Dear Family,
The last few days (whose counting) were utterly
fantastic! We chose a wonderful tour
company that is totally custom in that the Masai guide (William) who picked us
up in JFK's car has been our (and only our) guy the entire time. It is William and the 3 of us and we can see
what we want when we want plus the camp has dealt with Mr. Finicky in a
brilliant way including making 2 spinach juices per day.
We have seen lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes,
elephants, buffalo, hippos and many kind of antelope, etc... There have been fresh kills by lions and
hyenas and we've witnessed the predators literally take the meat off the bone
of a zebra that was running moments ago.
From the eagles to the crocs there are animals everywhere.
The most interesting observation that I can share is that
being out in untouched earth, you see how nature can be cruel, beautiful and
efficient at the same time. The rules
and food chain are unemotional and the ecosystem runs brilliantly. Diane has had concerns given that there are
animals who would prove that we are beneath their lot in the food chain. We are a few feet from a pride of lions
feeding with their young and while our car is open air (no windows / no roof)
they do not do anything but periodically stare at us. It is certainly menacing when a lion 6 feet
away stops it eating to look up and point its gaze at you. We are in their world and those moments are a
quick reminder.
The deadly snakes here are cobras, puff adders and black
mambas and while all are very poisonous, a bite by a black mamba is almost
certainly fatal. This brings us to going
on walks. We have walked twice and both
have been on large savannas near the camp.
They have a car and driver follow us while William walks with us. On one of these walks just as we were
discussing poisonous snakes, our driver spotted a black cobra. He scooped us up so that we could see it and
we witnessed a 5 footer scurrying along the brush at about a 5 mph clip for 100
yards.
Yes, after it went into its hole we resumed our walk
although Diane was not enthusiastic. We
walked to a Masai village (photo on Facebook) and danced with the tribe who
welcomed us in. We were given a tour of
one of their huts and noted how happy everyone was even though they didn't have
the creature comforts (electricity and plumbing) to which we've become
accustomed. Jeffrey our guide was very
accommodating and we made some purchases of their art and jewelry.
The English influence here is everywhere. Because of this, I have come to the
realization that my family are bloody savages.
Heretofore I have accepted uncouth American standards but no
longer. Prior to my dining, I will
require a wash basin on a proper stand to be erected with a towel and soap so
that I may wash up. Only then will I
choose from the buffet that has been set out before my meal can begin on a
white linen covered table. Even though I
have yet to accept, I must continue to be offered a blanket and resting mat for
a nap next to the river or on the mesa where I just dined. This may all sound strange to you and know
that you are all being assigned blame for it seeming odd to me only four short
days ago.
Furthermore, I now celebrate my day by the kit of glasses
and drinks being laid out for the "sundowner". Luckily for all, I have original toasts on
the ready.
Yesterday morning, we started the day for a sunrise
balloon ride in the direction of the Serengeti.
It was very nice and truly peaceful until the pilot took us up to 3,000
feet. Nothing like a strong wicker
basket between you and a very long fall.
When we landed an hour later, the chase trucks met us on the savanna and
within 15 minutes I had my prerequisite table along with a chef, omelet bar,
fresh fruit and bread along with a bathroom all set-up.
Lastly, the Worst Parents of the Year award goes to Keoni
Kazan (Diane and I are no longer eligible since we abdicated our responsibility
to Keoni). He foolishly let himself
drive a car at 12 (see attached photo).
He did an amazing job as the Land Rover is a manual transmission after
the first shaking start. The next 2 were as smooth as can be done to our
stunned amazement (we made him keep it in 1st gear although the vehicle goes
faster than one would want while being navigated by a preteen). He also kept us on the path and didn't hit
any animals. Guess what his favorite
part of our trip has been?!?!
Sorry for the long update but we go, go, go all day (we
did an 11 hour safari one day) and pass out after dinner and drinks back at the
camp (or after a "bush dinner" overlooking the Mara River and the
family of grunting hippos).
We just arrived at Sirikoi in Lewa and are about to go see some rhinos.
Best,
Father of Driving Ms. Diane
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
No comments:
Post a Comment