My parents have gone to the airport and will be on their way home shortly. It is very hard to believe that their six weeks with us is already over - we will miss them a LOT! I like to think that we saved the best for last with the safari this past weekend. Hope the pictures do our trip justice (the ones of my parents with the Masai guys are priceless!).
~Lisa
p.s. sorry but the pictures are in no particular order.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Our Safari
Last Wednesday Grace got her passport and paper stating that she was an American Citizen born overseas. So if you were wondering, she can be President some day!!! We went to the American Embassy to get the papers. When we got there, we went thru a gate with security. Lisa couldn't just hold Grace, she had to be searched! Then we walked quite a ways, under a canape, to another more secure security! No fooling around here! When we went through there, we just had to wait about 5 minutes before Lisa was able to collect the paperwork. On the way out, right next to the second security, there was a patch of grass with a sign that said "prayer area" and sure enough there was a very well dressed Muslim man, kneeling to say his prayers. That was the first time we had seen that. In Mombusa, we saw towers (not sure that is the right name) that they call people to prayer, but never heard or saw any of it.
On Thursday we left for our safari. We left from a different airport, very , very small. The travel agent met us there with all our paperwork. When we went through the tiny security check, Lisa told them she couldn't go through the security door because of her pacemaker. They said no problem, they just moved their wooden table and let her through. We didn't have long to wait. There was a small plane outside, which I hoped was not our plane. Kristoffer said our plane was a little further down. And sure enough there was a bigger plane, it held about 50 passengers. Kristoffer said, I hope we are the first stop, I thought he was kidding!! Do you know how it feels to be looking out the window of the plane and see you are below the wings!!!
And sure enough the captain comes on and says Mara Serena will be the first stop!!! Thank God it was our stop. It took 40 minutes and we landed on a dirt runway - no kidding. You'll see some of the pictures. There were Landcruisers and guides waiting for us. We were taken to the lodge and had the most fantastic view ever from the lobby. There was a pool overlooking the Mara too where we could relax and use the binoculars to search for animals out on the plain. We had the afternoon to ourselves. When they brought us to our room, they told us to keep the sliding glass doors closed because baboons tried to get into the rooms sometimes.
We had 4 game drives. One the first afternoon, the next morning we had to meet the guide at 6:30, then one in the afternoon, and again at 6:30 in the morning. We had a very good guide who took us out for 2 hours at a time Grace loved it - the bumpier the better. She slept in her car seat almost all the time. We saw lions, as close as 3 feet in front of the car. We saw cheetahs - also very close. We saw hippos, elephants, water buffalo, zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and lots of different birds. We would be driving down the dirt road, and all of a sudden the guide would turn and we would be in the high grass and he would find the lions or cheetahs. We were not able to see a leopard or rhino (but we had seen the large rhino at the elephant orphanage). After the first morning drive, the guide took us to a spot in the wild, where we were met by a Maasai warrior (all dressed in costume). He took us down a trail, where he gave us a warm cloth to wash our hands, then further down the path he poured us a glass of champagne, then further down the path, was a buffet breakfast setup along the river where we watched the hippos and crocodiles - it was something else. On the way back to the landrover, Kristoffer asked the warrior what some tracks were he said it was the leopard (but we never saw him).
The last night we were there, we had what was called a Sundowner. The guide took us to a spot in the bush, not too far from the lodge. Where there was a full bar set up, a chef with hot appetizers, and a waitress to serve. Two small fires were set, while we watched the sun go down over the Mara! Lisa asked if others were coming, they said no - it was all for us!!!! Amazing! The bartender was talking to us. He too was a Maasai, his father was a chief, and gave him permission to get an education if he wanted. He did and told us he was a Christian and had only one wife and did not live the traditional way!
The last night we were there, after dinner, was the Maasai Warrior dance. There were about 12 of them doing their thing which is a jumping dance. The one who jumps the highest gets the girl! After their dance, I asked one of them if Mike and I could have our picture taken with him. Next thing I know there are the 12 of them beside and behind us, singing and putting some of their clothes on us! I have never laughed so hard in my whole life.
So we get to the airstrip to get the plane back on Saturday afternoon. There were two families from Japan flying with us. I was hoping we were the last stop, not wanting to make a couple of other stops before we get to Nairobi. Well along comes the plane, and guess which one it was, the 18 passenger plane. I wasn't sure about getting on it. The pilot gets out, takes the luggage and puts it in the plane, climbs back in and says, here are some mints if you want one (passing the tupperware container), there is water if want, and if you need to use the barf bag, please tie it up and bring it home with you!!!!!!!! I'm not joking! I said the Sorrowful and Glories Mysteries on the flight back. It got a little bumpy and a Japanese guy on the plane was near sick. He was sitting across from Mike, and I knew if that guy got sick, so would I. We landed about 45 long minutes later!
Our adventures here are just about at a close, it has been wonderful being here watching Lisa, Kristoffer and Grace as a family. Now we know how they live and where things are. We will miss them terribly, but know they will be home in June to have Grace Baptized.
Some pictures to be posted on the next blog when Lisa gets them uploaded.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Week's Adventures
Last Monday we left for our adventure in Mombasa. We were at the airport with over 2 hours to kill. It was the smallest part of the airport for domestic flights. It sort of reminded me of something we would have had in the 50's back home. Well our flight was full. When we were allowed to board, we had to walk outside a little ways to get to the plane. We were in line at the front of the plane, then some of the people noticed they were boarding from the back of the plane - you guessed it. The ones in the back wanted to go to the front, and the ones in the front went to the back. It was quite a show! Now the flight was only 40 minutes, and in that time we were served a cold drink (smallest can of coke I've seen) plus a sandwich. Now the sandwich consisted of 1/2 dark bread with some kind of cheese, and 1/2 light bread with egg salad (Mike said he thought they used 2 eggs for everyone on the plane). But at least they served you something, by the time they got to us in row 20, they were collecting the trash because we were about to land!
When we landed, we were met by Francis. He took us to the car and gave us a cold towel, I didn't know what to do with it, so I washed my hands. Smarty Mike put it on the back of his neck. You can't image how hot it was and very humid. Then he gave us cold water for the trip. The trip took 2 hours to get to the resort, we waited a very long time to get the ferry across the island. We drove through the center of Mombasa, so interesting. There were a lot of Muslim women. Most of them were covered, some with their faces covered. The material was mostly black and it looked lighter than I thought it would. Also we went by a few mosques. I was hoping to hear them call to prayer - but that never happened. From the time we left the airport and drove those two hours, we never saw another white person until we got to the resort - and then there were only a few. They have the crazy matatus there, but they also have this crazy vehicle, it is a 3 wheeled vehicle with a cover over it, almost the size of a golf cart. They are used for taxis and tiny trucks. They looked like a death trap to me!
The resort was lovely, we were dropped off at the entrance - a very open building. We were seated on a lovely sofa, they didn't want us to have to stand and wait in line (there was no one else checking in). We were given juice and champagne. I looked down at the floor and saw that it was glass and there were fishes below us. We were taken to our room, which was nice with a nice view. This very lovely resort had no more than 50 people there on the first night we were there. It was deserted. We felt like it was our private place. We had dinner on one of the decks. It was a buffet. The food was pretty good. But between the 2 hour drive and the heat we were exhausted and missed the African Night show down near the beach. The second night the resort had some kind of group in. It was African food night out on the lawn. They had all the tables out there with candle light and the seat with covers and bows. It was interesting. When the group arrived, we could hear them being greeted by African dancers and singers. We wished we had waited to be seated.
While sitting under a shade hut on the beach, I got to talking to one of the guards, Jimmy. He asked me my name and when I said Mary - he said "Mary the mother of Jesus - I am a Christian". That was interesting!!! We had a couple of good talks. Apparently they get very few Americans there - lots of Brits, Germans and French. When I said we were from the States - Obama was brought up. Jimmy's mother came from the same village as Obama's father. Then Mike and Jimmy had lots of political discussions. He was quite knowledgeable, and even asked us what we were going to do with Cuba now that Fidel was on the way out!
I had asked Jimmy about the camel guy. Well he brought one of the camel guys up to meet us, so I made Mike go with me on the camel ride. That's right - we rode camels on the beach! It was about 1/2 hour, which was just long enough. All down the beach we had people trying to sell us something. When you didn't buy, they would say "okay just give us money!" After relaxing from the camel ride, we decided to take a WALK out to the sand bar. The tide went way out - we started where we thought was the best path out there. Well all of the sudden "Captain Bob" comes along with his helper, takes my hand and starts walking us over. Thank goodness he did. We both had something on our feet, but he didn't. He showed us where to step and where not to step. There were sea urchins, coral and then there was the stone fish. Well if we had stepped on the stone fish, we would have been in big trouble. It is very poisonous, and he showed us how bad it was when he poked it with some coral and all kinds of black stuff came out of it. When the tide started back in, so did we. Half way back, Captain Bob tells us how much he should get for his services. Well then we had to start the negotiations. Everything on the beach is negotiations. They were selling all kinds of stuff. We made it back, just in time. The heat got to me and I needed shade and water.
The trip back to the airport was not as eventful. We were glad to get back to see Grace and her Mom and Dad. Grace changed a lot in three days.
Yesterday Kristoffer did a lot of driving and took us to the Rift Valley to a place called Naivasha. You would not believe the view we had - it was the most spectacular view. Then we had lunch at a lovely lodge overlooking a lake. They had arranged for a short safari around the lake, I was unable to go because I was having stomach problems. But they went and saw flamingos, 50 hippos, Masai giraffes, zebras, African Fish Eagles, Egyptian Geese, and large antelope. They took some beautiful pictures. On the drive home we saw all kinds of interesting things (you never drive on the highway without interesting things). There were more donkeys then you can imagine, herds and herds of cows, goats, and sheep. Then, I know you wouldn't believe this unless I had a picture, this crazy bus was in front of us with about 100 chickens tied to the top of it. Kristoffer and Lisa said they were alive, so we have suggestions for Purdue on how to de-feather chickens in the wild. We also saw a couple of big baboons just walking down the road.
Here are the pictures from Mombasa (camels included):
And here are the pictures from our day trip to Naivasha yesterday (bus with chickens included):
When we landed, we were met by Francis. He took us to the car and gave us a cold towel, I didn't know what to do with it, so I washed my hands. Smarty Mike put it on the back of his neck. You can't image how hot it was and very humid. Then he gave us cold water for the trip. The trip took 2 hours to get to the resort, we waited a very long time to get the ferry across the island. We drove through the center of Mombasa, so interesting. There were a lot of Muslim women. Most of them were covered, some with their faces covered. The material was mostly black and it looked lighter than I thought it would. Also we went by a few mosques. I was hoping to hear them call to prayer - but that never happened. From the time we left the airport and drove those two hours, we never saw another white person until we got to the resort - and then there were only a few. They have the crazy matatus there, but they also have this crazy vehicle, it is a 3 wheeled vehicle with a cover over it, almost the size of a golf cart. They are used for taxis and tiny trucks. They looked like a death trap to me!
The resort was lovely, we were dropped off at the entrance - a very open building. We were seated on a lovely sofa, they didn't want us to have to stand and wait in line (there was no one else checking in). We were given juice and champagne. I looked down at the floor and saw that it was glass and there were fishes below us. We were taken to our room, which was nice with a nice view. This very lovely resort had no more than 50 people there on the first night we were there. It was deserted. We felt like it was our private place. We had dinner on one of the decks. It was a buffet. The food was pretty good. But between the 2 hour drive and the heat we were exhausted and missed the African Night show down near the beach. The second night the resort had some kind of group in. It was African food night out on the lawn. They had all the tables out there with candle light and the seat with covers and bows. It was interesting. When the group arrived, we could hear them being greeted by African dancers and singers. We wished we had waited to be seated.
While sitting under a shade hut on the beach, I got to talking to one of the guards, Jimmy. He asked me my name and when I said Mary - he said "Mary the mother of Jesus - I am a Christian". That was interesting!!! We had a couple of good talks. Apparently they get very few Americans there - lots of Brits, Germans and French. When I said we were from the States - Obama was brought up. Jimmy's mother came from the same village as Obama's father. Then Mike and Jimmy had lots of political discussions. He was quite knowledgeable, and even asked us what we were going to do with Cuba now that Fidel was on the way out!
I had asked Jimmy about the camel guy. Well he brought one of the camel guys up to meet us, so I made Mike go with me on the camel ride. That's right - we rode camels on the beach! It was about 1/2 hour, which was just long enough. All down the beach we had people trying to sell us something. When you didn't buy, they would say "okay just give us money!" After relaxing from the camel ride, we decided to take a WALK out to the sand bar. The tide went way out - we started where we thought was the best path out there. Well all of the sudden "Captain Bob" comes along with his helper, takes my hand and starts walking us over. Thank goodness he did. We both had something on our feet, but he didn't. He showed us where to step and where not to step. There were sea urchins, coral and then there was the stone fish. Well if we had stepped on the stone fish, we would have been in big trouble. It is very poisonous, and he showed us how bad it was when he poked it with some coral and all kinds of black stuff came out of it. When the tide started back in, so did we. Half way back, Captain Bob tells us how much he should get for his services. Well then we had to start the negotiations. Everything on the beach is negotiations. They were selling all kinds of stuff. We made it back, just in time. The heat got to me and I needed shade and water.
The trip back to the airport was not as eventful. We were glad to get back to see Grace and her Mom and Dad. Grace changed a lot in three days.
Yesterday Kristoffer did a lot of driving and took us to the Rift Valley to a place called Naivasha. You would not believe the view we had - it was the most spectacular view. Then we had lunch at a lovely lodge overlooking a lake. They had arranged for a short safari around the lake, I was unable to go because I was having stomach problems. But they went and saw flamingos, 50 hippos, Masai giraffes, zebras, African Fish Eagles, Egyptian Geese, and large antelope. They took some beautiful pictures. On the drive home we saw all kinds of interesting things (you never drive on the highway without interesting things). There were more donkeys then you can imagine, herds and herds of cows, goats, and sheep. Then, I know you wouldn't believe this unless I had a picture, this crazy bus was in front of us with about 100 chickens tied to the top of it. Kristoffer and Lisa said they were alive, so we have suggestions for Purdue on how to de-feather chickens in the wild. We also saw a couple of big baboons just walking down the road.
Here are the pictures from Mombasa (camels included):
And here are the pictures from our day trip to Naivasha yesterday (bus with chickens included):
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