Right! So, in the hotel. Read the sign from our new tour leader: Bo. (*Selecta*) Sorry. He cracked the joke before I did and any other brit. The usual stuff, a few spelling mistakes and warnings of the scamming Tuk-tuks that are the supposed inherent evil in Bangkok. And the list of names on the trip. #1: Tom. Of course, why wouldn't I be number 1...
It continued...
Lou, Jess, Jess, Naomi, Rachel, Meredith, Carrie, Kelly, Anne, Annabel, Donna.

Shit.

As cool as girls are, guys are just better. (whack! Lou actually just hit me...) You know what I mean. Guys hang out with guys, girls with girls, or at least a good mix! If there had been at least one guy... (yes, Bo is a guy, but also our tour leader so busy quite a lot)

We met them, and they too were shocked at the lack of testosterone in 11 of us. Bo thought it was hilarious, but as an outrageously bad flirt (but weirdly good at it with Cambodian women) was not complaining! I feel like I'm giving a bad impression of him, which I really hope I'm not, because he's a legend!

Anyway...

0600 - that bloody annoying thing I call 'Alarm'. It wakes me up, screaming at me. Not my friend.

Up, dressed, and breakfast. I had rice and pork, with egg and potato. Come on: live with the locals, eat like the locals (and get the squits like the westerners) Then, after talking with the others to get to know the enemy... (whack). We got on the bus. (grrr).

In the 4 hours to the border at Poipet, everyone was asleep but me. I played my gameboy. He-he. I'm such a child. Then border control. Leave Thailand, and go into Cambodia. The first time that foreigners got the short queue! (There was a funky foreigner queue and a Cambodian one. Score!!!)
Neat stamps into the passport (it's looking really good now with the new Cambodian visa). And onwards.

It was incredible to see the obvious difference from Thailand immediately over the border! Casinos (a break from the illegal gambling laws), dirt road, peasants and beggars everywhere. It was quite a shock how different the two places really are!

But one thing that the journey showed, was how beautiful Cambodia really is. The miles of soaking rice paddies, the blue skies, the lack of pollution in the country.

And fond memories of what it is like to be in a 3rd world country where not all roads are, well, roads! Dancing road! Crazy for 3.5hrs! Bouncing, rocking, splashing, and just about every type of motion a vehicle can do. The lack of aircon, the lack of oxygen, the bruises, the sick girls. Paradise on Earth... I played game boy...

After the slog, we were there. Civilization in Cambodia. Siem Reap. The flg of the nation based on the local temples at Angkor. The constant images of Tomb Raider style of scenery (it was filmed here). The place was new. Yes!

I loved Thailand, but I needed a new adventure, a new place to get to know and to explore. And I was here. Cambodia. Bring it on.

The land of the Cambodians, The Khmer. A history most people don't know about - both ancient and modern. The most amazing, is how recent their modern history really is...

I have a lot to see, & I can't wait!!!

Cambodia remains copyright of the author dudewardel, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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We decided to grab a bite to eat before the ferry, so went to a local 'cafe' for lunch. I had a HOT Tom Yum soup (it hurt both ways) and Lou, unlucky with food as she's turned out to be, had a gewoosenam salad, or whatever it was. Either way, I thought I was used to Thai food now. Apparently not. That and a rocking boat made me a bit 'off colour' for a few hours, and the associated ailment with hot food.

For those of you who don't know, the three golden rules of Thai food are:

1. 1 SPICY - their average spice is hot! And I like hot stuff!


2. 2 Ginger & Lemon Grass - it dominates as flavour in most dishes.


3. 3 Cheap - The best bit. Noodles & Rice are cheap, and in a poor country, it's only 50p-ish and you're having more food than you've hd before!

We dropped off the Martins at the Si Kaew resort (the Eastern side of the island) and went off to the western side, to the Ao Prao Resort.

A little background here. Koh Samed. Our planned beach paradise, where we could relax in the sun, be treated like royalty, and chill out getting a tan. Our few days where we knew we could just chill out, being pampered to when needs be.

Ha!

Partly true. The island is awesome, really quiet (it's a national park), and the Ao Prao Resort is amazing. On a secluded beach in a cove on the western side of the island, palm trees, white sands, hot, sea, clouds, rain, thunder & lightning. You get the picture. A week that could have been so perfect, unfortunately... well, wasn't.

The resort is top notch, and I couldn't find a flaw with it. All of the staff are really friendly & efficient. Our room was gorgeous, in our own chalet on the hill, just a minute's walk through beautiful tropical plants to the beach. A top class restaurant. It's own water sports activites. And not touristy!

Also, it now actually felt cool (a feeling we haven't had in a while, being only about 32C, Lou needed a jumper! A slight step down from the 44C a week ago!)

All it needed was the sun. It was not to be. It rained, it poured, it drizzled, it stormed. So, what do you do in storms. You go SCUBA diving!

Diving turned out to be what made our week. In the rain, water sports was all we could do! It was either diving, or learning to wind-surf. I really did want to, but weirdly enough, in these crazy storms, there was very little wind. Not good when you want to WINDsurf.

So, diving. Louise's dream since she was 11, and yes, she did it!
She found that she had problems with her ears a few years ago, and was told by the doctor that she probably wouldn't get the chance to scuba dive - EVER!

Sod that idea. We spoke to Andy, the diving instructor, and he said he would love to test whether she could or not. So, out we went. I didn't dive on this one, as not a proper dive. A health and safety dive, as Andy put it. (Incase you're wondering why 'Andy' in Thailand, becase: Andy is English, but lived in Thailand for the past 5years, with his wife and 2month old twins. The other 'crew' were all Thai: B'oh, Dong, and whatever the others were called)

Turns out that Lou CAN dive! We now know that all it takes, is longer to descend because it's harder for her to equalize. Ha! Onwards to doing the PADI SCUBA Diver course!

Obviously, already being qualified, I then had the chance to snorkel a bit, do some reading, talk to others at the resort, and watch Lou learn.

I did join in, though, snorkelling in the pool for a bit when she did her shallow water exercises. And did 2 fun-dives when she went in after that. And, well, that was an adventure for me too, nevermind someone who hadn't dived before!

Out on the boat, to the south of the island, the best place for diving, at Koh Chan. However, when the waves are 3m high, one rogue wave crashes over the boat, and the look on Lou's face, it's not a good idea to dive. So, we went on to the coast of Koh Samed again. Into the water, with 2feet of visibility, and a current that took me and the 2 other Thai staff divers a good 40m before we could tell (we couldn't see the floor). 10 minutes later, we got back onto the boat, and round a bit more coast, to Laem Ruatek. We got here, into calmer seas, and all of a sudden: I was feeding the fish, vomiting over the edge of the boat. I hadn't felt sick, and had loved the waves, but obviously my stomach didn't. A minute after being sick, I was fine again, and ready to dive. Bizarre... Ah well. We had a good dive here, much calmer waters, better visibility, got to see a Lion Fish, as well as dive through a tunnel.

That night we went to the other side of the island, to Si Kaew beach, because we knew there was more to do there in the bad weather. A bit more touristy, with more beach bars, and restaurants, but good touristy. We met up with Lloyd, Anthea & Jess again for a drink, then had a nice meal, looking out to sea (we were watching a storm coming in the horizon). Another reason for going to this side of the island - cheaper! Nice as our hotel is, it's not cheap. And on a budget, we needed a cheaper night! We went off in our taxi again at about 11pm, across the bumpy, dirt roads (deja vu from Tanzania) to Ao Prao.

That storm that we saw on the horizon - it arrived. Thunder that shook the minibar so everything rattled, and making things fall from the bedside table. It was immense. All of the fishing boats came back in, a military battleship had to come back into shelter. It rained a bit too.

So, more diving planned for today, before we left. Today, just in Ao Prao bay beacuse of the rough sea beyond. Still cool though. We saw a large porcupine-puffer fish, and a beaked-copperbanded-coral fish. But most of all, Lou passed her SCUBA Diver, and so is now, officially, a qualified diver! Now I have a dive buddy for Cambodia & Viet Nam!

So, not too disapointed with our paradise stop, we departed, back to Bangkok. Ferry and minibus again, back to D'Ma Pavillion.

We've just eaten, and now intenetting. Tomorrow, Bangkok for the third time.

Wish me luck!

Koh Samed remains copyright of the author dudewardel, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Have our visa checked, photos taken, watched over by men with rifles, and having to bribe the malaysians just to let us leave the country! Admittedly only 1 ringit each (which is about 18p) but still bizarre!

An hour into Thailand, we then changed onto the promised 1.5hour bus journey...

5 hours later we arrived in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Yes, I dd just say 5 hours. Thanks Dan! We stayed in China Town at the Thai Hotel and just had a look around the town. Not anything special, but noone here speaks English so quite a pleasant surprise! Means I can practice my Thai!

The next day we went to the Temple here - the largest Buddhist Temple in southern Thailand. Really impressive, and as it is the end of the water festival there were loads of ceremonies going on. I was a little upset to find that on the last 2 days of the festival (the time we were in Nakhon Si Thammarat) the water fights don't happen. And these water fights are crazy. People though buckets from cars, supersoakers on bikes, bottles in prams, and water just about anywhere!

Anyhoo, it was very cool, and a new expeience into Buddhist culture and Monks.

Then, onto Koh Samui. A bus journey and a ferry later we were there. In the baking 42C heat. And hot it is. Ouch! Not humid anymore, but really really hot!

We have been staying in the Sandy Resort, on Bo Phut beach. It's really nice. And the location is awesome. A peaceful beach, not really touristy, loads of fish etc, and great food. We arrived at about 4, so went into the sea pretty much straight away. The warm water is so nice to swim into, and the view is amazing. Imagine the pictures you see of far away and exotic places: I'm there!

We went for a really really good meal at The Happy Elephant, where I had freshly barbqueued red-snapper & rice. Wow. It was so nice - possibly the best meal since leaving England, and yes... it was fish! Me, the non fish eater, eating fish. A fresh red-snapper from the block of ice in the restaurant. Unfortuantely Dan took the eyes before I had a chance to... pity that...

The following morning was an early wakeup, and a power boat trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park for snorkelling. And snorkelling doesn't give it justice. It was the best sealife I've ever seen. Literally thousands of fish. If you put some bread into the water infront of you, you would have a frenzy of fish racing for it - all arounf you! They would eat from our hands and stroke against us as we swam. After that we went to the main Island in the park (of the 42 in it) for lunch and a hangout on the beach. The best beach I've been to - ever.

After splashing around in the sea, we went off to visit the Emerald Lake, an area where The Beach was filmed. Unfortunately we couldn't swim here because of the Reef Sharks etc in the water, but we all wanted to - it is so attractive and inviting!

Back on Koh Samui, after a really good day out, Lou & I went for a meal at the Hotel Restaurant, then out into Chewang.

We went to a Cabaret.

A Lady-boy cabaret.

He he...

It was, well, bizarre. But really really good at the same time. The show was really impressive - a properly done cabaret, with big costumes, music, dancing, singing, etc. Sometimes it was hard to believe that all of the people in the show were men. Obviously, some were really awful and scary (like the one that took a fancy for Noel!), but some weren't at all. And when one of them takes off their clothes (except briefs) and transforms from a woman into a man, you're left quite, well, I don't really know what. Confused, perhaps?

Today we are back in Chewang, the main tourist area of Samui, and it really isn't that nice. It's like a European holiday resort. Busy beach, loads of expensive beach activities, stalls and bars everywhere, and at holiday prices. I'm glad we are staying where we are.

Although the beach was pretty funny - the vendors walking the beach with clothes, ice-cream, etc all pester you at least 3 times each. Oh, and if someone walks up to you, shows you a hammock, makes you come closer to see it, and suddenly a small pack of weed is in his hand, with the subtle statement: "You want majurana?". Ok. First of all, if you're going to sell drugs, get the name right. But secondly, when someone refuses, don't go: " Oh, ok, so you want opium or coke instead?". Obviously turning down the weed meant that I'm into the more 'proper' drugs. Don't worry mum, I'm joking!

So, higher than a kite on helium, off I trotted across the beach. All I know now is that I'm in an internet cafe, wearing a dress, I have someone elses underwear on and a tag in a rather 'personal' area saying "snip me". Hang on, that was last week... oh whatever...

Advice to all those who read. Come to Koh Samui, but not the touristy bits! It's all expensive, hence the no Scuba diving here (that will have to wait until Koh Samet). The only thing that's reasonably cheap is the food. And accomodation. And a few other activities. That's about it really...

Oh, and the ladyboys are cheap too (I'm told).

Off now, back to our beach paradise.

Spank you later!

Buddhas & Beaches remains copyright of the author dudewardel, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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A new continent, new cultures, and a new timezone.

13:00 - Wakeup.

I know we were out late at the Bugis Street Market (it's a very cool place - we've been another two times since the first night), but a lie-in certainly was not planned. A bit annoyed, we got up quickly, ready to explore. We'd planned to go to Orchard Road, and as we knew it all stayed open to at least 9pm, we were OK.

Orchard Road -
It's massive. Uber-massive. 10 Trafford Centres, 10 Bullrings, and a few other 6 story high shopping centres, hundreds of restaurants, shed-loads of stalls... oh, and one or two people along the way. If you want to shop - come here. It has everything. Mostly clothing, but every type. From the top designers, to cheap/fake T-shirt outlets. Restaurants vary from the ridiculously expensive, ridiculously shite, and just downright crazy. hey even have McDonalds (about 30 really, and Pizza Huts, and Burger Kings, and Subway... I can't escape them - they are literally every where! There's one outside the room I'm in now! Although I'm not on Orchard Road anymore...) I liked it, and it was a lot of fun, but if you just wanted to get a new shirt, you wouldn't know where to begin. My advice - shop here if you are crazy. Louise bought a few nice tops

The Thai Embassy -
It's a building full of Ties... I mean THAIs (*Whack* Stop it Tom! You're just not funny!)
A Thai Visa. Actually really easy to get. Take: 1xPassport, 1xPhoto, 1xSelf. Fill in the form, hand it in with $50 (Singapore Dollars). The problem arose when returning to get it: 100 people wanted visas - none had been done. All crammed into one room, it's Singapore, so it's frigging hot, and the AC is on the blink. A few hours later we got the visas, and left the embassy, back down Orchard Road. Bring on Thailand!

Exploring Singapore is cool. And easy. And cheap. It's huge, and all the buildings are too. A real difference from Arusha!

The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) -
it's Singapore's version of the London Underground. Done properly.
It's super-wicked-ace. And cheap. You go to the station, go to the machine, pay the fare, take your card, scan it passed the electronic reader, got to the platform, get on, arrive, go out, get your dollar deposit for the card/ticket back, leave.
Actually that doesn't sound that cool at all. Just take it from me, its like the underground, but better. Clean, smart, modern, efficient, cheaper, calmer... just better... get it?

Sentosa Island - We got there by cable-car. Actually really cool, across a section if jungle and then sea. Off at the other side, at Singapore's paradise island. Home of the biggest Merlion in Singapore, the Skytower, the beaches... and the tourists. Lots of tourists, means tourist prices too. A bit annoying, but the island was a bit disappointing too. We had read the best reviews, asked loads of people, and seen adverts all over the place for this awesome getaway. To find it covered in people spending money left right and center doing the weirdest of activities. Yes, some bits were very cool, like the Luge (sit on a cart, and race down a hill track), only spoilt by the huge queue we had to go through at the start (why am I complaining, us Brits love queuing!) The beaches were nice, palm trees, soft sand, nice bars etc. but after Zanzibar, it just wasn't up to our new superior standard! The fact it was covered in people was probably what was most annoying. Swimming was good though. Got a few pictures. Left. Disappointed, but had some good times. Got on the LRT, over the sea, to Vivo City...

Vivo City -
Singapore's biggest shopping centre. Not a cool place. Busy, huge, and way too typical of a shopping centre, mega-mart, complex, thing! It was awful. The only thing I liked about it was the park on top where I could paddle. We escaped to the MRT pretty quickly, and went back to Dhoby Ghaut (the station nearest the Hangout).

We were a little disappointed with the day, and so decided to go out on a typical Singaporean night out...

The Cathay Cinema & Mr Bean's Holiday -
Alright, I know, very not your everyday traveling experience when on a budget, but it was worth it. Even just for the experience!
It's not that different from a western cinema really, the fish and chips, curry dishes, chicken salads and cakes all go well with popcorn. The guy next to you playing on his phone, texting people, online and anything/everything else you can to on a palmtop rather than watch the film he's just paid to see. The 2 different sets of subtitles along the bottom of the screen, people laughing at the wrong bits, and the mass amounts of people killing themselves laughing when the smallest slapstick gag happened (in a Mr Bean film, that's a lot of dead Asians). That and a damn good film - all in all makes a seriously good night out!

Singapore Zoo - The best zoo I have ever been to. It's naturally in the tropics which helps, but it's just ace! Really big, filled with amazing animals, and simply a really good day out. I did think it was interesting seeing how upset it made me to see all the animals in pens. After living in the African Savannah with the animals out in the wild it's quite a contrast. But it was good to see how much care they really had for the animals, and what they did in the way of rehabilitation, research, and conservation. Being in a jungle full of bats, sloths, marmosets, iguanas, turtles, giant butterflies and all sorts of other weird animals was great. And the free-ranging monkeys and orangutans, wow. A tiny monkey appears on a rock next to you, or an orangutan crosses your path, you just look on with a grin on your face.
The day actually really made me want to do an orangutan conservation project in a jungle somewhere. Who knows...

Our last night at the Hangout was uneventful really: ate out, packed our bags, went to sleep. We were tired after the busy day and weren't really up for doing anything weird.

Goodbye Hangout! Goodbye nice staff! Goodbye free internet! Goodbye big bedroom (apparently the reason it was so big and nice was because we were upgraded for free for being there for so long! I'm certainly not complaining!) Got a taxi from the Hangout, across to China Town, to our hotel for the night - The Royal Peacock. It's smart, but old, and so a little less appealing than the ultra modern/simple Hangout from where we had just come. Checked in, checked out the room, and left. Wow that sounds like we left as in, well, left. We didn't. We temporarily disembarked on a walk around China Town. Isn't that better?

China Town - I'm in it. Right now. Seems bizarre really - China Town in Singapore. Yes, I know Singapore isn't China, but... oh forget it.
It's really quiet. Although it is Sunday and half the places are closed, so I guess we should have planned our visit here a little better. It's not that special really, It's just filled with massage parlours, medicine shops, beauty & hair salons and mobile phone shops. Obviously there are a few other types of shop, but really not in comparison to the above. It's weird. Although I am tempted by the geomancer...

When done here, we'll be going back to the Royal PinCock (childish, I know) and sorting out our bags. Then going to meet our new group. Intrepid here we go.

Bunch of frigging tourists.

Glad I'm not one.

Singapore remains copyright of the author dudewardel, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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No updates for a while because very little to tell that is exciting, and actually been pretty busy working.

So we left Arusha to our temporary residence at the 'Meserani Snake Park' (search google if you must) and pitched our tents in a good spot for the following few weeks. Not as established as our wooden bomas in Eluai, but the holes and mosquitoes made up for that.

It's a very nice place, full of green (not dusty like most of the country), it has a bar which is pretty cheap, the snake park is awesome, and feeding a Black Mamba or a rock Python is something worth doing. Although if you do have a Spitting Black Cobra rearing at you when you are about to ut in a few live chicks for lunch, don't be too alarmed, it'll only blind you given half a chance.

And how many people can say they play with Striped Hyenas? I'll tell you, exactly 24. No questions or arguements, that's it and always will be, unless I change my mind. Anyhoo, Fezzy is great fun, and reasonably tame, only leaving me with a few small cuts and grazes after our playful scraps.

Bird watching - I like it. Sad, I know, but it's true. I like birds. and here there are so many. We are doing a survey and already have over 35 species of bird, just at the camp! And no, mum, I doubt I will be as interested in England - british birds are crap in comparison. Sucky old england and it's sucky old birds. Rant over, Tanzania is much more inspiring than England as a natural wonder, a chameleon falling on you when you're eating dinner is a bit cooler than looking at the sheep from your bedroom window. Even the cows here are cooler - they've got humps. And there are camels here.

Back to what's going on now...

The main thing we are doing here is working at the nearby school. My job: Computer Fundi (Mechanic). Mikey and I have worked at rebuilding PCs, connecting the school to the interenet, and basically improving all aspects of the IT side at 'Kituo cha Elimu Meserani'. Others are teaching Maths, English, Art, and we have Conor teaching Spanish and Julius teaching French which are both new to the school's curriculum.

It's not as satisfying as Eluia would have been, but the impact we are making is very positive. I've just been working with a few others on a Environmental lecture for the locals.

Dave and Jinks have gone into Arusha to try and get a bit more of the next project arranged. We will be testing it in 2 weeks if all goes to plan, when we will leave Meserani to Manyara.

There are other silly stories, like the Konyagi attack on Saturday (Konyagi is basically te only spirit Tanzania makes). Long story short: drink, forget, sick, bed, hangover, hangover, hangover. Ah well. For £2.00 a litre you can't really complain.

Of course there are other things going on - a few of us a putting together a python skelington for the park, and we are still learning Maa from Nguvu and Isaya, but I do sometimes feel like I miss out things that go on and have been going on. I think I'll write them all down and go on a random blog rant in a few days or so.

Hope you aren't disappointed that little is going on. We all are a bit, I guess, as we miss Eluai etc, but I have had so many awesome experiences that I try not to be down for long about it.

Something else a bit random, I'm only 6 weeks into my travels, and I'm planning what else to do, like go to Spain for a week and stay with cousin Ed, get Josh to get me a Leeds ticket, see what Alex means when he emails asking when we are in Viet Nam and how he might 'drop in'??? Only time will tell...

I'm off now - lunch, and you've guessed it: rice and veg sauce. I like it, everyone else complains. Losers.

Good bye-tch!

A lot of very little remains copyright of the author dudewardel, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Just got back from our 'mid-phase-break' today. It was brought forward to take our minds off of last week, and it worked pretty well. Obviously we talked about it, but it stopped anyone feeling depressed about it all.

So, mid-phase-break... It was brilliant.

We stayed at a waterfall on our first night, swimming etc (we are going back in a week to build a toilet there).
The following day we went for a walk up Radio Hill for a good view, then a lot of driving to through villages etc to our next camp near Ngorogoro.
Just played pontoon etc that night.

Up at 0500 for safari. Got to the crater at approx 0700, greeted by random Maasai. And what an awesome safari. We saw so many animals/birds etc, lion, cheetah, elephant, gazelle, impala, buffalo, zebra, hyena, ostrich, flamingo, mating bustards, monkey, baboon, wildebeast, warthog, hippo (in water and on land - which apparently is v rare) and 7 black rhino (there are about 17 in the crater and apparently only about 80 in the world)

We then left to stay at Arusha National Park. Stayed up with a few beers playing cards and looking at each other's photos.

Up early the next day for a small game drive seeing loads of baboon and monkey mixed in with warthog. Then we left the cars with an armed ranger for a walking safari. Wow. So close to buffalo, warthog, baboon, zebra, and tons of giraffe. They were so close it was amazing.

Then on to Maji-Moto (Hot water springs) Stayed the night there as we arrived at sunset. Got up for breakfast and a swim. It is one of the coolest places I've ever been. Left there today and went to buy some new footwear (yes, got robbed again at the waterfall camp - along with Dave & Mikey we lost our shoes to some children at the waterfall whilst swimming - what a good side to Tanzania we are seeing. Ah well.).

So, for today, we are going out partying for valentines day (most of the women here wear red for the day). It's also *someones* birthday (a friend of ours who wishes not to be mentioned) so a 'proper' party night too!

All in all an awesome experience.

So in a few days we will be back at Eluai school painting and giving them desks. Then we leave Eluai for good. On to the waterfall camp for a week to build the immense construction that is, a great-white-telephone. There after to the mangroves for 3weeks. Then... who knows...

Mid-phase-break remains copyright of the author dudewardel, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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It's been hectic, and so much has gone on that I'll probably miss loads out. I think you'll understand why...

Since the last blog we got back to camp OK, only one quick shower so camp Osotua dried up quickly in the sun.

We have been doing painting at the school in Eluai, and it is looking great. White on the top half of the walls, and bright yellow below. We are also going to concrete the rocky/dirt floor and put in a load of new desks.

The science is all going well, although we haven't been onth the plains yet to see the big game.

My grip on Maa is growing, and I can have general banter with the Maasai people.

All good, and then insane.

So it all started on the 7th Feb...

We got up, had breakfast etc, had a bird lecture for the science/conservation part of the expedition and generally chilled out in the sun for the morning. Had a lunch of, our new favourite (and pretty much only) meal, rice and chopped tomatoes and peppers. And then got ready for school.

It's a 3km walk from camp to the school, so we set off with Ngufu as our escari, and had a good time. Got to the school, cracked out the paint and got working. We were really impressed with how it was going, everyone really enthusiastic and pleased with the obvious improvement. But the best bit was when the children turned up after their sport lessons. They were so happy and excited. You could tell that they loved it and were truly grateful that people actually cared (and to be honest, the school is in a really shitty state). It made us feel so good about what we were doing. I remember one woman was crying she was so happy that Mzungus actually wanted to help.

Word spread and soon about 200 people were about all excited about the new paint. And that was it so far. New paint. And I've never felt so good about something so simple in all my life.

So we finished painting, and packed the stuff away. The sun was getting low, so the guys and Ngufu decided we would walk/run back to camp. We left the girls at the school to wait for the car and watch the Maasai football game.

It was me and Mikey on camp duty, and we were ready (already reputed as the spice loving food freaks). Chilli. And to our admitted surprise, it was a smash success, possibly our best meal in Tanzania yet.

We ate pretty late, and endd up just sitting around talking and laughing. Generally just having an awesome time. Everyone happy and really pleased with such a successful day.

Approx 21:40...
"Everbody down!" *BANG*

Armed bandits. They stormed from nowhere into the boma with all of us inside.

I think we all thought it was the Maasai playing a joke. But we soon realised it wasn't and scrambled under the table onto the floor. I think there were about 7 in total, all with big knives and a few with guns.

I remember the girls screaming, us guys trying to cover them from the kicks as much as possible. And being pulled out. Separated from the group by a few feet. Thrown to the floor, they kicked/stamped on me a few times and yelled at me for money. I honestly didn't have any. They kicked me again and searched me. No money. They asked me why I didn't have any so I tried to tell them that we were just eating so didn't need money. Thump. I felt one guy pulling at my shoes. I presumed to look for money so kicked them off (it turned out they stole these). They ended up searching the food shelves and tipping those onto me. Butter to the shoulder. At least they didn't get any other ideas with it!

One girl kicked in the face (black eye) others kicked on the body, but no one badly injured.

Whilst all this was happening there were gunshots outside, the Maasai calling like Hyena (it's to scare people/animals and call other warriors)

After a while we heard the men calling for "Commander 1" and they leaft to the jeeps. They took one jeep and broke the other.

We all stayed down for a minute, until Isaya came running into the boma to check we were all OK. We got up, went to the other bomas, to find that the girls was trashed, the staff members were totalled and the guyts was, well, fine. They hadn't touched it. I got away with only losing my cap and walking boots.

So we packed up, and got all our stuff together by the broken jeep, one driver trying to fix it. Meanwhile, our 13year old Maasai friend, Ekinye Saitoti, had fetched help from other warriors, and Isaya and one driver had run left to run for more help and follow the stolen jeep.

Smashed into the Hilux Jeep, and started the battery OK, but couldn't start it without the key. So we pushed this mega car up a bit of hill, and down to a more open area so it could roll forward and start the engine going.

It worked. After a lot of cheering (this all took ages) we packed up the jeep and set off into the night. Information slowly trickled through to one of the working mobiles we had left that the police were searching, so were a lot of Maasai, and that we should get back to Monduli Chini, then to Arusha.

Me and Mikey on the roof, Conor and Julian on the open back with our Maasai, and all the girls inside.

Eventually we got back to our original base in Arusha, to hear the they had found the stolen jeep, trashed, shot to hell (it looked like they were copying Hollywood trying to shoot the fuel tank and blow it up)

So, since then we've been interviewed by the police, tried to get our bearings again, and have the whole expedition replanned.

The problem with this raid hasn't been the fact we lost a few things, but the harm its done to Eluai.

Greenforce is pulling out of Eluai, so the School project has been massively reduced from building to just a bit more painting, no teaching. Our Maasai Escari have no longer got jobs. The families have lost income from the different things we have been buying. And the village doesn't feel as safe anymore.

It's good to know that if the Maasai find these bandits (there are a hell of a lot hunting for them, and trust me, the Maasai are mean hunters) they will kill them without questions. And the police in this situation have a shoot-to-kill policy. Ha. Bastards.

The science aspect to project is a blow, but can be done in other areas. The bit that hurts, is the fact we had just witnessed the happiness of so many people and seen what good we were actually doing. And we have lost our Maasai friends. I think that Maasai people are fantastic, and some of the best friends I have had. That is what was stolen from me. The boots and hat are replaceable and meaningless.

You might be shocked, scared for us, or just relieved that we are OK, but we all had the experience of a lifetime, and it in turn brought us closer together.

On the plus side, i wasn't shot, stabbed or gang raped.

Mikey was a little disappointed on the last

Just kidding.

Anyhoo, we are still a bit shaken up but life is getting back to normal, and a new project is being lined up for us. Safari has been brought forward too. Ngorogoro crater, the Serengeti, Arusha National Reserve. It'll be good to get away for a few days.

I guess things can only get better. Although I have just had to spend 50quid on new boots.

Goodbye Eluai remains copyright of the author dudewardel, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Basically, it is the dry season in Tanzania, ie. very hot and DRY. So the huge amount of rain and flash flooding was a bit of a surprise!

We scrambled round in the mud, packed a small bag and went for the jeeps. Wow. I think I want a jeep. It was awesome. Power sliding down hills, bouncing over holes, rattling (literally like a rattle! - I've got the bruises to prove it!) between the floor and ceiling in the back (no seatbelts) and thinking we might just die at the hands of the most insane and brilliant driver I've ever met.

So, we got back to Arusha, and found the Backpackers Hostel and pitched up for the night. Went for a chinese and a few drinks in the bar, and then back to bed.

The night was, well... interesting. Some Germans decided that 0130 was the perfect time to blare rasta music, and to be honest I didn't mind. But the screaming, moaning and manic laughing, and dubious flsh photography behind the door at 0400 was a little bit off-putting. Right, grumpy old Tom here decided he wanted sleep and opened the door to ask for them to be a little bit quieter. So, 3 naked Germans were there. Stark naked. In 'compromising' positions, taking photos of each other.

Enough said. I managed to sleep a bit, have just had breakfast and am about to got and have a bird lecture form our scientist, Jynx.

If youra a little confused, Dave is our expedition leader, Jynx our scientist, Isaya our Maasai instructor, and Lengamai & Ngufu our Escari (Maasai bodyguards).

Got to go now. Hopefully I'll update you soon.

Rain, rain, rain... remains copyright of the author dudewardel, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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It's been a few days since landing in Kilimanjaro airport, and I've loved every second. The weather, the people, the way of life. Although the mosquito bits are getting a bit annoying... I think I must taste nice.

So, just to bring you up to date:

I checked in at Manchester fine, said my goodbyes to everyone, and went though the airport to wait for the gate to open. Here we met Julian, our first contact with another volunteer. Got on the flight ready for Amsterdam. Delayed by 1hour. Never mind, there was over 2hours between landing in Amsterdam and our next flight so not that worried. The problem was the fact we had to fly around over the sea for 40mins as only one runway at AMS was open. We began to worry a little bit.

Next was our 1st near death experience on this trip (I say that like a good thing - only 2 hours into the trip!) Wind was bad. Very bad. Our first attempt to land ended up with the wing nearly hitting the floor and the pilot having to jet back into the skies with half the plane screaming. After another 20mins of flying we did actually manage to land, to find that we were pretty much an hour late for the flight.

We ran. Fast. And a bloody long way too! We found that the flight was waiting for us. We weren't looking forward to sleeping in the airport.

The flight was pretty uneventful, although fantastic food (all free food and drink). We met a few more Greenforce volunteers, and I slept for a few hours to catch up on the night before.

At 21:00 (+0300) we landed in Kilimanjaro airport into a fantastic smell of Africa wildlife, and a warm night.

We got our visas for our stay, then went to get our bags. Guess what was missing. My guitar. So we reported it after a few hours of queuing (about 30 bags went missing - they stayed on the plane to Dar es Salaam and 30 random bags taken off - idiots). Then we were greeted by Isaya (our Maasai teacher and warrior) and Dave our Greenforce expedition leader. Went to Arusha to our house, and slept!

I got my guitar a few days later, only a bit broken. Think I might claim on the insurance, although after a bit of superglue, and help from Isaya, It's working fine.

Since arriving we've been having Maasai lessons (about the tribe, culture and language) every morning, exploring the town, piling into the dirt cheap Dala-Dalas (200 Tanzanian Shillings, which is about 8p) and just getting to know everyone.

We all get on brilliantly, enjoy going out to the bar, and just about anything we want! Isaya is great, and we all love trying to talk Maa with him. Just as and introduction, the team is: Me, Louise, Julian, Beki, Mikey, Dani, Hannah, Ann-Marie & Conor.

We go to Eluai, the Maasai village tomorrow, and my home for the next 9weeks. I'm really excited and can't wait to meet everyone and practice my Maasai skills with them.

This might be my last time on here for a while, but I'll update you when I can. Hope everyone is well, and don't forget to email me at dudewardell@hotmail.co.uk - I want to know what everyone is up to!

Kidua Ade! (See you later!)

Tanzania! remains copyright of the author dudewardel, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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It's weird to think that we only landed in Kilimanjaro at 21:00 (+0300 GMT). After delays and the plane nearly crashing we got here OK. Albeit with my guitar not getting off the plane and carrying on to Dar es Salaam. But not to worry, I'll get it tomorrow morning (as promised by someone who didn't know what a guitar was...)

After a long night of packing, travelling to the airport and getting on the plane I was exhausted so I managed to get an hour before getting to Amsterdam, although we were delayed big time and so it meant we landed over an hour too late for our plane to Kili. Yes, I was worried. But we sprinted to the gate, to find it had been changed, so ran about 1km across the airport to the new gate to find that flight was delayed too. I think we were all a little bit pumped from the near crash our MAN-AMS flight had due to the wind. I guess it could have ben worse.

We got to Arusha at approx midnight, met everyone (they all seem cool, phew) I've had my first lessons of Maa (the Maasai language) and now we are exploring the town. Apparently we go to the village (Eluai) on Wednesday. Then our work begins.

Hopefully I'll let you know more soon as I only have 2:14 mins left on this PC and boy is it slow.

For those worriers of you, I got here safely, with most of my stuff, and I love every bit of life here.

Ciao for now...

1st Impressions remains copyright of the author dudewardel, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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The flight is at 06:10 with 2 hour check-in so I've got to leave at about 03:00. Yay.

I've got everything I think I need, (including tyedye trousers) weighed it all and all seems good. Of course it won't be, I bet I've somehow managed to pack a baby gorilla in there, but I'll stay optimistic for now. Now where did I put that passport...

It's quite odd thinking that I'm about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. 5months away doing things that so many people dream of. I am excited, but as the last few hours go by, I do feel a bit aprehensive. Last person I know to have gone away for a bit didn't come home. God I sound depressing. Guess it's the tiredness.

I know I'll be fine, and as soon as I get to the airport I'll be happy and excited again, but for now I think I'm just looking at all the things I'm going to miss. The people, places and general bits and bobs around that you take for granted and get used to. Guess that's all part of the great adventure.

Right, it's been good doing my first proper 'travel blog', and hopefully there will be a lot more to come.

Living with the Maasai in mud bomas, trekking across the Serengeti, scuba diving on Zanzibar... Nah, I was wrong before, I'm ridiculously excited.

Have fun in the wind of England everyone!

Packed and prepared remains copyright of the author dudewardel, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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The night was great, the booze good too, the emptiness of my wallet made walking easier, and the waking up in my own sick was something I won't forget any time soon.

Stage 1: The Lane Ends
A few good bye drinks after that thing we call work. That smug feeling of being unemployed and laughing at the ones who had to be in the office the next day filled my mind as I left. And a wallet full of money for having a great time.

Met up with a few friends, having a good time chatting away, being quizzed on random things such as who was in the lineup for Liverpool's Cup winning team (that meant time to go to the bar while the others answered!)

Left after a few hours with Liam and Craig, and went on to...

Stage 2: The Adelphi
Met up with Christian, Chris K, Jen and Kishu, racked up the pool table and all got a few more drinks. Got thrashed at pool. Well, I let them do it... really I did... Anyhoo, the others from the pub then caught up with us, the music got louder, everyone got blurrier, and the pub-game-machines stole half my money (and I was doing so well too). After a few aftershock challenges (who can froth aftershock round their mouth for the longest) and winning each one I was fairly hammered.

Stage 3: Tandoori Knights
Christian, Lou and I all went for food. Or at least me and Chris did, Lou just laughed as we argued over who would pay for the curry, waving £10 notes in the air and yelling a bit too much. Spilt most of it on myself. And yes that is how you're meant to eat a curry if you're drunk!

Stage 4: The Taxi (Apparently)
Apparently I paid...

Got into Louise's house, collapsed on the mattress in her lounge and fell asleep. Zzzz... (now approx 2:30am)

Woke up (5:30am)... with my arm lying in my sick, half on the floor, half on the duvet.

Sh*t.

Not my bed. Not my duvet. Not my lounge. Not my house.

Jumped out, snuck into the kitchen (staggered really) got a spoon and bowl and scooped all my sick into it. Down the toilet. Done. Nope, bedding etc. Stripped it, stuck it in the downstairs toilet. Got dressed, opened the back door and just sat there for 3 hours until someone came downstairs and found me sat in a corner looking like I was possibly a bit hungover.

I'll probably never drink again.

Managed to apologise (alot). Ate some food, slept, and eventually left at 15:00 when I was a bit better off.

I may not ever drink again.

(At least not 'til next weekend)

Leaving Do's & Leaving Don'ts remains copyright of the author dudewardel, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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