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.