Nairobi , a glimpse !

Two weeks in August with Rinnie and Pinti , dedicated to exploring a lusturous Nairobi. It mattered not , that there was unrest at Mombasa & the Westgate shoot out , hung heavy , We were there to Unwind! And we begin this is earnest with Kenyan airways canceling their flight due to technical snag, after having made us wait forever, and transfering passengers to Renaissance, Powai. There isnt much we can do , except wait for the next available flight , so , we spoil ourselves at the airlines expense. An overnighter, a room with full expance of Powai lake , scrumptious buffets meals. Arrival to Kenya is on a 100 odd seater, domestic kenyan aircraft!  Predicament contines. Our baggage hasn't found place in the same aircraft , shall follow , and reaches us the next day. A valuable experience on how one can manage 3 nights in the state that we were in. Precious , how our journey began , a never to be forgotton occurances! 

How ... Why .... hasn't one heard of anyone spending time at Nairobi except it being a 2 day stop enroute to the Safari's ? We hadn't either on our last trip to Kenya , where the concentration was the Safari's. This trip is going to be offfbeat. A tableau into the heart of Nairobi as we saw it in these few days , lots that we missed , and then again , it shall be focused on our next visit! 

We indulge, on the succulent variety of fruits , i could happily become a pure fruitarian in this land. Avacado is our second delight , as is our visit to Chowpatty restuarant for their all famous  garlic and chilli tossed fries. Chinese at Kenya is ..... Kenyan Chinese just like we have Indian Chinese, so different, however , very tasty. We listen to a blind local singer belt out....  kuch Kuch hota hai @ For You, what a surprise that was. 

Coffee visits, very important , masti @ Artcaffe & Riverside Cafe. An italian meal @ Alladin. Karen Blixen coffee garden & cottages, is an experience, with a history to boot. Scones at the very british style , majestic Windsor Golf hotel & Country Club, if only they had given clotted cream instead of  butter! A dekho of Sovereign suites, with its lush green landscape. Each of these places , so unique in their old colonial charm. A chinese meal at Nairobi gymkhana, its lovely cricket ground , which has affiliation to both my clubs, CCI & YC :). Our palate enjoyed every morsel of the Indian chinese, which we so do not find back home any more , with a complete surprise dish of spicy chopsuey! Drinks while watching the sun set at Sarabi, Hotel Sankara, reminded me of Aer and Dome, however, Dome has the best view! 

Swinging on the swing, a long walk ( hiring the bike would have been fun , if only all of us could ride a bike!)  through Karura ,an urban Forest , saved from a housing and development plan by activist Nobel peace prize Laureate Wangari Maathai, was reinvigorating.

We had hand fed the Giraffe's at the Giraffe Centre on our last trip , now to witness a  heart warming erudite morning watching the orphaned elephants play football , dust bath ,interacting with the visitors and being hand fed the formulae milk by their keepers, which took Daphne Sheldrick 28 years of trail and error , to substitute their mother's milk @ David Sheldrick wildlife trust. A quick peek into the baby elephant's individual nursery , with a bed for the keeper too and the area where they prepare the healthy milk.  Raising these rescued baby elephants &  transition to the wild , is some challenge. We missed seeing any Rhino though! 

Machakos, the hilly terrain of the anti gravity point, easily missed if not for the few local kids who sit with their gadgets to showcase the reverse effect of all that put on the ground to some die hard tourist , like us ! That they expect monetary benefit is another story!  Why do i think , the anti gravity optical illusion at Leh will be more interesting????!!!! A visit there bekons! 

Through the clouds we drive, towards Lake Naiwasha, with a stop at the Rift Valley , what a stunning view we get of the entire terrain, and some shopping for local artifacts! An area where Zebra's , Giraffe's , Water bucks & Water hogs are seen roaming in complete abandonment. Its their land , their home and we need to respect that ! A boat ride on Lake Oloidien, a divan for myriad birds and the herd of Hippo's lounging at the banks of the lake or conferencing in the water ! Lunch is delectable @ Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge, on the edge of the lake with their stretch of greenery and the very so often movements of the resident Water bucks! 

The refurbished hunting lodge discovered as an inn by actor William Holden , Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari club, was the vertex of this trip. Now we know why everyone raves about this place and is considered one of the prime luxury properties, where you put your feet up and just Be! The acres of garden and forest land , with the view of Mount Kenya , if lucky , is located on the equator . So , do not be surprised if you are in the tub with part of you in the northern and other on the southern hemisphere! :)) Mountain bikes to explore the forest reserves , horse ride across the acres of land , walk the two beautiful Labs, Grammy &  Tusker  , get lost in the Maze at the heart of this property , take aim on the 9 Hole Golf course , meet the orphan animals, feeding the peacocks or the other birds, swim, spa , gym , walk , eat , drink ..... its all about basking in the luxury of this labyrinth ! How can I forget , we are once again , pleasantly surprised to hear, Papa kehten hain ..... sung by the local singer , while we enjoyed our 4 course meal!

A chillax 2 week come to an end , Its time to say Kwaheri , Goodbye till our next visit ! 

Highlights 

Sans my  international licence , driving around Mount Kenya was a risk, we could take.Takes that tad few minutes to figure out Pinti's SUV. Once , i get the hang of this Merc , i am ready to waltz.  Speed some and then autocruise , its smooth , the pleasure of being in control of this car so kicks in, that i miss the turn to Fairmont. Decide to carry on, see where this road leads us. Two turns and we are in for a surprise. Road leads us to a military base, with spiked barriers , rifle wielding soldiers. Road too narrow to do an about turn , and wasn't sure , how the soldiers would react if we reversed, and with me driving without an international licence.  Best option to go upto the soldier and say we missed a turn! We do just that, and i give my best innocent bokka look , soldier explains where we missed the Fairmont turn, and then very sweetly removes the barriers for me to take my car inside, for me to turn the car around. Its a hoot to watch the expression on the other soldiers , and the 2 jeeps that pass us filled with soldiers, on this civilian car being driven by a woman inside their base. Excitement has a way to be around me , at most times! 


Watching the sun rise , a cuppa chai , with Mount Kenya looming to greet you!


The Masai Market , just outside The Village Market was visual delight with an array of amazing local artefact. A slow paced time , soaking in the energy of this place , the hard core bargaining and the buying , was super fun.

Missed again , a meal at Carnivore !