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We had a lovely leisurely breakfast at the Hilton; badges on other residents indicated that election monitors were also staying at the hotel - the only real indication of any worries about the pending elections on Monday. The taxi driver who took us to Wilson airport for our flight to Laikipia was hopeful that this time the elections would be peaceful. He was clear that the common man had nothing to gain and everything to lose from rioting - he felt that the politicians who incited them sat protected in their own conclaves while the common man died for this cause ( and over 1000 had died in the last time). I had noticed as we arrived at the airport last night a television in the immigration hall broadcasting messages encouraging peace from leaders of other nations.
Everyone thought we were very brave to be in the country as lots of tourists had stayed away because of the elections - but last time no tourists were touched or placed in danger and none of the violence was in tourist areas - it was mainly in the slums of Nairobi.
Everywhere felt calm and relaxed - the absence of tourists was perhaps the best example of the tv in our homes exaggerating the risk to individuals and causing unnecessary caution.
Our flight to Nanuyki took off 10 minutes early but we had 4 stops in the Samburu and Lewa so arrived 40minutes late; consequently our charter had left for another appointment so it was coffee and a 90 minute wait for him to return but finally we got to Ol Lentille and were met at the airstrip by our Masai guide Solomon. We then drove to lodge and were welcomed by John and Gill Elias - seeing them again was like being reunited with old friends.
After chatting we went to Sultans house - our home for the next 4 nights and for a much needed late lunch. Ann and Chris were assigned to look after us for our stay and were brilliant. We decided to have a massage and booked for 6pm so this allowed to me to have a swim first....the infinity pool has one of the best views in the world - it looks out over the hills and conservation area and you can see for miles - I could see a group of male elephants munching on the acacia trees just below the lodge.
What followed was a lovely relaxing massage, dinner and sleep in a really comfortable bed with a hot water bottle -soon ejected- at the bottom of the bed.
Today's photo - the top building is the library and observatory - all the buildings below are Sultans house and our home.
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