On The Rim

O    M    G  !!!!!

After all I had read about this place,  after all the videos and TV shows I had watched about it,  I thought that I would be pretty well prepared for my first view of the crater at Ngorongoro. Boy, was I wrong!  As we climbed the road towards the rim,  we were told that there was a viewing area,  but that it was often in the clouds so that there was no view. We came around a bend and there it was, clear as you could possibly ask for. Most people think they're ready to see the Grand Canyon for the first time,  but they're not. This is like that.  It's far bigger,  far more grand than you think it's going to be. It's absolutely incredible.

First view of the crater

But I'm getting ahead of myself.......

Relaxing at Gibbs Farm

We left Lake Manyara and headed west at a leisurely pace. After one more souvenir store stop, we headed to a little paradise called Gibbs Farm in Karatu for a quick tour of the coffee plantation, followed by another excellent lunch. There was time after to relax on the lawn with a beautiful valley below and the western mountains stretching off into the distance.

The wedding party

After lunch,  we stopped for another cultural encounter. After learning about the Maasai yesterday, it was time to learn about a different tribe, the Wairaqw,  who were actually ancient enemies of the Maasai , who were always trying to steal their cattle. We learned,  in a rather odd progression,  how they make beer, how the women learn to carry a calabash on the heads (including attempts by a couple of our ladies who did quite well), dressing the Wairaqw bride and members of the wedding party,  and a tour of the hut used by the family.  It was very interesting, and a great break in our traveling.

Let's head up the mountain

Finally we arrived at the entrance to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where we had a quick orientation, arranged our entry into the park, and headed up the hill. We came to the viewing area that I started to describe above, and it took my breath away. Huge! Impressive!  Fabulous!  I grabbed the binoculars and immediately spotted a herd of elephants in the crater far below, in addition to more herds of buffalo and wildebeest.


They eventually forced me to leave the viewing platform and get in the car so we could get to the Serena Ngorongoro Hotel,  where my room awaited with still another incredible view of the crater floor from the balcony.

As we await the call to supper, I'm sitting in the bar writing this while we are being entertained by a group of acrobats accompanied by African drum music. The bar is packed, everyone is having a great time, and the acrobats are really talented.

We descend into the crater in the morning.

I'm sure I will be awake early.

Full report tomorrow evening...