5th July... Morning with the Hippos

This morning we leave Migration Camp. No more sounds of hippos bellowing at sunset. No more monkeys nicking our toast from the breakie tray.
But as we leave Migration Camp, our first stop is early at the Hippo Pond. The hippos are out and snoozing, flapping water over their bodies to keep cool in the AM heat (and it IS winter too.) Note the crocodile above snoozing in the sun... either he is thinking about how to attack one of the big bugger Hippos.. or knows better to stay away.
After the hippos, we had a long drive to Ngorogoro crater.... But first we drive to the exit of the Serengeti National Park... were we find several lions hanging out right at the exit, and rather close to the loos. More driving, we then finally decend down into the new and different clime of the crater. There is multitude of life, they say that only one Cheetah lives there...but we spotted two different cheetah in two days. The crater went from cool forest to dry savannah. The lion, wildebeast, zebra, rhino, elephant, cheetah all roamed in their own lil areas. The hyena and jackal roamed and kept a careful eye out for lion kills of wildebeast. We stopped at a cool swamp/lake picnic site where, despite the birds and biting flies. lunch could be enjoyed in the cool breeze. (and the antics of the "overland truck" tourists was something for a good giggle.) Hint #22 NEVER take a safari on an Overland Truck unless you are under the age of 20 and enjoy roughing it.... ie running to a open "longdrop" loo at 3 am and having to share in the kitchen duties.....
By the afternoon, the heat and flies had taken their toll, and we were ready to check into Plantation Lodge. Nice nice lodge, but they tend to dress the female help in costumes not far from that of the mythical Aunt Jemina. (head scarves included.)
Our room was good.. nice beds with skeeter nets. Lovely verandah and a private and shower. Dinner was another delicious affair: avocado salad, bread, salad, soup, rice and veggies including fresh fried cabbage. boiled potatoes brit style and beef with mushrooms. Dinner would have been nicer with out the family next to us.... they consisted of two young daughters and a dad and an obviously new female in dad's life.... the girls (one who talked non stop about dorm life at UC Santa Cruz) would not even acknowledge this new (asian ) female.
Dinner over.. we buggered out before "afters" and crashed.