We began our day this morning with a wake up call at 6 am, breakfast at 7 am, and an early morning drive around Lake Nakuru to see more flamingoes, rhinos, baboons, zebra, giraffes, cape buffalo, hyrax, warthogs, hyenas, monkeys, pelicans, oryx, impalas, gazelles, and many other birds whose names I can not keep straight.
We left Nakuru around 9.30 am, driving down to Narok in the heart of Maasai country for our lunch at 2 pm. We then drove one for another two hours into the Maasai Mara, and saw lots of wildebeeste, zebra, and impalas 10 miles outside the park. Once inside the park proper, we
drove for about 200 meters before we ran into our first herd of black elephants, which are much larger in size than the elephants we saw at Samburu.
We saw waterbuck (one of the cars did) and decided to drive on to the lodge for check-in as a light drizzles was beginning. Our accommodations at the renovated Keekorok Lodge are in a row of posh cabins. The main lounge and restaurant area of the lodge is all new and "modern safari chic" in style. Last time I was here with Monica, the old lodge was very 1920's to 1930's old colonial/Hemingway design, and the rooms were showing some signs of age. None of that is to be
seen anymore! The Hippo Bar is still there, with an excellent view and a pond that draws giraffes, birds, buffalo and other animals to drink from it.
Tomorrow morning we go for our balloon ride if the weather is good, otherwise we will try the next day. Wake up time for the balloon ride is 5 am, we depart the lodge at 5.30 am for the launch site, and come back to the lodge for a buffet breakfast between 8am and 9 am. We have
two game drives schedule after breakfast -- one to the Mara River to see hipopos some of the wildebeeste crossing decribed by Good Morning America as one of the seven wonders of the living world, and another driver to simply look for lions, cheetahs, and more elephants. We are guaranteed to see wildebeeste and zebra in many parts of the park.
We plan to visit a Maasai traditional village (manyatta) near the park in these three days we are here to learn about the culture, and to buy some beadwork. Tonight our entertainment is a troop of Maasai warriors dancing. Last night in Nakuru we had a guitarist serenade our table
with Bob Marley songs we could all sing along or hum along (the girls requested the songs, and he played them!)
My brother Jeff has uploaded some more photos from our time in Nairobi on the Red Rose blog. Check that out by clicking on this link http://redrosechildren.blogspot.com/
Thank you parents for sending us on this trip and everyone who helped us as we planned for it during the school year. Greetings from the whole crew here and Kwaheri!
KO for AF, CR, HP, JE, MC, MO, MF, DA, CB, and KB.
4 comments:
Dear Potomac Travelers -
It all sounds too amazing. I must admit I remain green with envy, but seeing all of the photos with you and the Red Rose children has helped to assuage that feeling. We appreciate the difficulty in internet access and assume that no news is good news. Please have wonderful adventures and enjoy your experiences without worrying about blogging. We will have many days duroing the summer to catch up and hear all of the stories!
Love Mittie, Curtis, Thomas, Hannah, Jack and Daisy
How lucky we are to be able to share so much of this experience with you all! Many thanks Ken, to you and Jeff for your technological skill in posting the wonderful pictures...the one of Caitlin kissing the giraffe is a treat! Asante sana to you, Michelle and other 'bloggers' who have somehow found time to share news of your adventures.
What wonderful opportunties you have provided for our kids to get to know Africa and its rich culture.
Peter and Betsy
Hey all you safari people!
First, Ken thanks for the update and then to Jeff for posting new photos, including my daughter kissing a giraffe! Personally, I am not surprised since I have endured all sorts of animals since she was born. After viewing the kissing giraffe scene, I am just more grateful that she had all of those shots! Enjoy the upcoming balloon ride. How awesome is that? I personally am so very jealous of this entire experience and plan to come next time. Enjoy viewing all of the wild game from up high and think of me at the The Hippo Bar where all come for a drink!! TAKE LOTS OF PHOTOS!! Thanks for sharing. I no longer worry. If you don't get to blog, it's okay. Love from one whose lips are not as soft as a giraffe's. Momo xoxox
PS Jamma says hi and even plans to kiss you in the future in spite of the giraffe incident.
Hello All:
The pictures are great of all of you and it seems that the trip only gets better as we read your updates and look at your pictures. Your lives look so exotic!!! We are with you in spirit and are enjoying this with you - despite the aforementioned envy factor!!
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