Sorry for the delay in the story it was a busy weekend.
So I last left you with us running late for the safari. Before I continue I must let you know that I am normally very good with directions but
I had the Disney dizzies
..
I was just so excited with everything going on that I never really got myself oriented, plus we didnt get the time to discover the whole resort for 3 days after check in.
Also if staying in a savahanna view room give yourself plenty of time to get ready
..since you will inevitably be side tracked by all the animals outside your balcony.
So Mark and I do finally find Jiko and are the first ones there. Hummm maybe well be the only ones on the safari. While waiting for the others to show Mark ask me where he can find concierge and then dismisses himself for a few minutes. At this point a gal checks in for the safari and we start a conversation. Before long the others show up and then our safari guide Amy. As were exchanging pleasantries Im wondering if Mark is going to show back up soon or if Im going to have to ask everyone to wait for him. He finally shows up and we are all on our way out to the truck. Yay there are only 5 of us instead of 12. Our safari took as around all of the savahanas of Kidani and Jambo house and lasted about 1 ½ hrs. Amy was a great guide and provided tons of info. The safari was much more relaxed then I expected and we all asked tons of questions. We got to know the names of many of the animals which I will try to include with my pics.
P.S. if anyone is going to do the safari take any old perfume or lotion you dont use to them. Seems the animals love perfume and the stinkier the better.
This is what the safari truck looks like.
This Ruppell's Griffon Vulture was named Wednesday. There were two others in the same tree with her they are all named after Adam family characters. Morticia and Fester. LOL
This Zebra and the Wildebeest behind him got into a short lived kicking match.
This Ostrich seemed curious about me.
I can't remember this beautiful birds name but he followed us as far as possible through Kidani Savahanna
Just a few animals at Kidani
This is Eve and Marley (I think that's his name, etleast it's what Mark & are calling him). Eve is the lighter colered female giraffe and Marley is darker and a male. They reside in the Arusha savahanna so Mark and I got to see them frequently. At one point when they were outside our balcony Mark called Marley's name and he actailly stopped and turned his head towards Mark.
After the safari we were shown back to Jiko and given warm washcloths to clean up with. Our waiter was Leslie and he was great. He collected as many corks for me from our wine pairing as he could find. Chef Joshua was our chef for the evening and came out many times to talk to us and answer any questions we had.
I thought with everything being served family style that there may only be small samplings but I was wrong. There was plenty for everyone and they sent out way too much food for the entrées nobody left hungry.
I will list everything that we had but not a critique of each individual dish. Everyone had their own favorites and there wasnt anything that nobody liked. This meal did include wine pairings with the exception of anyone underage
they received soda.
Trio of dips w/ assorted breads and home made Naan
Appetizer plates
paired with Graham Beck The Game Reserve Chenin Blanc,
Robertson
Crispy Curried Beef Bobotie rolls with Cucumber Raita, Green Mango Atjar and Honey Roasted Groundnuts
this was Marks favorite and he downloaded a recipe cant wait to try his version.
Tibs Watt in Pannekoeke Stewed Beef rolled in Crepes with Peppadew-Olive Tapenade..this was my favorite.
Barbeque Chicken Flatbread with Apple-Jicama Slaw, African Barbecue Suace and Four Cheeses.
Intermezzo
Kettle One mint vodka gelato different but very tasty.
Entrees paired with Graham Back Game Reserve Cabernett Sauvignon, Robertson
Oak grilled Filet Mignon with Macaroni & Cheese and Red Wine Sauce
chef Joshua says that this red wine sauce takes four days to make.
Chermoula Tanglewood Chicken with Goat Cheese Potatoes, Preserved Lemons and Harissa
this chicken dish was the least favorite of the table but everybody loved the goat cheese mashed potatoes, cant wait to try these at home.
Maize-crusted Halibut with Vegetables of the moment and Tomato-Butter Sauce. The Halibut was everybodys favorite entrée
..surprised me since I had read so many great reviews of the Filet w/ mac & cheese I expected to prefer it.
Dessert Platters paired with Kanu Kia-Ora Noble Late Harvest, Stellenbosch 05
This wine was too sweet I just couldnt drink it.
Pistachio Crème Brulee with chocolate-layered bottom.
Tanzanian Chocolate Cremeux with Chocolate Cherry Mascarpone & Cocoa Nibs
No sugar added Cheesecake with Vanilla Crème Anglaise
.oh yummy you would never had known this had no sugar added
..it too was a favorite of the table.
After a great safari and wonderful meal we relaxed with a cup of coffee and all said our goodbyes.
After dinner I had planned to surprise Mark with fireworks from the Poly beach
.but we were both too tired and just wanted to relax in the room
guess our age is starting to show.
I had forgotten to mention that I was looking forward to trying the Zebra Domes. We had gotten them for our lunch and have to agree they are addictive.
Tomorrow we see whats in store for our 19th anniversary.