It's been only three months since my trip to Kenya and most days that go by, I still have fond memories sneaking back in. I hope to never forget the sights I saw. I'm not sure why more people don't go to this amazing continent. There are only three continents I have not been too yet, but I suspect Antarctica won't be one. I love to explore different locales, not always feeling the need for city life or tropical beachfront, which one can get just about anywhere. If you're picturing a city of dusty roads and sweltering heat, think again. Nairobi is a fast growing, cosmopolitan melting pot with modern skyscrapers punctuating the horizon, and a mild year-round average temp of 75 Degrees/24 Celius. With two rainy seasons per year. While we only did one day in the city itself, it had the worst traffic I have seen anywhere and can be an expensive city to visit...either staying at the lovely accommodations on the plains and savannahs. or eating and drinking at city hotspots and high-end hotels. Our whole trip was spent out in the savannahs, a long dream of mine. Everyone it seems in Nairobi speaks English and road signs, menus and just about everything else is in English too. But locals love when visitors at least say hello in Swahili though, so go for it, start with "Jambo" for Hello and thank them with "Asante". A photo dump of more picture for the scrapbook of Giraffe Manor, Nairobi National Park, the Shri Swaminarayan-Mandir Temple, Kijabe Forest Park, Nairobi Art Gallery and some local roadside market, wear I found many lovely handmade trinkets.
If you have ever considered doing it.... GO! A blog commenter told me once Africia is in your veins it will keep calling. I think I believe them.
Ingonyama nengw enamabala and gazelles and elephants and zebras, and baboons, Oh MY!
ReplyDeleteI'm telling you Sista Shirley...you'd loved the trip.
DeleteI could say the same thing about Palm Desert and Palm Springs. I love it out here!
ReplyDeleteI suspect once my family is extinct my next move will be out of the country.
DeleteIt's just all so gorgeous; the scenery,. the animals, the food, all of it.
ReplyDeleteUgh, KFC! The rest of the photos are amazing.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of KFC myself but chuckled when I saw this billboard. Who knew they had them there? Now I wonder if they have any Hickory Farms?
DeleteJerry would head to Kenya in a heartbeat, if only for the KFC!
DeleteAfrica does keep calling you back. We first went to Morocco, then in later years to Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Victoria Falls etc. you’ll be back. Gigi
ReplyDeleteSo you were the one that told me that in the comments I couldn't remember who it was. Oh trust me Morocco is already on the bucket list.
DeleteSuch wonderful photos! That was a trip to savour for a lifetime, no doubt about it!
ReplyDeleteMore, please. The Rhino photo was worth the whole trip.
ReplyDeleteThat was a cool moment but for me the giraffes and the elephants were the main reason for the visit.
DeleteKFC? Crap. Loved the monkeys! And the elephants! And the giraffes!
ReplyDeleteKFC is so crap it even had the wrong country name on its poster. Jx
DeleteThe whole sign made me laugh! I despise KFC. They are not kind to the chickens. Who wants beaten meat?
DeleteThat had to be one fascinating trip!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to go to both poles, you need to go soon as they won't be around much longer.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm gonna be honest, THIS is the kind of trip I'm kinda jealous of. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteIt's so beautiful and Africa will keep calling. After all, it's the cradle of humanity...
XOXO
I suspect you'd love it. Maybe the city more, I don't know, as we only spent a day there. The plains and savannahs are definitely more outdoorsy and open-air accommodations in some cases. It was cool, like glamping with big animals!
DeleteI can't imagine the new appreciation you have gained of the world thanks to your travels. Nothing opens up our eyes like experiencing life elsewhere. This world is so complex that the simple things - like the grace of animals in the wild - frequently is lost on us. Good for you for sharing all that you've experienced. When I grow up I wanna be just like you. Kizzes.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right Upton. Why are there still things to see in the US, my eyes have really got open when I started traveling abroad. Americans have no idea what's out there until you leave the borders. And I came to traveling late now I wish I wouldn't have. I always tell everybody if you're going to travel abroad do it don't think.
DeleteSuch beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing them with us.
ReplyDeleteIt does look like a dazzling trip, full of contrasts - no wonder the memories are still in your head, so many weeks later! I still have fond flashbacks to particularly special places I/we have visited, too, over the years (like Egypt, Prague or Venice, for example). Extra-special memories to cherish forever. Jx
ReplyDeleteDid you ever post about your Egypt trip? Or was that before your blogging days? I would have to read of your experience. It is also on my bucket list.
DeleteIt was in 2003, before MySpace (where, as you know, my blog first started) was even born! It was also before digital cameras too, so, although Madam A scanned some photos in, they're all a bit blurry. Jx
DeleteMore stunning photos! LOVE the baby rhino, giraffes and the baby elephant with his/her handler! Did you get to pet a baby elephant, Maddie? And is it just me, or was the roof in photo #16 designed to look monkey-like?
ReplyDeleteThat temple was beautiful! I did notice roof, but I don't see monkey. How much did you drink tonight? At Sheldrick, I petted an adult elephant, I featured that photo, but touching the orphan babies was a no-no in fear to many hands will interfere with the caretaker and baby bond. Their caretakers are there like their own mother picture much 24/7...and even sleep in the stockage with them at night. You know I'd love that.
DeleteSpectacular pictures!!!!! The architecture is so amazing. Would you spend more time in the city if you go back? It would be hard to not go see the plains again I surmise.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed this trip and love reading about your experience. Nairobi is a vibrant city with beautiful scenery, amazing culture, and endless opportunities for exploration, your hard pressed to find elsewhere. It’s also important to familiarize yourself with the local language, your right...even though English is widely spoken. And it's great to make sure to take advantage of all the incredible restaurants, markets that Nairobi has to offer. Everything is hand made.
ReplyDeleteSimply amazing! Your post are bad for me, and my wallet. Now the boy wants to go to Kenya! But this is a once in a lifetime experience.
ReplyDeleteMistress, I can't say enough good thing about this trip. The picture are a highlight of my day. I now Wiliam and I would have made a great effort to get there. So thanks for sharing your travels with this old woman. Do you think you'll get to the other two continents? Heck, most only ever get to 2 or 3.
ReplyDeleteAll I have is WOW! That would be a cool trip to experience for sure.
ReplyDeleteWow! Just wow!
ReplyDelete