Author Archives: tessadul

Our first game viewing day on this trip was in Arusha National Park. It’s the smallest National Park in Tanzania but also has the distinction of being the only one where the animals are sufficiently accustomed to humans that tourists can go for a guided hike with a ranger. Tanzanian citizens don’t need the ranger … Continue reading »

Since being on safari in Tanzania, I’ve learned that the wildebeest migration technically occurs all year round. It’s just where you are and where the animals are that determine if you get to experience it. Thankfully, we were in the same place as the wildebeest during this trip. I think this is what it must … Continue reading »

• We met a Kenyan man on a rest stop during our bus ride from Nairobi to Arusha (where the safari started). He told us about how he knew the man who was the “Terminator” from the movies was now governor in California. He had read in the newspaper that this man was up for … Continue reading »

So I know we came to Tanzania to go on safari. I know, too, that “safari” is practically synonymous with animals and pictures of animals. But I really thought that we would still get to interact with Tanzanian culture at some level. And we haven’t. We arrived at our first lodge, Arusha Mountain Village Lodge … Continue reading »

There’s nothing like spending 10 days in some the most famous National Parks in Africa to make one realize just how little one knows about animals – especially what they really look like. I’ve been to zoos – I promise! So at least in theory I know what a lion looks like. Also a giraffe, … Continue reading »

I debated calling this post “The International Language of Shopping,” since shopping is what most people come to Singapore to do … and since the person who greeted us at our hotel asked that we return our key to reception while we are “out shopping.” But then I decided that was far too cynical … … Continue reading »

When you read the guide books about Thai food, the one thing they consistently tell you is to be careful about hot food. Thais like their food spicy, and apparently we Westerners have wimpy tongues and should watch out lest we burn them off on the first bite. I do pretty well with spicy food … Continue reading »

There is a distinct likelihood that by the time a traveler finishes their visit to Thailand, they will be convinced that their name is, in fact, “massage.” Every day, as you walk down the street, past the many vendors, restaurants, tailors, and massage parlors, they almost all call out to you. “Where you from?” “You … Continue reading »

It turns out we have come to Thailand at a very “auspicious” time. “Auspicious” being a very frequently used world to describe the excitement the Thais seem to feel about the 60th anniversary of the crowning of their king, which happened two nights ago. It’s a great time to be here – there is so … Continue reading »

A couple days ago, we took a Thai cooking class. Somehow, I thought this would be a very fun but somewhat impersonal, extremely touristy experience. It was a very touristy thing to do, but definitely not impersonal. Andrew, Amy and I were the only people in the class (it’s low season … I love travelling … Continue reading »