Today is planned for Lake Manyara, known for its climbing lions. A guide in Tarangire told Chruus that in three hours we would be finished,  but it takes us the entire day. 

At the gate we are welcomed by Calvin (who pronounces his own name like Kelvin), who has also whished us goodnight and good morning by telephone.  Full of pride he brings me to pay for the park, then needs to ask permission from his teacher. He is in a 2-year training to become a guide. 

The whole day he rides with us, and I get confirmation that a guide may make things a little more efficient,  but is really not necessary.  

Unfortunately the climbing lions have moved from their usual place, and the guides do not know where they are. 

We do see hippopotamus in the lake and in some swamp areas.  But they are far, and without prior preparation,  we would have missed them. Later, in the lake, we see them swimming,  and Didi manages to take a picture when one is yawning. 

Into the lake flows a hot spring.  I can barely touch the water. The air smells sulphuric,  and suddenly I am back in Thermopylae, in my beloved Greece, where ancient history is so beautifully interwoven with the charm of the ancient ruins. ..

But Africa calls me back with its water buffalo grazing on the lake shore and gazelle between the trees. 

At the end of the day we say goodbye to Calvin,  and return to the village, where Sisi and I are dropped off and buy fried chicken and some french fries from a vendor who has a pile of chicken on his rough wooden table, and a large wok with boiling oil over a charcoal fire. 

After dinner I cool off in the pool, and then try to post my blog, but the WiFi is not functional. 

With chicken and cow noises on the other side of the wall that surrounds the campground,  I fall asleep. 

I ask Calvin why the Baobab trees have no leaves. Are they dead? No, they store water in their massive stems and then lose their leaves to reduce evapotranspiration.