Blogs from Africa - page 3362

So the other day we woke up early and went to the Hilton for breakfast. After that we went across the street to the Cairo Museum. On the way there (during the 30 second walk), it was the first time I saw the tourist police. They were carrying machine guns, so it was a little weird. The museum was pretty crowded, but that didn't bother me too much. Only when a tour group of about 30 Europeans stood around points of interest for 10 minutes at a time. It took us quite a long time to look around the first level. There was so much to see, but yet, it was so disorganised. I was impressed with everything though. We went up to the second level, and it was pretty much dedicated to King Tutankhamen's treasure's. ... read more

The search for the Big 5 ended up being the discovery of so much more. To be updated...... read more

Now that we're back in Nairobi, it doesn't seem as daunting the second time. Except that when we got off the bus, Mike almost let himself get pissed off at a relentless, harassing taxi driver. My approach now? Say nothing and just look at them. Or turn and respond with, "Blah, blah, blah!" Not worth my energy anymore to get baited into a fight. Leaving Arusha was tough but tougher still because I caught a cold which became full-blown by the time the bus ride was over. There was a memorable highlight at the border stop: I became most interesting, as my hair got the full attention of a young Maasai guy who spent a good amount of time touching it and examining how it works. I love Maasai areas. The people are so interested in ... read more

Subject: Blog: Once in a lifetime? Chapter 1 From: _Schwann_ Even before 9/11 I started hating air travel but my old-school friend Roy, who now lives in London, but owns hotels in Spain, has lured me North to Spain for the summer with offers of a Villa with a Mercedes convertible and a 30ft twin V-8 power boat to play with, when I'm not hanging out on the Piazza surrounded by beautiful sweating girls in white lycra. Talking Heads sing; "Same as it ever was". Can't get it out of my mind as the date for my departure by ship to Tenerife gets closer. "There is water under the ocean. Water. Let the days go by. Into the blue again. The silent water." It must have been some years back I promised myself that the next ... read more

The trip was long to Kakamega but we made it in one day and stayed in a hotel before the ride to the National Forest. It was a very solitary place, green and lush. Monkeys were everywhere! We did one night of camping before a rainforest tour with our guide, Solomon. This is one place I'd come back to, no question. It's actually the most appealing part of Kenya I've seen yet. Another full day of travel, hopping matatus and having the misfortune to encounter the most unpleasant immigration officer ever. Since I was compliant with the requirements he barked out, the only thing he had to gripe about was that I came to Uganda overland through Ethiopia. "Very unusual", he said suspiciously. As soon as the painful immigration process was over we were allowed to ... read more