Italian Style and Design

As always, I got lots of entertainment value from the other tourists and their 'Africa clothes'.

As you can see by this pair of shoes, many of the tourists were in the autumn of their lives. I think we lowered the average age by about 30 years!

Bloodyhell, these National Trust blue plastic bags get everywhere. I remember having great fun skidding across the polished floors of Sizergh Castle when I was a kid! Don't think this person was agile enough though!

Here's a great idea - why not carry your Blackberry, passport and a wad of US dollars in a clear plastic bag around your neck?

Look at the state of this video camera - some relic from the early 80s methinks. Bet he'd have got a better pice of equipment of the market in Addis! 

Bum bags (or fanny packs as Americans would say) - marginally better than the clear plastic bag around the neck!

Believe it or not, the one in the white gloves is a woman! What are the gloves for? Can't believe she was irresponsible enough to come to Africa without a SARS mask. If you look carefully in the background, you can see a spectacular example of a German mullet from the early 80s!

What I saw on safari!

Up until now, my safari experiences have all been in Uganda. Here, safari is peaceful and you can get close to nature, often without encountering another car for several hours. Many of the visitors to the National Parks here are working in the country, and they show off the country to their visiting friends and family. In Tanzania, however, safari is a big business.
As soon as I passed through the gates of Lake Manyara, I knew this was going to be a somewhat different experience. For starters, the loos were fully flushable, complete with liquid soap and hand dryers. There was a plush gift shop, selling everything from cans of coca-cola to fluffy toy lions. I was most fascinated by some of the creatures we spotted within the park - a totally different species of tourist to those found in Uganda.
What is the purpose of the face mask and why do people feel it necessary to wear matching khaki? I am not kidding when I tell you that I actually saw somebody wearing a 'Dr Livingstone, I presume' style pith helmet!

Multi-functional belt

What are you afraid of?

Full safari suit plus paparazzi lens

Matching hats

Is this a traffic jam on the M25? Oh no - there's a lion in the distance

Be careful - those animals may steal your bag

Can anyone explain the gloves?

9 out of 10 Ugandans would have something to say about the size of this arse!

 In short, I enjoyed the safari and spotting the Big Five, but came away with a new found appreciation for the tranquility of a safari in Uganda.