memorablemeanders.blogspot.com

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Trip to Nairobi

As posted earlier this week, Grant and Johan, the financial manager, had to attend meetings in Nairobi. I, of course, went along to although I didn't have to deal with company business, thank goodness! I've also mentioned previously that Kenya straddles the Equator. Living and working in West-, North- and now East Africa,  Grant and I have frequently crossed the Equator, but in the air, not by road. Travelling to the city this time, I convinced the men to stop and do the touristy thing by posing in on the Equator and having our photos taken.
Grant and I stand in the Northern Hemisphere while Johan (the photographer) stood in the Southern Hemisphere. The expression "Hakuna Matata" is Swahili for "There is no problem"
Johan and Grant pose in the Northern Hemisphere, while I, the photographer this time, stand in the Southern Hemisphere. The expressions "Karibu Kenya" and "Jambo Kenya!" are respectively: "Welcome [to] Kenya" and "Greetings [in/from] Kenya"  

As I normally do, once again this weekend I made padkos / food for the road. We stopped to eat this at a small complex called Delamere near the turnoff to Naivasha Lake. More about the history of this area in a later post. While we sat and ate our sandwiches and meat, we watched the Marabou Storks strutting around the eating area.
Marabou Storks are common in Kenya and can be found in areas where there is human activity and habitation. Note the pendulous throat pouch hanging from the stork's neck. The male Marabou stands about 150cm high and probably weighs 7.1kgs  
This Marabou looked smaller and spent ages preening itself  so I suspect it's the female (she would weigh a little over 5 kgs) Thanks to Shelley Hedges for supplying this information
We travel through a number of Acacia forests on the way to Nairobi.

These trees above are fever tree which is an African thorn tree of the genus Acacia. Acacias occur naturally everywhere except in Europe and Antarctica, but are most prevalent in Australia (729 species - most well known is the wattle) and Africa (115 species). The scientific name of the fever tree is A. xanthophloea. European pioneer farmers in Africa believed that the trees somehow contributed to fever, hence the origin of the common name. It is currently accepted that the only connection is that they occur in areas where malarial mosquitoes breed, i.e. in and near water and especially in swampy areas. Malaria is characterised by bouts of intense fever.
We arrived at our hotel in a leafy suburb of Nairobi just after 4pm

The hotel foyer and reception area

On Monday morning I popped into the hair salon in the hotel. A young gentleman called Felix promised that he could cut and colour (highlight) my hair so well that I'd come back every time. True to his word, he did a very good job. I took a photo of him while he was busy telling him that I wanted evidence. He took it all in good spirits. A very confident and friendly young man.


Felix, my new hairdresser cut and highlighted my hair very well

A dear blogger friend who knows Nairobi well, gave me the names of a couple of restaurants. On Monday night we tried the Italian in downtown Nairobi. It surpassed our expectations for service, quality of food and price

Of course, I had to try one of the delicious desserts on the menu. The cake above was called a Mama Cake. No idea why, but it was sumptious and I ate every morsel of it

It was lovely to be in the city and stock up on necessities. But it was even lovelier to get back to the valley on Tuesday night. Home is always the best, isn't it?

By the time this post is aired this morning, we will be well on our way to Lake Bogoria. After visiting the hot springs of this lake, and viewing the wildlife that allows itself to be seen and spotting birds, we will motor to Lake Baringo where we will overnight and enjoy the natural jewels and bird specials this lake has to offer. Apparently the fishing is excellent, so Grant will be taking his fly-fishing rods.

My apologies to other bloggers for not commenting so often this week. When you travel in Africa, time seems to run out. I should be back to normal again next week and look forward to visiting all your blogs again. Thanks for continuing to visit me.

10 comments:

  1. You have an adventure just getting to town. It must be very hot there being so close to the equator or is it a high altitude? It must be nice to visit civilisation and partake meals at nice restaurants. My friend's daughter lives in Nairobi.She is married to a safari tour operator but I don't know what the company is called. I think I have told you this before....senior moment. Have fun at the lake looking forward to photos.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like those touristy photos at the equator. Interesting that the storks like to hang out near humans. And also interesting to learn the origin of the name fever tree. Hope you're having fun!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I remember laughing at the Marabou landing in the tops of tall trees and the story Joan shared about the Fever trees. Like you new hairdo. Have fun at the lake and look forward to photos.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Jo,
    Your posts are such a delightful escape to such interesting places. How exciting to actually cross the equator!
    I hope to get caught up with my blogging friends in the next few days.
    ☼ Sunny
    P.S. Thanks for your visits and kind comments :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jo, I ate at this restaurant and stayed at the nearby hotel 680. the food was excellent and very generously served. I don't remember seeing the Heron Hotel but may need to check it out if I need a good hair dresser next time I' there. I did find a good one also at the Yaya Centre but the prices were rather exorbitant.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Jo-Anne,

    No place like Africa.

    Phillip

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a marvellous post, AGAIN, Jo!!! And how special to see you and Grant standing together, looking so TRIM! (hiding my face in shame)

    I've loved every part of this delightful trip to Nairobi, thank you. As always, the scenery, birds etc. so, so beautiful! I enjoyed our hotel, the haircut was a treat (thank you!) and that cake...yummy! You could afford to tuck into it, guilt free...I am unfortunately thinking I should just have had a teeny tiny taste.

    Hugs,

    Des xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. A REAL LIFE STORK!!!Hahaaa...They are fantastic birds! Thanks Jo for shooting this photo!
    And it's so hard to find a good hairdresser!! Glad you did...
    And, WHAT a dessert!
    What a cool place to be...
    Safe travels!
    hughugs

    ReplyDelete
  9. Storks are so cool looking. The first one looks like a very old man! I didn't realize they were so heavy!

    The Heron (love the name!) hotel looks very elegant and that mama cake looks deliciously lemony and chocolaty.

    I love seeing the various eating establishments you visit. This one looks cozy and with great ambience.

    I hope Grant had good success with his fishing at Lake Bogoria.

    May the Lord bless you and keep you safe in all your travels.

    (((Hugs)))

    ReplyDelete
  10. yvonnefurman@gmail.com07 November, 2011 18:55

    Dear Jo Believe it or not I just picked up your April visit to Nairobi. Still most explanatory and interesting plus the bonus of the photos. Today is 7.11 and I
    mus give you a Marquard update.
    Love to you both Yvonne

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Jo