Weekend on Island Camp, Lake Baringo

As mentioned in Saturday's post, we spent the weekend on Island Camp, Lake Baringo. The 20km gravel road from the mine to the main road is very rutted and always slow-going. Fifty minutes after leaving home, we turned onto the tar and stopped for padkos, South African "road food" which consisted of savoury sandwiches and coffee.

Along the main road between Eldoret and Karbanet, a well-maintained tarred road takes you up a sweeping pass . Breathtaking views of Africa stretching out as far as the eye can see

After a 4km boat ride across Lake Baringo, we arrived at Island Camp.  (Note Sue taking a photo of me taking a photo!)

The landing jetty at Island Camp

While the men were hard at work, Sue, Ruth and I wandered around the camp photographing birds, nests, lizards, the beautiful scenery and each other! I took 474 photos. I'm not sure how many Sue and Ruth took on their respective cameras, probably more than I did! One bird we spotted on Saturday afternoon was a lifer for me: the Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird which is endemic to East Africa . It was only visible from a top terrace down onto the aloes where the male and female were flitting about and very difficult to photograph.  

Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird with its bill in the aloe bloom

Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird male and female in the aloe garden 

Sue'd brought along a pack of playing cards. That evening while waiting for dinner, we convinced Grant and Johan to join us in a couple of games of Rummy. Amid much hilarity, Nico was appointed referee

Dinner was served next to the pool and was delicious

This morning I'm on my way to Eldoret with Sue and Ruth. We're going to buy furniture and crockery for the office canteen. More about our weekend in tomorrow's post.

Thanks to all who've visited my blog this weekend and for the e-mails received. I'll be back soon to visit your blogs and reply to mails.