February 2

After trying for about 30 minutes ($30) on another computer, I finally gave up and asked to use an office computer. So, here I am updating our days.

Today was another day spent searching for Cheetah, but to no avail! It seems everyone else at Ndutu has seen them but us - and more than once! One lady sees them DAILY, and has seen 2 kills. I must say, though, the sightings we've had of lion have been out of this world. Lion - every day, at least one new pride.

It's absolutely amazing here. I can see why Les says it's his favourite place, I think it is mine as well. I could do without all these nasty black flies, though! The only drawback is not having any plug-ins in our room. So we can't recharge camera batteries, and I can't use my hairdryer. But, I'm getting used to it, and actually quite like my hair sans style :)

We've gone out for 2 drives today - the AM one left at 6:15 and was back for lunch. The afternoon drive left at 4:00 and was back at dinner. It was a very busy day for birds, giraffes, lions, wildebeest - and 2 exciting sightings: a bat-eared fox, and an african wildcat!!!! Very rare.

Trent didn't come on either drive, he's feeling some G.I. problems (3 cheers for Cipro/antibiotics) and he's not a fan of all the black flies. Unfortunately for him, they weren't that bad on either drive!

Evening........

Trent is feeling better and will probably go on the AM drive tomorrow. I hope the flies aren't too bad, they're really getting annoying. They seem to like the taste of DEET.

But.... try to imagine the feeling of driving around in the Serengetti, looking around and realizing you're the only soul out there. Not another vehicle, not any sounds of civilization. Just the sounds and smells of thousands of animals. At one point there were migrating wildebeest, gazelle, and zebra as far as the eye could see, from one side of the horizon to the other. It was absolutely awe-inspiring!!!

I'm quickly running out of camera juice, because I have to leave my whole camera at the bar to be recharged... I don't want to leave it alone, so I have to take it with me at bedtime. It only gets about 2 hours of charge per day.

It was a tiring day today, but a good one. When we got back from the afternoon drive, we all had a drink and some amazing tasting salty popcorn before dinner. Dinner was fantastic - spaghetti!!! We'll see what tomorrow brings. I can't believe our trip is almost over.... I don't want to leave!