Page 168 - slovenia

We couldn’t afford the “luxury” level trip (one night at & Be-
yond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, overlooking the crater, could
set you back $1,700 per person or more) but we told Alan to
do his best to organize and pamper us. And he did. We were
picked up at Arusha and 13 days later dropped off at the Dar
es Salaam airport. Everything in between was covered. Includ-
ing, of course, glamping and the indelible sights and sounds
of Naona Moru.

Like coming back one afternoon in the rain and seeing the
crew rush out with umbrellas to escort us in. Like the patter
of rain on the tent or the thunder of zebras passing nearby
during breakfast. Like sitting by the outdoor evening fire (they
call it “bush TV”). Like a lesson in night sounds from crewman
Sam Rajab, who identified for us hyenas and wildebeests and
the deep coughing noise we heard at 5:30 one morning. “That
was a lion’s roar,” he told us. “Your wake-up call.”

Like dessert the second night that was delivered by the entire
crew who formed a conga line and danced though the dining
room tables singing “Malaika” and ending up with “Happy
Birthday!”

It was John’s 70th.

We could get used to this.

Love,
John and Jody

168 WDT MAGAZINE SPRING 2017