Jane and I both were awake and wandering the apartment at 4 AM.  Joe had gone to sleep with Ruby who had trouble getting to sleep.  Jane came to sleep with me, and thankfully we fell back asleep around 5 AM.  Joe woke us when to my shock it was 11:30 AM! Soon after waking, the girls were climbing the nearby trees and ooh and ahhing over various flowers and bugs.

Having arrived at night I could only appreciate the amazing stars.  Upon opening our door we found our apartment perched above a tidy garden overlooking a beautiful forested valley.  We made our way down to the restaurant to meet our host, Ute, and find a delicious breakfast waiting, even at noon.  Everything was locally produced on the farm or purchased from nearby. Fresh fruit, yogurt, sourdough bread, butter, herbal cream cheese and exotic jams.  Best of all was the french press of coffee.

After a slow start we decided to take the short walk to a viewpoint.  It was just over 1 km down a dirt road passing many basic homes, gardens, a few little shops and a school.  We saw many Tanzanians, especially young children along the way.  We greeted them all in our best Swahili and they were very friendly.  We went as far as where the road took a sharp turn and there was a spectacular view steeply down to a valley far below, and of sheer rocky cliffs.  From there we doubled back and returned to Irente Farm.

Click pictures below to view larger version:

After a little down time, we took another walk, down a narrow path and emerged at Irente Farm’s cow shed and jam factory.  Again we saw many friendly people and the ubiquitous motorbikes with young men.  There were also some amazingly huge trees.  One, when Jane approached, a score of large dark butterflies emerged from a crevice.  It was a surprise.  I thought they were bats!

Click pictures below to view larger version:

We then lounged around the restaurant and apartment until dinner.  All twenty or so guests gathered around a few tables and helped ourselves to an abundant buffet of Tanzanian food.  Everything was tasty and foreign and vegetarian except the coconut curry beef.