Sanguine Tenacious Tidings

Africa

The afternoon we'll be enjoying some of the awesome amenities at our hotel before the BCoF people take us to our next adventure. We're staying at Arusha Serena Hotel and Resort Spa.

When we took the unforgettable Miracle Hot Air Balloon ride, the staff were so organized. They took every precaution against Covid 19, even taking temperatures and special hand washing. We were assured that the car was also disinfected before each use.

Sandra Lyn was snapping pictures, as we all were. It was startling to see the herds of animals moving below us alive. These are pictures I have seen on TV in movies and documentaries, now live below us. You know if you were standing on the ground the movement of such a large herd of zebras with their heavy weight would make the ground thunder under your feet. The guides know where to maneuver the balloon so we see the most different types of animals.

The hot air balloon moves quite a bit faster than I expected. Sailing like a ship through the air. I could feel the quietness of the air flowing around us as we sailed forward. The sky was clear blue. The atmosphere dry and hot.

There was a slight rise in the ground below and sparse bushes and trees. That is when we saw a pride of lions with cubs lazing around on the ground below. They did seem to notice us floating by above. Some rose from resting places looking up. A large male let out a fierce roar and trotted into some brush.

Back at the Arusha we gathered for a meal where we shared pictures we had taken and impressions of the hotel and Serengeti ride. I was able to take some pictures of a tree that was totally immersed in large birds which I have not yet identified. Even while we are sitting here there are several different types of parrots chattering in the trees. I haven't seen live parrots in garden trees since I lived in the Panama Canal Zone for a few weeks in 1963.

One of the interesting things about the trip was the ability to have fairly reliable WIFI even at the launch site of the Balloon ride. Perhaps more technology will have a good affect on people and there will someday be less violence in the world. The guides are very knowledgeable about the wildlife refuge and the poaching that the game wardens have to guard against always.

This is certainly a beautiful environment. I'm going to be researching plant life as well as bird names and animal species.