Here is a quick look at our trip to Tanzania and Kenya as told by random pictures (and captions!). Kristi will come along to put together a comprehensive post. Consider this your teaser:
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That dorky stretch pose is really my giraffe impression...really! |
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Kristi beckons the driver to get into hugging distance of her keenly spotted giraffe |
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Alas, foiled by short arms and the giraffe's long legs. Maybe he didn't appreciate all that pointing! |
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Kristi vents her frustrations and a lifelong stint at vegetarianism comes to a shocking, yet fulfilling end.
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I begin my search for the elusive elephant |
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Tree damage sparks my hunter instincts |
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I discover more elephant signs plopped right in front of me. A quick taste at the freshness level tells me they're not far, and not getting enough carbs in their diet |
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I throw down the bulky binocs to put faith in the 20/20 vision I was so lucky to be born with |
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Kristi seemed to think trusting our guide was the way to go...
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... and what do you know, she's right (again!). Wish she would've convinced me before I got sick from that taste test. |
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Dumbo and Bumbo |
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I know they say elephants are smart, but I was surprised at how mannerly as well. |
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They even washed up afterward
<Elephant breaking into water tank for the campsite> |
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Artist depiction of park responsibilities of which this particular one we thought was a joke...(see above) |
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Our guide Malise didn't take crap from anyone...well except for the elephants. Seriously, they're huge, you do what they say
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Kristi attempts to draw out lions by communing in the form of a simba bathing impression |
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Hey that worked pretty well! |
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She may have let her new found skills go to her head |
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Score!
<Close up of tree from previous pic> |
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Pretty soon I had the animals eating out of my hand |
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Kristi contemplates the merits of getting outside the vehicle with only this 'fence' in between her and animals that are...well, much larger than her or said fence. |
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Feeling safer inside the vehicle, we force through a herd of African cattle. "Seriously, we didn't come all the way from Texas to see Cows. Move along, let's get to the good stuff!" |
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We were not shocked we lost one of the shocks on the trailer |
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With the condition of the roads, we were shocked we only got stuck once |
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You can't see it but I've got a smile on my face too, even with me doing all the work, because Kristi is busy taking such great pics of both of us... |
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Kristi duck-ducks her head out for a peek at a dik-dik ("deek-deek") |
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Kristi protecting herself from debris dropped by a tree dwelling monkey following her attempt at communication through a joke:
"How do monkeys get down the stairs?"
"They slide down the banana-ster."
Boos and debris soon followed... |
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My methods of communication revolve less around stand-up and more around mimicking. Like napping on the rocks with the Hryax |
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Or trying out a termite meal |
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Or marking my territory where the Hyrax do |
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Baboon obstacles. Just like dodging rocks...that move...and bite |
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Kristi and I racing through a banana plantation. Loser had to fight a lion! |
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I Win then Kristi takes him down with ease. The lion's fighting skills were a bit rusty in my opinion. |
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I started reading The Cosmos by Carl Sagan in the plane on the way to Tanzania. I discovered one of the pictures shows the oldest known footprint of our bipedal ancestors and it's located at one of our destinations, Oldupai Gorge / Laetoli |
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Similar picture in the Oldupai Gorge Museum |
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Touching History. OK OK, a plastered version of History. |
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Recreating History |
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Kristi's attempt at a hominid impression... needs some work. She's poised for a killer back flip though. Any other suggestions from the readers at what it looks like Kristi is doing? |
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Enlightened at Sunset |
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"Thank you ancestors for figuring out that whole fire and wheel thing!" |
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Our walking, more like dragging, sticks halfway up Oldonyo Lengai, the active volcano we climbed. |
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A 'few' local brews to end a wonderful trip. All pics taken after opening have been omitted. |