Balloon Ride

Yesterday,we awoke at 4:45 to head out for our Serengeti hot air balloon ride. Tena finally got to realize her long time dream of floating over the Serengeti. It exceeded all our expectations. soaring above a heard of elephants, including babies, schools of hippos, and untold numbers of zebra, wildebeests, gazelles of various types, and one of Africa's big uglies, the warthogs. They are so ugly they are cute.  We also saw hyenas roaming the plain in search of prey. After we landed we were greeted by staff with champagne for toasts all around and then we jeeped to a white linen breakfast under a huge acacia tree. We then went on a game drive.  Wow, what an experience!  We saw several leopards and came across two cheetahs lounging under a tree with their fresh kill of warthog.  Sitting in a nearby tree were a flock of vultures waiting their turn for leftovers. To top off the drive we then came across some lions enjoying a siesta in the heat of the day. 
This morning we were up and out on another game drive where our luck in viewing the wildlife continued.  Once again we were up close and personal with the lions, cape buffalo and especially the giraffes, the national symbol of Tanzania.  I think the giraffes are fast becoming everyone's favorite. Hopefully, our photos turn out clear and you can view them when I return and download them to the blog. Particularly exciting today was the stop at the hippo pool.  It was a full sensory experience-sight, sound and odor.  The little baby being held afloat by riding on its momma's back was the precious moment. We later stopped by another pool where more hippos and Nile crocs lived.  The pool was sue wounded by many Maribu storks, another of Africa's big five uglies. I'm sure the crocs make an occasional meal of them.  On  our last leg of today's trip we encounter a young lioness lying in the open and calling to her cubs.  Our wonderful driver guide,Nico, did his best to locate the cubs, but momma lion kept grunting to tell them to stay hidden.  We're now at the Kiri Wiri Ten Camp for the night.  We are high up overlooking the Serengeti and our "tent" accommodations are incredible.  It's embarrassing to be in a tent that has a bathroom five times nicer than our own home.  Obviously,the term tent is a loose interpretation (lol).  We have to be escorted to and from our tent by guards due to the danger presented by predators.  We were also advised to leave no food around one the baboons will trash the joint.  Welleveryone else is off to dinner and they just came for my order.  I get the hint so time to go.  More later if Internet is available.