Kazuri Beads of Kenya

A learning and discovery stop - which I later find out means "Shopping"  This was really cool.  The Kazuri beads are hand made and uniquely shaped from a special clay then fired in an oven.  They are then painted and fired again.  Finally they are decorated.  Each bead is unique.



Patricia and I really enjoyed the shopping.  These colorful beads became gifts upon the return to the States.

Bomas of Kenya: Folk Dance Show

Dancers in traditional regalia perform at the Boma's show.  The dancers below use traditional musical  instruments.  Did you know the first guitar was developed in Africa and brought to the US by the slaves. 

One of the fun parts of this visit was watching the children - school groups would visit and the children danced and laughed!
 

Bomas -replicas of Huts from north Kenya Regions

Darrell stands by the first wife's hut.

Boma means homestead.  The park has replica of 11 villages of the different tribes.  Note the different building styles and building materials.

Most of the tribes of the pastoralists are polygamists.  Being the first wife brings many advantages in the running of the village.

Bomas of Kenya -cultural performance

The Bomas of Kenya is a cultural park in the Karen area of Nairobi.  We attended a performance of the native dances of Kenya - above is the Masai.  The resident dance company is the Harambee Dancers.

Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage

Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi Kenya.

A must do in Nairobi!  Around 20 orphaned baby elephants are being raised at Sheldrick.  The elephants come running into the paddock to get their bottles while their handlers describe the reasons they are orphaned.  The workers actually stay with their assigned baby 24-7 sleeping in the same stable.

Sent from my iPhone

Sheldrick Elephant Orphange, Nairobi

The first baby elephant to arrive was this little guy with his blanket.  The handlers would discuss how the age of the baby elephants and where and how they became orphaned.  Some of the baby elephants are injured.  But most can be released back into the wild - usually to Tsavo National Park.



Visitors are allowed to visit one time per day - there is always a large crowd.  The children really get excited to see the babies.

Sheldrick Elephant Orphange - Warthogs and all!

Cute Cute!!  Just adorable - baby elephants being fed by bottles at the Daphne and David Sheldrick Orphanage.  The workers are assigned to care for certain baby elephants - and take over the role of parents. 
Sheldrick was formerly the warden for the Tsavo National Park where he began his lifelong study of behaviors of elephants.  The orphanage is located on the edge of the Nairobi National Park with long views toward the savannah.





First glimpse of "Pumba" the warthog - several warthogs just wandering around.

Nairobi International Airport fire

We landed at NBO Kenyatta International Airport from Amsterdam around 9 pm.  The next day we hear from other tourist that the airport had burned during the night.

Initial reports of terrorist activities caused a fire at the International Airport.  We later find out that the fire was possibly a disgruntled shop owner or even a fire in a restaurant. 

However - the International airport is closed for 4 days.  Were we ever glad that we came in early.  Several of the tourist on our trip to the Masai Mara could not arrive so they missed the first part of our Africa Tour.

Tents were set up for airport departure lounges and the Domestic terminal was converted into international terminal.  We were impressed that the government actually got the airport up and running as quickly as they did.

Nairobi, Kenya. -City Tour

Sub Saharan Africa - our first visit to this legendary land. We arrived from Amsterdam - traveling with our friends - Steve and Patricia Champ (from Atlanta and Seaside, FL).  Countless hours of research to determine our travel schedule.

Our home in Nairobi is the Intercontinental Hotel.

First glimpse of the Central Business District of Nairobi is from Uhuru Park - a green belt that boarders the city.  This park is also used for large gatherings and special events.



Uhuru Gardens - another park - located just outside the Central Business District is home to the Independence Monument  which was built in 1983 to celebrate independence from Britain.

Amsterdam -an evening stroll

Van Gogh -masterpieces

Van Gogh -the Yellow House in Arles

Van Gogh - Early work - At the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

Concertgebouw - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Africa 2013 Tour Schedule

The Packing is almost done!  Last minute stuff at home - but we fly out of Memphis on Sunday!  Looking forward to seeing the wonders of Africa!!  Elaine

2013 Africa Tour Dates

1.       August 4              Memphis, TN  to Detroit, MI; Detroit, USA to Amsterdam, Netherlands

2.       August 5              Amsterdam, Netherlands

3.       August 6              Amsterdam, Netherlands to Nairobi, Kenya

4.       August 7              Nairobi, Kenya

5.       August 8              Nairobi, Kenya

6.       August 9              Nairobi to Masai Mara, Kenya

7.       August 10            Masai Mara, Kenya

8.       August 11            Masai Mara, Kenya

9.       August 12            Masai Mara to Nairobi, Kenya

10.   August 13            Nairobi to Lake Naivasha, Kenya

11.   August 14            Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru, Kenya

12.   August 15            Lake Naivasha  to Amboseli, Kenya

13.   August 16            Amboseli, Kenya

14.   August 17            Amboseli, Kenya to Arusha,, Tanzania to Lake Burunge, Tarangire NP

15.   August 18            Lake Burunge, Tarangire NP Tanzania

16.   August 19            Tarangire NP to Lake Manyara NP, Tanzania

17.   August 20            Lake Manyara, Tanzania

18.   August 21            Lake Manyara to Lake Masek – Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

19.   August 22            Lake Masek – Ngorongoro and Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania

20.   August 23            Lake Masek to Serengeti NP, Tanzania

21.   August 24            Serengeti NP, Tanzania

22.   August 25            Serengeti NP, Tanzania

23.   August 26            Serengeti NP, Tanzania

24.   August 27            Serengeti NP to Arusha, Tanzania; to Nairobi, Kenya

25.   August 28            Nairobi, Kenya to Johannesburg, South Africa

26.   August 29            Johannesburg, South Africa

27.   August 30            Johannesburg, South Africa to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

28.   August 31            Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

29.   September 1      Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Kasane, Botswana

30.   September 2      Kasane, Botswana – Chobe NP

31.   September 3      Kasane, Botswana to Livingstone, Zambia

32.   September 4      Livingstone, Zambia

33.   September 5      Livingstone, Zambia to Cape Town, South Africa

34.   September 6      Cape Town, South Africa

35.   September 7      Cape Town, South Africa

36.   September 8      Cape Town, South Africa

37.   September 9      Cape Town, South Africa

38.   September 10   Cape Town, South Africa

39.   September 11   Cape Town, South Africa to Johannesburg, South Africa; fly to Atlanta, GA, USA

40.   September 12   Atlanta, GA USA to Memphis, TN               Home