Oct 20, 2010
Wed

I said my goodbyes to Pascal and the rest of the staff. Had a box lunch made for the trip and was off on the first of many airports for my return to the US.

What a fantastic experience these 3 weeks have been. Every emotion from tears, fears, excitement, elation, joy to extreme happiness.

I leave full and hope to return some day…..

the kill

Oct 19, 2010
Tuesday

My National Geographic Day That I Had Been Waiting For!!!


I was woken up by John with my morning,’ hello,” a tray of coffee and biscuits. Joined the others guests for breakfast. Then Chris, his fiancée Rebecca, who are from Van Coover, Canada, and me were off for our game drive.


They are planning to get married in Zanzibar on the beach in 4 days. Her wedding dress is in a zip lock bag from The Banana Republic and they told their parents, sorry they can not join them!


We drove around for a while then stopped for 2 hours just watching the wildebeests at the edge of the Mara River. They would walk to the right in a pack of 2000 then join another herd of 1000 and a few would get so close to the water. We just knew it was any second one would jump and start the migration…but no, they would turn and walk away. It was a waiting game. Several other jeeps sat and hid in the brush as well. Emanuel served coffee and tea at the 21/2 hour mark. We drove about ½ mile around to the other side as the wildebeest had changed their position. We began to share pictures and Chris was showing me his video of their trip to Thailand when all of a sudden Emanuel hears on the radio they have started crossing and we are on the wrong side. He floors it!!! The race is on. We see dust clouds in the distance and we know for sure this is IT!!!! All the jeeps are now racing across the bush at 40-50mph. It is thrilling to say the least. As we get to a small off shoot of the river crossing we see one jeep get stuck in the sand. The people jump out and start running. Another jeep that made it across stop to let them in. Our driver Emanuel is amazing and gets up over as if we had wings. We definitely caught air flying over this challenging rock filled stream. What a great commercial for Toyota land cruisers!


We made it. It is safe to get out and we are in awe. Our fingers barely leaving the shutter release, the videos are being shot and just watching thousands of wildebeests and zebras hurl themselves into the river was just a moment in time I will never forget. The animals running and diving in the river not caring who they crush. One wildebeest was eaten by a crocodile in a nano second but it appeared all the rest made it across. We all stood there for 20 minutes or more. It was extraordinary. This is what I wanted to see on this trip and I am so grateful I had the chance. It is luck for sure!


As we all returned to our jeeps the excitement was yet not over. The jeep that was stuck in the sand back in the stream was an event in itself. To watch 2 other jeeps pull it out was great. These drivers are amazing. The terrain is rocky, wet, we had gotten a flat tire one day and to see their skill with these vehicles is quite impressive.


We went back for lunch and then for the afternoon game drive.


Dinner was yet another gourmet feast and we learned the couple from South Africa were on their honeymoon. They were in their 40’s and it was the second for both. They had done their first Iron Man this past April. Very impressive. They has gone to 5 of the world cup games and told of their experience.


It was a fun last night in the bush for me.

A Relaxing Day In Samburu

Oct. 15, 2010
Friday

I heard noise and thought it was an animal outside tapping on the metal fireplace until I got up to have my coffee. Some- thing came in and decided they wanted the milk for my coffee and tried to consume it. It was all over the tray and floor. Pretty funny. It must of sneaked trough the small opening of the canvas ties.


Slept until 8:00 and got ready for a guided walking safari. An armed park ranger accompanied us as we trekked the conservancy. We could not go to the watering hole as the elephants were there. It’s ok to be next to them in a jeep but not on foot. They see the jeep but not the people inside the jeep but on foot they see the people and it’s just too dangerous. We saw many baboons and birds, some elephants from afar and beautiful scenery. Then we returned to the lodge for an amazing breakfast.


Chilled for a bit then we were off for a game drive. Saw herds of elephants. I must have 300 photos of them. Sam timed it so that we witnessed a river crossing. How does her know when to get us to the river? Great shots. There were several babies that were so adorable. We saw ostrich families, a crocodile, gazelles, impalas, waterbuck, dik dik’s, giraffe’s, starlings, the list goes on and on…


We stopped along the river under some large tress where Sam and Jeffrey set up lunch. They spread a table cloth and small folding chairs. They began opening up containers with a pasta dish containing cut up cheese and tomato, a lightly fried chicken, roasted vegetables, tiny whole bananas, wine, beer soft drinks, desert, coffee and tea. It was perfect and delicious!


Back at the lodge I went down to the pool for a swim and just read for a short time until the sun went down.

Oct 18,2010
Monday


Slept great and for the first time on this trip I was not in a sweat as the air was cool!!!! No bugs either!!!! Ahhhhhhhh…..Even at the amazing Samburu Saruni Lodge it was extremely hot during the night and the insects were there, net or no net I was under the covers as I did not want any one marching on me while in REM…..or any other stage for that matter!


Coffee arrived at 6:45 am and I got ready to join my new group. Breakfast prepared by John at a open grill waiting to take my order for the style of eggs and a large buffet table with several types of dry cereals, fruit, bacon, sausage, etc…


We hopped into the jeep with our guide, Emanuel, and we had a great morning viewing a lion family of 9, elephants crossing the river, crocodiles, and dead wildebeests being eaten by vultures that did not make it across during their migration. The smell was awful but we watched for what felt like an hour.


All of a sudden Emanuel says fasten your seat belts and he hits the gas. We go flying across the bush. He has heard on his radio of a possible crossing. We get all excited the race is on!! This proves to be a false alarm…


The analogy I can give to the feeling of being here is…standing in an IMAX theater and turning 360 but it’s real. I just want to drink it in. The sky is huge.. From one end to the other. Day or night it is the biggest sky you can imagine.

Saruni Samburu Safari Lodge

Oct. 13, 2010
Wed.

Left Amboseli Porini Camp and boarded a 1995, 12 seat, Caravan Cessna. The co- pilot seat was empty and I asked to sit there, “ no problem” the pilot said.

I was greeted by Samburu tribe members in traditional dress. They are still semi nomadic and similar to the Masai warriors as they are strongly connected to their traditions and culture.

We drove two hours to Saruni Lodge with 2 elderly couples from Belgium.

We arrived and I was brought to my villa!! It is a 5 star deluxe grand home. It is over the top in every way. Two large separate bedrooms with 2 outside showers, living room dining room combo, all room open to the outside with decks. Furnished elegantly with wrought iron, wood, hand woven carpets, leather studded tables etc…The Power in the camp is generated by solar panels. There is a swimming pool and Spa, one complimentary massage per room. In the evenings the rooms are prepared and the screens are pulled down to enclose all the rooms. Large mosquito nets hang over the king size bed.

The vistas are breathtaking. We are perched on top of a mountain with all round views of Northern Kenya.

The land is owned by the Kalama Wildlife Conservancy in 240,000 acres and is 3 miles from the Samburu National Reserve, an elephant sanctuary.

After a wonderful lunch with delicious African red wine we were off for our first game drive…it was THE most amazing day… There we were in the middle of the reserve our guide, Sam, points to 3 female lions resting under a flat top Acacia tree. We sat and observed them for sometime. Sam reads their body language and says they are getting ready for a kill. What an experience!! This was survival at its best. As we watched and positioned the opened sided jeep the suspense was incredible. As the 3 females positioned themselves around a family of warthogs, timed it just so and then went in for the kill… It was extraordinary. We had front row seats as I barely took my finger off the shutter release of my camera. Just as the 3 females were enjoying their conquest, a male lion runs in a steals the dying warthog.

On safari people talk about the big 5, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. I am just shy of the leopard. Heard it just have not seen it. “No worries,” as the Brits say. I have one more week.

The Samburu 5 are zebra, giraffe, gerenuk, Oryx, and the ostrich……check!

It is now Thursday. Went for a hike this morning. Relaxed…. it is now just about time for my massage…bye for now…..

A FEW PICTURES

Amboseli Porini Camp

Driver picked me up at 6:00 am after coffee, fresh fruit, omelet and toast. The co pilot seat was empty so of course I asked if I could sit there. It was Bill, the pilot, and I up front!!! Too cool.

I was greeted at the air strip by 2 Masai, Wilson and Miletta, and a couple from Singapore, Pearly and Soon, also guests staying at the camp. We had tea and cookies right there. We were off for our first game drive. I saw herds of elephants, dazzles of zebras, buffalo, silver back jackals, thompson's, storks, jakanas, iris, herons, gazelles, secretary birds, dust devil ( tornado's ) giraffes, wildebeest's...... an array of animals that I was glad I brought my book and that our guide was so informative.

We made it to camp at 4:00 freshened up at headed to a Masai village. Unbelievable!!!!! Dancing, singing, introductions and the pictures I took will dazzle all. Truly spectacular! What an experience.

We then drove out and parked the jeep. A table was set wine, beer and other drinks were set out with snacks as we watched the sun set. We were now 2 couples from the UK one from Singapore and me.

Back at camp we sat around a fire as we all mingled and another family arrived. They were from Norway. Ready for dinner. It was fabulous and the wine was flowing.

A wonderful day in the Amboseli National Park.....

will post pics tomorrow, must sleep

Hello Nairobi!!!

Oct.10, 2010
Sunday

Flew to Nairobi and said our goodbyes to our Philippine friends as Mary Lee and I left to spend the day touring.


Kenney met us as planned prior to my US departure. Our first stop was The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. It is a very unique place as it hand rears orphaned elephants due mainly to poachers killing for ivory. It then slowly returns them to the wild. We watched the orphans as they paraded and played as the guides told each one of their histories.


We drove by Karen Blixen’s home, you know, “Out Of Africa,” story. Where the film was shot.

Kennedy set us up with a guide at the


Then went to the restaurant, Carnivore’s. It is a place all people visiting Nairobi go. They do not serve meat on the endangered species list, although they would like to, but do have an assortment of meats. Waiters come around dressed in a zebra patterned uniform and as long as the number on a toothpick is vertical they continue to serve you. I went vegetarian…Mary went nuts! Crocodile, ostrich, turkey, chicken, sausage, beef, lamb….. Yes, I tasted the ostrich, tasted like chicken. How come all exotic weird foods end up tasting like chicken? We also had 2 margaritas each, nice!


We then were off to Kazuri, a hand made ceramic bead factory where they teach and then employ single mothers who need a steady job. We had missed the rush so we had a private tour and were alone in the shop to browse and purchase.


Our last stop was the Giraffe Center. Founded in 1979 to educate people about the endangerment of the Rothschild giraffe. We fed these beautiful animals as we walked up steps and stood at the eye level with them. Photo op…on the premises there is a hotel, ( manor like) looks like a beautiful nice place to stay.


Kennedy then drove us to the Macushla House where I was staying one night. It was exactly what I wanted! Off the beaten path, gorgeous, quiet and fabulous!!! We are greeted at the gate, Kennedy drops us off, we walk in through lush gardens then into the main area where are greeted by more staff. Out to the pool and asked if we would like tea or any other beverage. This was my kind of Africa!!! Just magnificent as we walked up ramps, (the owner is in a wheelchair) to a beautiful area over looking picturesque vistas sipping tea!!! I had to pinch myself…..

Kakamega Memories

Mission Finale

My day begins with the task of going into town and retrieving a package sent over night from Nairobi. A blade for the dermatome. An instrument used for burn grafts. It had not arrived as of yet. The G4S courier said around 12:00.

Headed back to the hospital and went to Ward 10 to apply warm air to the 14 yr olds graft to facilitate drying and aid in the healing process.

Well that began an emotional phase that was quite intense. I seemed to have held it together until I saw the 18 yr old cleft lip repair as I was leaving. She was so happy and I just lost it as we have changed her life so drastically for the better and then I see these little fellas with their lips and pallets healed and some others have already been discharged and I am elated.

I look at the burns we repaired and crumble. They are so disfigured. Their lives will be challenging in a way it is hard to comprehend. Did we really do the right thing? Yes, no question about it. Yet I am torn as I anticipate their lives will be so so sad. Their follow up care will be non existant they will be shunned from society...It is heart breaking and I cry for them.

This is a hard last day for me.......

I regroup and we start to debride and graft a 9 month old burn baby. Her Mom is 18 yrs old and seems to be very sad and concerned. It was a challenging case to say the least. From beginning to end but all went well and we were out of the OR by 10:30pm.

Wilie had our dinner waiting for us in the lounge and my laundry was folded as well. She is a wonderful woman I am grateful to have met. The team joked, reminisced about our experience and how well we all got along. I said my good byes to Geoff as I will not see him again.

All of us will be flying on the same plane to Nairobi at 9:15 tomorrow morning, except for Geoff.

As my adventure continues........looking forward to the next part!

Willie and the Chicken

Our Day Off - Kakamega Rain Forest & more!

Oct 8, Friday

We left the OR at 2:00 AM!!!!!! So so very tired. Our last patient was a 14 yr old girl with severe facial burns who needed quite a bit of reconstruction and grafting.

Due to the fact that our 9 month old burned pt. did not have lab work we had today off. I slept under my net until 12:30!! I must be beginning to feel a bit more comfortable because the bedding actually looked like someone slept in it.

I put on my flip flops, trying not to look around in the shower for any crawling things and freshened up.

The ambulance was waiting for us...our means of transportation, and we were off to the Kakamega Rain Forest. If you have any interest their web is...rondoretreat.com

It was a ride that was filled with adventure as well as the day. The roads are red packed dirt with huge bumps and holes that a 30 min rides takes an hour and a half. The drivers a so accustomed to the roads that they ride in a zig zag and off road. It is nuts. We hit a major storm on the way and a couple of us had to move our seat as the ambulance leaks. Mind you, this vehicle has a 7 inch wooden bench on one side and a cushioned bench style seat on the other and behind the driver 2 can sit. I was on the 7" wood holding onto a metal bar from the ceiling. The windows are covered with pealing gray paint so viewing is limited unless the sliding windows are open. I was just into the whole experience of it, there I was in the middle of absolutely nowhere, in a beat up ambulance, in a torrential down pour, in probably one of the poorest places in the world, with 5 others and loving every second of it.

Our guild, Wycliffe, was great. He took us on a wonderful hike through the forest and up a huge mountain. Glad I did so much riding this summer, it came in handy. He pointed out 4 varieties of monkeys, several plant species, trees, birds etc.

Back at Bishop Stam guest house for dinner- 9:30. We had a bit of a problem with the return from the forest but it finally worked out. Willi was there waiting with her amazing smile and served us.

After dinner I went in the kitchen and helped up clean up as the others went to their rooms. Well, Willie had a treat for me. After we put everything away, she said come in the back I have to take the feathers off the chickens and prepare them before I go to my room. ( huh?) Don't ask!!! This was just too much ...So, we go in the back of the building and there were these freshly killed chickens being defeathered. Then Willie places them on open coals and constantly flips them ( quick roast?) We go into the kitchen where she proceeds to gut them. Yep!! Takes the intestines,gizzards and other insides- out. Takes the 2 chickens and lays them in a freezer. I ask her if she wants to put them in bags. "No they will be fine, " Willie says.

What a day!!!! A real African adventure.........................