Thursday 18 December 2008

Lake Nakuru and Fishermans Camp

Weds 17th Dec:

Wow what an early start, woke up at 5.30am to find more hippos not far from our tents.. an amazing sight again.  Packed up the truck and headed off for Lake Nakuru, a 2 hour drive from Navaisha.  It was a cold morning and we all got a little wind swept as the sides of the truck were up and had a nourishing breakfast on biscuits en route.

Parked up in Nakuru town to organise the 4x4's and got totally mobbed by locals trying to peddle their wares.  We bought a few safari hats for the kids for a pound each.. bargain and they look fab.


We jumped in 2 4x4's and went into the Lake Nakuru National Park.  We did a game drive for several hours and saw an abundance of animals including white and black rhino, impala, giraffe, waterbuck, buffalo, wart hog, flamingo, pelican, baboon and probably some others along the way.  It was a fantastic park, but unfortunately we couldn't find any leopard... maybe in the Mara or Serengeti, fingers crossed!  We lunched at the lodge on the Park Gate and had a few cheeky monkeys surround us and stole 2 mangos from Greg's rucksack... hilarious!  We left the Park around 6.30pm and travelled back to Navaisha in the dark.  The roads were pretty hairy, but the adults didn't even give this a second thought as they downed 2 bottles of red... with no glassess, necking it from the bottles.... it reminded me of an African 18-30's party!  Got back to the camp quite late and Rob rustled up a very tasty supper of chicken, potatoes and veg...yum! The adults drank yet more wine surprisingly and all had quite an early night.
Thurs 18th Dec:
After yesterday's exhausting but exhilirating game drives and travelling, we decided to stay at Fishermans Camp for the day to chill out.  A large party of African children arrived at the camp... 98 girls from a rehabilitation centre in Nairobi for children from the slums.  We went to speak to their camp leaders and offered to give them some football kit.  The girls were delighted and all put on their Mytchett away kits and Stalbridge School.....their smiles were amazing.  Our party went over to their camp and the girls sang some beautiful songs about Friends & Flowers.  I (Paula) for one was in floods of tears, it was very humbling and emotional.  I think there were tears all round!

We had a footy match, the 98 of them against the 15 of us and they won 8:4.  It was unbelieveable as they had absolutely no fear, bearing in mind that most of them had no footware and were running around on the stones, acacia spikes and rocks.  Personally I have to say that this day has been the highlight of my trip so far, very emotional and humbling.  In the afternoon, after another footy match, they girls showed me how to shake my booty African style and we taught them lots of English songs.  Amy was fantastic and played her guitar whilst everyone had a good old sing song.

Edward and I went back over to the kids camp later in the day with Footy Match Attack cards and other little gifts.  We got mobbed as the girls couldn't containt heir excitement!

At 5pm we all went on the Lake in a boat to see the hippos swimming by the shore.  The boat captain threw fish into the lake and the Fish Eagles (who are clearly well trained) swooped down to get them giving a great photo opportunity for Rob!   We had a quick beer/g&t at the bar before having a fab supper of bbq chicken, mash, carrots and brocolli... Rob, you are a star chef.... you'd give Gordon a run for his money!  More wine of course and then early night in anticipation of tomorrow's long journey to the Masai Mara. 

By Paula

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

We've booked at table at the Royal Oak for when you return. We want to see you shake your booty African style.