Ang and I left Lake Baringo to go to Nairobi to do some last minute shopping and sorting out of the car before my folks arrived. Once we had cleared out Michaels backseat, we were ready and very excited to add two more to our adventure. My parents managed to get 10 days off and fly to Nairobi on the 22 April. We picked them up at 6 in the morning and so started our whirlwind journey through Kenya which would take us in to the wild Masai Mara in the South West, to the East Coast and everything in between.
This Blog has been written by my parents. Mom and Dad we loved having you guys with us. Thanks for coming to join us.
Bill:
At Lake Naivasha we had an awesome day out with our guide Willy. Seeing so many Flamingoes was amazing.
I did not know what to expect of the Masai Mara, but, when I got there it was one of the most awesome experiences I have had. Seeing so many animals condensed into one place. The highlight of the Mara for me was seeing the famous Marsh Pride (Big Cat Diaries).
Our time on the East Coat was started by some hectic traffic in Mombasa, but, well navigated by Grant. Arriving at Tiwi Beach was our little bit of paradise. Magnificent beaches and warm water. We had the freshest seafood ever. Prawns, Calamari and Red Snapper. The trip to Wasini Island was also good. We managed to bargain the price down and then realised that the boat had left without us, but, a plan was made. We hopped onto a taxi boat which duly ran out of petrol forcing the skipper of the Dhow (which had left us) to turn around and pick us up. Then all hell broke loose when the rain came down and it looked like the snorkelling trip was doomed, but, as we arrived at the reef the clouds disappeared and the sun came out.We had an hour of pure snorkelling magic. Lots of fish and beautiful coral was seen. We reluctantly got back on the boat and sailed to the Island Restaurant. Here we had a wonderful meal of crab and fresh fish. We also had a short tour of the Wasini village.
The next day we went to a nearby village and did some shopping in the market and had a cooldrink and chapati at a local restaurant. Back at Tiwi Beach we bought fresh calamari from a local fisherman and that night we had a feast of calamari rings and three salsas made from the fresh produce we bought earlier in the day.
The next morning we packed up camp and said good bye to Eddie (camp manager) and Bella (camp dog) and headed North to Watamu. Our first stop was the mangrove Swamp on Mida Creek and there we checked out the Eco-Camp which was good but a little isolated. By chance we met Colin who owned a place on the beach in Watamu and we made arrangements to stay two nights there. The accomodation included three meals a day. We got a rare glimpse of a Bridled Tern that had been rescued and which Colin was nuturing back to health. Later we joined Colin and his South African wife at Turtle Bay Beach Club to watch the Stormers take on the Sharks. On our final day at the coast we took a drive to the Gedi Ruins and then on to Malindi for a good Pizza at the I Love Pizza Restuarant.
We are very sad to end this wonderful journey and we had a really good ten days with Ang and Grant.
Rita:
Ten days ago we keft O.R.Thambo at midnight never expecting such an adventure as we have encountered.
Our trip started with breakfast overlooking the Great Rift Valley with our first cup of Kenyan coffee in a Duka (a small shop) at the edge of the mountain.
We proceeded to Lake Navasha,set up camp with amazing bird life. We booked a boat trip with a local to see a pink wave of Flamingos congregating to take flight. Plenty of hippos were to be seen and heard as well.
A long trip took us to the Maasai Mara and it lived up to its reputation. Never have I seen such an abundance of animals.We were also lucky to spot two prides of lion with their kill and one solitary cheetah with its kill.
Our next stop took us through a busy Mombassa where we crossed a ferry to the south and Tiwi beach where we camped on the beach. What a spot! We proceeded to eat fresh fish,fruit and veg bought from vendors who stopped off at camp. One of our highlights here was a snorkelling trip on a dhow and a delicious seafood lunch.
Our last two days took us to the north of Mombasa where we stayed at Watamu. We had sundowners overlooking the Mida creek and after supper watched the S.A. Rugby (sorry Shark's supporters).We took a trip to the Gedi ruins and had a pizza in Malindi.
Off to the airport tomorrow with mixed feelings. Love to stay with my kids but miss S.A.
Things Bill has learnt:
1. Not to take family for granted.
2. Do not procrastinate and just make a decision and go for it.
3. Live life to the full and enjoy every moment.
Things Rita has learnt:
1. I am truly a S.A. even if it takes a trip out of the country to realize this.
2. That family is what makes anything worth while.
3. That Grant and Ang have a great future together.
This Blog has been written by my parents. Mom and Dad we loved having you guys with us. Thanks for coming to join us.
Bill:
At Lake Naivasha we had an awesome day out with our guide Willy. Seeing so many Flamingoes was amazing.
I did not know what to expect of the Masai Mara, but, when I got there it was one of the most awesome experiences I have had. Seeing so many animals condensed into one place. The highlight of the Mara for me was seeing the famous Marsh Pride (Big Cat Diaries).
The next day we went to a nearby village and did some shopping in the market and had a cooldrink and chapati at a local restaurant. Back at Tiwi Beach we bought fresh calamari from a local fisherman and that night we had a feast of calamari rings and three salsas made from the fresh produce we bought earlier in the day.
The next morning we packed up camp and said good bye to Eddie (camp manager) and Bella (camp dog) and headed North to Watamu. Our first stop was the mangrove Swamp on Mida Creek and there we checked out the Eco-Camp which was good but a little isolated. By chance we met Colin who owned a place on the beach in Watamu and we made arrangements to stay two nights there. The accomodation included three meals a day. We got a rare glimpse of a Bridled Tern that had been rescued and which Colin was nuturing back to health. Later we joined Colin and his South African wife at Turtle Bay Beach Club to watch the Stormers take on the Sharks. On our final day at the coast we took a drive to the Gedi Ruins and then on to Malindi for a good Pizza at the I Love Pizza Restuarant.
We are very sad to end this wonderful journey and we had a really good ten days with Ang and Grant.
Rita:
Ten days ago we keft O.R.Thambo at midnight never expecting such an adventure as we have encountered.
Our trip started with breakfast overlooking the Great Rift Valley with our first cup of Kenyan coffee in a Duka (a small shop) at the edge of the mountain.
We proceeded to Lake Navasha,set up camp with amazing bird life. We booked a boat trip with a local to see a pink wave of Flamingos congregating to take flight. Plenty of hippos were to be seen and heard as well.
A long trip took us to the Maasai Mara and it lived up to its reputation. Never have I seen such an abundance of animals.We were also lucky to spot two prides of lion with their kill and one solitary cheetah with its kill.
Our next stop took us through a busy Mombassa where we crossed a ferry to the south and Tiwi beach where we camped on the beach. What a spot! We proceeded to eat fresh fish,fruit and veg bought from vendors who stopped off at camp. One of our highlights here was a snorkelling trip on a dhow and a delicious seafood lunch.
Our last two days took us to the north of Mombasa where we stayed at Watamu. We had sundowners overlooking the Mida creek and after supper watched the S.A. Rugby (sorry Shark's supporters).We took a trip to the Gedi ruins and had a pizza in Malindi.
Off to the airport tomorrow with mixed feelings. Love to stay with my kids but miss S.A.
Things Bill has learnt:
1. Not to take family for granted.
2. Do not procrastinate and just make a decision and go for it.
3. Live life to the full and enjoy every moment.
Things Rita has learnt:
1. I am truly a S.A. even if it takes a trip out of the country to realize this.
2. That family is what makes anything worth while.
3. That Grant and Ang have a great future together.
Wow, such a special thing to do with your family. These are memories you'll have forever.
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing guys!!!! Awesome photies too, I think that Lion could be Mufasa... Wish we could've joined you camping on the beach!! Lots of love and miss you tons xxx
ReplyDelete