When we went to Bushtops Serengeti a couple of years back, we knew that if we ever got the chance to go to Tanzania again, we’d definitely stay there again and for a much longer amount of time. And, we did. For this trip, we stayed at Bushtops Serengeti for seven nights (Oct. 31-Nov. 8), … Continue reading Hotel Crashing: Mara Bushtops, Kenya
*Twiga is Swahili for giraffe. The lovely and long-lashed Sir Harry was not the only giraffe we saw during our 18-day trip to Tanzania and Kenya. Not by a long shot. We saw. So. Many. Giraffes. Usually on safari, we see a couple of giraffes a day, if we’re lucky. They’re not as ubiquitous as … Continue reading Twiga Everywhere: How We Met All of the Giraffes in Kenya and Tanzania
A new year (and, let’s face it, the winter weather) always puts me in the trip planning mood. It’s the only thing that keeps me sane during these dark, cold months. Well, that plus Bravo and wine. In general, XFE and I take at least three big trips a year – one around my birthday … Continue reading Pack it up: Travel plans for 2019
I have a new boyfriend. His name is Harry and he is a giraffe. It’s ok. My current, longtime, long-suffering boyfriend, XFE knows about him. He’s even met him. And I gotta say….he seems a bit in love with Harry as well. I realize that this is all a bit nonlinear and out of context … Continue reading Wild About Harry, Mara Bushtops’ Giraffe
We leave in a few days for Africa. So, you know what that means. Packing panic. It’s a thing. And for me, it’s a repeat thing. It’s not like this is my first African safari. Or even my second. No, this is the third time we are going on safari. You could say, we really, … Continue reading Poe’s Packing Panic: Safari Edition
Let me start by saying: there’s nothing basic about planning a safari trip to Africa. I mean, come on! It’s beyond exciting! It’s the trip of a lifetime! We’re talking bucket list stuff! You gallop headlong into it with visions of the “Lion King” and “Out of Africa” dancing off in the distance. You start … Continue reading The Basics on Planning an African Safari, aka: Should You Use a Travel Agent?
“This is not at all like the shows on NatGeo,” my restless mind was thinking. “This is actually sort of….boring.” We’re sitting in a beige, pop-top Toyota Land Cruiser in the midday African heat with four other people. All six pairs of eyes are trained on the nervously shuffling, brownish-gray mass of wildebeest on the … Continue reading The Wildest Ride: A Wildebeest River Crossing in the Serengeti
I’ve got an impressive assortment of bug bites on my legs (and, probably zika), a bruise from ramming right into a concrete stool at the swim-up bar, and a right ear that’s still ringing after a scuba dive. I have survived another beach resort vacation. (Actually, we got back from Costa Rica a week ago … Continue reading Hotel Crashing: Westin Playa Conchal, Costa Rica