Arusha July 7

Tanzania

Tuesday, July 7

Arusha

We flew this morning to Mt. Kilimanjaro Airport passing by Kilimanjaro. Unfortunately we could only see the base of the mountain as most of it was hidden in the clouds and haze. We are staying at Mountain Village Lodge in Arusha. Right now I'm typing while looking out the window across the grass at some incredible vegetation ... flame trees with beautiful red/orange blossoms, papaya trees, lilies and just beyond the trees I can see Lake Duluti.

We hiked a short distance around the lake this afternoon with a guide from the lodge who helped to spot several varieties of spectacular birds. We saw the Silvery Cheeked Hornbill which is a large bird with a very big beak. We also saw some smaller birds like the Turako, Paradise Flycatcher, Common Fiscal and Brown Hooded Kingfisher. Many of these birds are brilliantly colored in yellow, red or blue.

On our way to the lodge from the airport we passed many fields of coffee beans, sunflowers, beans and corn as those are the crops that appear to thrive here. This is considered to be a Tropical Highland Forest habitat. Today is a holiday ... Saba Saba (7th day of the 7th month).

We have now been in Africa for almost a week and I'm impressed by the friendliness of the people. Everyone says "Jambo" or "Habari" when we pass and children wave and smile at us. How often do strangers say "hello" to each other when they pass on the street in California? We've all been able to learn many new words in Swahili too. The drivers, guides and waiters are very eager to teach us.

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We flew this morning to Mt. Kilimanjaro Airport passing by Kilimanjaro. Unfortunately we could only see the base of the mountain as most of it was hidden in the clouds and haze. We are staying at Mountain Village Lodge in Arusha. Right now I'm typing while looking out the window across the grass at some incredible vegetation ... flame trees with beautiful red/orange blossoms, papaya trees, lilies and just beyond the trees I can see Lake Duluti.	We hiked a short distance around the lake this afternoon with a guide from the lodge who helped to spot several varieties of spectacular birds. We saw the Silvery Cheeked Hornbill which is a large bird with a very big beak. We also saw some smaller birds like the Turako, Paradise Flycatcher, Common Fiscal and Brown Hooded Kingfisher. Many of these birds are brilliantly colored in yellow, red or blue.

On our way to the lodge from the airport we passed many fields of coffee beans, sunflowers, beans and corn as those are the crops that appear to thrive here. This is considered to be a Tropical Highland Forest habitat. Today is a holiday ... Saba Saba (7th day of the 7th month).	We have now been in Africa for almost a week and I'm impressed by the friendliness of the people. Everyone says "Jambo" or "Habari" when we pass and children wave and smile at us. How often do strangers say "hello" to each other when they pass on the street in California? We've all been able to learn many new words in Swahili too. The drivers, guides and waiters are very eager to teach us.