May 31
We were woken up at 3:45 to leave camp at 4:30 in the morning to take a balloon ride. It took an hour to get to the departure spot and the sun was coming up when they filled the balloon. On the way to the site we came across a pack of hyenas who had apparently recently made a kill and were in a frenzy. They are demon dogs. A bit crazed and best to avoid under any circumstances. There were other morning critters out as well.
see photo The balloon basket held 16 people and then the captain and the gas in the middle. We had to climb in before the balloon took off and lie on our side. Most of the folks we shared with were Aussies, so an affable bunch. The morning was cool but the gas was warm so it was beautiful and comfortable

when we landed we had champagne and then all were taken to a site to have breakfast at tables with linen, silverware, a multiple course breakfast and comfortable porta johns (A loo with a view). A giraffe walked through as we were eating. Lovely. Chatted with the Australians, including one interesting fellow who was on a 7 month tour. I gave him Mark's name to look up in NYC. I believe his name was Alan.  Robert picked us up and took us all around the central Serengeti. We went to a hippo pool which had over 100 hippos, babies and big boys.

We went to another spot on the river and saw more hippos and crocodile and water buffalo. see photo And then more lions, all sorts of buzzards, birds and antelope. We were pretty burned up by then but we're game to stop by the basket makers of Ikoma where we got a couple baskets.
Boy the shower felt good when we got home.
Heading to the crater tomorrow... Everyone says we'll flip. Don't know how it can be better.....