"The cry of a lanner falcon echoed loud and long across the sleepy valley. The first rays of the African sun bathed only the tops of the highest trees, but steadily advanced towards the valley floor as the great luminary conquered more and more of the morning sky. A troop of baboon lounged lazily in the early rays, soaking their warmth after a chilly august night. The infants still clung to their mother's bellies, choosing to deny the existence of the cool morning air in favour of the warmth of their mother's embrace. Africa. It has enchanted mankind for thousands of years, drawing back those who tried to leave, and holding those prisoner who did not. But it was a chosen prison, one of exquisite beauty and radiance, yet one of hard environments and even harder people. But for those who prevailed, it was the best place on earth. "