tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293327872009-03-03T06:04:38.754+02:00Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485495214481566489noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29332787.post-1155478010637731822006-08-13T16:40:00.000+03:002006-12-07T13:38:24.753+02:00

Sandy and I selected the East African Explorer trip to celebrate a milestone birthday. She is a keen photographer and I love working with my video camera so it seemed a good opportunity to complete a joint venture.We arranged to visit Kenya and then Tanzania and this diary records our experiences in both countries. As well as treks and wildlife safaris we wanted insights into the way of life and

Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485495214481566489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29332787.post-1152084646250698962006-06-30T10:18:00.000+03:002006-12-05T13:15:52.893+02:00

Our tour operator was IntoAfrica with Samuel as driver, Patrick as cook and William the garrulous guide! The company operates a Fair Traded Policy and we had selected their East Africa Explorer which offered a mixture of Cultural visits plus the excitement of game drives. The first glimpse of the Rift Valley was impressive although quite misty but William explained a great deal about the valley

Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485495214481566489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29332787.post-1155127601684408382006-06-29T09:00:00.000+03:002006-08-27T17:36:03.190+03:00

After a great breakfast we went trekking with Jonathan as our guide.Walked amongst zebra, giraffe, impala, and wildebeest.Had a lot of fun with William and Jonathan competing with their expertise with a yo-yo and using a Spanish fan. Leanne was shown how a Maasai warrior proposes to his lady.We then moved on to the next camp in the Masai Mara which was wonderfully tranquil .Check out the photos..

Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485495214481566489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29332787.post-1155134274320562902006-06-28T17:27:00.000+03:002006-08-27T17:32:12.846+03:00

We spent an afternoon/evening and an early morning in the Masai Mara and from the moment we entered the Game Reserve we knew we were in a magically protected area. This is a safe haven for so many animals and birds.Vultures in a tree gave the clue to witness a lion with a recent kill. We only got some brief glimpses of it in the bushes but William confidently told us that 3 others were around,

Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485495214481566489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29332787.post-1155393599239610162006-06-27T17:39:00.000+03:002006-08-27T17:30:37.566+03:00

A quick stop at Narok to make a few purchases and get some money. Then it was a very long hot, dusty drive to Lake Naivasha. The roads were just appalling and Samuel did a wonderful job trying to make the journey as comfortable as possible.Sandy brought out the playing cards and William attempted to teach us a card game. We all suspected that he made the rules up as he went along.. always in his

Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485495214481566489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29332787.post-1155463875523795902006-06-26T13:10:00.000+03:002006-08-27T17:29:27.406+03:00

Nakuru turned out to be a well ordered, bustling and colourful town and we would have loved to have spent more time there. However, we had to press on into the Park and find our `palace`for the night. The lodge was basic but the location just perfect and we set off before we lost the daylight to explore the lake a little. It was wonderful to alight from the vehicle and walk on the damp sand along

Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485495214481566489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29332787.post-1155851274914702472006-06-26T00:32:00.000+03:002006-08-27T17:27:48.693+03:00

It was a happy group that moved on to Mt Kenya, stopping first for a picnic lunch at dramatic Thompson Falls- Here we avoided the painted warriors who posed by the roadside for tourists to photograph.We dined in a marquee and it was noticeably colder. Next morning we trekked with William who explained about many of the plants en route. Sandy tried to help some ladies carry their firewood but

Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485495214481566489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29332787.post-1156100421523788412006-06-25T21:58:00.000+03:002006-08-27T17:26:08.440+03:00

This is a good point to sum up the Kenya part of the trip. Over the 7 days we had become a family. We cried with laughter and at times could have cried with sadness.William, Samuel and Patrick were true professionals. Whenever possible they sat around the table with us to eat, play cards or scrabble. On our return from a safari drive, Patrick would be waiting with flasks of hot drinks, popcorn or

Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485495214481566489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29332787.post-1151258336355178212006-06-07T20:55:00.000+03:002006-08-12T11:44:12.596+03:00

Sunday 25th JunePosting from Amsterdam Airport.. whilst in transit.I will post some items from my diary with photos soon.It has been a fabulous experience but it is heaven to have a shower and good toilet facilities again! Lots to write about and some wonderful people.Sylvia

Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485495214481566489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29332787.post-1149581809250386522006-06-06T10:39:00.000+03:002006-06-06T11:16:49.263+03:00

Kenya SectionSun June 11th Drive from Nairobi to the Maasai town of Narok for lunch and colourful market visit. Then into the bush to a small Maasai homestead (“boma”) for insights into their fascinating culture and way of life. . The visit here supports their small primary school .** This is the school that Sandy has linked with the Brownie Group to make a presentation of their scrapbook and the

Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485495214481566489noreply@blogger.com0