After a successful completion of my VSO placement at Mzuzu University (I built a database for the University), I was ready to unwind and enjoy a “stress-free” holiday in Tanzania. However, with the long list of things to do and see in this fabulous country, there was not much time for relaxation.
I started off on Sun. Feb 4th from Mzuzu with a fellow volunteer Gabie in her truck, a Toyota Hilux 4x4. We crossed the border at Mwandenga and headed towards Tukuyu for our first night in Tanzania. We camped at the Landmark Hotel, which had a great little garden to pitch our tents. This area gets a lot of rainfall throughout the year so the mountains are very green and thick with vegetation.
Mon. Feb 5th - There is a VSO volunteer here in Tukuyu that has worked in setting up cultural tours in the area Rungwe Tea Tours, so we decided to take one through the area.
Banana Market Day:
Local Medicine Man and his stock of medicinal herbs:
What to do when you forget your raincoat?
God’s Bridge over Kiwira River 
Tues. Feb 6th – We hiked to Ngosi Crater Lake in the morning before driving to Iringa.
Wed. Feb 7th - Feb 8th – Driving to Dodoma via Morogoro the road passes through the Mikumi National Park and we saw giraffes fro the road! However, they were too far away for photos. (see Part 2 for the return drive through the park and good photos were taken) The road also took us through the very beautiful Uluguru Mountains.Things got interesting on the road from Dodoma to Kolo as it was in really bad shape due to the rains. We passed by many buses and trucks that we completely stuck. For some, the only hope of getting out was to be pulled by a tractor. Luckily we had this awesome truck that would go through ANYTHING.
The Road to Kolo:
If you look closely you will see me looking for the way through the muck: 
There are rock paintings in the hills surrounding Kolo that are said to date back to 28,000 to 4,000 BC and include many different styles.
Rock paintings in Kolo:
We drove past many baobab trees and sunflowers that are used to produce sunflower oil.
Fri Feb 9th - Feb 10th - We finally arrived in Haydom and stayed with a Dutch doctor that is a friend of Gabie’s from Holland. It was so good to take a break from driving, especially after the difficult roads of the last 2 days. We stayed there for 2 days and took a short hike up Mt. Harar, a mountain just outside of town and had a picnic on the top. From the top there are good views of Lake Eyasi.
Gabie, Tore and me enjoying our lunch:
Gabie, Tore, Janine, me enjoying beers after the hike. From this patio behind Janine’s, you have good views of Mt. Hanang, which Gabie and I will climb in few days. 
Sun Feb 11th – Drove to Katesh and climbed Mt. Hanang (3417m, 11,207ft) and is the 4th highest mountain in Tanzania. The permit office was shut that morning so we had to do without a guide…however, a local along the path quickly appointed himself as our guide. He was great and showed us the way up and we were happy to have him along. The day started out clear and sunny, but by the time we arrived at the top, the clouds had come in and the weather had turned.
And we had more bad roads on the way to Babati and Arusha...
Part 2 will include a safari in Tarangeri Park...
