29th Aug 10 , Kwaheri Kenya!

Back to Nairobi. Sabrina & Shilpa go shopping before heading back to London & Bombay resp.

Our next few days are filled with lunch's, dinners , meeting friends with Coffee breaks anytime!

Rakhi is celebrated & Pannag's Bday party happens in style with thoda oriya tradition & thoda angrez celebrations!  Rinnie has once again created magic in the kitchen with the cake & the super chinese dishes,  yummmmy!

Time for us to buy some very typical Kenyan stuff before we start to pack for Bombay! Shopping ahoy!

The local Masai Market , baap re baap , one can get lost here . Be warned , just carry as much cash as you would want to spend , apart from that nothing. Be a part of the crowd. Don't hurry , this place is spread over a large area & one should walk around before you begin to haggle( like a real professional)  & get the best deal !Typical Fashion street scene , was fun! And then there is buy buy buy from Westgate & The Village ! 

Stayed here for so long but still couldn't go to Safari Park Hotel for their famous Cat Show. The meal & the Night Out at Carnivore Restaurant was majorly jinxed. Have to go back just to visit these 2 places , including the rest which I have ear marked already ! Naivasha Lake, Amboselli & Mombasa, are the Safari's for our next trip!

Time to say ,Kwaheri(Alvida) Kenya , till we meet again !

Highlights :

Make sure to take Malaria medication course before / during your trip to Kenya ( it's a good idea) !

Insect repellent a Must for yr Safari!

If you have enough time in hand , club Kenya with Tanzania !

 

Serena Sweetwaters Tented Camps , on the plains of Mt.Kenya!

This is by far, the shortest distance we have travelled & reach Sweetwaters within 1½  hours, where we are welcomed, apart from the Warthogs , the endangered Grevy's Zebra. It's a lovely drive within this reserve ,with the clouds pondering , whether they should send the tropical shower now or later!!!

 

On our way to The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary , we spot Waterbucks, Thompson's Gazelle , Storks & Elephants , who tried very hard to make sure they wouldn't be seen, still wondering , why????

 

The sanctuary which opened in 1993 in a negotiated agreement between the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Service & Jane Goodall Institute , receives and provides lifelong refuge to orphaned and abused chimpanzees. Was interesting to note how they had made a family of their own & 2 groups lived in 2 different part of the sanctuary. Inke bhi family bondings ka jawaab nahin!

 

The showers arrive & we take off to the Camp. These tents are different from Masai , but as cute , and each tent overlooks the waterhole , which is smack in the centre of this extensive property. The restaurant, complete with French windows , makes for an interesting dining area, where we have meals while watching the animals walk around the waterhole or have the stork , trying very hard to walk in through the windows and join us for some fancy food!!! :-) And the pleasure of having a drink & playing scrabble at the Bar n lounge , crowding around the blazing fire place ! Nor to forget, this place has the best bakery , super cakes & breads of all kinds!!!

 

We were tired, else would have definitely gone for the Night game drive , and  spied on the wild ones while they went about on their all night long partying!! Ahem !

 

While the rest of our gang catch up their Beauty Sleep , Sabrina, Mom & I , take off in the early hours, on a wild Goose chase of spotting a Lion & realize we are not the only ones , who are on the same trail!! And the irony , none of us spot the Lion !! sighhhhhh Nevermind that , we spot the Oryx, White & Black Rhino, Grants Gazelle, Baboons,Imphala, guinea Fowls and other birds. Its time to say Hello to the now tame Baraka ( means , Blessings in Swahili) , the first rhino to be born in the wild ( same date as Sabrina!! ) on Ol Pejeta Conservancy , who is became blind due to an eye infection & cataract .

 

It's back to the Camp & we are welcomed by the Reticulated Giraffe , Zebra , Gazelle, Stork , all enjoying a nice cool drink at their watering hole ….. wonder,  if the Camp adds something to this water ??? !!! hummm

 

Excitement of a trip is enhanced when something out of the ordinary happens! A situation which will either upset you or you will just become a part of the situation , enjoying the moment! :-)

 

Unimaginable is the height of coincidence's, two flats within half hour. The first, at the camp itself , where we fool around & while away our time , taking random pictures , saying hello to the Camels !! The second is , thank the lord , right infront of Lion Hill Lodge. While the driver takes off to the nearest Gas station to repair the Tyre ( he now has 2 flats to repair) , we walk into this small , but sweet local lodge , for a cuppa chai. Spot a pool table & we have to have a game , while listening to some lovely music! The adventure does not stop there. About half hour from home , outskirts of Nairobi , the Van stalls & comes to a complete standstill! A hunt for a mechanic begins , while we draw pictures on the rain fogged windows , have a discussion on religion n spirituality & listen to "Dil toh bachha hai ji" , again n again , since this is Pannag's favourite song these days! !

 

The 4 hour journey has taken us around 6 hrs, but does not dampen our spirits & we are ready to make some exotic dinner once we reach home ! Live the Moment , Enjoy home cooked food !!

 

Highlights:

 

One of Mt Kenya region's best kept secrets and originally the home of famed multi-millionaire, Adnan Khashoggi, Ol Pejeta House is a beautiful private house, inside within the pristine calm of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. And its Love at first sight for all of us . It's a toss between buying this place and spending atleast a week here ……… we are still contemplating ……………

Mount Kenya @ 5199 m, Kenya's highest peak.

Sarova Lion Hill Lodge & Lake Nakuru ko Sayonara bolte hue, we head towards Serena Mountain Lodge, driving the scenic route of lush green fields on either side of the road, located at 2,134 metres above sea level..

 

If hungers pangs hadn't hit all of us at Nyahururu Thomson Falls (7800 feet above the sea)  , we would have reached our destination in 3 hours instead of 5 hours! And so, we descend on Thomson Falls Lodge, eating the tastiest sandwitches , french fries & drinking masala chai , while we chat and watch the thundering waterfall in this serene & picturesque stretch!

 

We totally love Mt. Lodge. It's raised on stilts , a very Machan kind of feel , with one side of the lodge facing its own water hole. Log panelled cabin style rooms ,with its own balcony and the décor consisting of the most interesting pieces including mounted animal heads & the elephant Tusk pair ,which is truly the Piece de resistance! The tunnel leading to a small cabin, a few meters away from the water hole , where one can shoot some super photographs of the animals , who you feel are at an arms length.

 

It is in this tranquil surrounding that we put our feet up , chill , relax . Eating the tastiest preparation ( full marks to the Chefs here ) & drinking some interesting potions created by the bartender!

 

Water hole attracts Wild Buffalo's, Bushbucks . The high point however, was watching , first a few Tuskers , followed by an entire heard of adults, young ones & babies around the water hole .An absolute theatrical show!

 

Its time to move on & towards Sweetwaters , with a quick dekho at all the activities on the Equator line !

 

Highlights:

 

Watch out for the Monkeys. They shall sneak in and ransack your room in minutes if you leave the balcony door open OR they could well make your heart beat stop for a second by being the first face that you see staring at you through the windows , like it happened to Sabrina!!;-)

 

Sabrina ticked a list of animals for the Wake up calls, to view visiting animals at the waterhole during night time , but we were not woken up even once!!! Guess they realized we needed our beauty sleep !!

 

The bombardment of hailstones , 2 minutes after we had touched ground, due to which we had to rush inside Thomson Falls Lodge, instead of walking all the way towards the Falls!!  What an encounter ……… encounter of the stony ice kind!! :-)

Lake Nakuru, Rift Valley Soda Lake !

It's alvida to Masai Mara , where one can be stuck in a traffic jam of all the Vans , moving in the same direction , to spot the same animal , which has been relayed to most , if one gets stuck in a water bed of real soft soil!!! J

Mom & Shilpa , having spent a relaxed night at Masai , drive through the mostly bumpy & dusty roads of the Masai region towards Lake Nakuru, early morning . Whereas , I spend the night at home & drive down the scenic road towards Lake Nakuru , with Pannag , Rinnie & Sabrina , stopping at one of the points where one can see a super view of the Rift Valley Drop!

Although, we time it such , that both vehicles reach Sarova Lion Hill Lodge , at approximately the same time , it does not happen . While we take about 3 hours , the other vehicle takes 8 hours to reach , which normally takes about 5 hours!!! Bad roads coupled with a vehicle that couldn't pick up speed when it hit the good road , was a killer ! To say that both were exhausted beyond compare is an understatement ! This however did not stop Shilpa & Sabrina to take off on a game drive !:-)

While they drove along side a Lioness on an evening stroll , I decided to go to the Spa & pamper myself , & the rest of the gang decided to just watch the Tropical Rains from the room , while having some typical Kenyan chai & coffee!!

The property has a super locale , and the Bartender made the exact drink I wanted …. Good man! The entertainment of the local dancers was fun & there were enough people who joined them …. A real fun evening !

Driving around this small reserve surrounded by Yellow Acacia woodlands, and a lush green scenic view including the grassland in parts is a pleasure. Baboon Cliff has the entire baboon clan lazing around. The animals, roaming around at a nice easy pace , all over this small rich reserve. We spot the white Rhino , bat eared Fox, black crowned Crane , Colobus monkey, Zebra , Wild buffalo , Thompson gazelle , yellow billed Stork , and other small birds !

The highlight of this Reserve are the Flamingo's around the Lake, and giving them company are the huge Marabou stork , sea gulls & ducks! The stench here totally knocks you over , ewwwwww!!! However , the allure of the Flamingoes , dotted all around this lake , like specks of pink & white ornamental beads , their reflection on the lake , the elegance of their unified flight , is what suppresses the stench and lets all your other senses take over! SpecTacular!!!

Highlights:

The black & white fury dapper , appearance of the impressive Colobus monkey ! Wish he had stayed just a wee bit longer for us to take some better pictures of him , or he had come with rest of his family in tow……..

Beware of the king kong killer Mosquitoes , they will make your life miserable . Be well prepared by sunset, before they strike ! Repellents…………… a must in your suitcase!

The Flamingo's when they arrive at lake Nakuru or the young ones are White in colour , it's the algae that is their diet , which gives them this super pink colour! Its all depends on what one eats … your Diet is the key to Looking Good!!! ;-)

The Week that Was .... Whirlwind ! We begin with Masai Mara ....

We are all organized and ready to take on the Wilderness with their inhabitants of Kenya. And, it is Mom , Shilpa & I , who begin this trip by flying to Masai Mara. The flight is a  12 seater ( maybe 14 ) , which reminded me of Vayudoot Airlines which Dad called Yamdoot airlines , coz it was tiny , hardly held 10 passengers , and when it flew around the mountain , one could touch the trees!!! ;-)

 

We reach safe & sound , in what looks like someone's field , cleared for this landing . One tiny room , with a veranda like space , is what you can call the Masai airport!! ahem!

 

The 7 seater Van with pop up Roof , is already there and will be with us for the entire Safari Masti!

 

It's 2 days of making sure that the wildlife , has no clue that I have arrived & we do get to see them !!!  Although going across to check out the river crossing ( since it would mean a full day trip & I was flying back the next day to Nairobi ) , was not possible .However,  we did 3 outings and managed to see a decent number of animals and birds.

 

The wild one's, in their Savannah surroundings, is an experience not to be missed. To spot the pride of Lion , or the Majestic Cheetah is not the easiest , with the grassland acting as the perfect camouflage. The driver/guide , made sure we also spotted Elephants,Thompsons Gazelle, Wild Buffalos, Wildebeests,Giraffes , Zebras and some interesting Birds! Was a real treat, to witness the Lion Cubs, upto all kinds of badmashi , under the lazing but watchful eyes of their mommies!

 

The Sarova Mara Game Park , is a lovely lodge & it was a first time ever that we stayed in a Tent , albeit , tres luxurious style, with a lovely view , where we actually had a few gazelles and birds visit us at the tent , not scared to give us some company !! Friendly staff , super food (lots of Indian dishes), Daru ,the Curio shop was well stocked & a nature trail for inquisitive walkers!!

 

For me personally , I would have preferred staying in a Lodge nearer to the River ( unless I was spending like a good 2 full nights at Sarova)   , such that the crossing of, mainly the Wildebeest  & a few other animals from Serengeti to Masai is easily accessible . And be a witness to this migration , jahan crocodile infested Masai River se bachte bachate , apni jaan hatheli pe le kar , doosri taraf aana , is an adventure by itself for them!

 

The Wildebeest , walking in a straight line behind each other in perfect military formation , was amazing . Guess, the Army all over the world has learnt about Disciplined  Marching from them! ;-)

 

Time for me to take off after one night stay at Masai . If only I had stayed another night , the 3 of us would have gone and checked out the river crossing..... sighhhhhhhhh !!!!

 

Points to be noted :

If interested in River crossing aka Migration, one must plan between mid Jul to mid Aug, best bet , be here mid July ( Serengeti to Masai) . Else between mid Oct to mid Nov , best bet , mid Oct ( Masai to Serengeti, homeward bound ) .

 

Minimum stay ( at any of the Game Parks ) should be 2 nights, if you want an easy pace, and to completely enjoy the property that you are staying at , else one night is also fine!

 

Highlight :

 

Aircraft to Nairobi takes forever to arrive & we wait in the sweltering heat . Couple of airlines have come & gone but not mine. Already an hours wait & we ask the driver to ask the Pilot of the charted flight, that is waiting very patiently, since the last 15mins for some passenger of theirs , to check if they might have any information about my flight.The driver speaks with the pilot & comes running back to check if my full name is Rita Patnaik. When I say it is , he picks up my bags and runs towards the aircraft saying , the Pilot has been waiting for you.

Strange as it might seem , it is a regular practice to cancel a flight, without informing the passengers & then requesting another airline to collect them !!! How the co-ordination between the new airline & passenger takes place , is beyond me ! Unlike everyone goes through the same experience as I did!!  And how does it matter to me , I got a better 12 seater for Nairobi & a real good looking American twenty something year old to give me company!!! :-)

Te Week Zips by ....!!!!

Sabrina's arrival begins with Pannag , inviting his friends for a Cook Out at Mystic Gardens. This is a place where you can order food ( is a regular restaurant) or they provide you with the ingredients to make the dish that you want to make yourself & rest you can order. Very picnic type of feel , where the girls ( wives) take it easy and the men show cause their culinary expertise! J

 

And the following days whizzed with outings to the Malls, Sabrina doing shopping for her friends & family. Dinners (The Village is the place for some real good eating places & the Food Court is super !! ) & Drives around the city . Visits and meals with Rinnie & Pannag's friends , who would drop by to meet us.

A visit to Diamond Plaza , was an eye opener. I was sure we had entered a place which was a hybrid of Sarojini Nagar & Lajpat Nagar !!!Only difference , the people , more Gujju's than Punjabi's!!!! J

 

And before we realize its time for Shilpa's arrival & for us to get ourselves ready to witness the beauty , wilderness & wildlife of Kenya !

 

Highlight :

 

You need official permission to take photographs at random. If you are caught taking a picture in the restricted areas, you can be fined big time or even arrested !!  Main being the complete area in and around the consulate areas & the heart of the city which houses most of the Government buildings! According to Pannag , I had taken a risk taking some of the pictures of  even the roads while we were driving around!!!! So, people …… you all have been Warned !

 

 

Genral Coffee time in the City!!

The weekend begins with , all thanks to Rinnie , who seals my wanting to braid my hair the very Kenyan ( inspite of  Mother dear so not happy with the thought ) , by making sure Rose gets a hairdresser home , who shall braid the hair for , yours truly, the very Kenyan style … in Kenya look like a Kenyan, i say !! Well , well ,well …… the hair n head look different  & on a serious note , I won't look so bad if I did decide to go Bald ! Bald is Beautiphul!! J

And then it's off for another cuppa coffee . So what if the National Museum was shut , and we cudn't see the reptiles , the coffee at Savanna Café , made up for this in more ways than one . Which also meant , I had to try out more coffee's at different Café's !

And off we go to Java House . It's a lovely place next to The Village . Once again , I try the local coffee , brewed by them , which is way stronger than the one I had at Savanna Café , but really good. Ruchi would have loved it !! J

Next day is a visit to Giraffe Centre , to feed the Giraffe's .When we reach there , from the two who were being fed by the visitors , one decided to go back to the wilderness , leaving the other one to fend for himself against the onslaught of all the junta waiting in line to feed him , including us !!!! Bechara, issiliye he had those soulful eyes , if he left he would disappoint so many & if he didnt he would definitely be hit by a bad stomach , kare toh kya karen !!!

Tried to pull a few tricks to get into Giraffe Manor , which might have worked , had their not been some major group visiting and another staying there . Never mind , shall make it a point to stay here for a night atleast ! Will be interesting to have a Giraffe stick his neck & head inside our room while we are having our morning chai , sneaking a biscuit of the table & watch the other animals roam around freely in this place , which literally is a part of the Giraffe Centre , and is surrounded by forest. 

On Saturday , we decide to have coffee while watching the Sun Set at Ole Sereni , with backdrop of the Nairobi National Park. Interestingly , this use to be the US Consulate before it was bombed in 1998. A very fresh ambience and we made the most of being here, while waiting for Sabrina's flight to arrive from London .

We check , flight on time & off we go to the airport , which is less than 15 mins away , to welcome Sabrina to Kenya!

Highlights : Juice is pronounced as jueeece , and me a minute of two to figure out what the chap taking our order was asking . 

And I was offically being called a mix between a Muindi & a Muzungu , after braiding my hair and looking completely different , by the few who met me !:-)

 

The Election Week , 2nd – 5th Aug.

Referendum , Elections , major revamp in Constitution , Dual Citizenship , the works ………..  Kenya is ready for a Change !!!!

 

Be Safe than Sorry, take precautions and be at home.

 

And what couple of days its been. If I have not died laughing at Pannag's Dancing ( even Inder & Dad look better in comparison!! ) , it could be , Rinnie's acting skills & all the gossip of the locals , which would give Ekta Kapoor's serials a run for the money , or make Rinnie the next Shobha De , if she were to write a book on all the socials happenings here!!!! And , being taught the nitty gritty & tricks which will help us make some mullah , when we go to Casino Millionaire, Westgate!!! ;-)

 

Mom & I , have been on a fresh fruit Juice's and Avocado ( from the backyard tree , fresh as ever) eating Binge , as if it is going out of style!!! I can very well become a fruitarian!! J

 

To top that , it's been knocking back Tusker ( the local Beer) , and checking out the sweet White Wine!! And to be totally pampered by both Pannag & Rinnie , where Mom & I , are just eating , drinking , reading , watching movie's , sleeping anytime of the day …… ahhhhh … the perfect holiday!!!!!

 

Walking around the compound , going for short absolutely foresty green foliage scenic drives , Pannag's friends visiting , to moi learning a few key words of Swahili !!!

 

Angrez – Muzungu

Asians – Muindis

Locals – Wananchi

Similar sounding words which one had better be careful about!!:-)

Matata – Problem  ( Hakuna Matata : No Problem )

Matatu – Public vehicles

Matiti – Boobs!

 

Counting of Votes has begun , and we venture out to see the city & what the snake park at the National Museum is all about. But, by the time we reach , its shut , so , we walk around, browse through the 2 curio shops , one of them has some real interesting stuff & methinks , I shall for sure buy something soon from here !

 

And then,  it is Coffee time at the Savanna Café , overlooking the woodland , where I try the local coffee , Sasini , just right for my palate , loved it!

 

Its also trying out the local , angithi par sekka hua , Bhutta ( our very desi white corn & not the American sweet corn) & Cassava ( cousin of sweet potato). The fried & chips version of the Cassava is also neat !

 

It's typical Indian food from a place called , Chowpatty , which has the best Crisp Chilli Garlic Potato Fries!

 

This is Life!!!!!!!!

The Weekend of our Arrival!

You are lulled awake by the melodious orchestra of the chirpings of the variety of birds OR rudely woken up by the harsh rude and no respect for sound sleep walla crass sound of the smaller version of the Vulture in combination with the Crows too making their presence felt !!!!!! When I asked Rinnie , what this variety of Vulture were called , she thought about it & said, " Undertaker , or something as Morbid" , with a complete straight face !!!! And , I died laughing !!! J J J

The weather takes a turn & is all cloudy & cold, typical Delhi in Winters . This however does not obviate us from going out.

Its half day outing, first to the Temple & then The Village. I definitely have to spend an entire day here, to totally absorb the vibrant energy of this place , with its shopping, food, drinks, people …… just about everything !!

Now that I have seen both, The Village , Westgate & have to check the Masai Market , after that , my shopping list will be complete & buying shall start!! Yipeeee!!!

Since, our Arrival, as per Pannag's calendar was today ( 1^st Aug) , there is a lunch party lined up with his friend's family, Krishna, Rashmi & Shivangi. All of Saturday late night & Sunday morning goes in Rinnie organizing Our Welcome Lunch!!

The entire day, there shall be no electricity due to some local Maintenance, and with the weather being more than cloudy , we shall all enjoy a lovely candle lit lunch!!!! Adorable!

After we have pigged out on the food & guzzled on the Beer's ,we take off to visit the quaint , Victorian style , very British , Kentmere Club. What started out as a club is today a Country Inn. A place , which is a perfect ½ hour away , weekend getaway!!! The greenery gives you an extra dose of oxygen!! J

Highlights :

Rose , Rinnie's woman Friday , sings the original versions of Hakuna Matata aka No Problem, Jambo & the sweet melodious love song, Mallaika.

Rose, makes Saturday dinner, into a complete Native Kenyan fare, by making , Githeri (Beans, Corn & Potato dish) , Matoke ( raw Banana dish) , and plain rice! Yummmmmmyyyyyy!!

.

Rashmi , completely shocked to find Rinnie's sister in law , drinking BEER , So , Not Ladylike!!!! ROFL!!!! ;-)

30th July , Karibu Nairobi!!!

The Gods are Happy. Maya ne apna jaal faila diya hai! J

 

Deepali, who stayed back, made sure we reached the airport on time. The pouring, nahhhhhh , pelting humongous  droplets of rain, had stopped. An afterthought call to Rajesh, minutes before we reached the airport, and we breeze through the check in , with security & immigration , a piece of cake!!

 

Par kisiki nazaar lag gayi , shayad humari hi lag gayi hogi , sighhhhhhh!!!!! The flight is delayed by an hour , and we take off at 05.10am . So , its another cuppa coffee at The Coffee Bean. Trying to take a few photos at the airport , but cant coz I am asked not to ( wonder why????although I did manage to take 2 clear shots! ) . And , relieved  that Mom had double checked her hand luggage tag for the security stamp, which the security women had conveniently forgotten to do! If Mom, hadn't done that , we would have been made to scuttle , like quite a few of the passengers , back to the security for the stamp , just when one was ready to board the flight!!!!! ( ADVICE: Make sure the hand luggage tag is stamped at security , warna , wapas jana padega, last minute !!! Be it Domestic or International ) .

 

Slept through the entire 5 hour Kenyan airways flt , before we touched the Kenyan Soil !

 

Karibu aka Welcome, to Nairobi!

 

Took that 5 minutes to orient myself to the surroundings, and then it was , Fill the visa form , Go to the Visa on Arrival counter , to the Friendliest visa/ immigration Officer , till date! And lo behold , who do I see , while the process is on , Pannag !! My dear kid brother, has used his clout to welcome us all at the visa counter!!! J 

 

Jambo aka Hello, Habari aka How are you, Bombay Mausi …. Rinnie's  welcome to Mom with array of Roses & Rajnigandha. Our suitcases need to be checked by the customs people for gifts et all , and poor chaps , open the biggest and Fattest bag to find absolutely Nothing!!!

 

It's a super sunny day , that welcomes us at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.And with Rita's arrival , thoda bahut , hulchul hona , is a part & parcel of reality. So, we encounter a major traffic jam & 2 small time accidents !!!!! Thank you , Nairobi for an interesting welcome!!  ;-)

 

Rinnie & Pannag's , warm home takes us into its fold. A session with the Karaoke set , specially got , for some major Karaoke parties & improve Pannag's vocal cords & singing talent!!! Ahem!! And after that , it was a quick looksie at the small Kiosks , selling local artifacts ….  Bead jewellery , leather bags , local textiles, carvings ! ( my shopping list is getting ready!!)

 

We have done quite a bit on our first day at Nairobi , and it's time to catch up on some very required sleep, after a super dinner & knocking down a bottle of wine!!!

 

Highlight : My dear cousin was expecting us on Sunday , 1^st Aug & not on Friday,30^th Jul. Had I not messaged him that we were ready to leave & would meet him in a few hours , he would have been in a dreamworld of his own , with us waiting at the airport till he eventually came. And this would have meant, his elder sister aka Me, making sure he did 100 uthak baithaks for this goof up!!! Lol

My one month Sojourn to Kenya begins!!!

Amidst a lot of confusion , a lot of travel plans , a lot of heartburns , a lot of tearing my hair out & that of Shilpa & Krupali , we are atlast set to leave .

And since I am basically a nice person, and want you to learn from my experience, here is the low down !

A must before you leave is the  Yellow Fever Vaccination ( which , you need to take atleast 10 days prior to your leaving & is valid for 10 years! ) . And for this, you either go to Ballard Estate or Airport for this. We went to Ballard Estate , since it is closer to home . Decide on the day you want to take the vaccination, say on a Wednesday.Then, send someone on Monday evening ( or go yrself) and write the names of all the people travelling, with their passport details , on a dilapitated piece of paper , which you will find stuck on the door of the office OR on Tuesday early morning, to find that the same piece of paper floating around the sea of human beings, who are packed liked sardines in the small confine (foyer) , with either  the ones who have come to write their names or the ones with a Token number , waiting to get inside the office for the vaccination. Make sure you remember your no. on that list and also, that it is within 80 , since only 80 people are given a token.
Now, all the passengers with passport, have to go personally on Tuesday evening ( 4 pm), stand in a line as per their no. ( a que that takes forever to form and is always in a state of chaos & confusion,  since , there is no one to guide you or help you with information) & wait their turn to be given a Token ( which is nothing but another no., according to the details written by the office bearers).
Next day , all passengers with passport & Rs.150/-( correct change), need to be there before office open, stand in the line meant for the lot who shall be given vaccination & then get inside a tiny room, door shut & no windows. A room which is just that wee bit extra claustrophobic, and for some strange reason, I thought to myself .......... this is how the Jews must have felt in the confines of a closed room, pure torture to say the least, especially if you are last in the list ( just to make this point crystal clear , Mom was one Bar away from Fainting & I thought I would die without Oxygen!!) ! And so make sure , you carry Water !!!
Considering, all that you go through , the vaccination by itself is piece of cake !!! Huh ... mayb thats why they make you go through all the initial distress !!!

And itna saab karne ke baad , dont you dare forget to the original paper with you , which certifies this vaccination! :-)

If you are planning to make a trip during the migration time ( july-aug) , you should plan minimum a month in advance , to make sure you get a good rate & confirmed bookings , at the Lodges ( game safari)  of your choice. Best is to plan Kenya & Tanzania together , else , one can do , either at a time , but one needs to plan the places of visit with care.( Keep watching this space for more on that!! :-).

And know this also , if you were to book on a non season time , the cost for a trip to this land would be way lower!!!!!

Try to use Cash ( Dollar) & Debit/Credit card , as much as possible. Easier to get exchange for Cash than for TC. More on this too later !

Sun tan lotion , basic everyday medication , good comfortable walking shoes , glares , should be a definite part of your baggage , apart form the rest, depending on the weather!!!

 

Time to take off , and expect the unexpected in the land of Kenya!!!