Saturday

Pooped tonight after amazing day.  Left at 7/14 this am.  Got back at 4/15.  Had picnic lunch but saw so many animals.  Lions, hyena, jackal, wildebeests, cheetah, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, elephantsd,, ostrich,
Dead animals recently been killed and set upon.  Unbelievable!  My pictures can't justice.  The roads are dreadful.  Three vans got stuck, too.  No bathroom stop!  Well, bushes but couldn't perform, so that was a longgggg time

September 27

Went to a Masai village tonight and what an amazing experience!  Went into their dwelling, and claustrophobic feeling.  Made of cow dung.  They eat only meat, milk and blood with the milk. They jump and the higher jumper could have more wives.  Saw their home...makes you appreciate what you have!  We resume tomorrow at 7:30 for a full day outing.  Yikes!

September 27

Well, we left our accommodation at 7:30 this a.m.  Suitcase, aka duffel bag, out at 6:30.  We had breakfast and then proceeded on the drive from hell.  Ten miles of terrible road followed by 70 km of good road, then with the occasion bathroom stop, started on the next two hours of a road that is not to be believed!  Shook the very bottom of one.  I am not sure that the vehicle didn't break a spring.  The driver did get out to check once.  We are now in the Masa Mara reserve, where we have already seen a couple of new animals.  One of which is a wildebeest.  Looks like our buffalo.  Also saw another variety of antelope, whose name escapes me.  We arrived at 2:15 and had lunch..buffet..and then to our tent.  Very pleasant and spacious.  Power in these tented camps is often off and on as a preservation of power.  So, cold showers except in the a.m. No power after midnight etc.  o Internet except in common area and then only when power is on.  We are off to a Masai village 

September 27

Well, we left our accommodation at 7:30 this a.m.  Suitcase, aka duffel bag, out at 6:30.  We had breakfast and then proceeded on the drive from hell.  Ten miles of terrible road followed by 70 km of good road, then with the occasion bathroom stop, started on the next two hours of a road that is not to be believed!  Shook the very bottom of one.  I am not sure that the vehicle didn't break a spring.  The driver did get out to check once.  We are now in the Masa Mara reserve, where we have already seen a couple of new animals.  One of which is a wildebeest.  Looks like our buffalo.  Also saw another variety of antelope, whose name escapes me.  We arrived at 2:15 and had lunch..buffet..and then to our tent.  Very pleasant and spacious.  Power in these tented camps is often off and on as a preservation of power.  So, cold showers except in the a.m. No power after midnight etc.  o Internet except in common area and then only when power is on.  We are off to a Masai village 

September 26

Well, what a busy day.  Started at 7 with a walk around the place we are staying with a Masai and he pointed out some interesting flowers and birds.  At 8 a.m. We stopped in the middle of a field for breakfast...tableclothes, linen napkins and full wonderful breakfast with omelet made on site. From there we got in our vans and drove to a reserve 80 miles away.  The first ten miles on the worst rod imaginable...ruts, gullies, hard as can be.  Then pavement!  Hurrah!  Then we entered the preserve gates and the wildlife there was fabulous!  Zebras in great numbers right beside the vehicle, baboons, too, monkeys, Cape buffalo, abundance of birds...many flamingos, all seemingly coexisting happily.  No lions as yet!  Tomorrow off again at 7:30 for even more bad roads.  10 miles early in the day, then two hours late in the day...heading to a Masai camp.

September 26

Eunice went for a little walk after our arrival to see some of the flora and fauna of the area.  I stayed behind to rest a bit because my cold was really making me feel,not great.  Anyway, there was a few big cracks of lightening and  thunder and the rain came down!  In the meantime, I am reading inthe armchair and was visited fur times by a small black rodent that likely was a mouse but still didn't fancy staying there. Two people came and inthinkmthe re idea was to catch this critter in their bare hands, but it was relatively elusive.  Anyway we moved to another unit not on ground level.  As yet, no mouse.  We have two beds in this unit..a king size and single.  Eunice slept on the single not wanting to be in more contact with my cold,than necessary.  I had a good sleep and feel much bettermtodaynas a consequence.
We had the buffet dinner last night and there was a huge amount of food, but not too much that appealed,to me.  There is a lot of Indian influence in their food.  When we went for dinner at 7:30 we were the only white people there.  Felt funny.  The rest of our group went for an a la carte dinner in anoter locale.
Don't know what the day has in store....

September 25

Well, after a gruelling few hours driving, we arrived at our resort in the Rift Valley.  It is 12 km on rutted, unpaved road with many twists and turns.  That was only the last of the dreadful road from our splendid place last night.  I would say half the road was as described, but the other was paved.
Our resort here is very scenic...cabins, with little deck.  At ground level with others above.  I feel crappy with this cold, so have taken a couple of Advil and hopefully will sleep this afternoon.  Dinner is in a building a fair distance away...10 minute walk.  Food very good!  The vehicles are really tested here and this terrain.  We are in MASAI country now.  Beautiful people.  Tall, slim, regal looking.

Sept 24

Sept 24

Well, I wakened with a cold which is really unpleasant!  However, I have "stuff"with me...nose spray etc. so will just take a few days to feel 100%

We had a lazy morning and after lunch we went to an orphanage of the grounds.  It was really a high light for me to see all these animals who had been rescued for one reason or another and nursed back to health.  There leopards, monkeys galore, and many antelope type species there, and a couple of dwarf hippoes and a large tortoise like we saw on the Galápagos Islands.  We were able to feed many of the animals, too.  The guide put a few kernels of corn on my hat on my head and a monkey came a grabbed my hat and took off with it.  Too funny.  Eventually he dropped it, so it was just a little game.  The monkeys lived in fenced in structures but were able to escape at will, and could have left the enclosure but our guide said because they are used to ,living with a bunch in a social network, they wouldn't leave, plus they would vulnerable in the wild if solitary.  The hippopotamus were behind an electrified fence,  however. Wonderful to see all these animals so happy and being brought back to health then if possible, released.  Also to try and build up a species that was at risk of extinction.  Truly wonderful.  This was founded by William Holden I believe.  The adventure continues

Monday September 23

When I came back to,the tent this a.m. There were three monkeys in the deck waiting to get into the tent.  Had to yell at them to scoot and then to tie up,the bottom of the two tent flaps to keep them out.

Did I mention, our vehicles are like Volkswagen buses, with seating for 6 or 7 and the roof has been made to lift up to allow the passengers to stand and get better pictures of the wildlife.  The roads are incredibly rutted, bumpy, and we are considerably jostled.  We also must wear long pants and sleeves, especially after dusk because of Mosquitos.  Mosquito repellant is provided in our cabin.  Nice citrus smelling cream. 

Some the young men, aka WARRIORS are incredibly beautifully bejewelled and decorated, but would like money for their picture to be taken.  And you must ask first if you wish to photograph someone.  I didn't pay.

Monkeys everywhere!

This afternoon was special because we saw another cheetah, and a fabulous siting of a leopard...twice!  So many elephants, kangaroos, antelopes, dik diks which I thought should be renamed yum yums...a tasty morsel for the big cats!  

The vehicles really take a beating on this rough terrain ..we drive through red sand which release scads of dust and over humps on the road and great rocky stretches that pummel you from one side to another.  

Our bed looks very glamorous with flowing mosquito netting.  Stinky to get out of in the middle of the night.  Tomorrow will bring more adventures...

We are now in Kenya safari club hotel owned by Fairmont Hotel...what a beautiful place!!

The grounds are gorgeous with 200 species of birds.  Peacock sitting on a railing as we came to our room, which is more of a suite...fireplace, huge bathroom with tub, shower etc.

A bit different than our tent last night.  Saw wart hog this a.m. Oryx, too. Giraffe gazelle...all before 9 am.  Also a water buck.  I have lots of picture which look like grass, but there is likely a small bird lurking there.  Today we have afternoon tea followed by a local native dance, then dinner at 7.  When we return to our cabin we will have a fire going in the fireplace.  Can you imagine such splendour?

Nairobi and its terrorists seem far away!  

Internet more available thank heavens, as I was having withdrawals!

I bought a beautiful bowl with animals carved around the perimeter.

To be continued...

Sunday September 22

When I came back to,the tent this a.m. There were three monkeys in the deck waiting to get into the tent. Had to yell at them to scoot and the to tie up,the bottom of the two tent flaps to keep,them out
Did I mention, our vehicles are like Volkswagen buses, with seating for 6 or 7 and the roof has been made to lift up to allow the passengers to stand and get better pictures do the wildlife. The roads are incredibly rutted, bumpy, and we are considerably jostled. We also must wear long pants and sleeves, especially after dusk because of Mosquitos. Mosquito repellant is provided in our cabin. Nice citrus smelling cream.
Some the young men, aka WARRIORS are incredibly beautifully bejewelled and decorated, but would like money for their picture to be taken. And you must ask first if you wish to photograph someone. I didn't pay.
Monkeys everywhere!

Sunday September 22

Well, another gruelling day. We left the hotel this a.m. At 7 am and arrived here at the reserve at 2/30. Hadn't eaten anything since breakfast,so finally arrived at about 2:30 just in time for lunch and then immediately went at 4:00 for a drive to the Samburu reserve. We saw the most amazing animals...dik disk, gazelles, elephants, giraffes, and even a leopard! Our place is in a tent on the river...Eunice and I have a tent with private bathroom, with shower etc. our two beds are encased in mosquito netting. Zipping up,at the front is a necessity because critters can get in...check your shows before putting them on. Meals great! We are off at 6:30 tomorrow a.m. for early morning to see more animals. Also saw gorillas on our drive in. We drove 340 km through a variety of roads. The last 25 km on a dirt track to the reserve. My goodness it is hot as can be and humid too. Dozing off and good sleep hopefullyon in the hot can. No Ac pf course and looks like a beat up Volkswagen bus. How long it can last? There are 6 of us plus the driver...to be continued, after a good sleep.
Sunday September 22
Had an early morning safari drive. Saw amazing animals, including a cheetah, which looked a bit lame, there were lots of vehicles around. Saw elephants bathing in the river. Sitting in the bar area of the hotel this am watching goats drinking at the river.
Our bedroom is a tent...very luxurious, too, with mosquito netting. Private bathroom with brown water coming from taps and toilet. All drinking water is bottled. No power from midnight on, so tent got rather humid and I felt rather claustrophobic again...I must need ambient light. They operate on generators here. We have a restful day today...morning safari and late safari at 4. We leave tomorrow for another spot, where William Holden had his place in Kenya. It is now a fairmont hotel.

Saturday September 22

Well, what a beautiful place here in Nairobi. Off today to another place and the first of our adventures to,see animals.  Long day yesterday, left hotel at 7 am and got to the hotel about 11:00 pm gaining a couple of hours....it would have been 9 in London ..
We have our luggage out already and off for breakfast and not a minute too soon.  Meals on plane not good yesterday!  Slept poorly but so beautiful hotel.  Rainy a bit yesterday on arrival.

September 21

Can't slep!

September 18

Today too pooped to do much walking, so went into London and got tickets for the matinee Billy Elliott. Excellent.  Tube home was a tight ride.  So many people.

Thursday September 19

Well, yesterday was a tour de force.  We left the hotel after breakfast, at about 9:30 in a group of ten. We had tickets in the evening for War Horse, so didn't return until 12:00 am.  It was about an hour and a half subway ride into London centre, so didn't make sense to return to our hotel during the day. You can imagine how tired we were, not to mention how sore our feet were!  We headed first to " the Eye" only to find it broken down.  So then wandered around to Covent Garden where we had lunch.  Eunice and I shared a sandwich having had a rather large breakfast at the hotel.  Following that we met a tour guide Molly who took us on a walking tour of the British museum.  What a wonder that is!   Free admittance to the museum.  After that we went for dinner to a pub across from the theatre, then picked up our tickets at 7 for the 7:30 show.  Fabulous seats, for 115$ purchased on line in Canada.  The show was quite wonderful.  Amazing puppetry, if you can call it that with a horse size puppet!  I had an ice cream Dickie Cup at the break for £3.50 which would be nearly 5$. Worth it though!
Then home and a couple of Advil later and sleep until 7:45!  Eunice has sore feet, and I have sore knees, both ailments helped with painkiller.  We will try to venture forth to see Billy Elliot the stage play, which necessitates our getting on the tube alone and trying to find Leiscester square and then Victoria tube station.  The adventure continues!

Wednesday

Well, we had some pub grub last night meeting two couples. The others(8) went into London proper necessitating a bus ride back to,the airport, then the tube into London. Then, a pub crawl between 7 and 9. We decided to stay near by. Well, it was a short walk, apparently, but not so near. It was a 30 minute walk there, but very nice and good food. Five of us had fish a chips, and the same five had either beer or in my case, cider. All quite pricey. The fish and chips were £12 and my cider was £1.90. The pub, called the Pheasant, was originally an old church. Filled with people and very popular seeming. Had a good sleep,and today looks to be grey and overcast. Feel refreshed with a decaf coffee. All good

Day two September 17, 2013

Arrived in London and have lost a day somewhere. Got on the plane an immediately fell asleep, only wakened for meals. We had a bit of time in Vancouver and had lunch at the White Spot, then soup at Tim's. left Vancouver about 9:30 pm for the flight here. London is rainy, and cool. We took a ride to our hotel on a bus, which cost £8 return, which we will use to take back to the airport on Friday for our flight to Kenya. Our hotel room is tiny...has two single beds and is less spacious than the cruise ships. However, we have all we need. Some of our group have gone on a pub crawl but there are 6 of us who will find somewhere near by for dinner. There is some talk of a tour on Thursday which is an all day tour but the logistics are a bit iffy. Pick up at downtown hotels at 7:45 am and we are a minimum of 1 hour from downtown, so we might need to leave the hotel here at 6 or so. Discussion will ensue. To be continued

Day one

Well, it is hurry up and wait! We are now at the Kelowna airport and having a snack! I was up at 5 so will be ready for a nap! We have 5 hours in Vancouver before the flight to London. More hurry up and wait. To be continued..

Two more days to go

One week and two days to go