Napuku Waterfall Hike

We had a great hike to a waterfall that is just outside of Arusha.  We went toward town and took a left and drove up Mt. Meru a couple of miles (which feels much longer on very bumpy roads).  We got to a small village and had hired some local guides to take us to the waterfall.  It was a great hike and the kids all did really well.  It was very steep in places and we even encountered rain and thunder.  We started at our guide Naomi’s house where we parked the car – her family was very proud and wanted to show us their cattle and puppies.  The kids were more than happy to oblige.  We then walked through a gorgeous forest and then up the river until we got to the waterfall.  Picnic lunch by the river was very nice.  We all had a great time!

Puppies, goats, and I hope Anderson’s tummy survived all the random fruit he was given and tried.

Village girls making ‘spectacles’ out of flowers. 

Very green hike down to the river

 

Yeah!  We made it.  You could hike a little bit up and get behind the waterfall (about 1/3 of the way up).

 

There were so many local, wild raspberries.  They were gorgeous.  We all sampled several.

Chelsea making friends on the way back

 

Nice view back in to Arusha just over the top of a maasai boma grass roof.

 

Hiking can make you very sleepy.

 

(Thanks to Chelsea and Whitney for being patient and helpful with the kids and our ‘family’ pace)

Portrait of Mama Jackie by Tim Banks

We love this portrait that David's dad, Tim, painted for us of Mama Jackie! Now we will have something concrete to bring back with us to remember her amazing smile and good nature.

Thank you so much, Popi!

Grampa Jeff's B-Day

Dad - Happy Birthday! We hope your day was good and that you are getting ready for a retreat from the cold and snow to Puerto Rico. Enjoy! love, T,A,A,L&M

Breakfast sushi…in Arusha?

We celebrated Boxing Day by going out for a fancy brunch with friends and family.  We had breakfast sushi (some combination of eggs, bacon, avocado, cucumber and cream cheese).  Yum!  If this hasn’t caught on in the states yet, it should.

Time at the coast

 

Pangani Beach (at Peponi Resort)

The weekend before Christmas we went back to one of our favorite places…Peponi Resort at Pangani Beach.  We love the laid back atmosphere, the pool, the beach and the dhow rides to Sand Island.  As Matt mentioned in an earlier post, we really have a chance to unwind and enjoy just being with each other.  We were very lucky that some friends of ours with their two children were also there.  Great time had by all. Highlights included snorkeling and enjoying Sand Island all to ourselves.  I have a feeling that this won’t be our last time heading there.

Gorgeous 6 hour drive down with nice views of Meru and snowcapped Kili.  Also a quick stop at a roadside vegetable stand.

 

Snorkel trip to Sand Island.  It’s one thing to see the sea life through the snorkel raft, but it’s another to have Daddy bring them up for you.

    

We also saw some great boats.  It’s amazing how many people they fit on them sometimes.

 

We also had a great time playing in the waves and walking out to explore at low tide.  (The little village girls are still fascinated with the kids, but especially Anderson)

Hanging out with friends on the full moon and our summer solstice.

Drive home so we could celebrate Christmas.

Krismasi Njema!

Merry Christmas everyone!  Presents are opened and the Christmas Eve hangover is subsiding.  We had a great celebration with Chelsea and the Banks family last night, and the kids showed amazing restraint because it took them a full hour and a half to open presents this morning. 

We miss you all and thank you for your generosity in making our first African Christmas so memorable. 

Christmas Eve

(Notice the gorgeous Ethiopian outfits on Ash, Cole, and Tierney)  

Christmas morning

   

Merry Christmas!