cynstalker

I just re-read through my report, and I have to clear something up. I wrote:

“We took a day trip to the Aberdare National Park, where we got to see a Giant Forest Hog family, and then 2 more in the trees.”

Giant Forest Hogs do <b><u><i>NOT</i></u></b> climb trees, nor do they fly into them….(and now I’m really wishing for a “smiley” of a pig flying). They were on the <b>ground</b> in the forest.

<b>Clematis1</b>: Thank you – my very first post on this board was titled “cyn’s great adventure”. I didn’t know how prophetic that would be.

<b>Lucia78</b>: I kept putting the writing off, but, because we received so much help from the people on this forum, I really <u>wanted</u> to share the trip. It’s been six months, and it is still so hard to think about David &amp; Christof being gone. Thank you for your kind words.

<b>Dennis</b>: You could have been quoting me many times during our trip! Thanks.

<b>Leely</b>: Well, it <i>seemed</i> long to me – probably because I kept re-writing and re-writing. Getting stuck was actually fun – we knew we were pretty safe – we had fire, we had the land rover for shelter and protection from the elements &amp; animals if needed, we had food &amp; water – and we now have a fantastic memory.

<b>Sharon</b>: When someone says they have really bad news for you, there’s that instant when your mind races through a dozen different possibilities of what it could be. On that day, I thought perhaps something to do with the draught. Never in my wildest imaginings did I think it could be something as terrible as it turned out to be. Hope everything is ok with you – (re: ”thanks for such a great read. I needed it tonight”).

<b>Simbakubwa</b>: Tougher question than it sounds. We loved the Serengeti with Jan, but were not that crazy about the crater or Mahale. We saw <b>amazing </b> sights in Kenya, and enjoyed the 3 lodges we stayed at there, as we able to be a bit more private than in the Tanzanian lodges. Kenya did not have the feeling of freedom and wildness that I got in the Serengeti. My heart keeps going back to the Serengeti – probably because it was our first wildlife experience. Why do you ask?

<b>LyndaS</b>:Yes, Royal African was a good fit for us. There <i>is</i> a contact page on their website once you enter – upper right/center side of the pages. You have to actually click on one of the people to get their contact info. We dealt with Petrina in the states ([email protected]). We knew 2 different couples (one from Toronto that we met in China, and the other that we know locally) who had used them, and both were <b><u>vehemently insistent</u></b> that there was no other way to go.

My camera is the FZ30 – and I was really happy with it. I’m no photographer, so I need the auto settings, and I was thrilled with the zoom.

<b>CarrieS</b>: Yes, the BAT! That was quite an experience – and so typical of the really bizarre things that happen to us when we travel. I was <u>very</u> close to panicking – thankfully Bobby was able to grab it quickly. And I meant it – I really <b>do</b> like bats!

<b>joeyi</b>: Jan kept saying basically the same thing to us – (David would have wanted you to go on), and I’m sure it’s true – it changed everything though, you know? Thank you for your kind words joeyi.

<b><font color="green"><i><u>Kavey</u></i></font></b>: A confession: I somehow thought the safari world was smaller than it is. When we got back, I searched for some reference to David on the board, fully expecting that it would already be known and I wouldn’t have to deal with that part of it. Naive on my part I guess.

I hope others get to enjoy the Bon Vivant – sooo good!

Yeah, the cipro – pretty much every trip I take I have a little problem at some point. This time I suspect it was the emotions rather than the water that took its toll, but whatever the cause, the cipro handled it practically instantly. (Hmm…nice subject, eh?)

The leopard and her 3 cubs were so special. <b>All</b> of us – Bobby, Piggy, Peter &amp; I just stood there gaping in silent amazement at what we had just seen. And having mama-to-be cheetah as our last wild animal sighting before heading to Nairobi was truly a gift.

And you know, that <font color="green">green</font> heading is really easy to find!

<b>Sherry</b>: Glad you saw what I wrote – and I meant it: courage, grace, and probably a whole lot of determination besides. And thinking of you did help me decide to continue with our trip. (Yep, getting teary eyed! )

Re: the Bud. Such a stupid thing to have so many emotions about, but I can practically <b>hear</b> them both grumbling to each other on their flight home about having to lug that *@_)(#)$&amp; beer all the way from the states to Kenya in November for a birthday in February. They both had such horror stories about going though customs anyway, and now add the beer…that’s one of the stories I would have loved to have heard from them sitting around the fire some night.

<b>Nyamera</b>: Thank you for reading my report, and your kind words. I really did try to follow the pictures that I had posted!

<b>Wayne</b>: Yeah, I was glad that for once Peter and I were in complete agreement – no way were we going to be dragged across that river! Btw- thanks for posting comments on some of my pictures – it makes it fun to go back in and look!

<b><font color="purple">Patty</font> &lt </b>: After the mess I made when I replied on my photo-post, I knew I had to make good. (Leely’s comment about my speaking in code did make me laugh, though!) Do I win a gold star?

sandi

Cyn -

I've been busy so couldn't take the time to read your amazing report in one sitting. Had to print it out, then read it last evening, finishing it this morning.

It was difficult between my tears reading or your loss of two dear new friends. But once I got a handle on this very sad and unfortunate happening, continued the read.

You had an amazing first-time safari experience from the southern tip up to the east coast of Africa; a great team from Royal Africa with you all the way. Though I recall the initial posting of your itinerary and so much camping, that when I saw a lodge interspersed, knew you'd appreciate those real showers when you arrived at them.

Thanks so much for a winner of a report. So, when do you plan to return. There are still so many more places to visit and things to do?

Kavey

I am not Patty but I think you should get 5 gold stars!

cynstalker

<b>Sandi</b>:I am so glad you read this, and hope you know that my reference to you was meant as a compliment. And yes, it was an amazing first time safari. You noticed how many times I mentioned the showers at the lodges, eh? Next up? Well, we have some thoughts on that.... something completely different than this. I'll do a separate post, 'cause I'm going to need lots of help. It will be a different country - so far in our travels, we have only back-tracked once, and that was to Cairns, Australia for 1 night on our way to other places within the country.

<b><font color="green">Kavey</font></b>: ooo-weeeee! <font color="gold">FIVE GOLD STARS</font>! Thank you - it really does means something coming from you Kavey! You're advice is always so knowledgeable and kindly given.

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

cooncat3

Alright, Cyn - give it up!!!!! How are you doing the colors and the bolding?

cynstalker

<b>Sharon</b>: check out the following thread for instructions on <b>bold</b>, <u>underline</u>, <i>italics</i> and <font color="red">c<font color="orange">o<font color="yellow">l<font color="green">o<font color="red">r<font color="blue">s. http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34820932

I figured out how to get rid of the wild characters when copying a long doc from msword onto this board:type the long doc into msword, copy to notepad, then copy that doc to Fodor board. That way you get the benefit of spell-check (desperately needed by me!) without the junk. Just don't ask me why it works!

<font color="green">Cyn</font></font></font></font></font></font></font>

stakerk

<font color="green">Cyn:<font color="green">

<font color="red">Thanks<font color="red"> <font color="yellow">for<font color="yellow"> <font color="blue">the<font color="blue"> <font color="orange">marvelous<font color="orange"> <font color="green">trip<font color="green"> <font color="purple">report<font color="purple">, but now <font color="red">I<font color="red"> <b>am<b> <i>going<i> <u>to<u> <font color="orange">waste<font color="orange"> <font color="yellow">my<font color="yellow"> <font color="purple">life<font color="purple"> <font color="red">playing<font color="red"> <font color="blue">with<font color="blue"> <font color="red">the<font color="red"> <font color="green"><b>colors<font color="green"><b> (Phew! that took a lot of work!)

Kevin from California</b></font></b></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></u></u></i></i></b></b></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font>

cooncat3

<font color="blue">I'll give it <font color="red"> a shot. If this turns out like it looks on my screen, <font color="orange"> NO LAUGHING!

</font></font></font>

cooncat3

<font color="blue">C<font color="purple">y<font color="green">n,

<font color="red">You've <font color="yellow">unleashed <font color="purple">a beast!

Thanks for the link! </font></font></font></font></font></font>

Leely

Cyn,
I just wanted to say I had viewed your photos and read your report, but I got up this morning and did the two together. EXCELLENT!

or should I say <font color="blue">E</font><font color="red">X</font><font color="purple">C</font><b>E</b><font color="orange">LL</font><font color="green">E</font><font color="red">N</font><font color="blue">T</font><b>???</b>

lovetodiscover

Heartwrenching to hear about your planned guides. Also related to not wanting to see the baby gnu kill.

Thank you for sharing your report. Great work. I am very impressed with the clarity of your pictures, especially those in low light (Mahale). What was your trick? Was it the camera or lens or technique? One more on Mahale - what do you do when it rains? Know they offer the fishing, trips on Dhow, swimming (but that seems it with Hippos and crocs?). Any suggestions on things to take to enjoy the non-chimp treking time?

Now that you've seen such a wonderful cross-section of Africa, which country tugs at your heart to return?

Thanks,
lovetodiscover

cynstalker

<b>Kevin: Thanks for your kind words.

(Ahem, didn't your mom tell you <font color="blue">everything</font> <font color="green">in</font> <font color="red">m</font><font color="orange">o</font><font color="green">d</font><font color="blue">e</font><font color="indigo">r</font>a<font color="violet">t</font>i<font color="pink">o</font>n??? )

<b>Sharon</b>: <font color="red"><b><u>D</u></b></font><font color="orange">I</font><font color="green">T</font><font color="blue">T</font><font color="pink">O</font></b>! But really - my pleasure!

<b>Leely</b>: thanks! btw, I've been loving your report - I need to get over to your thread and ask some stuff!

<b>lovetodiscover</b>: I worried before we left how I would react if we were to be present for a kill. Given the length of time we were there, David had said it was likely we would see it...but I <u>still</u> wasn't prepared.

I have to give all the credit for my pics to the camera and lens, and the fact that when one takes 2600+ pictures, one is <b>bound</b> to get lucky on a few! I really liked the zoom - I was able to bring things in so much closer than I ever had with any other camera. The mahale shots - I took SOOOO many more photos of the chimps that simply didn't come out well - the dark faces of the chimps with the dark forest and the light coming from behind them makes it really tough - I was disappointed with most of my pics of the chimps. If I had thought about it in advance, I would have been asking Phil &amp; Julian &amp; Kavey &amp; Johan et al for advice on how to handle those shots. Just not smart enough to even know to ask.

Mahale: yes, you've hit one of the problems there - what to do with your down time. I took a look at your itinerary on the &quot;how long 'til you go&quot; post - you're going in January, correct? But I couldn't tell - are you there for 3 or 4 nights? We were lucky with the chimps - we only had to hike 1/2 hour to see them...but then that left a lot of &quot;free&quot; time. Even with the rain, you can still do some non-chimp-looking hiking, as it's so humid you're drenched within minutes of starting your hike anyway, so the rain doesn't matter. They do have a library of sorts that you can hang out in; there is kayaking if the lake is not too rough, rest, catch up on your journal, read. What to bring is tough, because of the luggage-weight restrictions. Books, deck of cards? Re: the fishing - they threw a line in the lake as we were driving back from the snorkel-site...but they also told us the lake had been very over-fished, and the chances of actually catching something were remote.

To which county would I return....that's tough to answer. We have been privileged to visit many countries, and each one always has something so special that makes me want to go back...but there are so many <b>more</b> that we have yet to see, that we have made a conscious effort to not return anywhere (broke our rule once...) until we've seen it all - good luck with <b>that</b>, eh? I know - I'm not answering....I guess it's a toss up between Tanzania &amp; Kenya.

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

lovetodiscover

Thanks Cyn. Mahale for us will be a 4 night stay, due to the logistics of how the schedule worked out with the charter flights and timing for the rest of the safari. It will be 4-7 Jan 2007. At that time the chimps may be deeper into the woods, but I'm not sure about this. The down time has been my concern, but I've been determined to do the chimp trek. Given the remote setting, I'm expecting it to be like a beach setting without shopping and one choice for meals.

Patty

<font color="yellow">You</font><font color="red">guys</font><font color="green">are</font><font color="orange">cracking</font><font color="purple">me</font><font color="blue">up</font><b>!</b>

cooncat3

I have to admit - this <font color="purple">Mahale <font color="black">report is <font color="pink">interesting... <font color="black">it is definietly on my wish list because of the <font color="green">chimps, <font color="black">obvioulsy, but it also looks like a very <font color="red">alluring <font color="black">place to hang out. Perhaps I am <font color="blue">wrong? </font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font>

Nyamera

Thanks Cyn.
<font color="pink">Testing<font color="pink">
<font color="purple">Testing<font color="purple">
<font color="khaki">Testing<font color="khaki">
</font></font></font></font></font></font>

sandi

I can't figure out &quot;smileys&quot; and now you're all into colors. Too much for my KISS-brain.

Nyamera

My third “testing” is khaki, but it looks more like <font color="beige">beige<font color="beige">.

Lovetodiscover,
If you’re worried about getting bored at Mahale you must have a very interesting life.
</font></font>

Nyamera

Sandi,
I can do this and I don’t even know what a KISS-brain is! Too much of my writing became beige though.

The smileys are here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/smileys/

And the colours are explained here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34820932

sandi

Nyamera -

Thanks for the links, which I already have on file... I just don't have the time to play around with these.

One of these days, when I have more than 5-minutes, I'll try to figure these out and play around with them.

KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid

This will soon become the Rainbow Forum!