That includes crossing the border (probably an hour) and about an hour lunch stop.

Bookmarking a great report! Looking forward to your Tarangire game drive and Ngorongoro.

Thanks julianewoman! Tarangire to Ngorongoro is now up on my blog.

Whew, sorry for the delay, but I think you will like the next post: Ngorongoro! This was an absolutely incredible day.

Wonderful report. Thanks.

Your crater day started with hyenas and ended with pizza. Where else but Africa?!

A wildebeest birth had to be outstanding.

I know what you mean by instinctively reacting to a predator when you shrunk from the lioness.

An outstanding crater outing.

atravelynn, I just want to emphasize that the pizza was NOT my idea! ;-) Though I do admit to eating a slice.

Sorry for the delay guys, but you are going to have to wait a bit longer for the next installment...I'm off tomorrow for a one-week trip home to the States. I promise to get back on track when I return!

Hausfrau -

My sister and I are going on the Stanley Wing in September. We anxiously await your next installment - it's like a preview of what's to come! Keep up the great work.