Thursday, April 11, 2013

Last days of vacation - Ngorongoro Crater, Ngorongoro half marathon & Lake Manyara

gate to one of the 7 wonders of the world 

stunning views - TONS of animals and birds when you take a look through binoculars

this crater is just massive - such a privilege to see this in my lifetime!


anything but a smooth ride - my trusty 4x4 did famously

a quick visit to a Massai Boma before the afternoon rains started 


Decided to run another half marathon Ngorongoro to Karatu (250+ runners, only 2 of us wazungu = white)! Fellow runners were all super encouraging and looked out for me (quite a few TZ olympic team runners). note: I did stay in the rear yet somehow I was not last!  

My last 2 nights spent at Lake Manyara - zebras, maribou storks, with flamingoes in the distance

One of 3 river crossings on the way to & from the tented lodge - the water was up above my knees so one of the safari guides in this land rover helped drive my car over so i could get the hang of it - 4 wheel drive + 2nd gear + SLOWLY


A pair of Grey Crowned Cranes to send me on my way

Monday, April 1, 2013

March vacation trip to Indian Ocean

Low tide on a stormy morning with Sand Island in the distance


'front yard' at the beach house where I stayed

the starfish really started clinging when this picture was being taken - I was definitely ready to let it go!
just a few more seconds...
Crimson Bee-eaters
this is what I saw each morning on my sunrise walk to the Mangroves
another sunrise at low tide