The great migration -- part 2

The great migration -- part 2

Arriving on the Tanzanian border we were accosted by another herd. A bunch of colorfully clad tribal women with very short hair trying to sell us bead bracelets. A lot of confusion ensued. Conversion from dollars to shillings - which shilling? a dollar is 75 Kenyan shillings and 1130 Tanzanian shillings. Some women were choosing colors, some were bargaining on the price, some just buying out of pity and others getting scolded by husbands for not running along and completing immigration. Shauni the youngest was terrified since he was not used to all this. It was very touching when he started to cry and all the tribal women started waving and smiling at him to calm him down. As a precautionary measure he learnt the Swahili word for "no" (hapana) and used it every time he saw people selling anything.


The landscape started changing from dusty and arid to lush green as we started gaining elevation. We were nearing Arusha. The main export of the Arusha region is cut flowers and sun flower oil. We saw a lot of nurseries and sun flower fields. After lunch at Arusha (more good Indian food) we were divided to occupy 3 land rovers (Big jeeps, with removable roofs tops) for our journey up to Lake Manyara lodge - boasting the best pool in Tanzania. We were looking forward to that after a long journey.

Our Jeep contained the Thirumale and four of the oldest kids. The kids immediately started a race with the other jeeps which involved a lot of booing and making funny faces as we passed one another. They also got very creative with making tiresome songs like putting the words "Macaroni and Cheese" to Beethoven's Fur Elise.

We got to know our driver Del who would be with us for the rest of our stay in Tanzania. He knew a lot about the country, culture, the local people, flora and fauna.

We were able check off Olive baboons in our wildlife checklist on the way.


The Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge is located on a hill overlooking Lake Manyara. The rooms are built as cottages resembling Maasai Bomas (homes of the local tribe). The beds had mosquito netting. The famous pool was spectacular perched on the edge of the cliff almost like if you swim to the edge you can fall right into Lake Manyara far below. But it was also freezing and fizzled out my enthusiasm for a dip. We were entertained by some African Rumba dancers and acrobats.

We were told to be ready to leave by 6:30am so that we could start our safari at the Ngorongoro crater early. I read the log near the front desk and people seemed to have spotted a lot of animals. So I tucked myself under my mosquito netting waiting for daybreak so that I could finally get to go on my first safari adventure!

Stay tuned for the unbelievable sights of the Ngorongoro crater often referred to as the Eden of Africa, The eighth wonder of the natural world and the Cradle of Life!