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Editors Pick

Welcome to the Jungle - Guns n Roses

In and around Africa

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East Africa - Kenya and Tanzania

Yes there is definitely no better song title to choose from.  From the second I landed in Nairobi at 4am 8 days ago to a few hours before now when I got back from my Serengeti safari, this has been one amazing welcome to Africa.  I know, Egypt is in Africa, but to I always felt I was in the Middle East.  Now there is no doubt.  Welcome to the Jungle.  I'll try posting the Journal entries tomorrow but for now I just wanted to get things started, let you know I survived my encounter with an angry lion (see the pics) and send out love and thanks for following along and all the comments.

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Take care,

Bill

Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Bill Benson

  1. 1

    Under African Skies - Paul Simon

    Arusha, Tanzania | Jan 26 '07 | Reviews: 1

    1-27-07 Lake Manyara, Tanzania

    Remember when I said Egypt was probably the biggest motivator for this traveling extravaganza?  Well, I l... Continue reading »

     see 13 photos »    see 1 place visited »  
  2. 2

    Shadow of the Sun - Audioslave

    Serengeti National Park, Tanzania | Jan 27 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Day 2 of the Safari was very different than the rest.  We mostly drove all day on seeing the crater from above and animals here and there as w... Continue reading »

     see 9 photos »  
  3. 3

    Lovecats - The Cure

    Serengeti National Park, Tanzania | Jan 28 '07 | Reviews: 0

    So the morning after the Lion surround sound (props to Mom) we head out on our first early morning game drive.  The tension from the arguments... Continue reading »

     see 18 photos »  
  4. 4

    Love Reign o'er Me - The Who

    Ngorongoro Crater National Park, Tanzania | Jan 29 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Safari Day 4 - After an absolutely amazing day of cat sightings we head to what many consider the perfect African Safari, Ngorogoro Crater.&nb... Continue reading »

     see 13 photos »  
  5. 5

    Shaking the Tree - Peter Gabriel

    Tarangire National Park, Tanzania | Jan 30 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Jambo (Swahili hello)!   Aah, the last night in a tent has passed and I can't say I'm sorry about it.  I need a bed, a hot shower and a r... Continue reading »

     see 8 photos »  
  6. 6

    Moondance - Van Morrison

    Zanzibar, Tanzania | Jan 31 '07 | Reviews: 1

    2-1-07 Zanzibar Kendwa Beach

    Zanzibar.  The word alone conjures images of the exotic and magical in my mind.  History tells of its... Continue reading »

     see 21 photos »    see 1 place visited »  
  7. 7

    Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Warren Zevon

    Kenya | Feb 06 '07 | Reviews: 1

    Nairobi 2-7-07

    Roland the what?, I can hear being whispered throughout the land. Well the song matches the mood for many reasons. First it’s... Continue reading »

     see 46 photos »    see 1 place visited »  
BOBBO avatar BOBBO on Jan. 30, 2007 @ 11:44PM said
Bill, that's sick. I hope the Disney tour guide didn't let you out of the ride. Nice goat Gandolf. Nick, where do you come up with this stuff?
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beed avatar beed on Jan. 30, 2007 @ 11:44PM said
Bill...it's Meehan. Just thougt I would check in here and let you know that the travel journal is awesome. I've read every entry and eagerly await the next installment. I am truly jealous of your safari adventures. Love the photos too! Careful of the African poon.
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Nick Lakiotes avatar Nick Lakiotes on Jan. 30, 2007 @ 11:44PM said
I don't know whats more tripped out - the fact you got a picture that close to a lion, or that you have hair on your fotch. I didn't know it was possible. I don't remeber seeing any razors in hermosa. Must be the humidity. Keep Turning the World around!!!!!
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Flakey12 avatar Flakey12 on Jan. 30, 2007 @ 11:44PM said
I just screamed, "Holy Sh%t" through out the entire office !!! The look on that Lion's face is one of the most menacing sites I have ever seen. The picture next to the Wildebeest (?) may end up being the best picture of the entire trip - unless you plan on diving w/ Great Whites down under .......
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Nick Lakiotes avatar Nick Lakiotes on Jan. 30, 2007 @ 11:44PM said
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2TZhruT-Xs" target="&quot;_blank&quot;">Turn the world around</a> Bounced in my head-Rockstead
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Nick Lakiotes avatar Nick Lakiotes on Jan. 30, 2007 @ 11:44PM said
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Kewtiee avatar Kewtiee on Jan. 30, 2007 @ 11:44PM said
how much did you zoom in when you took that picture? or were you that close to it?
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Bill Benson avatar Bill Benson on Jan. 30, 2007 @ 11:44PM said
I was in a truck about six feet above the lion but still flinched when he lunged at me. you'll just have to wait a day or two till I can upload the whole story. today is day just 1 of the safari. the beard is sad, I know but you try shaving IN the african bush.
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Bill Benson avatar Bill Benson on Jan. 30, 2007 @ 11:44PM said
Oh, you saw it already? On Flickr. I just emailed it to you a second ago. Weird. Glad your nephew likes the pics. Nice to know I've become an educational resourse.
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Liam286 avatar Liam286 on Jan. 30, 2007 @ 11:44PM said
Bill my nephew is ding a science project as i type this and he has been printing out your photos.....awsome shot of the manhole cover.
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Liam286 avatar Liam286 on Jan. 30, 2007 @ 11:44PM said
Hey Marlon Perkins, are those pic of lions in the wild! Its like something out of Mutual of Ohmaha's Wild Kingdom! unbeliveable
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Bill Benson avatar Bill Benson on Jan. 30, 2007 @ 11:44PM said
Meehan!! Wow, a blast from the California past. Good to hear from you and thanks for the good words. Don't worry, I'm being very careful. About the same as normal I'm afraid.
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