Vivien
I used to imagine how it would feel if I could lie underneath the skyful of stars and have a night chat with my friends, could wake up in the morning and see elephants foraging around our campsite, could see the sunrise with me inside the tent and right in my sleeping bag. The truth is, I did, we all did, and not only these, we experienced further more. It is just like we lived somewhere in a fairy tale, a place far away from the human world, pure and limpid. Surrounded by absolutely gorgeous scenes and millions of wild animals, for the first time we felt calm, we could appreciate the happiness that even a tiny single element of this place could bring us. When I stood on the view point and saw the Great Rift Valley extending further away to the endless sea of clouds, when we drove across the national park and caught a range of giraffes running in their elegant pace, I felt my heart being touched, gently but strong, softly but deep. I will say nothing more about the beauty of Tanzania, because that is how it makes me, speechless.
What I should mention especially is our guide, Mhando and our cook, Paul. They accompanied us throughout this trip, which I called "The trip of memory". We got on amazingly well and we shared maybe too much jokes and laughters. We went clubbing, played pool together; they taught us to sing Swahili songs and we took them to Chinese restaurants in Arusha. We bought pens and pencils for the African children all the way along our journey. Mhando always pooled the car over when a child passed by so we could gave the pencil out and Paul took the interpreter job translating our words to those children. Everything is in a harmonic atmosphere, in which we built up strong friendship.
The trip was only for ten days, but the memory it left us is going to last forever. I can say for sure that it is a once in a life time experience we will ever have. Maybe years later, we will have a revisit. People grow but beauty will remain. We will feel differently when we do, but by that time, Tanzania will become a nostalgic place, because that is what this trip made it to be, a place to remember for life.
Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to thank:
Damian, Joyce, Deogratius, Mhando, Paul and those people who have been really helpful and made this trip possible. They were always there for us and gave us as much support as we needed, our trip wouldn't be this successful without them.
Vivien 22/04/2007
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, we are happy to share our experience with you.
Andy: zhht19@msn.com
Max: lskg@msn.com
Scarlet: scarlett0915@hotmail.com
Vivien: butterflyvivien@msn.com
From left to right:
Paul, Andy, Vivien, Joyce, Deogratius, Scarlett, Max.
From left to right:
Paul, Deogratius, Andy, Vivien, Mhando, Max, Joyce, Scarlett.
Front, from left to right: Max, Vivien
Middle, from left to right: Scarlett, two bushmen
Back, from left to right: bushman, Andy, three bushmen