Expedition done

After several days of cleaning and storing equipment we left fieldbase for a final night at a beachfront location in Dar.  Was a great place to relax after the wrap-up work.  I have a couple more days visiting Zanzibar before returning to Colorado.  

Went snorkeling at Mnema Atoll off NE Zanzibar yesterday and had a great time with lots of fish and a few dolphins. A few  more sunrises on Zanzibar then I'm on my return trip to Colorado. 

225 km done!

Just finished the second trek/hike!  This time we walked for 15 days straight and covered 225km.  We finished at a great campsite with a waterfall and great swimming spot. 

My zebra striped foot tan from wearing my sandals at the end of walking each day. 

African thorns

In addition to all the bugs most of the trees and brush have massive thorns. 

These thorns were the most common in the area we were hiking. 

These were like Rose thorns on a large tree.  Note the layers below the thorn that were like growth rings on a tree. 

One of the largest thorns I saw.  

African bugs

Here is a sampling of some of the impressive bugs I saw while backpacking.

This praying mantis was tiny and just an inch or so in length.  I thought it was unique because of the dark color. 

This was a well armored grasshopper about 3 inches in length

This grasshopper was perfectly camouflaged with the local leaves. 

These army ants were building a bridge out of their bodies to allow the rest of the ants to cross safely near the water. 

This was a stick bug perfectly camouflaged as a blade of grass. 

Trek (again)

Off to start a second trek (backpack) trip today with a new group of eight venturers.  We will be following the same route with some minor changes to avoid crowd from other groups near Idodi. . 

This picture shows the 3 stone fire method that Raleigh uses for cooking.  It supports a pot, allows good ventilation from 3 gaps, and allows you to feed the end of longer branches in a bit at a time.  

Bamboo Hula Hoop

We were bored the last afternoon and decided to craft a hula hoop from a bamboo pole. Everyone except one of the guides gave it a try with varying success. 

Ben ( private Benjamin )

Sam

Will

Lateefat

Hula master

Megan

Rosepeace

Jess

Sarah

Anna

Adam

Trek phase 2

We started our 20 day adventure trekking 190km ( 119 miles) across central Tanzania mountains near Iringa.  We have 8 venturers (6 women , 2 men), 2 male guides, and 2 male Volunteer Managers (VMs)

Ben and Sam in proper Raleigh gear 

Half the group near the start of the trek. 

Huge granite-like boulders.  Need to look up more about the geology of the area when I get internet access again. 

A Twig snake that we saw on the ground and then climb up into the branches where it was perfectly camouflaged and very quick moving.  They are poisonous so this was with maximum zoom on my camera.   It is quite small about 1/2 inch in diameter and perfectly camouflaged except when it moved. 

Sam taking a quick nap next to the stream at campsite noshed Water Heaven. Earlier in the day I sat in the small rapid with water running over my shoulders and across my full brimmed hat.  Very nice location and cold water feels great on tired feet.  

 At Idodi campsite, Will bought everyone a Sprite for dinner.  Tired of room temp soda we decided to at least chill them down to river temperature.