Day 24 (Mon, 31 Jul) - Tarangire and Mesarani

Got up at a leisurely hour ie 8.30am and had breakfast.

The idea was that we would have a long walk but Reuben felt it was far too hot. So we all piled into the car and drove the short distance to a local village.

The village ran alongside the road and was made up of a number of small bars, shops and unfinished homes.

As we walked along the village we attracted some interest personified by two small boys that attached themselves to us. One was about 2 and the other 4. They quite happily walked behind us for some distance in the blistering heat, before Jo became concerned that they were drifting too far from home. Luckily Reuben persuaded a passer by to walk the boys back to the village.

On the way back from our walk the boys spotted us again. We rewarded them for their company by buying them some sweets. Quite funny how we to load up their pockets as their hands were too small to carry them!

Sarb bought a small picture from Abraham, the chap who ran the shop opposite the camp site. As a surprise for Jo he got it well wrapped!

Had lunch, packed and drove the short distance to Mesarani. Quite surprised how short this journey was considering we had a long journey ahead of us t'row.

The campsite is well equipped; has a good bar, a snake farm and a masai museum!

The snake farm was very interesting; an enthusiastic guide took Reuben and Sarb round the exhibits, whilst Jo went to look at the tortoises. Jo is not keen on snakes!

They also had a small croc farm that had crocs from 4 months old to about 25 years! They also had some rare 'bottle nosed' crocs.

Jo held a small tortoise that was only a month old! It just covered the palm of her hand.

We then went to the masai museum; very informative and interesting. It had many exhibits covering a wide spectrum of masai life.

Had a few beers in the bar where Rueben beat Sarb at darts (twice).

Had our normal feast of a dinner and settled in for the night.