Christine Atkins

Warey

Christine Atkins




Africa » Tanzania » Zanzibar » Zanzibar City January 19th 2024

Given all the sitting we’d been doing over the past week, it was obviously important that we mixed things up a bit and did some lying. Our flight to Zanzibar was quite cool as we had a very clear view of Mount Kilimanjaro out the window - its snow capped peak towered above the dark plains below and the peak next to it had a thunderstorm, together with lightning brewing overhead. We were assaulted by the wall of heat and humidity that greeted us as we left the airport but were luckily in our airconditioned transfer before too long and headed for the beach. The plan for the next few days was just to relax on the beach with some books, some cocktails and dips in the pool. Oh, kittens, play with lots of kittens. And ... read more
Our spot in the sun
And the pool
Tough to take

Africa » Kenya » Rift Valley Province » Masai Mara NP January 15th 2024

And honestly, we’re a bit done with it as well. But watching animals waits for no man, so we don our trusty ponchos and toughen up…and sit in the jeep. The drive from Mara camp was long and muddy and we got a bit of African makeup but we were happy to arrive and have some rest time before lunch and some more rest time. Off on our first game drive at Lion camp in the Olare Motorogi conservancy. Even though they’re only 2 hours drive away (which, given the state of the roads is probably only about 40k), the country surrounding Mara and Lion camps could not be more different. While still very green and underwater, Lion camp was characterised by open fields and rolling hills. The grass was particularly long due to the lack ... read more
Love your mum
Ladies on the go
Beautiful cubs

Africa » Kenya » Rift Valley Province » Masai Mara NP January 13th 2024

We were all filled with a bit of sadness over leaving Rhino Camp and our awesome guides Fred and John. But as we bumped across the plains towards the airport and something in the suspension snapped, the sadness was slowly replaced by nerves. Never to let a loose car part get in the way of progress, we limped towards the park gate before a replacement truck picked us up and delivered us to the airport. An hour flight and we were in our new home for the next two days - Porini Mara camp in the Ol Kinyei conservancy. We couldn’t get over how green the surrounds were and as we headed towards the camp, it quickly became obvious why, with lots of water on the ground. The seasonal rains were not so seasonal! A quick ... read more
Some love from mum…or aunty
It’s tiring watching these kids
It’s tiring being the boss

Africa » Kenya » Central Province January 10th 2024

We have quickly fallen into a pattern of being on safari - early morning wake up with tea/coffee and cookies followed by a morning drive and breakfast out somewhere. Then back for lunch and a rest before the evening drive and a sundowner. After the excellent start we’d made, it was difficult to see how we were going to better things, but some highlights of the last few days: - white rhinos fighting because the male wanted to mate - he lost and she chased him away - breakfast stop with black rhinos wandering around on the edges of the plain - lots of giraffe, zebras, buffalo, jackals, warthogs including babies - a new selection of DTWS including large groups of elands, steinbok, waterbok and some beautiful oryx - lots of hyenas including a den with ... read more
Thanos
Feeding Baraka
Baraka likes leaves

Africa » Kenya » Central Province » Nanyuki January 8th 2024

Some airport dramas with overweight bags but we were on our way without too much stress (and also without socks) before we made a couple of quick stops at airstrips along the way. We arrived at Nanyuki and were picked up by our guides. Some bumping and ‘African massage’ before we checked in to Ol pejeta conservancy and were on our way for ‘not a real game drive’ to get to our accommodation. Well, the ‘not real’ game drive turned out to be pretty unreal, stumbling across a lioness with a freshly killed zebra - she was full of panting with the meat sweats and the zebra was, well, neither full nor panting. Next stop was a white rhino who was busy sniffing a scent left by a female. All seemed well and good until we ... read more
Tasty zebra meal
He is crazy!
Beautiful baby zebra

Africa » Kenya » Nairobi Province » Nairobi January 7th 2024

Just being here, surrounded by the acacia trees, the odd baboon on the side of the road and a few random cows does inspire one to want to crank out the occasional Elton John. But I fear that that would scare off what we’re really here to see - the animals! The overnight flight from Cairo sucked as predicted but we were picked up from the airport and deposited to our accommodation before the sun came up so we were able to get some sleep and kid ourselves we’d stayed the night. A slow start and some late breakfast but off to the giraffe sanctuary to feed them and hang out with them for a while. We were each given a cup of pellets to feed the giraffes and they seemed happy enough to go to ... read more
And one for me too
And I’ll have one too
No pellets here, but much tastiness

Africa » Egypt » Western Desert » Bawiti January 5th 2024

We practically sprang out of bed at the crack of dawn, filled with the joy of leaving Cairo. The driver was only 5 minutes late and I was already gripped with panic that we wouldn’t be going. But all was well and we were on our way, through the miles and miles of non-descript apartments, slowly replaced by apparent attempts to create a ‘new’ area on the outskirts of the city with water parks and resorts. And then the flat nothingness. After about 4 forgettable hours, we arrived in Bawiti, a town in Bahariya oasis, with, honestly not much to note about it. We were fed a hearty lunch, bade a fond farewell to bathrooms and were on our way into the Black Desert. Our guide attempted to get us to climb a big hill to ... read more
Sand boarding
Campfire in the Agapat Valley
White Desert

Africa » Egypt » Lower Egypt » Giza January 2nd 2024

The promise of a visit to the pyramids and some camel action managed to rally our youngest patient out of bed and into our bus. Obligatory stop at the papyrus shop to see their very naff produce but we did get an interesting demonstration of how it was made. In the road again for the quick trip to the pyramids. First stop was Cheops where we clambered up the outside for a different perspective but decided not to go inside after being tombed-out in Luxor. So we headed to the overlook where our ships of the desert awaited to relieve us of all our ailments and a considerable sum of money. Saddled up and prepared supplies for the arduous 30 minute trek into the Sahara. The little known healing properties of camels on previously debilitating coughs ... read more
Hooray it’s still standing
Not the cheesiest shot we took today
That’s the money shot

Africa » Egypt » Lower Egypt » Giza January 1st 2024

So, despite the lovely view and the potential of fireworks (of which our neighbours were proving plenty), we didn’t quite manage midnight…but set an alarm for 5 mins before. The hotels and houses in front let off a few…not the Opera House but not too shabby. We decided on a lazy morning to give Beeb some more recovery time, and then headed in to Khan El Kahlili for some lunch. Another delicious serving of juices and some tasty chocolate filled things gave us some energy for perfume buying and general wandering. But there’s only so many conversations one can have about ‘best price’ before it becomes overwhelming, so we jumped in an Uber and headed to the Egyptian Museum. It’s in a state of flux as the new museum in Giza is “opening” but no one ... read more
Ready for
IMG_0833.

Africa » Egypt » Lower Egypt » Giza December 31st 2023

Catch the overnight train she said! It will be fun she said! What could possibly go wrong?! We had a nice relaxed start to the day before we packed up and were collected for our lunch on the felucca. Some serenity being towed along the Nile but quite different to Aswan. Delicious lunch. The serenity ended as we had to get motored back to Luxor due to lack of wind. Back in the bus and headed to the valley of the Queens. We were all keen to see Nefertari’s tomb as she was Ramses most beloved wife. She was Nubian in origin and considered a beauty. Entry was strictly controlled which was great as it meant that there weren’t many people. We were all absolutely amazed - it was just awesome. The girls particularly liked the ... read more
Because she is very beautiful. With Hathor, the cow, and also in a weird relationship with Horus.
The snake and jackal, so beautiful
Ugh some tomb history




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