African Safari Tanzania September 2016

If I ever get around to making my top ten list of things I have done in this life, I am certain that this safari will make the list. After several people dropped out, we ended up with five travelers plus our guide, Robert Chama. It turned out to be a good number in the Land Rover as it gave us extra space for backpacks and camera gear.

The trip out to the Serengeti was in a small Cessna to a dirt airstrip, quite an adventure in itself. We started off at a private, government reserve where we had the entire area all to ourselves. In addition to being able to go off the road to see tons of wild animals up close and personal, it al-lowed us to go out after dark to see nocturnal animals such as the strange looking aardvark.

It is interesting to know that your body adapts to being outside quickly. Our nyumbas (Swahili for home) were very comfortable and almost luxurious tents with camp shower, compost toilet and queen bed. At altitudes of 6,000 to 7,200 feet, we gratefully found a hot water bottle tucked in our bed at night.

Mark F. Dodich

503-252-1558

mark@astromark.us

www.astromark.us ASTROMARK PO Box 16267 Portland, OR 97292-0267

Male lions don’t do foreplay!

They do like the shade, wherever they can find it.

African Safari Tanzania September 2016

I loved being around the Maasai people. They have a quietness about them, and also a friendly warmth and curiosity. I met Maasai that lived in a traditional way (except for having a cell phone, of course) and ranging to those who no longer live the traditional way.

Astrology, Intuitive Tarot and Sacred Travel with Mark Dodich

(503) 252-1558 mark@astromark.us www.astromark.us

Practicing my warrior stance at an Irawq home

Lynn, me, Sherry, Amos our translator, and Cass at a traditional Maasai Boma

Elephants don’t worry about the crocodiles or lions that hang out near water holes at the dry season.

Camp staff in Eastern Serengeti Warm and friendly people, healthy food,

great views Careful: baboons are smart and

will steal your stuff

African Safari Tanzania September 2016

Astrology, Intuitive Tarot and Sacred Travel with Mark Dodich

(503) 252-1558 mark@astromark.us www.astromark.us

Although I am a big elephant lover, Twiga (Swahili for giraffe) is my new favorite

The staff made us breakfast out in the bush as a surprise

when we were taking our morning hike

We took a walk out to

the edge of Ngorongoro Crater to see the sunset from 7200 feet. We always had a Maasai guide with either spear or bow and poison ar-

rows because you nev-er knew what was hid-

ing in the tall grass. Dress warm!

Stopping for lunch in North Serengeti, the

most primitive part of the reserve, a place as

big as Connecticut.

Below are photos from the Oldupai George,

where Lucy was found, and a place where

people have lived for over 2.5 million years. It gave me a sacred an

ancient feeling. Our guide was friends with the head archae-ologist so we got the

grand tour from top to bottom

I think I shall stay in the Land Rover!

I hope these photos stimulate you to step out of your daily life to explore a different part of you. There is magic within you, but sometimes you need to step away from your daily routine to remember that you are so much more than what you see in the mirror.

The things you think are so important in your life may not be as important as you think. Or maybe you just get a fresh per-spective on your life.

Prior to the trip, I think I heard almost every reason why going to Africa was a bad idea. All of them were just people’s fears acting up. Certainly there are hassles and cash flow issues in going off on an adventure. When I think about my $7000 den-tal implant vs. a safari to Tanzania, well it only makes sense to go on safari. Don’t go cheap on a safari– you will appreciate the extra luxuries that are not on a budget safari, and it is like-ly a trip most people only do once in a lifetime.

Yes, the world is crazy right now. But when you walk in alignment with your higher consciousness, not giving in to fears, then you are protected and somehow the universe provides for your needs.

It is an abundant universe waiting for you to set your intent. I am in the early stages of planning the next trip, most likely in 2018. The early contenders for the next trip are a water based trip to the Greek islands or a return to Egypt. There is also some inter-est in going to New Zealand where many people believe ancient records are stored on the south island.

I still want to go to Turkey, Israel and Petra in Jordan, but time will tell if that is to happen.

It annoys me when every trip we have taken, people tell me they want to go but cannot afford it. If you truly want to travel, it is possible if you just plan for it to be a part of your life.

I maintain a “travel savings” account at a different bank than where I do my primary banking (so I am not tempted to dip into it).

I put a small amount of money into that account every month. By the next trip in 2018, a person could have the bulk of the cost of a trip waiting for them, or at least a substantial deposit. I recommend Thomson Safari and there are a lot of advantages to doing your safari in Tanzania.

Check out videos at http://www.thomsonsafaris.com/

Astrology, Intuitive Tarot and Sacred Travel with Mark Dodich

(503) 252-1558 mark@astromark.us

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Sunset over Ngorongoro Crater