Then we woke up on the last morning of our African expedition. After game drives and foot treks to see elephants, lions, rhinos, hippos, baboons, cheetahs, wildebeest, zebras, elands, gazelles, and my favorite giraffes; after bush-hopping in tiny aircraft and drifting in dhows on Lake Tanganyika; after dirt toilets and bucket showers; after wonderful food and drink in exotic settings; after sleeping under mosquito nets while the wildlife prowl outside our camp; after being so well cared for by staff, camp managers, Maasai guards and our wonderful guides, it was time to leave this marvelous land.

We were sad to leave after taking Africa into our hearts, despite the fact that we were heading home again to our more comfortable, yet somehow more ordinary lives. But Cyndi and I promised that we would come back to Africa. Even before we board the jet in Dar-es-Salaam, we begin planning our next trip — in 2010!

If you think you would like to join us for our next African adventure, just call me.