London and Nairobi

Arun and I got into London at around 8pm. Of course our baggage didn't make the two connections to get there. They were stuck somewhere in Budapest... and we were leaving for Nairobi the next day. However, even though I generally NEVER check in- I did this time, but kept about 4 outfits with me in my handcarry. So I was fine. Arun was not. So we made a claim with British Airways, hoped for the best, and went on to dinner!


Our first surprise came at the Dollar Rental Car counter.


"What car are we getting," I asked as we were wrapping up the paperwork.


"It's a nice one.... you'll see," the clerk said... somewhat surreptitiously. "I upgraded you."


"Oh really? Thanks! So... what's the make?"


"You'll see... it's right outside."

When we got outside- I realized why he was being so furtive.

It was a JAG!

Arun had the time of his life driving around London! So then we drove to Southall so Arun could get his fill of Indian food that he so sorely misses in Odessa. We chose a place called Madhu's and they were nearly done seating people when we walked in. Luckily, they seated us anyway (I was ready to plead our case if they hadn't! We had flown in JUST for this!!) And the food was GOOD!

So all went well that night!


The next morning was a different story. After getting lost getting to the airport, waiting, what felt like, a zillion minutes at the rental car desk- we FINALLY got to Heathrow. Let me tell you- that airport is a zoo. Especially on a Friday. Long story short- we wound up having to get two Virgin Atlantic tickets (BA- no more business with YOU!) to get down to Nairobi (and still no luggage in hand.)

And let me tell you- our trip was AMAZING!

We landed in Nairobi and immediately shed all our excess layers! Ah! Beautiful weather, at last!

We found our driver, who drove us to the Hilton, and he was such a good guide along the way, we wound up hiring him for the day. Maxwell was AWESOME! So hospitable, so informative, and genuinely looked to make sure we enjoyed ourselves in Kenya.

First up- The Elephant Orphanage.

They take in injured or orphaned elephants (mostly babies) and rehabilitate them until they are ready to go back into the wild.

Next- we went to the Karen Blixen Museum. For any of you who has seen the movie Out of Africa (or read the book!) it would strike a chord. It was definitely pretty neat to learn about the old Colonial history of the country. Most people may not realize the Germans pre-dated the British in this country! And of course, the large population of Dutch settlers who participated in the agrarian sector (coffee plantations and such!)

Anyway- quite an enjoyable visit-the guide there was hilarious!
And we enjoyed watching the wedding that was occuring on the property as much as we enjoyed the museum itself.

The next stop was our FAVORITE of Nairobi. The Giraffe Center. Mainly because you can get so up-close and personal with these gentle and graceful animals. We learned about all the different types of giraffes. These are the Rothschild Giraffes. The highlight? Kissing them! Of course, Arun chickened-out at the last minute so I had to be up first! But then Arun *had* to do it too! He didn't have the grimace I had!!

Up next- a cultural dance performance. It was absolutely beautiful. Such great beats! I wanted to jump up on stage with them!
Then we headed to check out the local Masai Market where we sharpened our haggling skills!

We rushed over to the crocodile farm and ran through the Nairobi National Museum just before it closed. The museum was a great reminder that Kenya is just so-much-more than animals. We saw some amazing anthropology exhibits that discussed the history of some of the oldest human fossils and footprints that were found in the region.

The end of the night was the part Arun had been looking forward to (he kept saying- after this, my trip to Africa is done! Although he took back those words as the trip progressed and he got increasingly wow'd at every stop!) Anyway- it was our stop at Carnivore Restaurant! All-you-can-eat-till-you-drop meat! Including some rare items like crocodile and ostrich meat. At the end of the night- you're supposed to drop your white flag of surrender- THAT he DID!