Jambo, everyone, sorry this update has been delayed, but as suspected, internet access has been a bit more limited. On Saturday, we headed out with some of the Huruma gang and climbed Mt. Longonot, a passive volcano en route to Nakuru. Quite a strenuous climb (at least for the non-teenagers) but a fabulous view across the Rift Valley from the top, as well as down into the crater. Our legs then stiffened up for the next 8 hours as we bumped (and I do mean bumped!) our way to Nakuru. We stopped in Navaisha for lunch (hot dogs and drinkable yogurt fresh from a local farm) and arrived in time for a late dinner. We once again stayed at an NCCK facility in Nakuru.
Sunday morning was a really early start - left the conference centre at 6:15am to go on safari at Lake Nakuru National Park. What a treat, and well worth the early start to see the animals still up and around. We saw: waterbocks, rhinos, a giraffe family, Thompson's and Grant's gazelles, impalas, water buffalo, zebras, monkeys, baboons, crested cranes, hyenas, warthogs and 1/3 of the world's population of flamingoes - the water was pink as the sun rose! We were just breathless with the wonder of seeing all these animals in their natural habitat and we will have some wonderful photos to share.
Then we headed west to Kisumu on Lake Victoria - we picked up Charles, who is going to be our personal chef in Usenge!! and we went grocery shopping in Kisumu. En route we passed some beautiful tea plantations and then had our first views of the lake. We arrived in Usenge about 5pm and dropped off the chef and the food, and then headed 20 minutes back east to Bondo, which is where we are staying this week at the Switel hotel. Again, the accommodation is quite good, with double rooms once again and private baths.
This morning (Monday) we went to the school for impressive opening ceremonies for our building project. The students performed for us and we all shook about 100 tiny hands, there were speeches from the church and school dignitaries. Then we walked into town and ordered the building supplies (bricks, cement, sand, etc) and we'll be ready to start building first thing tomorrow morning. They also took us on a quick tour of Osieko Beach, a fishing village that is the furthest point west in Kenya - we could see the islands belonging to Uganda across the water. Everyone is doing well, and it is finally hot here on the coast, so we're much more serious about sunscreen and bugspray!
Kesho (we'll write again soon!)
Sunday morning was a really early start - left the conference centre at 6:15am to go on safari at Lake Nakuru National Park. What a treat, and well worth the early start to see the animals still up and around. We saw: waterbocks, rhinos, a giraffe family, Thompson's and Grant's gazelles, impalas, water buffalo, zebras, monkeys, baboons, crested cranes, hyenas, warthogs and 1/3 of the world's population of flamingoes - the water was pink as the sun rose! We were just breathless with the wonder of seeing all these animals in their natural habitat and we will have some wonderful photos to share.
Then we headed west to Kisumu on Lake Victoria - we picked up Charles, who is going to be our personal chef in Usenge!! and we went grocery shopping in Kisumu. En route we passed some beautiful tea plantations and then had our first views of the lake. We arrived in Usenge about 5pm and dropped off the chef and the food, and then headed 20 minutes back east to Bondo, which is where we are staying this week at the Switel hotel. Again, the accommodation is quite good, with double rooms once again and private baths.
This morning (Monday) we went to the school for impressive opening ceremonies for our building project. The students performed for us and we all shook about 100 tiny hands, there were speeches from the church and school dignitaries. Then we walked into town and ordered the building supplies (bricks, cement, sand, etc) and we'll be ready to start building first thing tomorrow morning. They also took us on a quick tour of Osieko Beach, a fishing village that is the furthest point west in Kenya - we could see the islands belonging to Uganda across the water. Everyone is doing well, and it is finally hot here on the coast, so we're much more serious about sunscreen and bugspray!
Kesho (we'll write again soon!)
8 comments:
Bonjour everyone,
We just read your exciting update -what an amazing time you must have had viewing those flamingos! I hope that you're taking many photos - hint hint, Stefano and Marco. Les garcons, nous vous ecrivons de Paris. Tout va bien ici - on s'amuse. A tres bientot!Love, Mom and Papa
Hi Gang;
It's great to follow your adventures and we're pleased to hear everyone is safe and having a good time.
Enjoy your last week and take lots of pictures. We looking forward to hearing about it all when you get home.
Keep smiling Alex ... Grant
Hi Everyone:
Anxious to hear what you will be learning about school construction. Christine, if you get too good at this Dad will be getting you to build the bunkie!
Take care. Use lots of bug spray.
Love
Sue and Paul
I continue to be fascinated by your adventure. Thanks for keeping us so well informed.
Denny
Lake Nakuru Park sounds wonderful. We were thinking of all of you when we visited the Toronto Zoo on Saturday, and watched the giraffes and zebras. Must be so much more interesting to see the animals there in Kenya!
By coincidence, our church (St. Joan of Arc)is hosting a priest from Kenya this Sunday. He will be raising money for his church. I'll ask him where he lives; maybe your group has been there.
Liam, thanks for your recent email. Stay healthy and enjoy the adventure. Let us know how the school construction goes. Has anyone had to make speeches yet?
Love, Mum (AKA Pauline Hodge)
News from Toronto - home of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. African countries were very well represented - alas, final hope (Nigeria) went down in quarter finals to Chile in extra time. Now it's down to Chile, Argentina, Austria and Czech Republic. Weather here has been pleasant for the past week. In the theatres, Harry Potter is a big hit, Transformers still making alot of $$. Blue Jays stumbling along with .500 record - still 10-11 games back of the Red Sox. The Steelback Grand Prix (ex-Molson Indy) has come and gone. Senators have new coach (John Paddock) and the Leafs? Well the Leafs remain the Leafs. Sheldon Souray has signed with the Oilers. Stephen Harper - for some reason - is down in Columbia. Dream in High Park has started. Cdn $ approaching par with USD.
That's as interesting as it gets here. Hurry home, so we can share in your experiences. We miss you.
Lots of love,
Griffin's Dad.
Hey D
What a wonderful account of your trip -- I think I've finally figured out how to leave a comment.
Your account of your visit to the Masai was insightful and I can't wait to hear more.
I can only imagine how stiff you were after the long bus ride after your climb! At least you could do it! and dawn at the watering hole will be a memory for life -- sounds like the opening of Lion King!
back home you'll be happy to know that Conrad Black was found guilty on four counts and faces serious time in prison (sentencing to come) -- he will appeal of course but most lawyers don't think he will succeed in getting out of it.
Toronto weather is great, but we've been getting rain and cool weather every day in eastern Ontario.
Stay healthy and drink lots of GOOD water!
Love Mom
Hallo
Next time you visit Kenya, come to Osieko Village and enjoy the fresh water lake of Lake victoria
Joshua Omondi
Project Manager
Osieko Youth Initiative
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