Safari-check

A few summers ago, I made a bucket list. I felt like I should have some idea of the fun things that I was going to do in life. So I sat down and made a list of everything I wanted to do. But I think it is really silly to have plans to do things that will never happen. This probably sounds depressing, but let me explain. When you look through people's bucket lists it is filled with far away places and exotic destinations. I don't like the idea that we plan the excitement in our life's to be so difficult to achieve. I believe in having fun and finding excitement in small ways everyday. So I made my bucket list accordingly. It contains quite a few silly things that I have always wanted to do, but that can be done anyday. This has allowed me to cross off quite a few things from my list! The only thing on my list that I felt like was least likely to happen was to go on an African Safari. Well last weekend I crossed that one off! Honestly when I wrote that one down I said to myself "If you only trvavel to one foreign land, it must be Africa". I have always loved Africa! Well now that I live in Africa, I knew I had to go on a safari! 

It was incredible! We had a great driver who has been a guide through Uganda for years and he really knew his stuff! We began with a boat cruise down the Albert Nile. We cruised down and tried to spot the animals. I was on the roof of the boat and it was sure hot, but that meant that all the animals were sun bathing! We saw a boat load of hippos, just hangin' out in the shallow water. They are massive animals that always stay in large groups. Usually about 15 females and one male will be together. 

They seem pretty lazy, but the guide said that hippos kill more people than sharks. So I guess they get pretty grouchy sometimes. 

We also were pretty lucky and got to see a crocodile during the cruise. The guide spotted one under a tree having a nap and he wanted us to have a good view. So he backed the boat right up to the edge of the river banks and we got pretty close. We all took pictures and stared at the guy for about 7 minutes, then he turned around, opened his huge mouth, and roared! He was not pleased with us disturbing his slumber. It was amazingly loud and intimidating. Haha even though I have seen alligators many times, I was pretty terrified by this angry dude. 

This croc was about 10 feet long and weighted a ton. He is a medium sized male. They can get up to like 20 feet long from nose to tail! 

We saw another croc who was waiting to lure small fish into his chompers. Just like back home in the swamp, he was silent and stone still waiting for some silly fish to wander in. You would think that his jaw would get tired of staying in that position, but I guess crocs have better bones than I do! ;)

We saw some African buffalo, which I really enjoyed. They are kind of ugly, but for some reason I really liked them. They usually travel in herds and they have birds on their backs (this guy doesn't, but the others around him did so just trust me when I say that this happens). The birds sit on their backs and eat off the lice and ticks. 

Buffalo have poor eyes sight and thus use their hearing and smell to detect danger. Although they have excellent hearing sometimes they are still vulnerable to patient predators. The birds, however, have superb eye sight. So if danger comes, the birds are the first to notice and they fly away. This alerts the buffalo that something is near and he/she will run away. It is a beneficial relationship for both animals that keeps them healthy and safe! 

       

Everything was breath taking and my face hurt from smiling so wide! 

He last thing we saw on the cruise was a massive waterfall. It was only 10 meter wide, which made it fast and furious. We got pretty close with the boat, then the guide pulled off to the side of the river and asked for those that wanted to hike to the top. Out of everyone on the boat, about 35 people, the four in my group were the only ones to get off. Those that stayed sure missed out! We followed a paved trail straight up the mountain. I would be lying if I told you it was easy, but the best things in life take work! 

       

                                    

                                    

                                    

       

       

       

                                    

The next morning we headed out for the game drive. We were driving along and our guide points to the right...literally 5 feet away is an elephant! Just hanging out on the side of the road. The best part was that I totally missed it! I wouldn't have even seen the dude! Hahaha 

       

All I wanted to do was to see a giraffe! They are my absolute favorites. We saw some and our guide told us that since we were such a small group we could get out and take pictures with them (but really because he had the hots for my friend)!!!!! 

        

I was so happy!!!!

        

       

Can you believe this?!? I was so close to my favorite animal ever!!! 

We saw a ton of different types of antelope, but I can't remember which one is which. Sorry y'all! 

But they were all so interesting and majestic! 

        

         

        

I know it looks like all these guys were solo, but trust me there were hundreds of them! They were beautiful and I tried to get a picture of one running but it didn't work. It was the most amazing thing! 

We also saw tons of birds, but they were really hard to photograph...mostly for me! The whole time I was thinking that Sterling should have come to photograph my life in Africa! ;) 

        

We saw one lion, but it was really far away so I didn't get a picture. We saw tons of warthogs, but they are ugly...so no pictures! ;) Mostly I was so happy about the giraffes! We saw so many! We saw probably 60! Now I am going to put way too may pictures of giraffes, so if you want to stop reading you may! ;) 

I promise that I do work here! Next post will be about our projects! In fact it is going to be about a Catholic farm that we are working with! Stay tuned!