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