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Rach and I have been in Africa for 7 days now and in that time we've seen Lions, Elephants, Hippos, giraffe, babboon, hyena, warthogs, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, meercat, impala, a Leopard, and a Jackle. Hello Africa!
We arrived in Nairobi, Kenya on 29 December, wary of the "Ni-robbery" reputation that surrounds it. Prepared to need to guard our wallets with our lives, we were plesantly suprised that, while the city looks a bit dodgy, and there may be no traffic lanes and roads are half-finished, it is still actually quite plesant.
Domonic, our own personal driver/guide showed us the sites of the city for our first 2 days in Africa, and what a welcome it was! We visited an Elephant orphanage where they rescue baby elephants (and the odd rhino), raise them, and eventually rehabilitate and release them. It was quite beautiful to watch them feed, sunscreened ears and all.
We also dropped by a Giraffe centre and fed Laura the Giraffe. There were loads more off in the distance but they didn't come up to feed as a we were told a lion had gotten into the park and attacked one of the babies the day earlier (we are in Africa afterall). We also saw traditonal dancing, visited the National Museum and ate at the restaurant 'Carnivore' which as its name suggests, serves lots and lots of meat. You sit down at the table to a sign saying they share our sorrow that they're no longer legally allowed to serve game meat. They then proceeded to pile our plates high with all different types of 'legal' meat - from the standard lamb, beef and chicken, to crocodile, ostrich (meat) balls, chicken liver and ox (balls) balls. I may need to officially declare vegetarianism after this trip!
New Years Eve arrived and we journeyed off to our pre-tour meeting to meet the rest of our tour crew... which was us... the rest (all 6 of them) were already at Lake Navasha as they'd started the tour with the Gorilla trek. We also learnt that our tour group will be depleating to only 4 of us after the frist three days! Not quite what we expected but I"m sure it will be great - if a little intimate.
New Years Day we eagerly awaited our tour bus. It arrived in the form of a MONSTER truck named The Bulldog. We were a sight to behold as we trundled down the highway, with children and adults alike waving to us as we passed. I think they may have been calling our for sweets and money, but we felt like royalty none-the-less.
We arrived at the campsite to meet the rest of our tour group, just as one of theym was being taken into town to find a doctor cause it turns out he has maleria!
The next few days of our tourn consisted of a boat trip across Lake Navasha where we floated past packs of hippos, and then off on our first safari to the Masai Mara. It was a pretty spectacular introduction to the African wilderness. As soon as we entered the park we past a herd of Elephants and spotted a Leopard fhilling in a tree. We also stopped about 3 meters away from a male lion sleeping spread eagled under some bushes. A Hyena was sunning itself on the road while about 8 hyena cubs played around its den, and there were loads of wildebeest, zebra, warthogs, giraffes and waterbuffalo.
We also visited a Masai village where they greeted us with the tradional welcome dance (the jumping one) and showed us how they live. They live off a diet of blood, milk and meat!
We're now back in Nairob and down to only 4 of us. Dinner has just been called so better go. Will keep you posted next time I'm near internet. Forgive typos and spelling errors as haven't time to proof!
xoxo Alexia (and Rachel)
- comments
Mel My eyes are watering with pleasure at reading your blog (not sure how that works) ... which only just wins over envy! My best bits - Laura (of course), elephant sunscreen (imagining huuuge pump packs), the jumping one masai dance and royal waving from your monster truck.. all wonderful! Good for vicarious living during a quiet January. Your desk is conspicuously empty - and I'm sure you don't care one bit :) Take care and soak it up
Mel One more thing- you and animals... don't go buying a zoo!
Loll Such a fantastic trip already! and so much more to go! keep up the posts
Kylie Hey traveller. Sounds like you are having a wonderful time! I'm very jealous.
David Hi Alexia Wow this is sounding amazing...I'd give the ox balls a swerve though. Have fun. cheers David