Notes from Stephen, Wan, Kweilin, and Li

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Masai Mara

We had omelettes, crepes, and toast for breakfast.

All-day game drive today: saw lions, cheetahs (!), hippos, crocodiles, zebras, impalas, monkeys, and baboons.

We saw two lion couples mating from just 20 feet away! The male and female were lying next to each other. Seems like they do that most of the day. The female got up and stretched and then signaled to the male by prostrating herself. The male mounted for just a few seconds. Then they roared, the male jumped off, and the female rolled on her back.

We saw two females near the two couples. The guide said that the two females were waiting to mate with the male. I guess they were a pride.

Before lunch we visited a muddy river and saw hippos submerged and crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks.

The gazelles and impalas are beautiful. They're so clean.

We had lunch at the same place as other vans because there was water and a toilet there. The monkeys know it's a lunch spot and are quite aggressive. Our guide had a stick or rock in hand the whole lunch.

After lunch we saw a mother cheetah and her three cubs! We stayed with them for half an hour. They climbed onto dirt mounds and gazed across the plains. They are thin!

Saw elephants from about 30 feet. Bathing in river, destroying brush.

We got to know Simon better today. Simon is the head Masai at this camp. He speaks english. He has four wives. He is 28 and his fourth and youngest wife is 15. Simon gave his father-in-law 20 cows for his youngest wife. Simon has 5+6+1 = 12 children!

Daddy offered Simon an HIV test just now. You take a cheek swab and 10 minutes later you know whether you're positive. Simon declined the HIV test and said that he'll bring his wives and get tested all together.

posted by Li at 11:14 AM