A TRIP OF A LIFETIME
PLACES VISITED: NAIROBI/ UKUNDA/ SHIMONI/ MOMBASA, KENYA
NAIROBI
Safari , Skydiving and SCUBA diving in Africa! Sun, sea and sky!
So happy to tick them off my bucket🤗😊👍
After our short trip in Istanbul, we took off to Nairobi, arriving 24th June 2017; 2:30am. We got our evisa but there was quite a queue at the immigration. We reached the Oakwood Hotel around 4am, had a few hours sleep, and then up for our Nairobi City tour.
First stop was David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. We had the chance to see the orphaned elephants being fed and taken care of. Playful little giants, each if them has his own story-some of which were quite tragic. Most rescue stories were heartbreaking, and so the sight, touch and feel of them, an hour at most, was an interesting learning experience. We are all part of nature and we must protect each other. Loved it.
Next stop was at the Giraffe Center. We fed our playful long necked friends. I did a selfie with one feeding from my hand behind me. Quite slimy, giraffe slushed over the food on my palm, nice feeling though, lucky not to be head butted😊😊
Lunch was at Matbronze. A beautiful garden with a museum of bronze sculptures. Reminded me of Vigeland Museum In Oslo where we've been a few months back. The cafe was pretty crowded so we had to wait for sometime to get served but the food was great. I had a quishe of the day for the first time. Meeting Jane and her family and the adorable kids- Jess and Sophie, was a pleasure too. They were kind enough to surprise us with a short visit at the garden despite their very busy schedule.
At around 4pm we head out to a Curioshop to buy some African handicrafts. Then we proceeded to the KICC tower at the city center. Up we went to the 27th flr by elevator and then took a series of spiral stairs to the rooftop. It was like being at the top of Al Fasaliah or the Mamlaka without much of the glamour but seeing the whole of Nairobi from the top was a nice way to end a day trip.
Next day started early at the National Park. My first ever safari😊😊
Up at 530am on our second day in Nairobi's for our first ever safari game drive. Staff at Oakwood Hotel kind enough to pack our breakfast as we left at 6am.
Our group split up into three safari trucks. Just a few minutes into the park we saw lots of wild ducks and a couple of black rhinos in in a waterhole.
So it was the highlight of our trip so far. We were lucky being at the park early. There were several groups of antelopes (impalas, gazelles and elands). We saw a group of rhinos and buffaloes to.
We got really close to the zebras. They were everywhere, not even camera shy, we were quiet so not to startle them. Some were really very close to the road, i could extend my arm and touch them but of course that was (dangerous) and not allowed. Lots of zebras, we must have seen more than a hundred of them.
And then we saw the lions- first was one lioness with two males, then a few meters
away another two of which one came up very close to one vehicle infront of us, another one was hiding a bit away, fancying the zebras, i guess she was waiting for the other one to start the move but he couldnt because there were a couple of elands guarding the zebras. Ahh.. that lion must have patience but the zebras got some friends to protect them. It was really interesting!
There were lots of ostriches, we even saw two of them running fast but we couldnt figure up why or what they were running away from. There were also buffalos, giraffes,hippo, and many others which im not sure what the names were.
We stopped by for the loo at the rangers' station. One of the rangers took us to a creek to see the crocodiles. We saw baby crocs and lots of monkeys.
My friend Helen and our guides told us we were very lucky so maybe others won't see so much, but I would have already been delighted with half of what we saw.
We left Nairobi at 2pm thru a domestic flight heading to Ukunda/ Diani Beach.
So happy to tick them off my bucket🤗😊👍
After our short trip in Istanbul, we took off to Nairobi, arriving 24th June 2017; 2:30am. We got our evisa but there was quite a queue at the immigration. We reached the Oakwood Hotel around 4am, had a few hours sleep, and then up for our Nairobi City tour.
First stop was David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. We had the chance to see the orphaned elephants being fed and taken care of. Playful little giants, each if them has his own story-some of which were quite tragic. Most rescue stories were heartbreaking, and so the sight, touch and feel of them, an hour at most, was an interesting learning experience. We are all part of nature and we must protect each other. Loved it.
Next stop was at the Giraffe Center. We fed our playful long necked friends. I did a selfie with one feeding from my hand behind me. Quite slimy, giraffe slushed over the food on my palm, nice feeling though, lucky not to be head butted😊😊
Lunch was at Matbronze. A beautiful garden with a museum of bronze sculptures. Reminded me of Vigeland Museum In Oslo where we've been a few months back. The cafe was pretty crowded so we had to wait for sometime to get served but the food was great. I had a quishe of the day for the first time. Meeting Jane and her family and the adorable kids- Jess and Sophie, was a pleasure too. They were kind enough to surprise us with a short visit at the garden despite their very busy schedule.
At around 4pm we head out to a Curioshop to buy some African handicrafts. Then we proceeded to the KICC tower at the city center. Up we went to the 27th flr by elevator and then took a series of spiral stairs to the rooftop. It was like being at the top of Al Fasaliah or the Mamlaka without much of the glamour but seeing the whole of Nairobi from the top was a nice way to end a day trip.
Next day started early at the National Park. My first ever safari😊😊
Up at 530am on our second day in Nairobi's for our first ever safari game drive. Staff at Oakwood Hotel kind enough to pack our breakfast as we left at 6am.
Our group split up into three safari trucks. Just a few minutes into the park we saw lots of wild ducks and a couple of black rhinos in in a waterhole.
So it was the highlight of our trip so far. We were lucky being at the park early. There were several groups of antelopes (impalas, gazelles and elands). We saw a group of rhinos and buffaloes to.
We got really close to the zebras. They were everywhere, not even camera shy, we were quiet so not to startle them. Some were really very close to the road, i could extend my arm and touch them but of course that was (dangerous) and not allowed. Lots of zebras, we must have seen more than a hundred of them.
And then we saw the lions- first was one lioness with two males, then a few meters
away another two of which one came up very close to one vehicle infront of us, another one was hiding a bit away, fancying the zebras, i guess she was waiting for the other one to start the move but he couldnt because there were a couple of elands guarding the zebras. Ahh.. that lion must have patience but the zebras got some friends to protect them. It was really interesting!
There were lots of ostriches, we even saw two of them running fast but we couldnt figure up why or what they were running away from. There were also buffalos, giraffes,hippo, and many others which im not sure what the names were.
We stopped by for the loo at the rangers' station. One of the rangers took us to a creek to see the crocodiles. We saw baby crocs and lots of monkeys.
My friend Helen and our guides told us we were very lucky so maybe others won't see so much, but I would have already been delighted with half of what we saw.
We left Nairobi at 2pm thru a domestic flight heading to Ukunda/ Diani Beach.
UKUNDA (DIANI BEACH)
Second day at Ukanda (Diani Beach), Kenya
It was time for me to conquer my fear of heights! Skydiving day it is😊😊
Up at 6am, breakfast at the Bright Star Resort. We walked our way to SkyDive Diani. It was quite a distance there but the long walk was fun with the group.
The whole skydiving group were so friendly and professional. We were briefed shortly and we waited for each one's turn. It was tandem jumping with my Instructor, Andy. He was very polite and friendly, i was so nervous, in my mind i was actually freaking out of nervousness but was to scared to show it( like i dont know if it mAkes any sense!) but Andy was very good. He made me rest my nerves quite well. Everything was just perfect! Parachuting over the most beautiful part of the Indian Ocean, doing it with your husband and closest friends, hey, what could be more perfect than that?! And a smooth landing n my feet???
Geez i still can't figure out how I did an A on this skydive!
I did it! Yes I did it! Oh Dad you should be proud of me!!!! Yey😊😊
A tick of my bucket list! Saying it was one of my best experiences during all my travels is such an understatement. It was so much more than jumping off a plane. It was full adrenaline rush, made me realize im a lot braver than what i think!
It was time for me to conquer my fear of heights! Skydiving day it is😊😊
Up at 6am, breakfast at the Bright Star Resort. We walked our way to SkyDive Diani. It was quite a distance there but the long walk was fun with the group.
The whole skydiving group were so friendly and professional. We were briefed shortly and we waited for each one's turn. It was tandem jumping with my Instructor, Andy. He was very polite and friendly, i was so nervous, in my mind i was actually freaking out of nervousness but was to scared to show it( like i dont know if it mAkes any sense!) but Andy was very good. He made me rest my nerves quite well. Everything was just perfect! Parachuting over the most beautiful part of the Indian Ocean, doing it with your husband and closest friends, hey, what could be more perfect than that?! And a smooth landing n my feet???
Geez i still can't figure out how I did an A on this skydive!
I did it! Yes I did it! Oh Dad you should be proud of me!!!! Yey😊😊
A tick of my bucket list! Saying it was one of my best experiences during all my travels is such an understatement. It was so much more than jumping off a plane. It was full adrenaline rush, made me realize im a lot braver than what i think!
WASINI ISLAND/ KISITE MARINE PARK
Day Trip to Wasini Island, SCUBA diving at Kisite Marine Park and a visit to Shimoni Slavery Cave
Sunny Tuesday, 27the June 2017. Our 4th day in Kenya. After an exhilarating skydive adventure yesterday, we're up early today for an island trip and scuba diving.
We left Brightstar Resort at 7:30am, headed out to Shimoni dock. It was around an hour drive on the provincial road. We registered at the marina office and then we took a dhow to the marine park. We were 13 divers from RDA and 2 local dive guides, 10 nondivers (snorkelers) plus 6 crew members including the captain.
All our gear and equipment were prepared for us. The crew dropped us at the first divesite at the east side of the marine park, then the dhow took off to drop the snorkelers near the island.
First one was an easy, relax dive. The kinds of fish we saw were so similar to those we saw during our diving trip in the Maldives. Huge schools of and sweetlips. Lots of elephant ears and giant anemones. We saw crocodile fish, nudis, turtles, stingrays, big brown grouper (like seriously big) and jackfish.
While we were on surface interval preparing for our next dive, dolphins approached our dhow, as if teasing us to swim with them. So there they go! Youssef, Raul, Jerry, Hub, Leng and Mhae snorkeled and swam with the infamous playful dolphins of Wasini Island. Dolphins are such eye candies. Lovely creatures.
Next dive was a drift dive. Current was really strong at depth of 17 to 20ft. It was one tiring dive, i figured out that I would have enjoyed more if I was using my own gear but anyway, it was fun. Scuba
diving in Kenya--checked!!
After diving the dhow took us for lunch on the island where we enjoyed a hearty meal of seafoods, chicken and fresh fruits.
Finally heading back to the dock, we found ourselves waiting outside Shimoni Caves. Ahh this cave was intense. It was where they kept and tortured the african slaves before they were sold to arabs and europeans way back then.
Sunny Tuesday, 27the June 2017. Our 4th day in Kenya. After an exhilarating skydive adventure yesterday, we're up early today for an island trip and scuba diving.
We left Brightstar Resort at 7:30am, headed out to Shimoni dock. It was around an hour drive on the provincial road. We registered at the marina office and then we took a dhow to the marine park. We were 13 divers from RDA and 2 local dive guides, 10 nondivers (snorkelers) plus 6 crew members including the captain.
All our gear and equipment were prepared for us. The crew dropped us at the first divesite at the east side of the marine park, then the dhow took off to drop the snorkelers near the island.
First one was an easy, relax dive. The kinds of fish we saw were so similar to those we saw during our diving trip in the Maldives. Huge schools of and sweetlips. Lots of elephant ears and giant anemones. We saw crocodile fish, nudis, turtles, stingrays, big brown grouper (like seriously big) and jackfish.
While we were on surface interval preparing for our next dive, dolphins approached our dhow, as if teasing us to swim with them. So there they go! Youssef, Raul, Jerry, Hub, Leng and Mhae snorkeled and swam with the infamous playful dolphins of Wasini Island. Dolphins are such eye candies. Lovely creatures.
Next dive was a drift dive. Current was really strong at depth of 17 to 20ft. It was one tiring dive, i figured out that I would have enjoyed more if I was using my own gear but anyway, it was fun. Scuba
diving in Kenya--checked!!
After diving the dhow took us for lunch on the island where we enjoyed a hearty meal of seafoods, chicken and fresh fruits.
Finally heading back to the dock, we found ourselves waiting outside Shimoni Caves. Ahh this cave was intense. It was where they kept and tortured the african slaves before they were sold to arabs and europeans way back then.
TSAVO EAST
28 June 2017. We left Brightstar Resort at 6:45am to do our last group activity: 2 Day Safari at Tsavo East- one of Kenya's largest safari parks. It was a long drive, we crossed the Mombasa Channel around 9:30am and there was already lot of people waiting for ferries.
We had two short stops for snacks and souvenirs before we entered Tsavo East. Right as we entered the park we saw big elephants and impalas. Watching the elephants, some red and some are grey (due to the different soil/mud color they play with), walk in groups and baby elephants tagged along their momsies - that was indescribable. The wild brings about many feelings of happiness and amazement. Going around Tsavo, i couldnt help but wonder how such magnanimous beauty be at one place. The colors all over bring souch delight for the eyes and the spirit - blue sky, white clouds, green trees, red soil, and all sorts of animals in different sizes and colors. Then there also was the evident sight of the aftereffect of the draught in the early 80's. Many trees were not revived and their frames are still at Tsavo, providing neither shade or food for the big five, yet they add the drama effect in the overall beauty of the park with birds' nests.
There were lots of birds, anteaters, guineas, elephants, buffalos, dikdik, warhogs, deers, gazelles of many sizes, impalas, giraffes, zebras, ostriches among many other animals.
We had two days safari at the Tsavo East, staying overnight and full board at the Lion Hill Zemoni which is located at the top of the hill, overlooking the Voi part of Tsavo. A pretty little posh accommodation for the safari goers, Lion Hill Lodge was at par the best hotel our grouped stayed at while we were in Kenya.
Highlight of our safari game drives in Tsavo East were the majestic lions. In total we have seen almost 20 of them in Voi area and Bachuma. Seeing the big ones while playing with their cubs was the cutest thing ever. Lioness lying on her back while adorable little cubs run to and tickle her. Watching from bit afar, I could only wish that there's more like this to see in other parts of the world and that hopefully more people will see and appreciate the same magical moment as we did.
We had two short stops for snacks and souvenirs before we entered Tsavo East. Right as we entered the park we saw big elephants and impalas. Watching the elephants, some red and some are grey (due to the different soil/mud color they play with), walk in groups and baby elephants tagged along their momsies - that was indescribable. The wild brings about many feelings of happiness and amazement. Going around Tsavo, i couldnt help but wonder how such magnanimous beauty be at one place. The colors all over bring souch delight for the eyes and the spirit - blue sky, white clouds, green trees, red soil, and all sorts of animals in different sizes and colors. Then there also was the evident sight of the aftereffect of the draught in the early 80's. Many trees were not revived and their frames are still at Tsavo, providing neither shade or food for the big five, yet they add the drama effect in the overall beauty of the park with birds' nests.
There were lots of birds, anteaters, guineas, elephants, buffalos, dikdik, warhogs, deers, gazelles of many sizes, impalas, giraffes, zebras, ostriches among many other animals.
We had two days safari at the Tsavo East, staying overnight and full board at the Lion Hill Zemoni which is located at the top of the hill, overlooking the Voi part of Tsavo. A pretty little posh accommodation for the safari goers, Lion Hill Lodge was at par the best hotel our grouped stayed at while we were in Kenya.
Highlight of our safari game drives in Tsavo East were the majestic lions. In total we have seen almost 20 of them in Voi area and Bachuma. Seeing the big ones while playing with their cubs was the cutest thing ever. Lioness lying on her back while adorable little cubs run to and tickle her. Watching from bit afar, I could only wish that there's more like this to see in other parts of the world and that hopefully more people will see and appreciate the same magical moment as we did.
