I am switching to private.

I am always torn between keeping my blog private, and welcoming the world. I would like to assume that all the lookers are innocent friends of friends, but you never know. I hate to make it private though because I have kept in contact with so many that I probably would have lost. It's a toss up. But for now and possibly forever, we're switching by next Sunday. So join the party and email me and I will send you an invite. If you have already done this, there is no need, I have you from last time. Again, anybody is welcome.

Chels
chelseahoopes@mac.com

Off to get...

my wisdom teeth pulled:( Wish me luck.

Ngoro Ngoro Crater

(Hippos, not rocks that the birds are pooping on.)

Supposedly the 8th wonder of the world. It is the remnants of a volcano that blew and fell in on its self so many millions of years ago. It really is a beautiful sight. Fog clouds loom on the rim edge throughout the day while thousands of resident animals enjoy the crater floor.

Lets start with the negative. When I went here 13 years ago I thought it was one of the most beautiful places that I had ever seen. Luscious and green--like a small oasis that we had all for ourselves. Well this time it wasn't so green. So dusty actually that I really didn't take my camera out much. So most of the outdoor pics are from my brother's camera--I won't take credit for those. Second, apparently everyone else in the world found out about this place. Jeeps everywhere. It kind of felt like Disneyland. Everywhere else we were in the wild without any other humans in sight. And last it is about an hour drive in and out of the crater and I don't think that they have mended the road in the last 13 years. Bumpy, dusty, hot. It cost $200/car/day to go in and over 100 cars go in a day, so you would think the government would put that money into maintaining the place, but they haven't.

Now lets get to the good. The coolest part of the place was that not only did we see a Rhino--which is hard to come by in eastern Africa these days--but we got charged by one. And amazingly enough we were the only car around. No competition for views. It was a young 4-5 years old girl that just got kicked out of her mothers watchful eye because a new baby was born a few days earlier. So she had had a rough few days. Not to mention that she was attacked by lions earlier that morning. So emotionally wrecked, and trying gain her individual dominance she came after us. It's amazing how those huge creatures can move very fast when they want to. We were in the Jeep so there was no scare and we quickly drove away, but it was still a rush. Apparently rhinos can do a lot of damage to a jeep--actually a Land Cruiser. Sorry Ben.

And last great thing--our lodge--was beautiful. Great views into the crater and such different architecture. Every night when we would come back from the day our baths would be drawn and rose petals scattered about. It was very romantico. In our dining room there was a huge fig growing right up the center--hence the name, Tree Camp. So pretty, so different, and so great to have electricity and running water.

So here's some pics...

Klein's Camp

It takes far to long to upload pictures to blogger so click here to see the rest of the pictures.

Klein's Camp--Maybe my favorite destination. Why?

• We saw multiples of all the "Big 5"
• Staff was unbelievable. They made us feel like Kings and Queens, yet were so open and friendly and taught us so much about their culture. We were always greeted with song and dance.
• We went to a Masai village and experienced a people so unlike myself. They live in dung huts about 10x20, half of which they use as housing for their small cattle. There is a fire going all day with a tiny opening at the top--very smoky. One bed for the man--which has several other houses and wives that go along--and one bed for the wife and children. They eat--maybe I should say drink? Their diet consists of--only cow milk and cow blood, but when a cow gets very old they will eat the meat for a special occasion. The woman is in charge of the children, cooking, cleaning, basically everything, so the men can drink and think all day. Crazy, crazy yet they seemed very happy and content. Were were around at least 40 children, mostly babies and there was no crying. Every one got such a kick out of seeing their reflections in the cars and mostly the display on my camera. I would go through all the pictures and the would giggling spout off the name of the person in the picture. How would it be to live your life with out a mirror? Such a bright, colorful people.
  
• On a night drive we saw two large male lions and stopped about 10 feet away. Then one began to roar--not at us, just the stars it seemed--and the sound was indescribable. Absolutely amazing. The amount of noise that came out of him was far greater then any speaker I have ever heard. Such an awe inspiring moment.
• We also found an ostrich nest. When we got close the ostrich that was sitting on the nest jumped up and ran away with such an awkward sort of dance. Come to find out it was not maimed in any way, the ostrich does this to make you think that it is hurt and easy prey to distract you from his eggs. Such a noble and silly dad.
• Last, a group of Masai came to our nightly camp fire to perform some of their ritual song and dance for us. They even got us all involved. It was such a fun, intimate, cultural experience. Seeing the contrast from how are lives and appearances are from earlier in the day to all of us singing and dancing together. Very impactful and memorable.

Now check out the pictures....Web Gallery.

Tanzania--Serengeti Under Canvas

Here are a few pics from our first stop in Africa. It takes forever to download pictures so if you want to see more go to my web gallery.


First we flew into Kilimanjaro and then took a bush plane to Serengeti National Park. When I say bush plan, that's exactly what it is. Buzzing the landing strip so that we can land on the grass. A little crazy, but that's Africa. Then we were met by our guides and started the Safari to our camp.

Highlights--

• The dung Beetle-- I was deeply touched by the unity of the beetle couple. The female beetle clings to the dung while the male rolls the dung for up to a mile till the find an appropriate hole for the female to lay her eggs in the dung and then bury it. The Dung Beetle is responsible for burying half of the dung in Africa. Quite the task. So chivilristic.
• Beautiful Tents--King size bed, sinks, bucket shower and a flushing toilet--yes I did say tent. Best tent I ever stayed in.
• Saw every animal imaginable. It was the migration and there were thousands and thousands of Zebra and Wilda Beasts migrating. It was beautiful.
  
• Interesting fact--Female Hyenas are actually hermaphrodites. Yep, they have a false penis until they give birth for the first time and the penis bursts. Not joking. That would have to be a painful delivery.
• Our guide told us a stroy of an elephant that lived int he Serengeti. A female matriarch got stuck on a poacher trap. She got out, but her trunk was ripped of at the stem. Local rangers assumed that she would soon die, but she was spotted a year later still alive. How you ask?--an elephant can't eat or drink with out a trunk. They saw that her daughter would suck water through her trunk and then put it into her mother's mouth. The same would be done with food. Who knew that elephants were so intelligent and cared so much for their kind? Since this Elephant was the matriarch--(the matriarch is the leader of the herd, she is relied upon for her wisdom and guidance), she was very vital to her herd. Love the elephants.

1st Stop--Athens, Greece

I could go into detail of every minute of everyday, but I will stick to the highlights and a few pictures from each location. Although I will start by saying a "thank you" to my parents for facilitating one of the most enjoyable and memorable occasions of our lives. There really is something wild and magic about Africa.

Back to Greece...

• Our hotel was in a great location--right in the heart of the city and we could walk to everything. It also had a great spa with a gorgeous pool and themed sauna and steam rooms. I had never seen anything like it before and it was great after a long flight.
  
• Mr. B Clinton was staying at our hotel. No sighting though and I was a little disappointed that the heightened security was not for me.
• Loved relearning all the history around this amazing place and architecture.
• Grafitti covered this city. It was everywhere.
• Great shopping, = to NY or SF right out the front of the hotel.
• Last but not least, the people watching was unparalleled to anywhere I have been. Their unique sense of fashion was so interesting. I wish I would have snapped a few pics. Their hair down to their toes were all in what appeared to be costume.

Now a few pictures..

Ben on Mars hill walking in the foot steps of Paul.

It was everywhere--a little sad

The Acropolis

The Parthenon on the Acropolis
The Amphitheater
In front of the president's house with the gaurd
At the original Olympic stadium
These churches were scattered around the city. This one was surrounded with modern shopping buildings. Quite the standout.

Still Alive..

been in Africa for a few weeks. Pics to come.