Walkabout The World - A Disney Podcast - Disney's Animal Kingdom Harambe Signs And The Tam Tam Drummers

Episode Date: October 15, 2022

Hello Travelers! Join host Jeremy this week in Harambe - the Port of East Africa - in Disney's Animal Kingdom for a walk-and-talk episode where we do some good old-fashioned WalkaboutTheWorld sign reading. Learn where you can get a rubber stamp, how you can take a fishing tour, get your electronic devices repaired, and oh... so much more. End the episode with a performance by the Tam Tam Drummers.   As always, use good listening devices as we always record in 4 channel surround sound. We hope you enjoy the episode and thanks so much for following along!    Look us up at @WalkaboutWDW on Instagram and drop us a note to say hi! Find our producer Josh also on Instagram at @TheSteele. Say hi to our west coast correspondent Ric at @opticaljedi. Lastly give a shout to our Orlando correspondent Pete at @neverlandlocal.   Walkabout The World is a weekly Disney Podcast, always recorded on property with the simple goal of making you feel like you are in the Disney parks.    You can now also drop us at line at [e-mail]. Say hi, give us some suggestions on things you'd love to hear, or even record your own 'Hello Traveler' show open when you are out and about, and we'll work it into a future show!

Welcome back to Walk About the World and hello travelers! You know who we are, and you know where we are. From Discovery Island this morning on a surprisingly not roasting Central Florida morning. October is finally starting to show itself and we are back in Disney's Animal Kingdom, the hairiest place on Earth, standing directly next to the Tree of Life. Seated on one of the little concrete benches here that looks like a tree root

and it's pleasant and kind of packed. Our fellow travelers strolling in this morning, and today we are going to do a good old-fashioned walk about the world, walk and talk and Harambe sign reading. So if you are one of the sizable number of our listener populations who say, man, I wish these guys would just be quiet and let us enjoy the park, this is not going to be the episode for you because we're going to talk today. I love Animal Kingdom. I love just walking through and seeing what we can see. And for the love of Pete... For the love of Pete, our co-host...

The drumming flotilla is out already, beating the absolute shenanigans out of its drum set. You know how I feel about the drum people. Anyway, so what we're going to do, we're going to make our way from here over towards Harambe. I'm going to rejoin you over there, and we're going to walk around Harambe. We're going to read some signs because we haven't done that in a while. I enjoy it. And just talk. Talk about what we see in the parks and just have a little adventure together this morning. So here we go. All right, here we are at the entrance to Harambe, the gates of Africa and floating by is a flotilla. That's what they do. Timon and Rafiki this time.

Let's go across the bridge. Everything about the design. The place making everything about the design, the place-making of Harambee, I just love. Including the crumbling bridge and... Oh, dear God. All right, fine. We'll pause on the bridge.

Welcome to Harambe, Port of East Africa, on the wall in the distance. And here comes the drumming flotilla that you can hear from park end to park end. Enjoy. Hello bridge people. I gotta tell you something. I really look up to you. Okay, I appreciate a good pun okay so you know where we are we're on the bridge leading into Harambee proper off to my left is the port of Harambee off to my right is the discovery of Harambe. Off to my right is the Discovery River looking

over towards the Forbidden Mountain. And just gazing this morning over the Discovery River, I see the boat at the dock down there. I see the, as I said, the sign that says Harambe Port of East Africa. You can see the Lion King Theater in the distance. It is 70 some degrees and for a Floridian that's just come through summer in a hurricane, this is amazing. White water lilies are blooming down on the Discovery River. Tusker House in view to the left, and my goal here with you is to hang out, just hang out in Harambee for a while. The little details that you can notice, I'm telling you right now, something I've never seen just because it's easy to pass by. If you're

standing kind of at the highest place on the bridge leading over into Harambee, you can look over the Tusker House restaurant to what appears to be more apartments over and above Tusker House. And they have worn shutters. The walls are faded but washed blue. And I just want to snag one of those apartments. And I think we will probably read the sign later that talks about said apartments because there are some signs that you can read near Tusker that talk about apartments to let.

And I'm like, now I know where they are. You can actually see them from the top of the bridge. Let's wander down into the middle of Harambee and just get some Harambee morning atmosphere We're not passing anything. We're passing the Tusker House entrance and the Dawa Bar to our left. Dawa Bar now closed. Not sure what time they open It's a bustling Harambee. We're standing right in front of the Harambee Port Authority, right in the middle of Town Square.

Let's take a seat. We're on the porch. Ten minutes of red light. I have procured a Starbucks cold brew. And I am seated in the middle of Harambe with you. And this is just my idea of a good time today. Listen to the kids scream. The town center music.

Don't know if you guys can hear this, but looking across the street, there is the tower, and my brain is failing me, the name of the tower. We'll go in there and read a sign here in a minute um but next to the tower is a building covered with what looks like a uh a coating of lava rock it's kind of like they with some bamboo, what looks like rails up above. And you can hear knocking and activity and voices and whatnot up there if you chill here for a while. Something else I'll mention is that on my way in in I noticed as soon as you come through the tap styles if you go to the right through the oasis they have done a lot of work there they've cleared a lot there's a there's a fence up for some reefer but they've also clearly taken down some trees you can definitely tell if you come off and it is much more open much more much more clear

than it was before not exactly sure what they're doing over there but wanted to mention to you We'll see if we can catch some Harambee Town Center entertainment here in a while too. Also, I'm starving. I'm going to wander over here to Kusafiri Bakery and see if they're open and what they have. Don't know if we'll get anything. But we can check it out. Then we'll start our tour. I would wax poetic if I had the ability to wax poetic, which I don't. Just about the atmosphere here.

Yes, of course, you see the tourists going by, and they're clearly just purchased shorts and t-shirts and talking loudly and looking at their phones and maps. That's okay. They're fellow travelers. They're here to have a good time. But really, it makes you feel like you're in a different place. Looking directly to my right, we're under the shade of a little tree, which is very nice. The sun is bright this morning, even though it's not roasting hot.

But looking to my right, you see the Mombasa Marketplace. The whitewashed building as you head towards the... Sorry, I got distracted. As you head towards the safaris, it's on your right. Gorgeous building. There's a breeze. The coffee is good. Let's head over to Kusafiri.

Actually, holy moly, there's a huge line for Kusafiri. Okay. Let's go read a sign or two And then maybe check out Kusafiri We can visit the Kavuko Computer Training Center it says over here Now we're going to go over towards this gentleman's establishment here in just a minute, but here's a sign for Mr. Matumbo's Fishing Tours and Safari, it says. I kind of feel like he's tacking on the safari part. You can do a half day at sea from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., can be extended to four. Also, sunset cruises, or you can create personal safaris,

sailing, fishing, snorkeling, biodiversity tours. Also, there is a professional lady looking for a flat to rent, if you happen to have a flat. The door here says, Hoteli Buradika Deliveries Only. Now, here's the thing that we've talked about. I wish were a real thing. There's a sign here that says,

Harambe Historic Tours. Every third Friday of the month. Free of charge. And it instructs us to meet the guide at the local municipal office. And the tour is from 12 to 3. I would really like to do that. Like, for real, I'd like to do that.

Also, there's a sign here. There's a notice. Mr. M. Chiatto Coenze has moved his place of business to number 38, Mahalipote Street. All right. let's continue. Let's head over towards the theater district. Isn't that great? Come on! Come on! The Harambe Fort over to your left, and that is a covered seating area that you can enjoy. Passing by Tamu Tamu Refreshments.

Eats had refreshments. Never eaten anything there. Once again, Tusker House on our right. We're going to take a right by the Discovery River and head towards the theater district. Of course, Tusker House, large covered outdoor area as well with seating, white and kind of a deep burnt red paint

on the building here, on the pillars. Faded metal signage pointing to the theater. And to your left, you have the cannon that overlooks the port of Harambe to defend against scallywags and other ne'er-do-wells. Hoteli Buradika, clean beds, fresh water. To the right. And here I also will notice, we've spoken about them before, but two concrete benches. One faded red, one faded green. One says Harambe, and the other says Uhuru, 1961. Festival of the Lion King about to take off right now. So keep your whole party together for coming to see our show in either line.

Make sure everyone enters together. Festival of the Lion King about to take off right now. On the side of the building here, it says Theater Quarter. Harambee Tourist Information Bureau to the right, it says. And also a faded, a faded piece of print upon the wall, clearly from history, says His Majesty's Imperial Protectorate Mail Service. That's what this used to be. J.M. Moyo, recycled bead jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

You can find them right here. And here we have the Customs and Clearance Building, what used to be the Customs and Clearance building, now a part of the theater here. They've clearly remodeled this area. It used to be more of a port authority building, and now it's a theater building. But you can see the old, faded Customs and Clearance on the whitewashed walls directly in front of you.

We can also visit the Tabasami Studio for film development and printing. You heard her. This awesome whitewashed building with columns and scalloped entrances framed by the palm trees in front of it. Just beautiful in the morning light. Did you know that here in the theater district you can find Dr. Jomo? He is an herbalist, astrologer, and traditional healer. I have his telephone number here if you need it. There's also a silversmith.

Best deal for your money or we will buy your valuables. I don't know about that. I just don't know about that. I just don't know about that. Walking across the street to overlook the port. There's a metal door leading down towards the port. Number 10214. Can you hear the Samangs in the distance? I don't know if you guys can hear that from all the way over here. Once again, looking down.

Gorgeous blooming water lilies. Okay, how can I not take a picture of that for you? I'm gonna. I have to set down my Starbucks coffee. Beautiful. Also being careful not to drop you my Starbucks coffee. Beautiful. Also being careful not to drop you or the phone over the side. That would be bad.

That would be embarrassing. If you head straight down past the theater, which is now on the right, you're going to encounter a few things, and then you can make your way over onto Pandora through the back way. Here, once again, is another entrance with a metal door down to the port, and it has writing over top that I took a picture of, oh, who knows, maybe a year ago. Trying to find out what type of script it is. I never found out.

Here's some space mayo containers, Josh. And here's a sign. We've read before disco with one love concerts presented by three stars at Civic Club on Kunjufu Street Friday night around 930

if you want to get your disco on you can find it here in Arambe who knew Who knew? Passing the theater. The exit of Arambe and the entrance to what is now Pandora Framed ahead by large, beautiful stone whitewashed bridge Do we have another floating crew approaching? We may, let's see Yeah, I'm not sure We'll keep going crew approaching? We may. Let's see.

Yeah, I'm not sure. We'll keep going. Alright, now we have arrived over here at Mr. Matumbo's fishing tours. You can fish for a lobster, prawn, crab, fish, which, you know, okay, and squid. And it says tours to

the right, so let's keep going to the right. And then as you finally reach the building where Mr. Matumbo's is, you find that you have to go upstairs. It says Mr. Matumbo's Fishing Tours Upstairs with a really cool sign, and we're going to take a picture of that for you. It's one of the best here. I'd love to have that in my office because I'm strange and I have lots of Animal Kingdom things

in my office. But it says, make your bookings here. Mr. Matumbo's wonderful fishing tours upstairs. And directly behind us is Club 33. The building says Harambe House, and it is, again, the whitewashed buildings with the scalloped, well, instead of the scalloped openings, it's scalloped windows. But that's Club 33. One day I shall visit there.

Somehow. Current plan is blackmail. But we'll see. As we head back into Harambe, it says all travelers must have departure papers before leaving Harambe Port. You're not getting out of here without your papers. Cast member here for the Festival of the Lion King with a sign that says End of the Line, and boy, he's really missing the chance to just scribble the the out of queue. There's lots of good signs in there. But that was back in the dark times,

and one of the things that it allowed us to do was wander around areas where guests normally are. Well, guess what? Now the guests are there. So we can't do that. But that's okay. There's plenty of stuff available. I'm going to head back towards Harambee Proper, but I'm going to take a left towards the exit of stuff available. I'm going to head back towards Arambe proper,

but I'm going to take a left towards the exit of the theater. See what we can see over here. So the green and red concrete benches that I mentioned before are over here. We're going between them. Listen to this love it love it over here you can take in this ambience from this lovely green stone bench you can just chill here soak it up a while. Captain Bob's Super Safaris. I don't know. The caption is trust us. I don't know. The caption is, trust us. I don't know, it makes me nervous.

Captain Bob invented economy camping, it says. Camping doesn't mean cheap, it means value. Bob, I don't know. Seems like that might not be as comfortable as I might like. We also have Kivaluni Terrace, waterside seating for diners. Rolling Wheels Driving School. Now all the people can drive. They absolutely can. Traditional African sign writing, painted by Edwin Kwaniyama. You can phone 52381.

Here is a sign. Oh man, there's a better picture of it later, so I'm going to snap it later, but Kinga Hot Air Balloon Trips. I love this sign. Also, I would really love to do that. Tired of the dust and jolts of East Africa's famous road system? Yes, yes I am. Longing for that romantic, what does it say? Romantic vision of Africa? Yes.

Why delay? Good point. Safe, unique, and romantic, it says. Hot air balloon romance? I mean, I'm all about it. Also, there's a champagne breakfast involved. Are you kidding me? We also have an entrance here for, ah, what is this? Mubiwa Culture Studios. Open days Monday through Friday. Okay, not today.

Today's Saturday. Learn things you want to know. If there are things I want to know and somebody's willing to teach me, that sounds like a good plan. If you get in line right now, it'll be for the 11 o'clock performance. Now, we are approaching the backside of Tusker House. That's a thing. There are stairs that lead up here.

All of this area has become stroller parking bonanza. It uh the back area of the theater but there's some really cool signs over here and one of the most out of the way things if you go right behind oh man the sign is almost completely almost completely almost completely torn down here. I'm going to have to take a picture of this. Josh, do we just straight up

print one and put it on here? But near the back of Tusker House, you can find the actual place where you can find Jorodi masks and beads. Yay! We made it! Along with the Harambe Cultural Place where you can find. Jorodi masks and beads. Along with the Harambe Cultural Society.

There's an amazing tower here. Kind of a. Conical. Tower. I have no earthly idea of what it is. There's no signage on it. But it is kind of cool. Alright, let's walk through the

seating area for Tusker House here. We were just being filmed. The guy thought he was being sly. But he wasn't. I saw him. I probably thought it was somebody famous.

I'm not. I'm just me. One of the absolute best places to chill and just have a seat. Now over here by the Harambee Port Authority you can find some cool signs. Also known as the bathrooms. Old Captain Bob over here again. Here we have a sign of Please... Sorry. The coffee went down wrong. Original haircut by Barbara Michael. Beauty is your birthright. Now, funny thing here, as I choke on my coffee, I'm holding a microphone, but it looks like a camera. And when you're filming by bathrooms, people get uncomfortable.

I don't know why. Here's a sign that says, Wesiwa Pembe. Oh, I'm not going to try to read that Swahili. But it says, Ivory Poachers Beware. Think 10 times before you dabble in poaching because bad i'm going to add the last part because bad things are going to happen to you there is actually a corded phone here what i don't think those existed anymore. Sign on the wall here that says, Engome House, Private Piga Kengele.

On the doorstep, a couple of teapots. Seated briefly inside a very empty Harambee Marketplace. Sometimes you just have to take a break and soak it in, right? But approaching is the train that goes off to Rafiki's Planet Watch. You and I have ridden that together before. Here it comes. Chef Mwanga's meat shop is cranking.

I can smell the cooking stuff. Oh, here's the train. The Eastern Star Railway. All the luggage strapped to the top. I love trains. I'm a little kid. Okay, let's venture on. All right folks, let's go hear the Tam Tam drummers. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. ¡Vamos! ¡Vamos! Thank you. I can't think of a better way to end up this episode than with the Tam Tam drummers.

Thanks for hanging out with me today. It's just been a brief kind of little hodgepodge of a trip through Harambe. Read some signs together, looked at some cool stuff. That's kind of what we're about here. Look us up on Instagram at walkaboutwdw, our one and only place where we interact with you guys on the internets.

Find each of our hosts. You can find me, Jeremy, at Jeremy underscore Hunt underscore FL on Instagram. Man, I love these guys. And there were so many people dancing. I just love it. I wasn't one of them because I don't want to be thrown out of here. But lots of

people dancing. I love to see a lively harambe. You can find our co-host and producer and artist, Josh at TheSteel with an E. On Instagram, you can also find Pete at Neverland Local and our West Coast co-host

I like the way that sounds, so I'm just going to use that now. Rick at Optical Jedi. You can also email us at contact at walkabouttheworld.com drop us a line on Instagram or by email

just say hi let us know you listen let us know where you're from let us know how you find us let us know what you like don't tell me if you don't like these episodes because it'll hurt my feelings make me cry

it won't but like don't tell me that but other than that if you like what you hear, give us a review somewhere. You know all the normal places. We would appreciate it. I have no

idea what the Tam Tam drummers are telling the crowd right now, but they're excited. They're excited. That is it from Harambe, and that is it from me today. Thanks for joining us. We really appreciate you guys, and as always, there's a great big beautiful tomorrow out there. We will see you in one of them on another episode of Walk About the World. Bye, everybody. Thank you.