(leaving) Nairobi, Kenya - 7 July
_________________________________________
places dates
Our last day, we spent going to the office and finishing up some NGO work, going to the art market and buying some last trinkets. We went to a daily art market near Sarit Center. Stall 155 was helpful and recognized me from the weekend visits to the mobile market.
Another red eyed seller tried to take advantage of me. I was warned of these guys who try to jack up the prices and sell for the artisan. Then they go blow the money on something that does not last. The artisan gets more money, but they get some too.
Then we went back to the Classic Guest House to wait for 5pm. Then we began going to the airport. It took 1.5 hours getting to the airport in a thick, nasty "jam". It was awful. Then we had to get seats, hopefully close together. WE ended up traipsing around the airport for 4 hours until 9pm, then going through gate security and waiting until 10:30 - flight delay, to board and get going.
We had good enough delays in between flights, but it meant longer travel time - it'll be 27 hours or so by the time we arrive in Sac'to tonight. I write this in the Portland airport at gate B2.
Nice wine bar nearby. We had a good salad and good sandwiches and nice red wine for $6 a glass. Ah, it's good to be in the states again. Now, I can't wait to get to my own bed.
Thursday, July 07, 2011
To Kenya - Maasai Mara -2
Maasai Mara, Kenya - 4 July
_________________________________________
places dates
Again we got up at 5:45am to take tea or coffee at 6am, and get in a morning game drive. (We made the kids try English style tea to help them along.) The goal for the morning was cheetahs. Francis had gotten some info about where they might be yesterday, but began listening in to the guide radio right away. He had mentioned that we could have to drive quite far to get in to see the cheetahs and rhinos. We passed the thickets where leopards tend to hide on the way out, and as we came up tpo a bridge where another van was parked, we saw a lady lion in the road. Then I noticed an older male lion just behind us on the right, so we backed the van up to get a better look. He eventually got up and stretched, and walked past us to scratch himself in some branches hanging to the ground of a nearby tree. He and three females soon moved off to the green shady culvert for what we imagined might be the heat of the day.
After that we took off again, speeding down the red dirt road towards where Francis heard cheetahs had been spotted. On the way he told us that he had not seen as many wildebeasts as we now saw on either side of us... 10,000s. Literally thousands and thousands of wildebeasts that Francis said were not here last week.
Within 100 meters of a team of minivans we saw 7 cheetahs. They looked sleepy, played with each other and chased the wildebeasts into groups, or just pushed them around. IT appeared that the group was a mother and her adult children. We watched them for over 30 minutes. Chasing and walking, lying sown and rolling around, hopping on each other's backs, only to "get serious" for a moment and chase after some wildebeasts for 15-25 seconds again.
We moved three or four times, following their movements, before we decided we had to leave to make breakfast by 10am. We made it back only by carreening our way in to arrive at 9:45. We found mostly slim pickings in the buffet, and limited pancakes that tasted really good. The omelette and sausages, were pretty good too.
_________________________________________
places dates
Again we got up at 5:45am to take tea or coffee at 6am, and get in a morning game drive. (We made the kids try English style tea to help them along.) The goal for the morning was cheetahs. Francis had gotten some info about where they might be yesterday, but began listening in to the guide radio right away. He had mentioned that we could have to drive quite far to get in to see the cheetahs and rhinos. We passed the thickets where leopards tend to hide on the way out, and as we came up tpo a bridge where another van was parked, we saw a lady lion in the road. Then I noticed an older male lion just behind us on the right, so we backed the van up to get a better look. He eventually got up and stretched, and walked past us to scratch himself in some branches hanging to the ground of a nearby tree. He and three females soon moved off to the green shady culvert for what we imagined might be the heat of the day.
After that we took off again, speeding down the red dirt road towards where Francis heard cheetahs had been spotted. On the way he told us that he had not seen as many wildebeasts as we now saw on either side of us... 10,000s. Literally thousands and thousands of wildebeasts that Francis said were not here last week.
Within 100 meters of a team of minivans we saw 7 cheetahs. They looked sleepy, played with each other and chased the wildebeasts into groups, or just pushed them around. IT appeared that the group was a mother and her adult children. We watched them for over 30 minutes. Chasing and walking, lying sown and rolling around, hopping on each other's backs, only to "get serious" for a moment and chase after some wildebeasts for 15-25 seconds again.
We moved three or four times, following their movements, before we decided we had to leave to make breakfast by 10am. We made it back only by carreening our way in to arrive at 9:45. We found mostly slim pickings in the buffet, and limited pancakes that tasted really good. The omelette and sausages, were pretty good too.
To Kenya - Maasai Mara
Maasai Mara, Kenya - 3 July
_________________________________________
places dates
The day began early so that we could meet our guide and drive from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara. We were scheduled to leave at 7:30am, so we set alarms for 6am.
We wantted to say good bye to some of our party who were leaving, but we missed a couple people, J and J who were traveling straight back to the U.S. yesterday. P and her family we saw and said goodbye to, the 3 others we thanked for dinner and said goodbye to on Saturday night at the Ethoipian restaurant.
We met our guide at 7:30 and drove out the rift valley, the same way as the previous monday on the way to Kisumu, past the escarpment, and satellite listening station. Francis, our guide, told us how the Maasai owned alot of land and had sold some to people on the way into the Mara. He talked aboiut how the Maasai are one of the only tribes in Kenya to retain so much of their culture, not integrating into the mainstream and losing it.
Other than stopping for expensive water in place of even more expensive hotel water, and one bathroom break we drove nice, then bumpy roads to the lodge. The Sopa lodge is inside the gates of the park, but technically outside of it.
We took lunch then went out again for the typical 4pm game drive. It was typical for the guides, but entirely new for us, of course. The top of the minivan popped up so that I could almost stand, and everyone else could easily.
By the time we had returned, we had seen at least 10 lions, hundreds of wildebeasts, many water buffalo, many birds, and over 20 elephants in the gloom of falling night. And only one elephant had almost charged us.
To say that it was really cool is an understatement!
We reached the lodge and went straight to the lobby for some refreshment. The kids got non-alcoholic drinks (Dik-Dik for Ksh-300). Then we had dinner, which looked alot like lunch, with all kinds of food on a buffet. I chose the Indian food again, plus a spare rib and some wacky pastries that looked like chocolate but weren't. The best dessert was the cheese and crackers with fruit.
_________________________________________
places dates
The day began early so that we could meet our guide and drive from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara. We were scheduled to leave at 7:30am, so we set alarms for 6am.
We wantted to say good bye to some of our party who were leaving, but we missed a couple people, J and J who were traveling straight back to the U.S. yesterday. P and her family we saw and said goodbye to, the 3 others we thanked for dinner and said goodbye to on Saturday night at the Ethoipian restaurant.
We met our guide at 7:30 and drove out the rift valley, the same way as the previous monday on the way to Kisumu, past the escarpment, and satellite listening station. Francis, our guide, told us how the Maasai owned alot of land and had sold some to people on the way into the Mara. He talked aboiut how the Maasai are one of the only tribes in Kenya to retain so much of their culture, not integrating into the mainstream and losing it.
Other than stopping for expensive water in place of even more expensive hotel water, and one bathroom break we drove nice, then bumpy roads to the lodge. The Sopa lodge is inside the gates of the park, but technically outside of it.
We took lunch then went out again for the typical 4pm game drive. It was typical for the guides, but entirely new for us, of course. The top of the minivan popped up so that I could almost stand, and everyone else could easily.
By the time we had returned, we had seen at least 10 lions, hundreds of wildebeasts, many water buffalo, many birds, and over 20 elephants in the gloom of falling night. And only one elephant had almost charged us.
To say that it was really cool is an understatement!
We reached the lodge and went straight to the lobby for some refreshment. The kids got non-alcoholic drinks (Dik-Dik for Ksh-300). Then we had dinner, which looked alot like lunch, with all kinds of food on a buffet. I chose the Indian food again, plus a spare rib and some wacky pastries that looked like chocolate but weren't. The best dessert was the cheese and crackers with fruit.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
To Kenya - Restaurants and Guest Houses - Kisumu
Guest Houses and Restaurants
I'm not sure where I left off of the Guesthouses, but we are no longer in Nairobi, so
this is the Kisumu version anyway.
Jumia REsort
Groups and Religious groups might feel comfortable here. No hot water, spotty internet
service, religious praise music in the cafeteria. Oh, and the environmental consultants in our group suggested we not allow children in anything but the 1 ft. children's pool.
BTW: There is a one night cancellation fee unless you give notice 24 hours in advance.
Savannah
Larger hotel off the beaten road - bumps to get to a nice car parking area, with outdoor seating for evening gatherings. Nice looking rooms.
(full)
Dewchurch
We moved here. There were rooms available and they took my sick child and one adult for the day the rest of us went out to villages. They were very helpful and understanding and nice. We also dropped off our luggage in the morning with them, then came back at 3 or so. Nice place for an evening gathering with food and refreshments. They also delivered pizzas for the kids to our rooms. Pizza and vegetarian curry were our choices for food that night.
Classic Guest House
Not as nice as in Nairobi, but clean and neat. Would have been good enough for our family, but perhaps not for everyone's tastes.
I'm not sure where I left off of the Guesthouses, but we are no longer in Nairobi, so
this is the Kisumu version anyway.
Jumia REsort
Groups and Religious groups might feel comfortable here. No hot water, spotty internet
service, religious praise music in the cafeteria. Oh, and the environmental consultants in our group suggested we not allow children in anything but the 1 ft. children's pool.
BTW: There is a one night cancellation fee unless you give notice 24 hours in advance.
Savannah
Larger hotel off the beaten road - bumps to get to a nice car parking area, with outdoor seating for evening gatherings. Nice looking rooms.
(full)
Dewchurch
We moved here. There were rooms available and they took my sick child and one adult for the day the rest of us went out to villages. They were very helpful and understanding and nice. We also dropped off our luggage in the morning with them, then came back at 3 or so. Nice place for an evening gathering with food and refreshments. They also delivered pizzas for the kids to our rooms. Pizza and vegetarian curry were our choices for food that night.
Classic Guest House
Not as nice as in Nairobi, but clean and neat. Would have been good enough for our family, but perhaps not for everyone's tastes.
Kenya - Maasai Market and National Park
Maasai Market
It's an art market like a farmers market, or maybe Pike Place Market in Seattle. There were masks, beads, necklaces, t-shirts, carved figures, fabric, toys, rings, cuffs, earings, and many people calling me "rasta-man" with fist bumps. Lots of people asked me how long have I had the dreads? and From where did I come?
It was a fairly typical high pressure market situation. Lots of encouragement to come and see/buy. It was also so good that we ate, then came back after looking for my wife's shoes...
... Because after 5 days, AJ's bag was found and was being delivered! She screamed in the shop. She screamed outside the shop. There was a public display of affection. People gawked. It's true I was there.
National Park
Animal Orphanage
Patrick introduced us to the animals by name. He introduced us to himself as the houseboy to the warthogs. He mentioned all kinds of details about the animals and why they were separated, gathered, or present in the orphanage.
The cheetahs were right there in front of us.
Warthogs, lions, ostrich feeding, monkeys doing tricks - picking food from our heads, picking pockets, or grooming and protecting the amazing Patrick.
National Park Drive
We went through the park in private cars. It was a while before we found any animals, but we saw wildebeests, giraffes, ginea foul, and someone said our cars were speeding and chasing giraffes. So they are banned for life from all National Parks.
I think it was a tour operator, who saw several cars taking business away from him. But I don't have any evidence, though neither did they; just their word and - done.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
To Kenya - Restaurants and Guest Houses
Methodist Guest House - Oloitoktok Road
Nice corporate church place. As someome else wrote, a good place for a
family or group.
They are the ones who stay there mostly. Strongly reminds me of old
large convents I've stayed in.
Each room has its own bath.
A pretty good chafing dish English breakfast, featuring beans, chips,
bacon, porridge, cut fruits, and okay juices.
Located in the international and government representative residence area.
Classic Guest House - Kileleshwa Road, 10m from the police station
Family or B&B style large home, now separated into rooms, each with
their own full bath.
Closer in to town. Maybe ten nice rooms with sitting areas, several
with balconies.
Family style breakfast, but with a good juices, instant coffee and
cocoa, cut fruit.
Eggs and sausage are a great hot addition for breakfast.
****
Chicken Inn
Pricey downtown place in whose building there is ice cream, pizza, as
well as chicken burgers.
That's what we all had, except for the one difference - a hamburger.
Plus drinks.
All that for about $45.
Puluma Restaurant
Nice neighborhood place. Kind of fancy for what my understanding of
local restaurants are like, but it has a nice ambience.
We got tilapia and ugali, chicken club sandwich,
and stuffed 1/4 chicken that was billed as "stuffed breast of chicken."
Sarit Center Food Court
Wimpys hamburgers. Indian food. We paid the same for our two meals
that we shared as the three kids having hamburgers and sodas.
It was all pretty good.
Taqueria - Center City
Too expensive, but good pizza at an Italian place in downtown Nairobi.
Okay salad ba - it wasn't quite a salad bar.
Nice view of a side street downtown.
Bomas - Near Lagatas and the National Park
Tribal dancing from many different traditions around Kenya and also Africa.
Then we had fish, chicken or vegetarian meals and drinks at the end of
the performance.
It was a little awkward to see it, since the tables were just out of
sight of the performers.
What more could you want? A downpour with lightning and thunder,
followed by dancing, lots of drumming, some singing,
some joking around, and some reasons why freaking wouldn't be a non
traditional idea.
Nice corporate church place. As someome else wrote, a good place for a
family or group.
They are the ones who stay there mostly. Strongly reminds me of old
large convents I've stayed in.
Each room has its own bath.
A pretty good chafing dish English breakfast, featuring beans, chips,
bacon, porridge, cut fruits, and okay juices.
Located in the international and government representative residence area.
Classic Guest House - Kileleshwa Road, 10m from the police station
Family or B&B style large home, now separated into rooms, each with
their own full bath.
Closer in to town. Maybe ten nice rooms with sitting areas, several
with balconies.
Family style breakfast, but with a good juices, instant coffee and
cocoa, cut fruit.
Eggs and sausage are a great hot addition for breakfast.
****
Chicken Inn
Pricey downtown place in whose building there is ice cream, pizza, as
well as chicken burgers.
That's what we all had, except for the one difference - a hamburger.
Plus drinks.
All that for about $45.
Puluma Restaurant
Nice neighborhood place. Kind of fancy for what my understanding of
local restaurants are like, but it has a nice ambience.
We got tilapia and ugali, chicken club sandwich,
and stuffed 1/4 chicken that was billed as "stuffed breast of chicken."
Sarit Center Food Court
Wimpys hamburgers. Indian food. We paid the same for our two meals
that we shared as the three kids having hamburgers and sodas.
It was all pretty good.
Taqueria - Center City
Too expensive, but good pizza at an Italian place in downtown Nairobi.
Okay salad ba - it wasn't quite a salad bar.
Nice view of a side street downtown.
Bomas - Near Lagatas and the National Park
Tribal dancing from many different traditions around Kenya and also Africa.
Then we had fish, chicken or vegetarian meals and drinks at the end of
the performance.
It was a little awkward to see it, since the tables were just out of
sight of the performers.
What more could you want? A downpour with lightning and thunder,
followed by dancing, lots of drumming, some singing,
some joking around, and some reasons why freaking wouldn't be a non
traditional idea.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
To Kenya (ala Joe Bob Briggs movie review)
Sacramento to Seattle
We can't check your bags through to Nairobi
small plane, one snack, no bumps
quick trains to South satellite
I sat with one daughter against the back bulkhead
Too full to sit together
Seattle to Amsterdam
but we swapped inflight to one row
closer together we sat rows apart
Disney Rapunzel, an unknown Liam Neeson
half the disks of GreenDayKatyPerryFooFighters and blues
Now That's What I Call Music 77
5 Partner Interlude - "Sky Team"
We traveled using Horizon check-in at Sacramento
Alaska to Seattle, Delta to Amsterdam
Kenya Airways operated by KLM to Nairobi
But not all partners work the same way, so
Tickets and baggage don't check through
Check in again in Amsterdam "Transfer Stop 6"
Amsterdam to Nairobi
Kenyan man with Oregon Duck cap stares
Separated seats, NO knee room,
two mid-row seats, sleepers on each end
Milindi visitor from Des Moines
Visas, Entry Declarations, "Live-Scan" and photos, and
No baggage. Late night.
Up at 4am local, composing this journal
Sacked back to sleep
Good English breakfast of which,
the kids approve.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Traveler's Log Entry - pre-trip
Stockton - CA - 15June2011
_________________________________________________________________
City - Place - Dates
Purpose/Activity - Last Day of School
Lodging - "Our house, in the middle of our street..."
Restaurants - Chez Park, Victory Park for outdoor music tonight
Purchases - noshables, assorted beverages, chicken, veggies
Transportation - bikes? or car?
Weather - looks to be around 90-95 much of the day
(more...)
Parent Conferences tomorrow
Teacher in-service and classroom cleanup Friday
Saturday/Sunday - Pack for Kenya
Monday - Chris comes to House-sit
_________________________________________________________________
City - Place - Dates
Purpose/Activity - Last Day of School
Lodging - "Our house, in the middle of our street..."
Restaurants - Chez Park, Victory Park for outdoor music tonight
Purchases - noshables, assorted beverages, chicken, veggies
Transportation - bikes? or car?
Weather - looks to be around 90-95 much of the day
(more...)
- Last Day of School for 2010-11
- Special Guest Magician and assembly
- Ice Cream and activities at Weber Point
- Return to class for Report Cards
- Get out of school at 1pm
Parent Conferences tomorrow
Teacher in-service and classroom cleanup Friday
Saturday/Sunday - Pack for Kenya
Monday - Chris comes to House-sit
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Dum Dum Girls help me get ready for Kenya
Thursday, 9th June 2011
Nice day for summer to arrive, that's all I have to say.
Nice day for summer to arrive, that's all I have to say.
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