OnlyMeOirish

Oh Cyn, What a moving trip report. I am so so sorry for your loss and realise how hard it must have been to relive it all when writing. You certainly took me through all those emotions, tears and much laughter - I had visions of that river and bat and also that poor Gnu and Gnu mum. What a tribute to David and Christof.

I am about to have another look at your photos on my veerrry sloooowww dial up. From what I remember they are amazing! Can I ask one question? - I have the FZ30 and am an absolute beginner and will need that Auto function - which setting did you use mostly?

<font color="Red">Thanks <font color="Orange">so <font color="yellow">much <font color="green">for <font color="blue">posting

<font color="purple">I<font color="blue">m<font color="pink">e<font color="red">l<font color="orange">d<font color="yellow">a</font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font>

kimburu

Nyamera... I think writing certain sentences in beige is a great idea... then people only have to read those parts if they really want to...

And what HAPPENED around here - I was only away 4 days and it's all colorful?!? :0

Just a passing fad?

cynstalker

<b>Teri</b> (countingdown):Thank you for your kind words and for reading my post - sorry I missed you first time through!

<b>lovetodiscover</b>: It <u>is</u> a beach setting, and yep - no shopping (aside from the resort gift shop that for some reason I never made it into). And yes, you eat what is served. The food is vey good - oh, and that's something else you can do if you're so inclined - the chef(s) will let you come in and play sous-chef - just ask! And they certainly seemed to appreciate the interest shown in their kitchen when we were there.

<b>Sharon</b>: yes, it <u>looks</u> alluring. And I'm sure a lot of people loved it. But for us, it was a very good thing that the chimps were there.

<b>Nyamera</b>: We <b>were</b> bored...and our life is pretty boring at home. It rained the third day we were there, and that means there's really not much at all to do. Even when it's not raining,....

<b>Patty, Sandi, kimburu</b>: Silly, ain't we? But that's me - put me on a crowded elevator and watch what I do!

<b>Imelda</b>: Thankyou - it did bring it all back when writing, and re-writing...

I posted over on your thread to answer your camera questions - figured there's a better chance you'll see what I wrote! Happy travels my friend!

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

bat

Cyn:
I won't get a chance to do a close read for a day or two but did want to express my condolences for the loss of your friends.

LyndaS

You know, Cyn, I LOVE all these wonderful things that you have introduced, but you know how the thread title would turn grey when you have read it? Well, I have just discovered that your <font color="green">title<font color="green"> doesn't change colour after I read it! Now how will I know if I've read it I wonder???</font></font>

cynstalker

&lt;b.Bat:Thanks, I appreciate it. I was wondering where you were - hope everything is ok with you!

<b>Lynda</b>:Yes, I've noticed the same thing. But it the colored titles sure do make the board look <font color="purple"><b>cheery</b></font>, don't you think?

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

JAGIRL

Need even more colour?
Check out the thread titled <font color="indigo">&quot;Please don't mess around w/getting your passport&quot; <font color="black"> on the US forum.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34830506

Starting at my (<font color="brown">JAGIRL<font color="black" question to Bayou gal on the 07/08/2006, 12:24 pm.

<font color="indigo">This <font color="plum"> opens <font color="lime">a new <font color="aqua">world!

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

bat

cyn:
How thoughtful for you to ask if everything was OK. Yes, I was traveling for a month--nothing to post here--and so I have to play catch up.

Again, so sorry for the loss of your friends. I loved your report. As others have said--the wrong side of the river was great. You wrote so descriptively that I could easily imagine myself in that position--and here is the thing--I am not sure that I would have been able to say no to the idea of the rope and being &quot;towed&quot; across the river even though I would not have wanted to--so good for you.

The wildie mom plaintively calling out for the lost calf was painful to read particularly because I know what she sounded like [our experience was slightly different--we did not see the calf killed; we ran across a forlorn mom--I was able to imagine they were temporarily separated and somehow -in never, never land--they were reunited.]

Really appreciate your impression on Mahale. It was on the top of my list for a next visit and your comments will make me rethink it. However I must admit that I am a superb slug in domestic settings and so I am a supreme slug in exotic settings.

I thought the fact that you met both “dads” was particularly poignant.
But you also had so many wonderful, life affirming moments to balance it all out.
Thanks again for a wonderful read.

atravelynn

With the tragic loss of your friends at the outset of your safari, your report enters a different dimension.

Your itinerary is quite amazing and so are the results it produced. I was especially interested in your Mahale chimp sightings, since it is on my list.

Tiny leopard cubs, three of them no less, are an amazing find. I hope the pregnant cheetah is now the proud mother of several. Rhino in the Mara are becoming harder to find, so you were lucky there. Plus all the other rhino at Solio.

I'll be looking at the photos when I have time to browse.

Thanks for the detailed report.

cynstalker

<b>Bat</b>: Thanks again for your kind words.

If DH hadn't been there, I may well have ended up being dragged through that river - he is much stronger-willed than I - and I was <b>so</b> relieved when he immediately said &quot;no way&quot;! I later asked Jan if he would have <u>really</u> done that, and he said absolutely. Yikes!

I <b><font color="blue">know</font></b> that your forlorn mom wildie found her baby! We had a similar situation, only it was the baby that lost its mom. The little one fixed on us, and was chasing along after our vehicle - and we were in the midst of 6 lions (who were spread out over some distance)at the time. We drove towards a herd of gnu, and eventually the little one left us and ran over to it, but Jan didn't have much hope for the baby. He figured the mom had been killed, and no other wildie will take on the nurturing of an orphan... I, on the other hand, am quite certain that Mom was in that herd, and they are both living happily ever after (and yes, my rose colored glasses are firmly in place! )

Mahale was <b>great</b> for the chimps, and if all your life you have dreamed of seeing them, then by all means...If you get closer to booking, email me. cdspjf at globalnetisp dot net.

Seeing David &amp; Christof's dads was hard - when we saw Peter, it had only been about 2 weeks since the accident. We were the first safari out after it happened, and of all things, he wanted to reassure us that all would go smoothly....so kind. I think (hope) it was good for him to be out with us, just to reconnect with nature and have some quiet time. Paul was keeping the Ngong house up and running. I think about them both a lot.

<b>Atravelynn</b>:Welcome back! And thanks for taking the time to read my report.

Yes, those 3 tiny tiny leopard cubs were a highlight - so precious! And I am <u>still</u> amazed and delighted when I think about all the rhino we were so lucky to see.

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