It is 7am and we are about to take off on our second day of Safari, into the Ngrongoro crater, known as the 8th wonder of the world. We had a perfect view of it from our room and it is difficult to describe its beauty. I will upload pictures tonight or tomorrow. Sufice it to say the most beautiful view ever!
On our safari yesterday we were climbing a mountain road and came right up beside an old elephant - about 50 years old our guide guessed. We could have reached through the window and pet him if we wanted he was that close. We got some fantastic photos. What a rush that was!
Other animals seen yesterday were a ton of baboons, giraffe (very close as well), zebra, hippos and warthogs (Pumba!) It is all so surreal. And oddly enough feels just like the Disney World safari ride :) they knew what they were doing!
Off to get breakfast. Maddy is trouping along and having a blast with the other two teens, and an amazing group all together!
Jambo!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
What an amazing day
Today we visited an existing girls school & residence, that is just like the one we are helping to build. It has been there for 3 years and 100 girls live there, with another 100 attending the day school, and another 200 boys.
There are all in secondary school and love to study. Maddy and I sat down with three of the girls to talk about their life and 2 of them told me they want to be doctors. Their hope and optimism about the future was unbelievable, amazing.
In addition to the pupils, the entire village came out to meet us as well as the Grand Commissioner to Tanzania from Canada. They performed some dances and songs and they were beyond moving. The little ones who danced were simply adorable.
It was quite a shock to be watched the way we were and oohed and ahhhed at. The little boys and girls were fascinated by Maddy and one little boy reached out to touch her shoe as we walked by. Many of the boys giggled and smiled at her :)
The trip to and from the school was also an adventure, on mostly dirt roads (bumpy!) with markets on our left and right frequently. All retail outlets seem to be right on the roadsides loaded with people doing their sunday shopping.
Back at the hotel Maddy and I enjoyed a swim with other Plan companions: Doug, Suzanne, Brayden, Hillary, Natalie, Heather, Grant and Lynne. A fantastic group of people, we are lucky to be travelling with them.
Off to bed shortly (its 9pm here) as we head to the airport in the early morning (530am) to catch our flight to Kilimanjaro where we then drive to Arusha for our first safari!!! We are very excited and hope to catch a good glimpse of Kili when landing our flight.
Good night!
There are all in secondary school and love to study. Maddy and I sat down with three of the girls to talk about their life and 2 of them told me they want to be doctors. Their hope and optimism about the future was unbelievable, amazing.
In addition to the pupils, the entire village came out to meet us as well as the Grand Commissioner to Tanzania from Canada. They performed some dances and songs and they were beyond moving. The little ones who danced were simply adorable.
It was quite a shock to be watched the way we were and oohed and ahhhed at. The little boys and girls were fascinated by Maddy and one little boy reached out to touch her shoe as we walked by. Many of the boys giggled and smiled at her :)
The trip to and from the school was also an adventure, on mostly dirt roads (bumpy!) with markets on our left and right frequently. All retail outlets seem to be right on the roadsides loaded with people doing their sunday shopping.
Back at the hotel Maddy and I enjoyed a swim with other Plan companions: Doug, Suzanne, Brayden, Hillary, Natalie, Heather, Grant and Lynne. A fantastic group of people, we are lucky to be travelling with them.
Off to bed shortly (its 9pm here) as we head to the airport in the early morning (530am) to catch our flight to Kilimanjaro where we then drive to Arusha for our first safari!!! We are very excited and hope to catch a good glimpse of Kili when landing our flight.
Good night!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
we're here!
We did it! We are in Dar Es Salaam, at the Movenpick hotel - beautiful! Maddy has just had coconut milk straight out of a coconut for breakfast lucky girl :)
Second portion of our flight was LONG but ok. Got to the hotel late last night and crashed immediately to bed. We are about to head off into the "field" to see an existing girls school residence that is just like the one we are helping to build. Can't wait to see it and meet the girls that go there.
Have to go!
(Grandma - we are very safe and well don't worry!)
Second portion of our flight was LONG but ok. Got to the hotel late last night and crashed immediately to bed. We are about to head off into the "field" to see an existing girls school residence that is just like the one we are helping to build. Can't wait to see it and meet the girls that go there.
Have to go!
(Grandma - we are very safe and well don't worry!)
Friday, September 24, 2010
In Amsterdam
At Schipol airport had a great flight over from Toronto. Very cool airport, it feels just like one big IKEA. Going to try to find some comfy chairs to have a snooze before our next 11 hour flight to Dar Es Salaam.
We sat next to a safari guide on our plane, he is going to Kenya with his group. "A group of ladies who like to drink and have a good time" he said... remind you of anyone? lol.
Maddy is being a trouper I am so proud of her :)
Love to everyone at home. Will update in Dar.
We sat next to a safari guide on our plane, he is going to Kenya with his group. "A group of ladies who like to drink and have a good time" he said... remind you of anyone? lol.
Maddy is being a trouper I am so proud of her :)
Love to everyone at home. Will update in Dar.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Here We Go! Leaving in 24 hours....
I truly can't believe we are just 24 hours away from heading on our adventure... it has been SO long in coming for us. What seemed like a wild dream 9 months ago is finally here.
I was remembering this morning a conversation I had last December with my great buddy Kathleen. I asked her if we were crazy for taking this kind of fundraising on, with such a high target, and such a far-reaching adventure like this trip. She simply said "you KNOW you can do this, you can do anything girl". And I guess she was right :)
We will try to post one more note tomorrow but then the next will likely be once we land in Dar Es Salaam on Saturday night (their time). They are 7 hours ahead of us.
Here we go....
I was remembering this morning a conversation I had last December with my great buddy Kathleen. I asked her if we were crazy for taking this kind of fundraising on, with such a high target, and such a far-reaching adventure like this trip. She simply said "you KNOW you can do this, you can do anything girl". And I guess she was right :)
We will try to post one more note tomorrow but then the next will likely be once we land in Dar Es Salaam on Saturday night (their time). They are 7 hours ahead of us.
Here we go....
Friday, September 17, 2010
One week to go!
Hard to believe it is just one week until we take off... so much going through my mind. Discussing the time change with my husband - should be an interesting challenge for both Maddy and I to get used to a 7 hour time change!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Meeting with Plan Canada
Got all the final details at a meeting wtih Plan Canada today. The trip is becoming that much more REAL! Met the amazing people we will be experiencing this adventure with and they are wonderful. Maddy is thrilled that there are two teens coming along!
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