Tanzania, Africa - 3

Hi, After spending 1 1/2 days in Tarangire National Park we left for our next destination, Gibbs farm, where we would spend the night.  On the way we searched for game as we exited the park.

We came upon a number of interesting birds including this Red Bellied Parrot and

this Pygmy Falcon.

One of the animals I really wanted to see was a Cheetah.  As we were driving our guide, Mkenda, spotted two of them on a termite mound.  When he saw them they were at least a quarter mile away and appeared to us as two dots.  His ability to spot animals was just amazing.

They were completely unconcerned with our arrival and stayed on the mound for about 20 minutes while we photographed them (above and below).  We were able to change our angles as we moved steadily closer.

Finally, with a big yawn, they climbed down from the mound and ambled off.

Two more birds we saw (above and below).  I am unable to ID these.

A pair of monkeys were grooming each other by the side of the road.

Another bird about which I have no clue.

Baobab trees can live 3,000. Ruthe and I, next to me in the photo, and our two friends, Jim and Cathy Kleeman, pose in front of the tree to provide an indication of its size.  Our guide guessed this one to be about 2,000 years old.

Elephants came in all sizes.  The bull on the right was huge.

Water is a scarce resource and the Masai have learned to share it.  Here a number of herds of cattle and goats have been brought to a small lake to drink.

An open air market was in full swing in the village Mto Wa Mbu when we passed through the town so our guide drove us through it.  The Masai come here to buy and sell animals and to buy other items.  For example a few of the thousands of shoes for sale can be seen at lower right in the photo below.

The roads were lined with small stands featuring items for purchase by tourists.

There is still a great deal of manual labor.

School's out.

One area was devoted to bananas.  Tanzanians like them green.

This cart driver actually tried to catch us.

At Gibbs Farm a church choir serenaded with African music before dinner.

Thanks for looking.