Not Quite Yet

I don't think anyone really looks at this thing anymore...but for those of you who do -
Dubai. we are going to Dubai. When? February. Could this all change in an instant? Yes. In fact it can change daily.

We wish everyone well and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Been a While

There hasn't been much to report since we've been back from Africa so far....
Now - It looks like we're off to Abu Dhabi in January. The contract has been inked, and the only step left to go is our "pre-trip." How exciting...

Ocean Paradise

A view of the bar, pool, and ocean

We did not have a zoom lens. Bruce could have poked this elephant in the eye.

We have been in Zanzibar for a few days now...enjoying the sand, the sun, the ocean, and most importantly, the cocktails!

We finished our 5 day safari late last week, and now in beach mode. The safari was fun, saw most of the same animals as we did in Masi Mara, but not nearly as many. The Serengeti was hot and dry, and most animals had already headed north to Kenya. We were hoping to see a kill....but only got as close as three lionesses stalking a buffalo....and no show to be had. We almost witnessed another kill later on at our campsite as a "cougar" was stalking some young Americans around the campfire. It seems these American animals were those of "flight" not "fight." It was another show not to be missed!!
Andrea got quite ill, victim of food poisoning along the way. The booze here on the island seems to be the remedy!

The resort in Zanzibar is absolutely beautiful! We have been just lounging around with a few excursions along the east coast of the island. We are snorkeling tomorrow around a coral reef off the coast, we are pretty excited!

We are back home on Saturday. Hope everyone is well!

Lots of love to you all.
The Laughlins

New Heights

A view of Kili (below) from the plane and Mt. Meru (2nd highest) in the distance

This is what they use for evacuation purposes

Andrea climbing the great Barranco Wall on day 4

A view from the top

A view of the top (we went up the right side)

We are back from a successful trip up Mt. Kilimanjaro. At the time of booking we thought it was called the "whisky route" because you had to sleep in tents. Only when we were on the route did we discover that it was named also for the physical challenge of it all. Holy crap! The summit night, on day 5, we ascended 1350M in 7km. we started at midnight and were lucky enough to watch the sun rise at the summit at 6:30am. It was a beautiful thing to see at 5895m after thrashing our way uphill for 6 hours or so. We both agree that was the most mentally and physically challenging thing we have done to date.

We are now back at our hotel and enjoying a couple of beers poolside. Tomorrow we are heading off for a 5 day safari and then off to Zanzibar for the BEACH! Yahoo!
We hop you are all well and thanks for your messages on B's phone.

Keith - there are no suburbs in East Africa (from what we have seen). Just lots of dirt and primitive buildings. Tough to explain...we will show you later.

Congrats to Lindsay and Jeff who are getting married this weekend. WAY TO GO!!


Lots of love
B & A

Oxygen? Anyone?

A view of the highest point. You need ropes to do that one.

Some of the weirdest scenery ever.

We are back from a successful trip up Mt. Kenya. We started by walking through beautiful forests, into areas of little vegetation. It took us four days to get to the top with a 3am start on the last day to summit. It was quite the scramble (with only headlamps) but we were able to stand on top of Point Lenana sp? (4985m) and watch the sun rise. What a beautiful way to see the country...all while experiencing the joys of mild altitude sickness.
The food was great, yes it rained lots, and the mud was slick (or so Andrea found). Of course our guide talked on his cell phone at any elevation whenever he had a signal. they love their phones here.
A definite highlight was this morning when we crammed 13 people into a late 70s land rover and proceeded to slide/drive down 20km of the muddiest/scariest roads we have seen. It is always amazing how drivers are so comfortable at a 45 degree angle, sliding sideways. We only hit one tree and pin balled many times between the high, soft banks of the road.

We say good-bye to Kenya as we are off to Tanzania tomorrow and will write more after attempting Kilimanjaro. We pray that the oxygen gods treat us well.

Thinking of you all.
B & A

JAMBO!

This buffalo charged the jeep because he thought we were stealing his mud hole.

Lake Nakuru with ~2million flamingos

Kids from a local Maasai village

Lions eating a zebra

Our first animal spotted in the park.

We are having a wonderful time here in Africa. Sorry, there will not be any pictures on these blogs. Tooo long to work out.

We have just returned from a Safari in the Masi Mara and Nakuru region. It was absolutely spectacular! It was baby season in the parks, so anything that we saw had little ones to make the experience that much cuter. We have seen all of the big five (buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino) and feel very fortunate to have done so. Bruce spotted the leopard with his keen vision. Everyone was very impressed.

We also visited a local school, Maasai village, and wandered the plains with a Maasai warrior, who then started talking on his cell phone. All were incredible experiences not to be forgotten.
The food is great, the showers are cold, the ride is EXTREMELY bumpy. We are talking worst roads ever (including Pakistan) and we were travelling "sans shocks."

Our next adventure is to hike up Mt. Kenya. We are told it will be wet, cold and exhausting (it will also be wonderful).
Hope you are all well and we will send more next week.

Lots of love,
the laughlins

We're off

Hopefully we will be able to update this as we travel in Africa. Cross your fingers!