We enjoyed a lovely flight with Kenya Airways crossing the Sahara Desert on the way back.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Saturday 8th August
We were invited to a wedding in Kutus, now our home village in Kenya.
We drove through an important tea growing area as we travelled to the church.
We arrived early enough to be introduced to many more friends and relatives.
The church in the village is only partly built but the inside was decorated and draped for the ceremony.
We were invited to sit right at the front so that we had a good view.
When the wedding party arrived at the reception they were led in by the women and all were singing and danced around the central area so the 800 guests got a good view.
We were invited to a wedding in Kutus, now our home village in Kenya.
We drove through an important tea growing area as we travelled to the church.
We arrived early enough to be introduced to many more friends and relatives.
The church in the village is only partly built but the inside was decorated and draped for the ceremony.
We were invited to sit right at the front so that we had a good view.
When the wedding party arrived at the reception they were led in by the women and all were singing and danced around the central area so the 800 guests got a good view.
Early in the evening we drove back to Nairobi, passing paddy fields on either side, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Friday 7th August
This is our treat from Christine, an overnight visit to Treetops.
We drove north out of Nairobi into the Aberdare region and had to transfer to a minibus to enter the park.
We saw warthogs, deer and monkeys on our 20 minute drive into the national park. Treetops is a hotel built by the side of a waterhole and salt licks that attract wildlife from the surrounding forest.
We saw buffalo kicking up red dust as they galloped down the slope out of the forest. Some came in herds and some individually.
This lone male elephant spent over an hour at the waterhole and salt licks. We watched him from viewing platforms at the top and at ground level.
We saw waterbuck, Colobus monkeys, hyenas, a white tailed mongoose, gazelle and three more elephants.
This is our treat from Christine, an overnight visit to Treetops.
We drove north out of Nairobi into the Aberdare region and had to transfer to a minibus to enter the park.
We saw warthogs, deer and monkeys on our 20 minute drive into the national park. Treetops is a hotel built by the side of a waterhole and salt licks that attract wildlife from the surrounding forest.
We saw buffalo kicking up red dust as they galloped down the slope out of the forest. Some came in herds and some individually.
This lone male elephant spent over an hour at the waterhole and salt licks. We watched him from viewing platforms at the top and at ground level.
We saw waterbuck, Colobus monkeys, hyenas, a white tailed mongoose, gazelle and three more elephants.
Wednesday 5th August
Today we confirmed Karen Blixen Museum grounds as our choice of venue for the wedding reception.
http://www.museums.or.ke/content/blogcategory/13/19/
Today we confirmed Karen Blixen Museum grounds as our choice of venue for the wedding reception.
http://www.museums.or.ke/content/blogcategory/13/19/
Tuesday 4th August
This morning we visited the Kenya National Parks Animal Orphanage which cares for injured or abandoned wildlife that will eventually be released into the wild if possible.
We then walked through the semi wild area from which animals are finally released.
While Eunice and Alan played nine holes of golf at The Karen Country Club Glenys explored the Wetlands area at the centre of the grounds.
This morning we visited the Kenya National Parks Animal Orphanage which cares for injured or abandoned wildlife that will eventually be released into the wild if possible.
We then walked through the semi wild area from which animals are finally released.
While Eunice and Alan played nine holes of golf at The Karen Country Club Glenys explored the Wetlands area at the centre of the grounds.
Monday 3rd August
On the way to Karen, a suburb of Nairobi, we passed the roadside stalls and saw some lovely pots and more large pieces of furniture.
The drought means that grass is scarce and the Masai are having to bring their cattle into the suburbs.
We went for lunch at The Karen Country Club where Eunice is a member. Alan and Eunice are going to play nine holes of golf here tomorrow.
On the way to Karen, a suburb of Nairobi, we passed the roadside stalls and saw some lovely pots and more large pieces of furniture.
The drought means that grass is scarce and the Masai are having to bring their cattle into the suburbs.
We went for lunch at The Karen Country Club where Eunice is a member. Alan and Eunice are going to play nine holes of golf here tomorrow.
Sunday 2nd August
Christine's family and friends all met by the pool in the compound for lunch followed by traditional ceremonies to confirm the engagement, negotiate the dowry and agree the wedding date.
As part of the second ceremony women representing Russel's family sang, danced and carried gifts to Eunice's door.
When these gifts were accepted, it signalled that the next stage of the ceremonies could go ahead.
Christine's family and friends all met by the pool in the compound for lunch followed by traditional ceremonies to confirm the engagement, negotiate the dowry and agree the wedding date.
As part of the second ceremony women representing Russel's family sang, danced and carried gifts to Eunice's door.
When these gifts were accepted, it signalled that the next stage of the ceremonies could go ahead.All the girls went outside to cover their heads with shawls and scarves and swop shoes. We were then presented with all of them and had to identify Christine to show we knew her well. Fortunately for Russell we were able to do this successfully.
Saturday 1st August
We stayed in Nairobi with Eunice, Christine's mum. She has a lovely apartment in a gated compound on the edge of the city.
Where there is space the streets are lined with open-air stalls selling all manner of goods including, pots, beds, plants, furniture and food.
Later in the day we visited Grant and Grace's house for a delicious Kenyan meal. They designed and built this house in 9 months - the woodwork and detail is impressive.
We stayed in Nairobi with Eunice, Christine's mum. She has a lovely apartment in a gated compound on the edge of the city.
Where there is space the streets are lined with open-air stalls selling all manner of goods including, pots, beds, plants, furniture and food.
Later in the day we visited Grant and Grace's house for a delicious Kenyan meal. They designed and built this house in 9 months - the woodwork and detail is impressive.
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