You're Sure We Have Everything?!

Used to be you just worried about how many t-shirts and how much underwear to pack.  Not so today.  Technology has taken over our luggage. Seems like every trip we take, we have a new set of gizmos complete with adapters, cables, and what-not.  I am a great one for making packing lists.  However, with each adventure, the lists keep changing.  And all the technological gadgets-things we just have to have - keep growing. Started packing last week.  But in reality, we have been gathering stuff for the past 6 months or so.

For this trip we have left behind the biking extras and have brought along our adventure equipment.  Two pairs of binoculars - the new ones are a bit better for distance; two cameras - (learning from what happened in the Galapagos) - one is all rugged, underwater, and the other is a new compact superzoom model (no need to get too close to the lions);  the netbook, of course; we each have our own little Kindles now, so no more schlepping books around the world - I even bought a waterproof cover so I can lounge at the pool or beach without worry;  two phones - one international, one domestic; our trusty travel alarm/flashlight; and I am sure there must be something I am leaving out.  All this not to mention the paraphernalia that goes with it all. Traveling Tip: We have discovered that using an old toiletry kit to pack up all the cables, adapters, batteries, etc. is a great way for keeping all this junk separate and organized in the different compartments and straps.  And I am all about organized!!  Since we will be at the beach, the snorkels and masks get thrown in along with Geoff 's trusty 9-piece pack rod - he has high hopes of snagging some exotic fish in the Indian Ocean.

Many folks have asked us "What clothes do you pack for a trip to Africa?" Well, we don't have pith helmets and safari jackets.  Of course, there are the same old t-shirts. If you look closely at the photos, we are pretty much wearing the same stuff we did 20 years ago - the only thing different is the scenery and of course, the hair. However, we now have some clothing that is more travel friendly.  Pants that zip down into shorts, non-iron wash and wear stuff and something for cool evenings.  For all those ladies that want to know about shoes - a pair of Merrill sneakers, Merrill strap sandals, Keen water/hike rugged sandals, and the all important, flip-flops.

We manage to get everything into one rolling duffel and a small rolling suitcase and two backpacks.  All this being said, I am still convinced that we have far too much - we always do. So now that we are all packed, we wait....

One more thing .. GO PATS!!!!

Next time... Superbowl Champs??

The Itinerary

Thanks for all your replies, well wishes, and joining the mailing list. For those who want an account of where we will be when, below is our current itinerary.  Don't think much will change, but one never knows.  Please keep in mind that the time difference is 8 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.  The rest of you can calculate your own time zones. It looks like a lot but there is really quite a bit of free time to do or not do what we wish.

• 2/08:   Leave Boston - transfer in Amsterdam
• 2/09:   Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport 8:40pm - transfer to Usa River                  
•  Lodging: Mount Meru Game Lodge,
• 2/10:   Free day in Usa River.  Local village or forest walk.
• 2/11:   Morning market tour in Tenger
•  Mulala Women's Collective tour and lunch
• 2/12:   Game drive through Lake Manyara National Park
•  Lodging: Country Lodge, Karatu
• 2/13:   Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
• 2/14:   Karatu village tour, including coffee farm, local brewery, lunch
• 2/15:   Game drive through Ngorongoro Conservation area to Serengeti
•  Lodging: Kenzan Luxury Camp
• 2/16:   Game drive through the Serengeti National Park
• 2/17:   Game drive through Serengeti & Ngorongoro Conservancy
•  Lodging: Country Lodge, Karatu
• 2/18:   Transfer to Arusha Airport for 2pm Zanzibar flight
•  Lodging: Dhow Palace Hotel, Stone Town, Zanzibar
• 2/19:   Explore Stone Town - spice tour
• 2/20:   Transfer to Nungwi Beach 
•  Lodging:  Zanzibari Boutique Beach Resort
•  5 Days at resort to snorkel, fish, explore, relax
• 2/25:   Fly from Stone Town to Sadaani w/ Game drive to camping site
•  Lodging:  2 nights fly-camping  - canoe trip
• 2/27:   Game drive back to Sadaani coast
•  Lodging: Tent With a View beach bungalow
• 2/28:   3 days to explore, game drive, or just relax
• 3/01:   Game drive to Sadaani Airport transfer to Dar es Saalam
•  Fly home via Amsterdam
• 3/02:   Arrive Boston 1:10pm

Next time... You're Sure We Have Everything?!

Countdown to Africa!

To say that I am excited about this trip would be a definite understatement.  I have dreamed of going on a safari for as long as I can remember.  Never imagined that it would ever happen until the day I met Erika.  I met Erika and her husband, who happens to be an avid fly-fisherman, at a yoga class several years ago.  As fate would have it, Erika is co-owner of Serengeti Pride Safaris and Kilimanjaro Climbs. Her business partner, Lema, lives in Tanzania.  So it seemed destined that a safari would be in our future -- I mean what are the odds, really???

Last spring, Geoff and I finally committed to making plans.  If not now, when? Between Erika and myself, we put together what I hope will be a memorable 10-day adventure through 2 villages, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti.   I have also booked some cultural tours through the villages. One is with the Mulala Women's Collective near Usa River and another in Karatu through the coffee farms and village. While on safari, we have our own private jeep and guide.  No more back of the bus!

In doing my research, I came upon Tent With a View.  One of their facilities is on the East Coast of Tanzania, Saadani, bordering on Saadani National Park.  They have packages that include a trip to Zanzibar. Working with Rama, we are booked for a couple of nights in Stone Town, and then out to the beach resort in Nungwi for 5 nights.  From there we fly to Saadani for 2 nights of fly-camping with canoe trip, and then our last 3 nights at the Tent With a View lodge in our own beach hut.  There are options for more game drives - not sure if we will take them or just chill.

I have added an interactive map on the left panel.  Hopefully, I will be able to update it as we travel.  For now I have set it for our first destination - landing at Kilimanjaro airport and traveling to the lodge at  Usa River.

As always, we love getting your comments either on the blog or via email.  If you would like to be added to blog notification (whenever there is a new post) please click on the link in the left panel.  I am pretty sure most of the lodges have wifi - definitely not at the camp in the Serengeti.

All that being said, before we leave on Wednesday, there is a little thing called the Super Bowl.  Very excited our boys made it to the big show.  They don't seem to be the favorite this time around and that may be a good thing.  No matter what the outcome, we are still glad they made it this far.  GO PATS!!

Next time.... The Itinerary