I crossed the border yesterday with some friends (missionary couple -now family as they have a baby) into Tanzania. I was hoping to get all the way to Dar but with the timing of our travels the point at which I was hoping to get a bus was not reached until after dark so I continued on to their place instead. Means I have a longer journey today but that's fine.
My time at Diani beach in Kenya was good and it was refreshing to see so many palm trees again and see, hear and feel the ocean:)! It had been awhile as I have been in a land locked country for 9 months. I was glad for my tent I had bought before leaving Kampala as it saved me a good bit of money this past week.
I am hoping to be in Zanzibar either tonight or tomorrow night... we'll see how the timing of the bus and ferry work out. I better run for the bus.
write more later!
Friday 16 July 2010
Sunday 11 July 2010
Kampala to Nairobi to Mombasa!
Just wanted to put a quick update on here tonight before heading to bed. I won't write much but just for those who are actually checking my blog periodically at least you know where I am in the world. I have had challenging times with computers and networks etc and so apologize I still have no pictures up, although have lots I would love to post! Not sure if I will have an opportunity to post any before Ghana though.
AKAMBA BUS
I survived my 14 hr bus ride from Kampala, Uganda to Nairobi, Kenya! I took a night bus so I left Kampala with my suitcase and two backpacks at 5:30 on Wednesday evening. It is truly unfortunate that I have still not mastered the art of packing light! Thankfully the bus was relatively empty so I had 2 seats to myself, but unfortunately a significant portion of the road was more holes than pavement apparently and I actually flew up off my seat several times. It was not condusive to getting much sleep. I was somewhat humored by the jackets and blankets that other passengers had when we boarded the bus, but my humor quickly turned to envy as I spent most of the night uncomfortably cold despite adding a long sleeved shirt for an extra layer!
Things went smoothly although I was a little unnerved by the security measures taken. We got to the border crossing around 10:30 at night, and while especially on the Kenyan side the officer was very friendly, I did feel a little vulnerable walking alone, in the dark, in no mans land with my backpack of valuables. Before we entered the bus on the Kenyan side they used that wand scanner they use in airports and also were physically frisking the guys at least before getting on the bus. Thankfully, they exempted me from this, but we had to still show our passports and I think they checked our bags. A little ways down the road we were stopped by a police check and all had to get out again as they searched the bus and repeated the security procedures before allowing us to re-enter. Other than that things were rather uneventful and we arrived in Nairobi when it was light thankfully. I managed to connect with my parents' SIM friends in Nairobi and took a taxi to meet the lady who then lugged my big suitcase behind her as we walked to the SIM office!
It's amazing how good even instant decaf can taste when you've had virtually no sleep! I had never met these people before, but I'm sure my mom was grateful for this connection which gave her some peace of mind I imagine while her daughter trapsed around the not so safe Nairobi. I spent almost the whole day sorting out my VISA application for Ghana and deciding whether or not to go on a safari. The SIM lady was rather convincing in this decision making process and so I ended up going for it. Her son's friend from Norway was going on this same safari so it meant I had at least a connection which turned out to be a blessing. That night I left the majority of my stuff at the office and carried my backpack with me to the backpackers hostel/campsite. I arrived just before dark which was helpful as I had to set up my tent. I think the camping spot would be in close competition to the Paris campsite I stayed in as far as the worst places I have camped. There was one patch of dirt still left in the row of cramped tents adorned by rows of wet laundry hanging from the lines above. Not exactly picturesque. I met 3 Canadian girls though who reminded me that it was a signficiant day for us Canadians--July 1st-Canada Day! I'm sure I would not have remembered if it weren't for them:)
The next morning I woke up an hour earlier than I planned to as somehow my watch was an hour off! Got a taxi and headed to pick up the Norweigen guy for our safari. It was a wonderful weekend of seeing so many animals (lions on their honeymoon, lions eating a zebra, lion cubs, cheetahs, leopards-including baby leopards, crocodiles, hippos, a pack of hyenas, ostriches, Thompson gazelles, impalas etc etc). We also saw the zebra and wildebeest migration across the Masai Mara- did not catch them crossing the river though:( It was interesting too to see so many Masai. On our last day we stopped at a Masai village for some in our group who wanted to visit it---I didn't go in but I think we had more of an experience sitting in the vehicle while a group of Masai men climbed in, stood in the door, and peered in the windows. Apparently, I had a few suitors among them with the highest dowry offer being 200 cattle! I forget how much exactly that is in dollars but I think it was in the 1000's (not too bad!). However, once I told our driver and the Masai men how old I was, (which required proof with my driver's license due to their disbelief)... the suitors quickly disappeared. It was rather humorous. I guess the typical marrying age for a Masai girl is about 11 years old so I was well past my prime!
Anyhow, I better head to bed as I have a busy day tomorrow. I will try to update before too long!
Congratulations to SPAIN for their World Cup Victory!!!!
AKAMBA BUS
I survived my 14 hr bus ride from Kampala, Uganda to Nairobi, Kenya! I took a night bus so I left Kampala with my suitcase and two backpacks at 5:30 on Wednesday evening. It is truly unfortunate that I have still not mastered the art of packing light! Thankfully the bus was relatively empty so I had 2 seats to myself, but unfortunately a significant portion of the road was more holes than pavement apparently and I actually flew up off my seat several times. It was not condusive to getting much sleep. I was somewhat humored by the jackets and blankets that other passengers had when we boarded the bus, but my humor quickly turned to envy as I spent most of the night uncomfortably cold despite adding a long sleeved shirt for an extra layer!
Things went smoothly although I was a little unnerved by the security measures taken. We got to the border crossing around 10:30 at night, and while especially on the Kenyan side the officer was very friendly, I did feel a little vulnerable walking alone, in the dark, in no mans land with my backpack of valuables. Before we entered the bus on the Kenyan side they used that wand scanner they use in airports and also were physically frisking the guys at least before getting on the bus. Thankfully, they exempted me from this, but we had to still show our passports and I think they checked our bags. A little ways down the road we were stopped by a police check and all had to get out again as they searched the bus and repeated the security procedures before allowing us to re-enter. Other than that things were rather uneventful and we arrived in Nairobi when it was light thankfully. I managed to connect with my parents' SIM friends in Nairobi and took a taxi to meet the lady who then lugged my big suitcase behind her as we walked to the SIM office!
It's amazing how good even instant decaf can taste when you've had virtually no sleep! I had never met these people before, but I'm sure my mom was grateful for this connection which gave her some peace of mind I imagine while her daughter trapsed around the not so safe Nairobi. I spent almost the whole day sorting out my VISA application for Ghana and deciding whether or not to go on a safari. The SIM lady was rather convincing in this decision making process and so I ended up going for it. Her son's friend from Norway was going on this same safari so it meant I had at least a connection which turned out to be a blessing. That night I left the majority of my stuff at the office and carried my backpack with me to the backpackers hostel/campsite. I arrived just before dark which was helpful as I had to set up my tent. I think the camping spot would be in close competition to the Paris campsite I stayed in as far as the worst places I have camped. There was one patch of dirt still left in the row of cramped tents adorned by rows of wet laundry hanging from the lines above. Not exactly picturesque. I met 3 Canadian girls though who reminded me that it was a signficiant day for us Canadians--July 1st-Canada Day! I'm sure I would not have remembered if it weren't for them:)
The next morning I woke up an hour earlier than I planned to as somehow my watch was an hour off! Got a taxi and headed to pick up the Norweigen guy for our safari. It was a wonderful weekend of seeing so many animals (lions on their honeymoon, lions eating a zebra, lion cubs, cheetahs, leopards-including baby leopards, crocodiles, hippos, a pack of hyenas, ostriches, Thompson gazelles, impalas etc etc). We also saw the zebra and wildebeest migration across the Masai Mara- did not catch them crossing the river though:( It was interesting too to see so many Masai. On our last day we stopped at a Masai village for some in our group who wanted to visit it---I didn't go in but I think we had more of an experience sitting in the vehicle while a group of Masai men climbed in, stood in the door, and peered in the windows. Apparently, I had a few suitors among them with the highest dowry offer being 200 cattle! I forget how much exactly that is in dollars but I think it was in the 1000's (not too bad!). However, once I told our driver and the Masai men how old I was, (which required proof with my driver's license due to their disbelief)... the suitors quickly disappeared. It was rather humorous. I guess the typical marrying age for a Masai girl is about 11 years old so I was well past my prime!
Anyhow, I better head to bed as I have a busy day tomorrow. I will try to update before too long!
Congratulations to SPAIN for their World Cup Victory!!!!
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