African Adventure

 We enjoyed our stay at the Kilima Safari Camp  This was our group’s last ride with Marcus, an excellent guide. He kept his humor at all times. Kilimanjaro came out to say goodbye. One more Kenyan massage And a curio stop. Bob talks it up with the artisans. They think I’m his daughter.  This time we arrive with a bubbled tire, instead of a flat. The Kenyan massage can be rough on everything.

  Mount Kilimanjaro broods high over Amboseli, usually cloaked in clouds. She is said to be shy. But on our last day she appeared with the little snow that is left at her peak. This area has historically supported both game and the Maasai that kept their herds of cattle here. Thanks to the waters that run off Africa’s greatest mountain, the dry Amboseli is able to support its wildlife. Maasai woman We were gifted with a visit and dancing at a Maasai village and met some of its members. The son of the chief explained some of the dances, first, by their men and then their women. The women build the family huts, which house around six members. We broke into small groups and visited the inside of some of the huts.  Their dancing and singing was mesmerizing! https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/e17d36e7d04343469659c996e8b84e5d Dana jumped in. Whoever jumps the highest gets the most girlfriends. At least that’s what they told us.. . The women got us to join them. No jumping though....

The previous day we drove 6 hours from the Maasai Mara to Nairobi, taking the scenic rift valley escarpment. We took in this roadside stop in Lari, overlooking a small portion of the Rift Valley. I had no idea it ran so far. Apparently, a very clear view from space. View from the ladies room back wall  We spent the night at our original hotel - The Boma and collected the bags we left the days prior.  Today we drove about 4 1/2 hours from Nairobi to Amboseli National Park.  We were thrilled to stop at this lovely hotel on the way. Some started their day with cappuccinos and others a bloody Mary, snuck into their coffee to-go cups. No, those are not real tusks.  The view across the vast marsh.  An ostrich. Apparently they look like they are burying their heads in the sand, at times, but they are taking care to turn their eggs buried there.  Snoozing hippos, best left alone, unlike the bison of Yellowstone… Lunchtime https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/e5e1f0a0...

  Picnic somewhere Waterbuck We were extremely blessed to see this season’s first crossing of the Maasai River; a migration of zebra and wildebeest. Our guide said it’s the zebra that keep the wildebeest moving. Some in our group were afraid the crocodiles in the river would attack. I never saw them. About five minutes before a leopard, hiding in the bush at the top of the far bank, attacked a baby wildebeest the zebra started turning back to the side they galloped down. Some stayed at the bottom of the river. When the leopard attacked, all the animals in the river and at the banks cleared out. Those that hadn’t made it across returned to the side where they began.  Some people wait a long time to see this. We were lucky to be there at the right time. Thanks to our drivers, I’m sure. 

 The land cruiser rides were bumpy in the wilds. Called a Kenyan massage.  https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/9ba3c93ce0cd4f1a991c26cc06cec85f Here are some zebra  https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/d1014d1588314df698ff383ac74e02d3 I’m with Heidi, our trip leader, and the adventurous Bobbi, who snuck into our cruiser for a morning. We were released from our dusty Kenyan massage in our land cruisers for a glorious respite at a lodge. Beer and views.  It seemed Earnest Hemingway would appear any minute. Old painting of a migration, long ago.  A chandelier seemingly out of Z Gallery Awesome end to another fabulous day!