We had originally planned to stay 2 full weeks in Eldoret, departing for home on Tuesday. However, after talking with Dr. Koech and learning there was no surgery scheduled for the weekend, he encouraged us to spend the last 2 days of our trip in Nairobi. We had bought one-way plane tickets from Nairobi to Eldoret, leaving open the possibility of driving back at the end of our stay. I had longed to see more of the countryside, but David was not too eager to suffer through the endless bumps, potholes and areas where the road was simply gone. When the hospital offered to arrange a driver and a relatively new SUV Suzuki to deliver us, David happily settled into the front seat for the next 5 hours and we gazed endlessly at the wondrous countryside.
The scenery was delightful. As in Eldoret, there were cows and goats and donkeys grazing along the roadside. Of interest, is that the majority of cattle in Kenya are sold and shipped live to Saudi Arabia, where they thrive in the similar climate, and are resistant to most diseases. We passed truck after truck, yet there were always many more ahead of us. This was the main east/west route between Mombasa and neighboring African countries (Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Congo). The faster the truckers are able to drive, the sooner they can deliver their goods, get paid, and head out again. Gas is the same price as here ($4 a gallon) so they rely on their speed and daring to cross the finish line in record time and start the clock again.
Nairobi! Here we come!
Nairobi National Park: What an unimaginable place! This 30,000 acre reserve is just 4 miles out of town and what separates the wild animals from the booming downtown metropolis is just one fence. Suddenly we were on a mini-safari! Lions and tigers and bears... oh my! Well, lions yes, but not for our eyes, they stayed tucked away and felt no need to impress us “mzungus”. Same for the tigers. and no bears there, never were, nor elephants. But we tooled around in a big desert buggy and had some up-close and personal moments with giraffes, zebras, gazelles, wildebeesties, impalas, buffalo and even a white rhino! The park is a self-sustaining ecosystem, meaning animals are not fed, they must hunt (each other) for all their food.There is no breeding program and every animal fights for its own survival.
David Sheldrick Baby Elephant Sanctuary: Located near the park’s entrance, and open one hour daily, from 11-12, this place is the ultimate definition of CUTE! Only baby orphaned elephants up to 2 years may reside here, then they are transported to a national park in the south. At the sound of a gong, they come ambling from the upper meadow toward the crowds of gaga-eyed tourists and clicks of cameras, heading straight toward their trainers and that BIG baby bottle of fresh milk! I couldn’t help but start humminng the “Baby Elephant Walk” song of the ‘60’s by Henry Mancini.
Nairobi Giraffe Center: A non-profit park founded in 1979 in hopes of saving the endangered Rothschild giraffe from extinction. There were only 130 left in the wild at that time, having lost their natural habitat to the expansion of agriculture. Today there are over 500 in Kenya and they are magnificent!!!
Nairobi National Museum: Opened in 1930 and called the Coryndon Museum. After Kenya received its independence in 1963 it was renamed The National Museum of Kenya. This large and spacious museum is set on stunning grounds and features artwork, sculpture and botanical gardens. It is an educational experience and reflects Kenya’s national heritage and culture. We enjoyed a delightful lunch on the patio but passed on a visit to the snake house.
Maasi at the open market: Certainly the best place for souvenir shopping in Nairobi! Maasi ladies bedecked and bedazzled in their finest head/ear/chest gear are happy to bargain. You’ll always get a really good deal...at least the ladies will charm you into THINKING you did!
...and all too soon – we’re flying home to Seattle.
Kwaheri! (Goodbye)
Mimi itabidi! (I’ll miss you-)
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| Feeding time for the baby elephants and moms |
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| A beautiful Masaii lady selling her jewelry at the market in Nairobi |
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| Off on our mini-safari |
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