Leaving on the first safari after Rotary Medical Mission Narobi Kenya

I had to get up at 4:45 to be ready to leave Darsi’s at 5:30 so that he could drop me off at the hotel for a 6:00 departure to the Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge for a three day stay. We took the main road to Mombasa which they are turning into a super highway. However, much work is to be done and in the work sections the ride was horrible, especially in a van with now shock absorbers. We stopped half way at a gas station and gift shop which had sorely needed toilets. However, the men’s portion was more or less out in the open. By this time many in the group were on lomotil which stops peristalsis. However, the shaking of the van compensated for the lack of internal movement. We continued eventually turning off on a dirt road for 39 km more to the Kilaguni Lodge. What a surprise. It is beautiful. The main section (a giraffe is walking by as I write this on my rooms veranda) having one whole 150 ft. wall completely open to the water hole where the animals congregate. It is so beautiful that it is difficult to describe. The weather is very pleasant so that no heat or air conditioning is required. All the meals on site are served in the main section so one can have this wide panoramic view of the water hole, mountains and savanna. Kilimanjaro is in the hazy distance.

In the afternoon we took a game drive to a river that had hippos and crocodiles as well as monkeys and other fauna. The river was spring fed and seemed to emerge from some rocks. It goes all the way to Mombasa. Water is taken for Mombasa upstream of the hippo area, for good reason. They are not the cleanest of animals. They live in the river during the day and go out to graze, sometimes several kilometers away, during the night. Down the stream a ways they had built a circular structure in the water with windows so one could see fish and other marine life. There were a series of circular benches each at a different level.

In the evening we had a very good dinner served individually rather than the usual buffet while looking out over the animals drinking at the water hole. There were a number of elephants then and through most of the night. During the night there was a lion but I missed it.

Nairobi to the Kilaguni lodge to start the Safari

I had to get up at 4:45 to be ready to leave Darsi’s at 5:30 so that he could drop me off at the hotel for a 6:00 departure to the Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge for a three day stay. We took the main road to Mombasa which they are turning into a super highway. However, much work is to be done and in the work sections the ride was horrible, especially in a van with now shock absorbers. We stopped half way at a gas station and gift shop which had sorely needed toilets. However, the men’s portion was more or less out in the open. By this time many in the group were on lomotil which stops peristalsis. However, the shaking of the van compensated for the lack of internal movement. We continued eventually turning off on a dirt road for 39 km more to the Kilaguni Lodge. What a surprise. It is beautiful. The main section (a giraffe is walking by as I write this on my rooms veranda) having one whole 150 ft. wall completely open to the water hole where the animals congregate. It is so beautiful that it is difficult to describe. The weather is very pleasant so that no heat or air conditioning is required. All the meals on site are served in the main section so one can have this wide panoramic view of the water hole, mountains and savanna. Kilimanjaro is in the hazy distance.

In the afternoon we took a game drive to a river that had hippos and crocodiles as well as monkeys and other fauna. The river was spring fed and seemed to emerge from some rocks. It goes all the way to Mombasa. Water is taken for Mombasa upstream of the hippo area, for good reason. They are not the cleanest of animals. They live in the river during the day and go out to graze, sometimes several kilometers away, during the night. Down the stream a ways they had built a circular structure in the water with windows so one could see fish and other marine life. There were a series of circular benches each at a different level.

In the evening we had a very good dinner served individually rather than the usual buffet while looking out over the animals drinking at the water hole. There were a number of elephants then and through most of the night. During the night there was a lion but I missed it.

My first day in Nairobi and climbing a volcano

I was very fortunate being one of a few Rotarians who was privileged to stay at the home of a local Rotarian and Doctor, Darsi and his wife Renita. He has a very interesting history and is very active in the treatment of AIDS victims.

7:30 am Darsi and I set off for a volcano in the rift valley north of Nairobi. I had arrived at 11:00 pm the night before. We met two friends that work for the U.S. Government and live in Kenya. It was a hand over hand climb near the top and I was wondering if my trip would be cut short by a coronary before it even got started. I did survive and enjoyed the spectacular views down steep foliage covered sides of the volcano from a very narrow path.
Evening

Darsi Lotai and Renita prepared a lovely dinner on their veranda of grilled or stir fried fish and salad. Earlier I had gone shopping with Darsi at a very upscale mall for Kenya to get veggies from the green grocer. These drives show the most affluent and most depressed areas of Nairobi. There is a vast difference. On our drives to the volcano and then the green grocer, Darsi gave me more of his history. He is ethnically Indian but was borne in Nairobi. His grandfather came over to Kenya as an indentured servant for 50 rupees. It took him 5 years to pay it back. This grandfather must have been very industrious as he started several businesses. Darsi’s father was able to send 4 children to college with Darsi completing medical school. He has been involved in polio and then AIDS working for the government and several companies. At one time during the genocide in Rwanda he personally drove medicines from a pharmaceutical company to Rwanda as all the usual means of conveyance were shut down.

My hosts had invited a couple to join us. The lady was an ex-BA flight attendant who was currently running a bed and breakfast in Nairobi that seemed to cater to NGO personnel. Paula was having trouble getting paid. Her companion was a very interesting African who had spent 5 years in North Korea training as an insurgent.

Kenya Rotary AIDS trip

I am leaving for Kenya on September 19^th to participate in this Rotary function. We will work in AIDS clinics and stay with local Rotarians. The flyer below gives basic information about the trip.

A blog of the trip can be found at http://kenyaaidscarl.blogspot.com/

Ericson 35 Sailboat for Sale

An excellent expample of the popular Ericson 35 Sailboat is offered for Sale Gulf of Maine Yacht Sales suzanne@gomys.com (207) 899-0909

Cycling on Martha's Vinyard MA Youth Hostel

On June 17th three of us dropped are cars in Pocasset MA on the Cape and headed to the ferry at Woods hole on our bikes. It was $3 per person and $3 per bike. We then had a swim and cycled to the youth hostel in W. Tisbury. We took day trips from the hostel where we stayed in co-ed bunk room and cooked some of our own meals. The weather was fantastic. On of the best sites was Poly’s arboretum. On the 20th I returned and my friends stayed another day.

Ericson 35 for sale on the hard

Yesterday I painted the bottom so that it is ready to launch after they complete fiberglassing the bottom of the keel. The work was to have been done this week but perhaps they will get to it next week.