Early morning, usual routine, shower, get dressed, breakfast, anti malaria pill, checked out the Maramboi Tented Camp Lodge and off we were on a route to Lake Manyara National park.

Philip, our guide, asked if we wouldn’t mind stopping to drop some photos at a friend of his who happened to be the principle of a local elementary school at a nearby village.  

Obviously we agreed, jumping at the opportunity to experience some "Raw" culture and asked to visit the school.

Samuel, the school principle explained that there were almost 1000 pupils in his school. We were amazed to see classes of 120 pupils sitting silently and studying Math or English. The school's infrastructure was very basic, still not bad compared to the standard of living in the nearby villages.  Most of the kids walk for miles to and back from school every day.

A few giveaways we handed out were much appreciated by the children. We were welcomed in the class by the children standing and singing a short song. One of the classes was studying English. "Madame, Madame!"  The kids called me and I stepped into the class on the blackboard there was a dictation list of opposites and I read it out loud… the whole class clapped their hands and laughed happily.

Samuel asked us to help in raising awareness to the dull situation of the schools infrastructure and lack of essential books and other school material needed by the children.

 Philip suggested that we stop at another friend of his who has adopted 14 orphans aged 5 – 12 , taking care of them together with his young wife. This again was most inspiring and heartbreaking as most of the kids were not well. A few gifts we handed out put a huge smile on their faces.

Lake Manyara National Park

Throughout our trip the code word for using the bathroom  was "to check the tire" , which is not always a good idea , as you never know what could creep up from behind. So a good suggestion is to use the public facilities around the park.

So when in Africa and you're in need for  '"checking the tire" try the public bathroom at the Lake Manyara park entrance – 5 star (and I am not being sarcastic).   

The park had a jungle feel. Most of the drive is through thick green scenery meeting the animals at a very short range.  We stopped under a large tree and looking up we saw hundreds of Baboons. Many had tiny babies hanging on their backs or stomach. Again , herds of elephants , giraffes and more.

Every now and then jeep goes out of the thick woods and the magnificent sight of the descending mountains on our right and the lake to our left becomes visible.

As the day progressed we met more and more birds. Colorful , small , large.  Trees filled with flocks of pelicans and thousands of pink flamingos in the lake.

A large group of hippos like 'little islands" floating around the lake. So huge, so fat, so ugly, so beautiful.

 We got  to our new amazing Lodge - the Ngorongoro farm...  

                                  

Good night Africa