So about an hour and a half late we took off for the hour drive back to Mutare. Was disappointed the beautiful orange flowering trees that line the streets weren't out in bloom yet but many jacarandas were. Loved being back there again and remembered how to get most places, so was rather sad to leave to go back to Harare. Was pretty much exhausted because of the heat and continual driving for the 4 days so was glad to hand the car back and have a bit of a rest before catching the 2.00 am flight (yep that's just after midnight) to Nairobi. That one even left early!
Now in Nairobi for a while to organize and get information on things for the school before heading out to the Masai Mara and my new home there. Did a bit of shopping for things for the house - was funning having to buy pots and pans only that can be used to cook with over a fire!
For now am in a nice place about 30 minutes out of Nairobi and the man who owns it puts down bores for water and many other projects with the Maasai people so he is a great help in giving me information and contacts. My trustee taxi driver got the place for me so am very happy.
I am very tired after about 3 hours sleep last nite so am planning on an early night for a change so hope u r enjoying my ramblings and they aren't too long for you.
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Zimbabwe times
Sorry no photos but still haven't figured how to get them from the iPad to here!
Arrived in Zimbabwe where it took over half an hour to get my visa - sure don't know how to do things efficiently or quickly so was wayching my lonely bag go around and around the carousel until I waved at a guy and he got it off for me!
Then the adventure which is Zimbabwe begins. I stayed in Harare for a couple of days seeing some friends and one of the girls I was very close to at the orphanage so that was awesome. The heat was pretty well up there to the summer temperatures so hate to think what summer will b like. Then hired a car from a friend of a friend ... mmmm note to self - pay the extra and hire one whose radiator doesn't leak and which doesn't drink oil! And as it was salve a small station wagon do must have been stopped at the police road blocks about 15 times checking my license, sometimes my passport, most times seeing if I had a fire extinguisher which you must carry, and looking for stuff on the car to "fine" me, however the car must have been better than I thought, so no fines. Gets annoying after a while though. One even asked me if I had brought him a present from Australia while the army guy asked me if I knew my passport number!!!
Driving was ok though apart from the overheating and the need to continuously stop and fill the radiator with water! Drove thru the beautiful mountains and stopped along the way and ended up where I went last year to the spectacular valley views only it was rather cloudy. Was so excited to be there and know where I was! It is so dry there though and so much has been burnt, I think deliberately before the heat of summer as there r many pine forests. The rocky mountains were lovely even thou it was very smokey.
Caught up with a couple of friends in Mutare and then took one of the boys from the church when I was there, with me. We had a great trip out and arrived at the orphanage to what felt like mid summer, dust and little water in the wells and to some excited workers who were surprised to see me, but happy as well. And as I was getting out of the car saw them digging and banging something with sticks under where they had the tractor - a puff adder (very poisonous snake) was being beaten to death wit h excited children looking on. Then the excitement of seeing the children. The first boy I saw and came running up for his hug was the boy I drove miles to pick up and bring there last year and then Linda was there all hugs - the girl who turned up one night at the door when she had been chased away from home. Then my little Moses - he is still 2 but remembered me and jumped into my arms and that was where he stayed the whole day I was there. Then of course ther!e were the other 30 to get their hugs as well, then the distribution of chicken pieces for lunch, peaches and oranges bought along the way. Even though I thought I may collapse kin the heat some of us went for a walk up,the rock mountain to where baboons were jumping rock to rock. They assured me they wouldn't tear me limb from limb! After spending time with all the children and many tears saying goodbye I went to see one of the gardening projects of growing beans a young man had started,mthen of course I had to meet his wife and small children!
Arrived in Zimbabwe where it took over half an hour to get my visa - sure don't know how to do things efficiently or quickly so was wayching my lonely bag go around and around the carousel until I waved at a guy and he got it off for me!
Then the adventure which is Zimbabwe begins. I stayed in Harare for a couple of days seeing some friends and one of the girls I was very close to at the orphanage so that was awesome. The heat was pretty well up there to the summer temperatures so hate to think what summer will b like. Then hired a car from a friend of a friend ... mmmm note to self - pay the extra and hire one whose radiator doesn't leak and which doesn't drink oil! And as it was salve a small station wagon do must have been stopped at the police road blocks about 15 times checking my license, sometimes my passport, most times seeing if I had a fire extinguisher which you must carry, and looking for stuff on the car to "fine" me, however the car must have been better than I thought, so no fines. Gets annoying after a while though. One even asked me if I had brought him a present from Australia while the army guy asked me if I knew my passport number!!!
Driving was ok though apart from the overheating and the need to continuously stop and fill the radiator with water! Drove thru the beautiful mountains and stopped along the way and ended up where I went last year to the spectacular valley views only it was rather cloudy. Was so excited to be there and know where I was! It is so dry there though and so much has been burnt, I think deliberately before the heat of summer as there r many pine forests. The rocky mountains were lovely even thou it was very smokey.
Caught up with a couple of friends in Mutare and then took one of the boys from the church when I was there, with me. We had a great trip out and arrived at the orphanage to what felt like mid summer, dust and little water in the wells and to some excited workers who were surprised to see me, but happy as well. And as I was getting out of the car saw them digging and banging something with sticks under where they had the tractor - a puff adder (very poisonous snake) was being beaten to death wit h excited children looking on. Then the excitement of seeing the children. The first boy I saw and came running up for his hug was the boy I drove miles to pick up and bring there last year and then Linda was there all hugs - the girl who turned up one night at the door when she had been chased away from home. Then my little Moses - he is still 2 but remembered me and jumped into my arms and that was where he stayed the whole day I was there. Then of course ther!e were the other 30 to get their hugs as well, then the distribution of chicken pieces for lunch, peaches and oranges bought along the way. Even though I thought I may collapse kin the heat some of us went for a walk up,the rock mountain to where baboons were jumping rock to rock. They assured me they wouldn't tear me limb from limb! After spending time with all the children and many tears saying goodbye I went to see one of the gardening projects of growing beans a young man had started,mthen of course I had to meet his wife and small children!
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Kruger Park
Have just got back to J'burg having hired a car and driven the 5 hours to Kruger on Saturday and back today, via the centre of J'burg city as had to drop Prosper to the bus there - he is a young man who I got to know there and came down to come to Kruger with me as I certainly wasn't driving that far by myself! Talk about stressful driving - people and cars everywhere - having to dodge them and try to get in the right lane and dodge taxis coming everywhere and them having to dodge me as I tried to get into the right lane and work out where to go, as well as not being very comfortable being there as not the safest place to drive or be! However I finally made it then found the hire car place in the basement of an underground car park - go figure that logic - dropped my car and called a taxi back to where I am staying.
Kruger was great but nowhere near the animals in Kenya. Didn't see any cats although some who did the nite drive last nite saw leopard, lion and cheetah. We did our day and night safaris in the rain and freezing cold in an open vehicle! Maybe not the best time but with only 2 days didn't have much choice. But got to see a porcupine and other night animals as well as elephant, whole new experience having an elephant right beside the open vehicle at night.
The place we stayed had zebra and giraffe and kudu and warthogs joining us regularly and saw ostrich and baboons on our walk as well. Will post pics as soon as I am able.
Leave in the morning for Zimbabwe - have already talked to a couple of the kids I want to see so am very much looking forward to catching up with them. Stay tuned ...
Kruger was great but nowhere near the animals in Kenya. Didn't see any cats although some who did the nite drive last nite saw leopard, lion and cheetah. We did our day and night safaris in the rain and freezing cold in an open vehicle! Maybe not the best time but with only 2 days didn't have much choice. But got to see a porcupine and other night animals as well as elephant, whole new experience having an elephant right beside the open vehicle at night.
The place we stayed had zebra and giraffe and kudu and warthogs joining us regularly and saw ostrich and baboons on our walk as well. Will post pics as soon as I am able.
Leave in the morning for Zimbabwe - have already talked to a couple of the kids I want to see so am very much looking forward to catching up with them. Stay tuned ...
Friday, 14 September 2012
Lion Park 14/9/2012
Our Day in the Lion Park:
This magnificent white lion had the most amazing blue eyes
Only way to get over his fear of lions was to make him pat one
Not sure what was on this lady's shirt but it sure loved it!
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Africa 2012 - more adventures
Keep an eye on this page as soon the adventures will continue.
Well have made it to Nairobi for a day and night which after 24 hours of flying was a welcome place even though the traffic is as bad as I remember! Spent the day with some friends and getting my Internet sorted for the iPad and my phone. My friend driving me to my accommodation which we couldn't find so went to another less "posh" place!!, almost scared me to death. Will try to download pics here.
In South Africa now - like what I have seen so far on the drive from the airport. In a suburb which seems pretty up market some of the houses are amazing. Tomoro Lion Park where I am supposed to get to hug the cubs and then onto Kruger Park. Driving myself so should see plenty. Keep posted for more adventures - this is my 10 days holidays I figure I deserve!
Well have made it to Nairobi for a day and night which after 24 hours of flying was a welcome place even though the traffic is as bad as I remember! Spent the day with some friends and getting my Internet sorted for the iPad and my phone. My friend driving me to my accommodation which we couldn't find so went to another less "posh" place!!, almost scared me to death. Will try to download pics here.
In South Africa now - like what I have seen so far on the drive from the airport. In a suburb which seems pretty up market some of the houses are amazing. Tomoro Lion Park where I am supposed to get to hug the cubs and then onto Kruger Park. Driving myself so should see plenty. Keep posted for more adventures - this is my 10 days holidays I figure I deserve!
Monday, 21 November 2011
Spiders and Baboons
Am only now just being able to update this blog from when I first arrived in Zimbabwe - better late than never.
Life is different here - will let the pics tell the story ...
Life is different here - will let the pics tell the story ...
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| My elephant sized beetle I picked up and threw outside! |
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| A giant centipede - one of millions that are everywhere you walk! |
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| A GIANT spider as big as a horse which I had to kill before it crawled into bed with me! |
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| Claude (pronounced Cloud) one of my special boys - is 15 yrs old but the size of about a 10 yr old |
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| The beautiful African Tulip Tree (I think - they call it something else) |
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| Frogs eggs by the dam - I destroyed as many as I could LOL |
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| This I am learning to do! I can carry some small things without dropping them - just have to do the big pots of water! |
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| My iron, but I usually get someone else to do it for me - not quite experienced enough yet to tackle this one! |
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| The children with Paula the present Administrator |
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| Just love this picture of Kuku - gorgeous boy |
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| This is Linda seeing her home for the last time - they kicked her out and she turned up at my door at 8.00 one night after walking all day and nothing to eat for 2 days - looked bedragged and dirty and tired and very sad - she is now very happy |
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| Some of my kids after making walk up this rock face - fun times |
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| My darling little Moses - 2 years old - miss him greatly |
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| View from my back door - it is very dry, but when it rains this will be planted |
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| Pouring the water after winding it up from deep in the weell |
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| Our well |
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| Everyone develops good muscles from winding up the water and tipping it into the buckets to carry back to the orphanage |
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| Carrying our water back to the orphanage from the well |
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| My bath, I can just fit in it if my knees are up to my chin! |
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| Triplets - their mum and grandmother came to the orphanage looking for help as they were an unexpected surprise! They are 2 months old |
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| Taking the kids to school in the back of the Nissan each morning |
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| This is what you do when you don't have a pair of shoes |
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| A pep talk from the Pathfinder leader - Claude couldn't stay the first night as he had to have a blood test at 5.00 am the next morning and was a little upset |
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| Ploughing our fields as the tractor is broken |
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| Yep I'm transport for the pathfinders as well in the "beast" which rattles and bangs - first trip their gear and a few sitting on top, next trip the rest of the children |
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Maasai Land ...
I had the most wonderful time with the Maasai people for the last 2 days and nights - their homes may not be what I am used to but the welcome and friendliness of the people made it worthwhile - and actually a bed made of sticks and cow hide is actually quite comfortable! Enjoy the photos. I will miss these people and all those in Kenya I have grown to love. I leave tomorrow (Monday night) for Zimbabwe and am sure the venture will continue in a totally different way. But I will look forward to returning to once again spend time with my Kenyan friends.
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| The "pick up" I had to travel almost an hour and a half in - lucky I got to sit in the front, although with 4 of us squashed in there was a little "tight". It was a rather worn and battered vehicle - I could see light around the door so wasn't sure if it was shut properly but it didn't fly open so that was a bonus. |
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| Part of the road - a creek crossing - remember this photo when you see the last picture of my mode of transport for the return trip! |
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| Solomon and I - this is his family's village and he invited me to come to stay with them. |
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| The house I would be sleeping in - made of sticks and cow dung. And notice the height of the house and the height of me! Plus there are no windows (see picture below) |
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| The kitchen where all cooking is done and light and warms are given (plus LOTS of smoke) |
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| My little shadow Elizabeth and Namnyat (me) - that is my new Maasai name - and I have even been offered a spot to build my house, right next to the central cow corral. |
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| The "gate" to the corral where all the houses are as well as the animals pens - as they need to keep them inside the Bomar as there are wild animals such as leopards and hyenas who would easily kill the cattle, sheep and goats. Tiny baby goats are kept inside the houses in their own special room, at night. |
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| The goats coming home, the women come out with cups and grab one and milk them as they go past. Very efficient way of getting your goats milk. |
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| Goats penned for the night. |
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| There are no toilets so I was up before daybreak to use wherever I could find inside the "fence" as I wasn't venturing outside to see if leopards or hyena were about! |
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| The cows came in a bit after dark as because it is so dry they need to be taken further for food each day. They are right in the centre of the Bomar with the houses on the outside of their fence. |
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| My shadow and I at the cattle troughs where they baptised over 60 people earlier this year |
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| The garden started by my friend Vanessa - is growing really well - but they need to expand it to better feed the whole community. Maasai don't traditionally keep gardens but they are doing wonderfully with this one. |
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| My first night sleeping with my little shadow. Notice the cow dung walls. |
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| They had built some "bathing" houses - my bucket of cold water ready to use. Was a 12 minute walk to here where there is a tap with water, across a rocky, dry, desert landscape with just a few tracks but you really can't see any buildings until you are almost there! Plenty of animals around - donkeys, goats, cows, and then the wild ones but unfortunatley (or fortunately) I didn't see any while I was walking. |
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| Notice behind here the bed and then the "window" - that small area of light. The roof is quite black because of the smoke and my eyes took a while to adjust but it was OK. |
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| Ladies in Church - dressed absolutely beautifully in their best clothes and necklaces. The colours are amazing. |
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| Sitting waiting for lunch |
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| Outside the church |
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| Well in these areas on Sunday there is no transport so here I got for a 45 minute ride on the rocky, gravelly, dusty, dirt road - was fun really. Now I think I have used all modes of public transport in Kenya! After we got back to town I got a Matatu to Nairobi - the crowded ones! What a way to end a wonderful time. |
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| And of course we had to bring a cat home - tied up - in a bag - then in a box - tied again! Hope it enjoyed the ride as well. |
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