Africa Family Vacation 2010

I know I haven't posted about many things that happened in July, like the 4th, when most of our (Reis) family comes for the weekend and McKenna throwing the first pitch at the local Pirates game...I will get to that, I promise! But let me throw in a few pics of our Family Vacation! This is something that has been happening with my side of the family for many years now. We go somewhere every other year and this year we went back to Africa. Danny could not join us this year, he had a commitment at WSU to work in a Fellowship Program with the Psychology lab and really learned that it sometimes sucks to grow up and be responsible!! He was definitely missed!First stop...spent the weekend in Libreville at a very nice hotel La Residence Maisha...these are my CUTE girls!!
Drive by shots in Libreville

Relaxing in the lounge with my mom, McKenna, Lindsay, me, the kids cousin Alex, Uncle Oscar Grandpa and cousin John

Fly into Bayanga and first thing out of the plane, we get to go on an Elephant hike!

Dirty shoes
Isn't this the best!

Stay at Dzanga Sangha Reserve and hike to view the Mangabay (Monkey) and the gorilla close up...best day ever!

On the way through the village for the "hunt"

My groups hunt team

Lindsay balancing a saber on her head!

Move to Loango Lodge...seriously roughing it now!
Boating over to Akaka Camp

Lots of wildlife

Grandpa...now THAT'S wildlife :)

The girls and I and Uncle Oscar in one of the cabins

This is our really rough dining room!!!

Pte. Ste. Catherine Beach Camp. Unfortunately the wells had dried up and we couldn't stay there, but we went for a couple of day trips and had a private beach and a chef that came with us! Now THAT is what I call camping!!

My girls and their grandpa

The girls sea shell collection...they actually took a couple of live ones home...ewwwwww
McKenna and her Uncle Oscar. Last night at Akaka, boating over to a neighboring camp to see some local dancing.

One of our last stops, Evengue Island, that hosts the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project which is a rescue program that plans to hopefully rehabilitate and reintroduce gorillas who have become ophans due to bush meat trade back into the wild.

Another CUTE pic of the girls

Boating over to Port Gentil, our last stop...many of the boats do not survive the water and the weight they put on the boats, and most do not have the safety measures like life jackets to help.

This is how I spent most of the 4 hour trip!!

Crocodile viewing on the way