Blogs from Mombasa, Coast Province, Kenya, Africa - page 21

This weekend was sooo nice. =) It was great getting to spend time with my host-family. Sat. the kids all went to Madrasa. My host mom and I went out to get me a cell phone and so she could grab a couple things for her dad before we went out to her parents place. Her parents live in a part of Mombasa known as Bamburi. It's about a 30 min. matatu ride. It was nice to meet her family. Her mom was soooo cute. She didn't speak any english, but had a great time talking with me. hehe... it was quite interesting. I'll definetely have to go back and visit. When we got back home we just relaxed. The evening was spent playing cards. =) We had a blast! Sun. the kids had Madrasa again, ... read more

March 7th, 2006, Day 61 of our cruise of 105 First of 2 sea days We have left Kenya and are heading to the Seychelles Islands The safari was exhausting, thrilling, enriching; a good opportunity to compare a game reserve (in white South Africa) and the great outdoors of the wilds of Africa (we were on a Maasai preserve with no fences to keep the animals from migrating in the interior of black Kenya). Granny, see excursion Maasai Mara page 27 of the excursion book. We slept in a good strong tent with an armed guard; 3 sides of our Mara Safari Club were bordered by the Mara River, the other side by an electric fence. One of the pictures shows our own baby hippo with family on the bank of the Mara River in front ... read more

we made it here, in relative comfort. T the morning we left for kenya we had asked to have our breakfast prepaired early... at 6:30 instead of 7 am. we arrived at 6:15 just to ensure it was all going according to plan. by 7:15 we deicded to leave our complimentary breakfast behind because it was taking forever to make 2 boiled eggs 2 pieces of plain white bread (not even toasted) and a banana and tea. we arrive at the bus terminal with some time to spare (about 5 minutes) so I grabbed a fantastic to go brekafsat for paul and I and we boarded the bus. lo and behold....... the bus left on time, even 10 seconds early. paul witnessed a crazed man talking about killing bush and praising saddam. we know he was ... read more

On the overnight train from Nairobi to Mombasa, we felt as if we’d stepped back to the days of British colonialism—black waiters in pristine white uniforms serving three-course meals to a car full of European travelers, while hundreds of Africans fought for elbow room on the crowded benches of third class. Supposedly the train once even featured a seat in the front from which men in khaki safari suits could shoot at passing game. But this time around, perhaps in a small belated act of retribution, the resources being plundered were our own: one of Randy’s bags was stolen out of our bunk while we were at breakfast. There was nothing of terrible importance—calculator, headlamp, rain poncho, among a dozen other practical things—and maybe the new owners will put them to better use. The coast of ... read more

Hatujambo, The last two days have been very interesting and busy. Yesterday we had a lot of orientation stuff. We had to fill out lots and lots of paper work. Not so much fun, but has to be done. Still havent' gotten used to this heat... I think everyday is hotter than the last. You're constantly dripping sweat, but so is everyone else. In the morning we visited a school for children with Cerebral Palsey. That was sad. It's a private school (meaning funded by sponsors). It's just one building and they have 56 students with varying disabilities. They've divided the building into three parts with wooden particians. The levels are by the capabilities of the student and by the last level they work on integrating the students into regular schools. They don't have much to ... read more