Ryan James Wong

Fun Stories for Fun People

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A small boat crossing Lake Tanganyika

A small boat crossing Lake Tanganyika

Students at school in front of the computer lab

Students at school in front of the computer lab

My friend and fellow teacher, Johnson, and I. (I’m on the right)

My friend and fellow teacher, Johnson, and I. (I’m on the right)

Sunrise viewed from my backyard

Sunrise viewed from my backyard

A peacock

Sunset over the Indian Ocean

Sunset over the Indian Ocean

We got goggles

Chinese food for dinner

Chinese food for dinner

A very old tortoise

A very old tortoise

At some pre-wedding celebrations in the village

At some pre-wedding celebrations in the village

Disembarking from our first class train ride

Disembarking from our first class train ride

Some beach fun

Celebrations at the bridal sendoff

Celebrations at the bridal sendoff

A lot of hippos

A lot of hippos

A boat taxi in Zanzibar

A boat taxi in Zanzibar

The Great Migration of the Serengeti

The Great Migration of the Serengeti

The entrance to the Serengeti

The entrance to the Serengeti

Underwater picture on Jordan’s birthday

Underwater picture on Jordan’s birthday

We <3 Zanzibar

A Hyena

Leopard hunting a dik dik

Leopard hunting a dik dik

Pumba

Posing for a picture

Posing for a picture

Tree (with birds)

Tree (with birds)

Hippo out of water in the evening

Hippo out of water in the evening

Acacia on the savannah

Acacia on the savannah

She went under our car

She went under our car

Giraffe outside the tent at night

Giraffe outside the tent at night

A cheetah family

A cheetah family

This elephant gave us a warning trumpet

This elephant gave us a warning trumpet

With our safari car in Ngorongoro

With our safari car in Ngorongoro

A Maasai village

A Maasai village

Cheetah on the car

Cheetah on the car

Us with the infamous safari car

Us with the infamous safari car

A field in Arusha

A field in Arusha

Sunrise in Arusha

Sunrise in Arusha

Zebras with lines in a line

Zebras with lines in a line

Mount Meru behind jacarandas in bloom

Mount Meru behind jacarandas in bloom

The Orion Tabora Hotel, formerly built to house the German Kaiser on his visit to Tanganyika. He didn’t make it on account of World War I

The Orion Tabora Hotel, formerly built to house the German Kaiser on his visit to Tanganyika. He didn’t make it on account of World War I

Mogging on the shores of Lake Tanganyika

Mogging on the shores of Lake Tanganyika

Our ferry on the way to Mahale

Our ferry on the way to Mahale

A rural gas station

A rural gas station

Nighttime boat ride to enter Mahale

Nighttime boat ride to enter Mahale

One of the oldest most respected chimps in the park, just over 40 years old

One of the oldest most respected chimps in the park, just over 40 years old

Studying our safari guides

Studying our safari guides

Bus flipped over, I was inside but it was a slow tip so I’m fine

Bus flipped over, I was inside but it was a slow tip so I’m fine

Mount Kipengere at sunset (Jordan’s village)

Mount Kipengere at sunset (Jordan’s village)

Brush fire at the school

Brush fire at the school

Eucalyptus timber farm at school

Eucalyptus timber farm at school

Shopping for produce in the Serengeti

Shopping for produce in the Serengeti

The second flat tire

The second flat tire

More brush fire at the school

More brush fire at the school

A highly venomous snake that I almost stepped on

A highly venomous snake that I almost stepped on

It rained during my run

It rained during my run

Moonrise over my house

Moonrise over my house

Village road on my running route

Village road on my running route

Lost and confused

Lost and confused

A small boat crossing Lake Tanganyika

Students at school in front of the computer lab

My friend and fellow teacher, Johnson, and I. (I’m on the right)

Sunrise viewed from my backyard

Sunset over the Indian Ocean

Chinese food for dinner

A very old tortoise

At some pre-wedding celebrations in the village

Disembarking from our first class train ride

Celebrations at the bridal sendoff

A lot of hippos

A boat taxi in Zanzibar

The Great Migration of the Serengeti

The entrance to the Serengeti

Underwater picture on Jordan’s birthday

We <3 Zanzibar

A Hyena

Pumba

Hippo out of water in the evening

Acacia on the savannah

A cheetah family

This elephant gave us a warning trumpet

With our safari car in Ngorongoro

Us with the infamous safari car

Mount Meru behind jacarandas in bloom

Mogging on the shores of Lake Tanganyika

Our ferry on the way to Mahale

A rural gas station

Studying our safari guides

Bus flipped over, I was inside but it was a slow tip so I’m fine

Mount Kipengere at sunset (Jordan’s village)

Brush fire at the school

Eucalyptus timber farm at school

Shopping for produce in the Serengeti

The second flat tire

More brush fire at the school

Moonrise over my house

Village road on my running route

Lost and confused

The Unbearable Weight of No Talent

Ryan Wong June 25, 2026

I pick up where I left off and talk about the last few months of last year.

Moonrise over the highlands

Moonrise over the highlands

A grazing pasture

A grazing pasture

L’Heure Bleue

Sunset over the field

Sunset over the field

Construction in Dodoma

Construction in Dodoma

Nighttime city lights in Dodoma

Nighttime city lights in Dodoma

Group photo at health clinic in Morogoro

Group photo at health clinic in Morogoro

Rainbow

The foggy mountain backdrop of Morogoro

The foggy mountain backdrop of Morogoro

The Njombe squad

The Njombe squad

My Njombe Family

My Njombe Family

A hazy sunset in Dodoma

A hazy sunset in Dodoma

Sunset over Oyster Bay in Dar es Salaam

Sunset over Oyster Bay in Dar es Salaam

KFC

Piercing sun rays

Piercing sun rays

Alleys of Zanzibar

Alleys of Zanzibar

Alleys of Zanzibar pt.2

Alleys of Zanzibar pt.2

Coming in to dock at Zanzibar

Coming in to dock at Zanzibar

I found donuts

They have pickleball in Dar

They have pickleball in Dar

Coco beach

Zanzibar rooftops

Zanzibar rooftops

Riding the ferry

Riding the ferry

The shipping docks of Dar

The shipping docks of Dar

Stuck inside a Zanzibari fort

Stuck inside a Zanzibari fort

Fishing boats in Zanzibar

Fishing boats in Zanzibar

A street in Dar es Salaam

A street in Dar es Salaam

The shipping control tower

The shipping control tower

Docking the ferry

Docking the ferry

The Indian ocean

The Indian ocean

Golfing in Arusha

Golfing in Arusha

The tallest freestanding mountain in the world

The tallest freestanding mountain in the world

Freedom Torch celebration

Freedom Torch celebration

The government brings a torch through all of Tanzania, representing freedom and unity

The government brings a torch through all of Tanzania, representing freedom and unity

Moonrise over the highlands

A grazing pasture

L’Heure Bleue

Sunset over the field

Group photo at health clinic in Morogoro

Rainbow

The foggy mountain backdrop of Morogoro

The Njombe squad

My Njombe Family

Sunset over Oyster Bay in Dar es Salaam

KFC

Piercing sun rays

Coming in to dock at Zanzibar

I found donuts

They have pickleball in Dar

Coco beach

Riding the ferry

The shipping docks of Dar

Fishing boats in Zanzibar

The shipping control tower

Docking the ferry

The Indian ocean

The tallest freestanding mountain in the world

Freedom Torch celebration

The government brings a torch through all of Tanzania, representing freedom and unity

Embracing the Known

Ryan Wong August 11, 2025

I talk about the ups and downs heading into 11 months of service in Tanzania

A Savannah tree

A Savannah tree

On a brigde

Big yawn

They got marshes!

They got marshes!

Nice drink

Safari fits

Njombe crew posted up

Njombe crew posted up

Fishing on the lake

Fishing on the lake

Nature calls, I answer

Nature calls, I answer

Waterfall

Flip flops on a roof

Flip flops on a roof

Milky waterfall

Milky waterfall

In the waterfall

In the waterfall

Going for a run before dawn

Going for a run before dawn

Superficial looking super official

Superficial looking super official

Alley dog

Some safari fun

Some safari fun

Mbeya skyline

Elephant at sunset

Elephant at sunset

Some nice vines

Some nice vines

Sunset on the Ruaha River

Sunset on the Ruaha River

Perching

Hill

Construction

More hill

Sunset hike

Ngosi Crater Lake

Ngosi Crater Lake

City lights

Ngosi Crater Lake

Ngosi Crater Lake

7,000 feet up

A sunset rainbow

A sunset rainbow

A Savannah tree

Big yawn

They got marshes!

Nice drink

Fishing on the lake

Nature calls, I answer

Flip flops on a roof

Superficial looking super official

Some safari fun

Mbeya skyline

Sunset on the Ruaha River

Hill

Sunset hike

Ngosi Crater Lake

The Good (Old) Days

Ryan Wong April 20, 2025

7 months in Tanzania and I reflect on nostalgia.

Nice hills

A rising moon

I made another table!

I made another table!

Got some visitors at site

Got some visitors at site

Got a drill to up my carpentry game

Got a drill to up my carpentry game

The sinister serpent

The sinister serpent

The southern highlands of Tanzania

The southern highlands of Tanzania

Made a shirt rack

Made a shirt rack

Our (very) slanted soccer field

Our (very) slanted soccer field

The avocado orchard

The avocado orchard

My coworkers as they hang out

My coworkers as they hang out

More southern highlands

More southern highlands

A meandering path

A meandering path

A wooded path

A downhill path

A downhill path

A sunny day at school

A sunny day at school

Some matching outfits with dessert!

Some matching outfits with dessert!

Nice hills

A rising moon

I made another table!

Our (very) slanted soccer field

The avocado orchard

My coworkers as they hang out

More southern highlands

On Being Original

Ryan Wong March 22, 2025

6 months in Tanzania and even though I encounter a little adversity I won’t let that stop me.

Some campfire guitar

Some campfire guitar

Hanging out at the orphanage

Hanging out at the orphanage

First day of school

First day of school

I made shelves

Trying to get some orphans to chicken fight

Trying to get some orphans to chicken fight

I made an end table

I made an end table

Tuning up the generator

Tuning up the generator

Coming back to the flood

Coming back to the flood

Saw some piglets

Saw some piglets

After most of the water had drained out

After most of the water had drained out

R’s and L’s are interchangeable in Swahili

R’s and L’s are interchangeable in Swahili

Playing some Mario Kart at IT club

Playing some Mario Kart at IT club

Lunchtime

Wouldn’t be a blog post without a sunset picture

Wouldn’t be a blog post without a sunset picture

A sunrise over the valley

A sunrise over the valley

The avocados here are huge

The avocados here are huge

I got new gutters

I got new gutters

Mini people getting water in mini buckets

Mini people getting water in mini buckets

A triple decker PB&J

A triple decker PB&J

Some campfire guitar

Hanging out at the orphanage

Tuning up the generator

After most of the water had drained out

R’s and L’s are interchangeable in Swahili

Playing some Mario Kart at IT club

Lunchtime

Wouldn’t be a blog post without a sunset picture

I got new gutters

Mini people getting water in mini buckets

Pursuit of Happiness

Ryan Wong February 9, 2025

I reflect on 5 months in Tanzania, finding fulfillment, and I tell some stories.

Chilling on a rock

Chilling on a rock

A daytime moon

Sunset gradient

Sunset gradient

Trees staking out sunset

Trees staking out sunset

The lone avocado tree in the pineapple farm

The lone avocado tree in the pineapple farm

A rainbow

Enjoying some alpine flowers

Enjoying some alpine flowers

Chasing a waterfall

Chasing a waterfall

Hill run

A perched crow

The Njombe crew

The Njombe crew

A mountain picnic

A mountain picnic

A hawk in flight

A hawk in flight

Trekking the mountain ridge

Trekking the mountain ridge

Getting vertical

Getting vertical

Wildlife spotted

Wildlife spotted

Feeling stoic or something

Feeling stoic or something

A winding dirt road

A winding dirt road

Shelter

The school soccer field

The school soccer field

Some birthday cake

Some birthday cake

Look at me

Enjoying tomato soup on a bus ride

Enjoying tomato soup on a bus ride

Taking a dip

Some silky falls

Some silky falls

Enjoying a back massage

Enjoying a back massage

Water cutting through the rocks

Water cutting through the rocks

Got some new hats

Got some new hats

It’s so small

Made some pita (it was awesome)

Made some pita (it was awesome)

Chilling on a rock

A daytime moon

Trees staking out sunset

Enjoying some alpine flowers

Chasing a waterfall

Hill run

The Njombe crew

A mountain picnic

A hawk in flight

Getting vertical

Wildlife spotted

A winding dirt road

Shelter

The school soccer field

Look at me

Taking a dip

Enjoying a back massage

Got some new hats

It’s so small

On Doing Nothing

Ryan Wong January 5, 2025

Month 4 in Tanzania and I’ve been doing a lot of stuff

Performing at Swear-In

Performing at Swear-In

Presenting the volunteer speech

Presenting the volunteer speech

The Njombe gang

The Njombe gang

Strutting after the ceremony

Strutting after the ceremony

Certificates of appreciation for our hardworking teachers

Certificates of appreciation for our hardworking teachers

Showing just some of our appreciation

Showing just some of our appreciation

First aid and moral support

First aid and moral support

There’s a lot of watermelon here

There’s a lot of watermelon here

Waiting to play some soccer

Waiting to play some soccer

Never too busy for a playground

Never too busy for a playground

Had to get milkshakes

Had to get milkshakes

Shoe shopping

CBT group photo

CBT group photo

Jamming

Saying bye to my class

Saying bye to my class

A pathway through the hills

A pathway through the hills

My town’s power station (I have no power)

My town’s power station (I have no power)

Sunrise over a foggy valley

Sunrise over a foggy valley

Wandering through the woods

Wandering through the woods

Spotted some birds

Spotted some birds

Don’t know how these cars handle the roads

Don’t know how these cars handle the roads

A nice mango tree

A nice mango tree

Performing at Swear-In

Presenting the volunteer speech

The Njombe gang

Certificates of appreciation for our hardworking teachers

Showing just some of our appreciation

Shoe shopping

CBT group photo

Jamming

Saying bye to my class

Don’t know how these cars handle the roads

Starting Service

Ryan Wong December 7, 2024

A new adventure begins

In the bunny suit ready to go in the clean room

In the bunny suit ready to go in the clean room

First day of work

First day of work

Mount Hood

A foggy Oregon morning

A foggy Oregon morning

A hidden waterfall

A hidden waterfall

Cape Meares

A snow-banked creek

A snow-banked creek

At the Whistler-Blackcomb Olympic summit

At the Whistler-Blackcomb Olympic summit

Fog rolling over some Douglas Firs

Fog rolling over some Douglas Firs

A Seattle street

A Seattle street

A foggy valley in Squamish, British Columbia

A foggy valley in Squamish, British Columbia

Hills surrounding Kathmandu, Nepal

Hills surrounding Kathmandu, Nepal

Phewa Lake in Pokhara, Nepal

Phewa Lake in Pokhara, Nepal

Spotting some neon in Pike Place Market

Spotting some neon in Pike Place Market

Checking out a royal palace in Kathmandu

Checking out a royal palace in Kathmandu

The Annapurna mountain range, concealed by fog

The Annapurna mountain range, concealed by fog

A crow perching in Hoyt Arboretum

A crow perching in Hoyt Arboretum

Mount Hood overlooking Mirror Lake

Mount Hood overlooking Mirror Lake

Should have brought my fishing rods

Should have brought my fishing rods

Hiking the caldera rim of Crater Lake

Hiking the caldera rim of Crater Lake

The International Rose Test Garden

The International Rose Test Garden

Multnomah Falls in fall

Multnomah Falls in fall

Last day of work

Last day of work

A colorful sidewalk in fall

A colorful sidewalk in fall

Grand Tetons overlooking Snake River

Grand Tetons overlooking Snake River

Route 20 driving into the Sawtooth Mountain Range

Route 20 driving into the Sawtooth Mountain Range

Eastern Oregon Hills

Eastern Oregon Hills

A hungry Buffalo

A hungry Buffalo

Devils Tower, sprouting out of the Wyoming ground

Devils Tower, sprouting out of the Wyoming ground

The thermal pools of Thermopolis, Wyoming

The thermal pools of Thermopolis, Wyoming

Jam sesh

Lincoln House in Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln House in Springfield, Illinois

Fire watch tower in Custer State Park

Fire watch tower in Custer State Park

Shipwreck in Puerto Viejo

Shipwreck in Puerto Viejo

Sunset over Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica

Sunset over Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica

Some spring daffodils

Some spring daffodils

A floral alley in Córdoba, Spain

A floral alley in Córdoba, Spain

A sunset view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge

A sunset view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge

Some coastal trees in Costa Rica

Some coastal trees in Costa Rica

The cool baths of the Royal Álcazar

The cool baths of the Royal Álcazar

A peacock in the Royal Palace of Seville

A peacock in the Royal Palace of Seville

Outside the gates of the Royal Palace of Madrid

Outside the gates of the Royal Palace of Madrid

You have to kiss your catch — this one’s a clear nose skate

You have to kiss your catch — this one’s a clear nose skate

First day of work

Mount Hood

A foggy Oregon morning

Cape Meares

A snow-banked creek

At the Whistler-Blackcomb Olympic summit

Fog rolling over some Douglas Firs

A foggy valley in Squamish, British Columbia

Hills surrounding Kathmandu, Nepal

Phewa Lake in Pokhara, Nepal

Checking out a royal palace in Kathmandu

The Annapurna mountain range, concealed by fog

Should have brought my fishing rods

The International Rose Test Garden

Last day of work

A hungry Buffalo

Devils Tower, sprouting out of the Wyoming ground

Jam sesh

Lincoln House in Springfield, Illinois

Fire watch tower in Custer State Park

Shipwreck in Puerto Viejo

Sunset over Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica

Outside the gates of the Royal Palace of Madrid

Stepping Stones

Ryan Wong December 7, 2024

Reflections on the past year since leaving my job.

School and its avocado orchard at sunset

School and its avocado orchard at sunset

Verdant valley in Njombe

Verdant valley in Njombe

My school’s soccer field

My school’s soccer field

My first time seeing a pineapple farm

My first time seeing a pineapple farm

Trees backlit by a sky set ablaze from “controlled” fires

Trees backlit by a sky set ablaze from “controlled” fires

“Controlled” fires

“Controlled” fires

My walk to school

My walk to school

A wandering path in my village

A wandering path in my village

The school basketball court

The school basketball court

Me and my head of school

Me and my head of school

Sunset over the souther highlands of Tanzania

Sunset over the souther highlands of Tanzania

I’m always allowed in the smart area

I’m always allowed in the smart area

Fresh ice

Exploring Njombe town

Exploring Njombe town

New hats, Mashallah

New hats, Mashallah

Local restaurant

Local restaurant

Site announcement day

Site announcement day

Volunteers going to Njombe

Volunteers going to Njombe

Burning trash

My last day of practicum teaching

My last day of practicum teaching

Getting a better view

Getting a better view

Presenting our food for culture day

Presenting our food for culture day

Mac and cheese

Corn dogs

It’s important to wash hands

It’s important to wash hands

Trust jump

Studying

Family picture L to R: Dada, Mama, Baba, Me, Mpwa

Family picture L to R: Dada, Mama, Baba, Me, Mpwa

Tree climbing

Checking out the hospital

Checking out the hospital

Repping our colors

Repping our colors

Prepping for graduation

Prepping for graduation

Mashindei from afar

Mashindei from afar

Paths around Korogwe

Paths around Korogwe

I got smoke in my eyes

I got smoke in my eyes

700 Shillings and a dream

700 Shillings and a dream

Haircut time

International Day of the Girl Child

International Day of the Girl Child

Group photo, which was followed by lots of dancing

Group photo, which was followed by lots of dancing

Hanging with friends

Hanging with friends

Chilling with Cheetah after a bike ride home in the rain

Chilling with Cheetah after a bike ride home in the rain

My school’s soccer field

My first time seeing a pineapple farm

Trees backlit by a sky set ablaze from “controlled” fires

“Controlled” fires

Sunset over the souther highlands of Tanzania

Fresh ice

Local restaurant

Site announcement day

Burning trash

My last day of practicum teaching

Family picture L to R: Dada, Mama, Baba, Me, Mpwa

Tree climbing

Repping our colors

Prepping for graduation

Mashindei from afar

I got smoke in my eyes

International Day of the Girl Child

Group photo, which was followed by lots of dancing

Hanging with friends

Mirrors

Ryan Wong November 6, 2024

Updates and reflections on 2 months in Tanzania

Fencing practice during a hike

Fencing practice during a hike

Hanging out at the peak of Mashindei

Hanging out at the peak of Mashindei

Group picture after a field trip to Lushoto

Group picture after a field trip to Lushoto

Field trip to a hospital

Field trip to a hospital

Napping at the top of Mashindei

Napping at the top of Mashindei

First new shirts (they’re matching)

First new shirts (they’re matching)

Family picture (left to right: sister, mama, baba, nephew)

Family picture (left to right: sister, mama, baba, nephew)

The field next to our training school

The field next to our training school

Smoke in my eyes while trying to cook with some students

Smoke in my eyes while trying to cook with some students

Haircut day

Group picture at the top of Mashindei

Group picture at the top of Mashindei

Performing a song at a cultural event

Performing a song at a cultural event

Soaked after a bike ride home in the rain

Soaked after a bike ride home in the rain

Puppies that live near school

Puppies that live near school

The roads on Mashindei a re only navigable by motorcycle

The roads on Mashindei a re only navigable by motorcycle

How is it not getting electrocuted???

How is it not getting electrocuted???

View from the hotel in Dar Es Salaam

View from the hotel in Dar Es Salaam

Confused foreigner in the airport

Confused foreigner in the airport

Railroad in Korogwe at sunset

Railroad in Korogwe at sunset

Mountains around Korogwe valley

Mountains around Korogwe valley

First day of micro teaching practice

First day of micro teaching practice

Proof I made it to the top

Proof I made it to the top

Long way down

A cool mountain

A cool mountain

Electricity goes all the way up this mountain

Electricity goes all the way up this mountain

Fencing practice during a hike

Group picture after a field trip to Lushoto

Napping at the top of Mashindei

Family picture (left to right: sister, mama, baba, nephew)

Smoke in my eyes while trying to cook with some students

Group picture at the top of Mashindei

Performing a song at a cultural event

The roads on Mashindei a re only navigable by motorcycle

View from the hotel in Dar Es Salaam

Confused foreigner in the airport

Mountains around Korogwe valley

First day of micro teaching practice

Proof I made it to the top

The First Blog

Ryan Wong October 18, 2024

Welcome! Check out my first post.

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Featured Posts

Featured

June 25, 2026

The Unbearable Weight of No Talent

June 25, 2026

June 25, 2026

August 11, 2025

Embracing the Known

August 11, 2025

August 11, 2025

April 20, 2025

The Good (Old) Days

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

March 22, 2025

On Being Original

March 22, 2025

March 22, 2025

February 9, 2025

Pursuit of Happiness

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

January 5, 2025

On Doing Nothing

January 5, 2025

January 5, 2025

December 7, 2024

Starting Service

December 7, 2024

December 7, 2024

December 7, 2024

Stepping Stones

December 7, 2024

December 7, 2024

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

October 18, 2024

October 18, 2024

October 18, 2024