Tarangire to Arusha
Last night, several of us sat with the drivers to watch the football. Broadcast live from the UK, it appears that Tanzanian's are as enthusiastic about the Premiership as those who live in the UK. Particularly where African players are concerned. They all have their affiliations with various English teams and the usual banter between supporters of opposing clubs was hilarious. Eli - the sole Tottenham supporter came off quite badly. Miles from anywhere - in the middle of Tarangire National Reserve - Staff, Students and Tanzanian guides - shared the same language.

After the rain this morning, the track back across Tarangire park from Sopa Lodge was treacherous. Paris-Dakar now looks easy. Soon after leaving one of the Toyotas got stuck. Despite changing to lower gear ratios, attempts to rock the car out of the rut only entrenched it axle deep in mud. With all hands on the bull bars it was eventually pushed, levered and towed back on to dryer ground. On freeing the vehicle that was axle deep in mud - Emanuel was lambasted for "driving the car like Arsenal play football..." Everyone laughed. It seems berating the supporter of another football team is an universal form of humor.

The ride was really exciting - a spectacular feat of off-road driving. Two hours later, having steered across fast flowing rivers, deeply rutted gullies, careered down impossible steep slopes and powered the 4WD through corners using more under steer that Tiff Nidel... it was clear that our Guide did indeed drive a car like Thierry Henry plays football.

Eli on skin and football