Lewa Day 5

We spent the day with three Kenyan students who we have sponsored since high school.  Sara is a second year university student in liberal arts.  Lestin is a third year studying environmental studies and urban planning.  David has just completed phase 3 of a certificate program in tourism.  We are so very proud of all of them.  We met them at the Education Trust office and spent the day on a game drive with lunch.  At lunch Sara surprised us all by climbing an Acacia tree in her bare feet.  Maddy chased her up part way.  We saw a wide variety of animals include a large troop (>150) Olive baboons.

Sundowner

We enjoyed drinks at a 'Sundowner' to end our day.

Lewa Day 4

This morning we took a long rough drive north to a Maasai cultural boma.  On the way we chased an ostrich family with four chicks along the road.  Try as we could, they would not leave the road.  At last, by going off road, we were able to pass.  The beautiful clear sky gave us a spectacular view of Mt Kenya to the south.  Note the Black rhino in the foreground.  At the boma, we were greeted by our guide, a young Maasai warrior, who gave us the history of the community and the area.  We then met a donkey in an oryx mask used in hunting, learned how to shot a bow and arrow (Maddy was the expert), and how to start a fire with a stick.  Maddy participated in a "mock battle" and came away with a small wound as a battle scar.  We watched groups of women and men dance.  Maddy again participated in a game of mancala with the elders.  Our visit ended with "shopping" for bead work and other Masaai curios.  This afternoon has been quiet and relaxing with naps, tea and cake at the lodge and enjoying the warm afternoon breezes.

Be sure to check Picasa.  More photos added every day.

Lewa Day 3

This morning we started a game drive with breakfast by the reservior.  We were treated to omelets, bacon and a variety of fruits.  Our entertainment included an elephant troop walk by and a crocodile attempting to catch birds fishing on the water.  We then headed into the Ngare Ndare forest south of Lewa.  We hiked down to a spectacular water fall and then to a deep pool that Matt, Kati and Linda jumped from a rock ledge > 10 feet into the cool water.  On the return trip Maddy spotted a cheetah.  She turned out to be the mother of three young male cubs.  We watched them play together before heading back to camp.

Lewa Day 2

It's the end of Tuesday.  Today we've seen elephants with babies, zebras with babies, male giraffes competing for the cutest girl in the neighborhood, two happily submerged hippos, hundreds of thirsty barn swallows (so familiar!), and a young male cheetah upsetting his mother by sitting on the hood of the Land Cruiser.  Maddy found a tortoise!  We have two terrific guides who have patiently answered every question.  And daily "sundowners" are where we drive along looking at animals, then stop for gin and tonics to watch the sunset.  Gotta bring that tradition home with us!

  

Lewa

Arrived Lewa Monday after a 50 minute flight from Nairobi.  Weather warm with a gentle breeze on arrival.  On the drive from the air strip we saw:

• Black face monkey
• Common and Grevy zebra
• Marshall eagle
• Reticulated giraffe 
• Eland
• Oruk
• Corey bustard
• Yellow neck spur fowl
• Black headed heron
• Ostrich
• Cormorant
• Green sandpiper
• Water buck
• Elephants

We are staying at Lewa Safari Camp.  Each pair has a self-contained tent a short walk from the main lodge.  They are tents in name only.  15' x 20' with a front porch.  Full size bed with bathroom with running water, shower, and toilet.  On our evening game drive we found a pride of six lions preparing for their evening hunt.  On the shore of the reservoir we spotted a 15' crocodile.    Our first night dinner included red snapper.  Tusker Beer flowed easily.

Arrived Nairobi

7+ hour flight from Amsterdam to Nairobi.  Celebrate Maddy's birthday throughout the day.  Long line through customs but now at the Fairview.  Off to Lewa in the morning.  Zzzzzzzz

Off to Nairobi

Ready to board the KLM 747 to Nairobi.  Celebrated Maddy's birthday at breakfast and will continue tonight at the Fairview in Nairobi.

Amsterdam - Day 2

We started the morning walking past the Anne Frank House.  By 9am the line had already formed.  When we returned after breakfast, it had lengthened to at least one hour.  We enjoyed a classic Dutch pancake breakfast before splitting up to explore the city.  Bob, Nancy, Linda and I took a bus to the Rjksmuseum.  The Night Watch was a highlight.  Maddy, Matt, Darcy and Kati walked to the Saturday market and were caught in no less than four major rain showers. Matt sampled a sandwich of herring and pickle and Maddy commented on how "there is a lot of inappropriate art here."  They were able to shield her from Rosita, whose red curtain was pulled back as her "office" was open for business.  The four of them lunched at Cafe Kalkhoven, which opened its doors in 1670. Tonight we will celebrate Maddy's birthday a day early at the Blauw Restuarant serving a traditional rijstaffel or rice table.  Tomorrow we fly to Nairobi,  Kenya.  Flight is another 9 hour journey.  We will arrive there around 8pm and stay overnight at the Fairview Hotel.  Monday we are off to Lewa Safari Camp!

Arrived Amsterdam

Arrived Amsterdam 8am local time after 9 hour flight from Seattle.  A short train ride to the central station in downtown Amsterdam.  Initial weather cool 42F and light rain.  A 1/4 mile walk to our hotel.  Four of us crashed for a two hour nap, while the adventure group walked the town.  The Hotel Nadia looks down on the Prinsengracht canal, a street full of bicycles and is a block from the Anne Frank house.  Across the street is the Westerkerk, a Dutch Protestant church. It is next to Amsterdam's Jordaan district.  We have a corner room on the second floor.  After a nap, we have enjoyed watching the street scene below. Bicycles rule the road.  See more photos on Picasa.

Picasa Web Link to Trip Photos

This is link to Picasa Web Photo album we will use to post photos from the trip.




https://plus.google.com/photos/105129083686067490364/albums/5980696933338236545?authkey=CMC9h8f3jMXjugE

Pre-Trip Planning

Four days to go before we are off.  Wednesday we drive to Seattle with Bob and Nancy Withycombe to meet up with Kati and Maddy.  We will overnight with Kati and Maddy and then head to the airport Thursday.  We will connect with Matt and Darcy at the airport.  We then have a nine hour flight to Amsterdam, arriving there 8:30am local time.   We will stay two nights at the Hotel Nadia in central Amsterdam.  http://www.nadia.nl.  From Amsterdam we are off to Nairobi on the 23rd - Maddy's 7th birthday.  More as we go.  I will post photos on Picasa and include the link in the future.  This photo is from our last trip to Lewa in 2012.