Home, Sweet, Home

Finally arrived at our doorstep at around 8:30pm.  What a journey!  After I published the last post, we gathered our things and started making our way to the gate - which, of course, was on the other side of the moon.  Between the time we left the lounge and about 20 gates down the departure time changed again. It went from 5pm to 5:35pm.  Who knows why.  Fortunately, there was another Delta Lounge in site.  In we go.

I have never seen anything like that lounge.  It was a mass of roving rooms with food in every direction of any and all types.  Even a Nathan's hotdog stand!  It was also packed to the teeth.  We roamed around looking for a seat, when this very nice woman rescued us and put us at a table with a big reserve sign on top.  Removed the sign and took our drink order.  We sat there numb for a while then headed to get some food - not being sure when our next meal will be. I got lost trying to get back from the bathroom.  When I evidentually made it, with the help of a very nice woman, we decided to get out of there.

Hiked down to the very last gate.  When they started announcing money to buy people's seats, I got a bit worried and double checked to make sure we were still booked on that flight.  I'm not sure how we got those seats but I have been thanking that agent ever since she issued the tickets.  The thought of having to get back on the train to take the bus to get to a hotel and then do it all over again at 4 in the morning was not sitting well with either of us.   

Boarded the plane.  We were able to keep our Business class but we didn't sit together.  I was up front with a woman from VA visiting her daughter in NH.  Between the two of us and the airline steward who was an absolute hoot, we had a grand old time on the short flight to Boston.

Our driver was there to take us home -- a very nice woman.  Not too many of them.Walked in the door, dropped everything and went to bed!

Paula and I kept in contact during our respective treks. They made it home a lot earlier than us. Not the best way to end a vacation but at least we all got home safe and sound and that's what counts.  We had a wonderful time even through some of the bumps and I do mean bumps!  I can say a lot about Mamasavana - some good - some not so good - but I will say that the guides were wonderful. Never had we ever seen so many animals and be able to just sit there and take the time to observe them. Plus both guides were patient and very accommodating.  Thank you to all.

Until next time....

On The Way Home

We are now sitting in the Delta Sky Lounge at JFK airport after traveling far too many hours with far too many complications.  

We left the Asha Boutique Hotel it seems like ages ago.  We said good-bye to a wonderful man and his daugher from Hartfordshire outside of London.  We had some wonderful conversations with them both while we were there. Would enjoy seeing them agin some day.  All of the staff made an effort to say good-bye and wish us well on our journey home.  Paula and J left about an hour or so before we did. Our driver came early so we accommodated him -- little did we know what was in store for us when we left the hotel early.  Dan, our driver, was a hoot!  He made sure I got some good shots of the bikers with the umbrellas.  We crossed the "dreaded" ferry with no problem at all and we were at the airport at around 4pm for a flight leaving at 8:45pm.  We went directly to the lounge.  Wasn't much but the coffee was free and there were AC.  I ventured out and found Paula and J waiting for their flight at the gate -- they have taken another route home.  Both or our flights were delayed.  We eventually left Mombasa at 9:30.

Then the trouble began.  There was something wrong with the Kenya Airways plane.  We were to depart at 11:45 and didn't even board until 12:30 and then take-off was at 2:15.  This was not boding well for our connecting flight to Boston.  To top it all off there was an announcement that the water was contaminated and there would be not hot drinks, ie, coffee or tea.  Well that didn't help one bit when we finaly landed in New York.

By the time we landed, went through customs and collected our bags for inspection, we were told that it was too late to catch our connecting flight.  Honestly, I really think if we had ran for it, we might have made it -- but energy by this time was low and the airport was huge.  So we stood on line for over an hour to rebook another flight to Boston.  No "Sky Priority" agent available.  You can image the line of people needing to rebook.  Finally made it up to the Delta counter and was told no flights were open today try to talk with the Kenya rep if you need to stay the night.  So we went to the Kenya rep.  After much haggle there we were able to get a flight out in the morning at 6am and a room in a hotel - God knows where.  By this time, I am a total mess.  JFK is huge and the two of us are wandering around not knowing where we are.  Since I was not handed any directions or name of the hotel, we start winging it.  We take the AirTrain out to what seemed like forever.  I wasn't happy with that so we decided to airtrain back to the TWA hotel that is right in the terminal and try to get reimbursed later.  Well this place was a total rip off!!  Plus you don't even't get a coffee maker in your room. 

Back to plan A but I forgot the name of the hotel the gal got us the voucher for.  So we decided to go back to Delta which meant one more turn on the AirTrain and find out what hotel we're ssupposed to be in and try to check the luggage -- we've been schlepping all our luggage around this whole time.  After much back and forth, we get the hotel name.  We go to the Delta counter and try to check the bags -- no can do.  So the very nice woman says "Oh, you were on the Kenya flight".  Yes.  She then books us on the 5pm flight to Logan keeping our business class. What??? Why didn't someone do that hours ago -- it was almost 2pm and by the way, we still didn't have a cup of coffee.  PHEW!!  We checked our bags and headed straight to the lounge, where I am now drinking mass quantities of wine........

It's good to think of us sleeping in our own bed tonight.  It has been a long, long trip.

Next time.... Home, Sweet, Home -- I hope!

The Last Day

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Well, it has finally come - our last full day.  After breakfast Geoff and I walked up the street and checked out the local supermarket. He needed a razor so we ventured inside.  The place was huge and could have easily been any market in the states.  

Leaving the market, I spotted a bright yello Kenya soccer shirt that would be perfect for Geoff's bike shirt collection. We didn't have any American dollars so the guy said take the shirt and come back and pay me when you can.  So that's what we did.  It wasn't far from the hotel.

Hung around the pool - took some shots of the local monkeys in the trees, read until it was time for lunch. We ate out by the beach - more local pictures.  Decided to walk off lunch with a stroll on the beach. The sand here is perfectly white, clean, and soft.  Walked a good ways down and we spotted a boat with a lot of action around it.  I assumed it must be fish and lo and behold the local fish market was open.  We went straight up to boat to inspect and say hi.  There was not one other white person there until we showed up and then one by one they started approaching the boat.  Had we not just eaten lunch, we might have bought a couple of fish.  They said they would fillet it and grill it up on the beach.  Oh well -- maybe next time.

Back at the pool, we ran into Susan the manager and asked when we have to check out of our room tomorrow.  Our flight from Mombasa does not leave until 8:45pm.  We still have not received an answer. Hung out at the pool until this family with screaming children infiltrated.  Guess it really is time to go.

Tonight for our last dinner here, there is supposed to be a bbq.  But it is already after 5 and I have not seen any evidence of any bbq.  So not sure - don't really care.  The food is quite good here and it is in fact open to the public.  

Well this looks like it will be my last post until we get back to Fairhaven.  We arrive at Logan around 11am on Sunday after a very, very long schlep.

Next time... Home, Sweet, Home

Chillin"

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Did absolutely nothiing yesterday - didn't even write the blog or take many pictures.  In the morning, we took a walk on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and then it was swimming and lounging all day with a book. Turned into a slug real fast!

This morning Geoff, Paula and I opted for a snorkeling adventure while J went for a run on the beach.  There is a reef not too far off shore.  The local boat boss, Rama, supplies the equipment and a small dhow.  And when I say small, I mean small.  It is not much wider than my hips with for planks for seats and one of the locals poles the boat out like a gondolia. We went to a very shallow part so that it was easy getting in and out of this vessel.  Because we weren't so deep, we only viewed small fish but it was pretty nonetheless.  There were grouper, angel fish, sgt majors, wrasse, a couple of eels that were pretty funny.  Lots of sea urchins. Our guide split one open and chummed the water.  All the fish came running.  We didn't stay out too long. It was a bit cloudy.  As soon as we made it back to shore, the sun came out.

We assumed our positions on the chaises and that was it for the rest of the day.  Late in the afternoon, Paula and J ran into Alex, the coconut man.  Geoff and I ran down to join them. We all got our own coconut to drink out the juice and then Alex cut the meat up inside for us to eat. The juice is great, the meat doesn't have much taste. 

We have one more full day. Geoff and I may venture out and take a walk outside of the beautiful palms and into where the real people are.  Have to do it in the morning it gets way too hot in the afternoon.  But the breeze on the beach is just delightful.

Just a note about the Asha Boutique Hotel.  It is very small - only eight rooms.  Both couples were promised ocean view rooms.  When we arrived there was only one with a view the other by the pool.  We took the pool - we can look at the ocean all the time sans palm trees.  When we were trying to sort this out, the manager said we could switch rooms today if we wished. The last thing we wanted to do was move again.  However, this mattress was terrible -- it was two skinny twins with a big hump in the middle and all you felt were the springs digging into your back.  I mentioned this and asked if the other room had a better mattress we would move -- if not, we might as well stay where we are. When we got back from snorkeling we found a brand new kingsize double foam mattress waiting for us in our room. WOW - that's a first.  It always pays to speak up.  Can't wait to go to sleep tonight.

Next time....A Walk to Town?

Road to Dinai

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We had our last game drive this morning after we checked out and before we got on the road to Dinai. Nobody expected anything much but WOW what a show. First Juma spotted a cheetah.  Watched him for a while then moved on to the leopard in the tree.  A little further on we sat and witnessed the lions eyeing a herd of elephants. We could have stayed at this spot forever. Drove back around to find the leopard had gotten out of the tree and was now on the prowl.  

Finally we left the park and were on the highway. Stopped at a gift shop/restaurant.  I couldn't refuse getting a giraffe to take home.  It will always remind me of this wonderful adventure. After lunch, we continued down the road until Juma turned off and then we were back to bump and dust.  UGH!  Eventually we made it down to Dinai which is a part of Mombasa on the coast.  We are at a boutique hotel and even though our reservations got a bit screwed up, it is lovely here.  Very quite.  Just eight rooms.  First thing we did was get on our suits and hit the pool.  After which, I sat and had a drink with Paula and J beachside.

We made dinner reservations. The restaurant is on the beach and menu looks amazing. In fact, it's time to shower and meet up at the bar.

As expected, dinner was excellent and such a pleasure being served instead of the buffet line.  We plan to do nothing tomorrow but you never know.  No wake-up call or alarms tonight.  Sweet dreams.

Next time... Hanging in Dinai

Tsavo East

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Well, the leopard finally did show up at around 5am to eat his treat.  We never saw it happen - which by the way I am grateful for because I don't think it's right to begin with.  Anyway, yesterday's drive was through Tsavo West. This morning we did a short game drive before breakfast. Watched the sun come up.  Was greeted by the token giraffe of the day. Got a few shows of early morning activity in the wild. After breakfast,we headed to Tsavo East. Made a stop at Mudanda Rock - a very very old formation and a kind of hangout for the big cats.  Tsavo East is known for the legend of the "man-eating lions".  

Next we came upon a big herd of red elephants - also known only in Tsavo East because of the clay soil.  Sat and watched them for a while before moving on. Arrived at the lodge in time for lunch.  This place is a bit nicer than last night.  Although there is no hanging around the pool.  Absolutely no shade and it wasn't very clean. In any event, the hotel is over run with a mess of French Canadians. It is very busy here.

Going out on another game drive in a little while.  More later....

Got back at 6pm. Went through the "Elephat Grid" and yes, we saw more elephants.  Got very close to this big guy and just watched hiim consume his evening meal.  Juma spotted a pride of lions in the distance cooling off in the shade of a tree.  Their buffalo carcus was basking in the sun not too far away from them.

Came back to the lodge and sat and had drinks before dinner.  We have one more small game drive tomorrow morning and then we are headed straight to the beach!  We have been rocking and rolling for so long now, it will sure feel good to sit and just do nothing for a while.  We do hope to get to go on a snorkel trip and see some underwater creatures.  

Next time... Dina Beach

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The Road to Tsavo

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Well it has been quite the day.  We left Ngorogoro early this morning.  Met up with Alex in Arusha and
gave him all our gifts.  We were told it would be a couple of more hours to the border an then maybe an hour and a half to our lodging in Tsavo Kenya.  Took some stupid tourist pics from the car along the way.

Border crossing was a breeze.  Said goodbye to Gila and Juma was there to welcome us.  We ate our box lunch in the car and then we were off.  The roads were paved, until Juma took a left and we were back on the Kenya highway - bump, bump, bump.  We were driving for miles with nothing to see.  The landscape looked dry and desolate.  After a couple of hours, I kept thinking that we had been hijcacked!  Then Juma aske if we wante to do a hippo trail.  Everyone said no except J. so we decided to go and see what this hippo thing was all about.  Turns out the we were at Mzimo Springs  which comes down from the mountain and feeds the water supply all the way to Mombasa.  There was one lonely hippo, but they did have a cool observatory that looked at the fish underwater,  Another cool thing was learning about the yellow acacia tree.  The elephants use the base to scratch their back which is why the bark is all gone.

We were back in the jeep and driving and driving until finally Juma pulls into this hotel which is not the hotel we are supposed to be at.  Well, that didnt' sit well with either me or Paula.  We had been driving for 10 hours only to wind up at the wrong hotel.  There wasn't much to do about it - it was already five in the evening.  Paula and I walked into the reception area in a real huff and then I tapped her on the shoulder and said "Look".  There were elephants right by the hotel at a watering hole. We ordered beers, talked with Alex, got everything settled with Juma and now we are here and have to more again tomorrow.  We were planning on staying two nights in one place.  

Ok so now we are here and we see the elephants and cape buffalo but wait there's more.  The string a slab of beef to entice the leopard to come feast for the tourists.  This is all a bit too bizarre - not to mention I think it is a bit illegal.  However, J found out that this place is owned by the government -- so I guess they can do whatever the hell they want.  It is all pretty strange.  It is now 10pm and the meat is still out there.  The elephants are getting feisty though.

That's it.  I don't have a clue about tomorrow.  I'll let you know if the leopard shows up or not.

Next time....???