Monday, November 23, 2009

I'm Back! (Africa Trip Part 1)

Just got back this morning from my 18 day trip to Kenya and Tanzania (in case you've wondered why I haven't commented on your blog in ages...). I only spent about 3 hrs of that time on the Internet, and it really was a welcome break.

I read 5 books (besides travel guides) on my vacation, including two for the Chunkster Challenge (reviews coming up):

THE MARK by Jen Nadol
A CHANGE IN ALTITUDE by Anita Shreve
NOTES FROM MY TRAVELS by Angelina Jolie
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett

We were visiting good friends in Nairobi, so we spent quite a few days there just hanging out in their house, going to restaurants, attending the Guy Fawkes Day fireworks (sponsored by the British Embassy) and looking at real estate (they intend to move house). Not the typical tourist stuff - though we did do that too, including a trip to the Langata Giraffe Centre and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Baby Elephant Orphanage.

Daniel and a new pal:
Baby elephant:


More soon, including our trips to:

Hell's Gate National Park
Lakes Bogoria and Baringo
Lamu (World Hertiage Site)
Masai Mara National Reserve
Ngorogoro Crater (World Heritage Site)
Arusha National Park

33 comments:

Melanie said...

It sounds like you had an awesome time! Glad to see you back. =)

Nely said...

Amazing! Dying to see more pics. :D

♥Nely

bermudaonion said...

I love to visit a new place and do "non-tourist" stuff - it gives you a better feel for the country. I love the pictures!

Jess said...

Welcome back! Sounds like an amazing trip. That baby elephant is supercute.

Donna Gambale said...

Lovely to have you back! Can't wait to hear more.

brizmus said...

Ohmygod, that baby elephant is ADORABLE! I'm so glad you had fun - Kenya and Tanzania! How awesome!

Tasha said...

What is going on with that baby elephant? It looks like its either in a trance or has spotted something incredibly exciting on the ground. Either way, adorable.

TERI REES WANG said...

How privileged you are to have been graced with the place where all the animals roam.

Thank you for sharing.

caite said...

wow, that sounds like a wonderful trip. I hope you plan to share some more photos!

welcome back!

Staci said...

What a fascinating trip!! I love that baby elephant!!

PJ Hoover said...

OMG that baby elephant is cute!
And C&P is on my list to read. Oy.

Rhiannon Hart said...

Looks like you had a great trip, and glad to have you back! Looking forward to hearing more.

Kathleen said...

Welcome back! Looks and sounds like you had a wonderful trip!

Bookalicious Ramblings said...

Welcome back! :) Looking forward to more pics and your reviews, especially of THE MARK!! :)

Ana S. said...

Welcome back! The baby elephant is so adorable :D I'm looking forward to seeing more pictures!

Jodie said...

Hey you went to the giraffe sanctuary (loved it). Did you see the male giraffe, we could not find him...also aren't the lakes just gorgeous? Will there be more pictures soon please :)

Jenny said...

Look at that baby elephant! His ears are all big and flappy like Dumbo - what a sweetheart. :)

She said...

what an adorable baby elephant : )

Melody said...

Welcome back! Sounds like you all had a wonderful trip! Can't wait to hear more.

Heidi Willis said...

I am so, so jealous! Going to Kenya has been a lifelong dream for me! I'm so glad you had a fantastic time... I can't wait to see more photos.

Alice said...

Good to have you back! That baby elephant is so cute! I want to know more, see more, hear more... :D

Liviania said...

Glad you had fun! I can't wait to hear about all the places ya'll went.

Alessandra said...

The giraffe is cute, but the baby elephant is adorable. He looks like Dumbo.

Thao said...

I'm glad you had a great time there. Baby elephant is so cute!!!!!

Lenore Appelhans said...

Don't worry - I will post more VERY cute baby animal pics!

Sarah Woodard said...

Glad that you had fun. So cute pictures. =)

Ladytink_534 said...

That picture is too neat! I'd love to get that close to a giraffe. Looks like lots of fun!

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to hear more about your amazing sounding trip. The baby elephant is the cutest thing evah!

Test said...

Aww, the baby elephant is so cute!! :)

Beth F said...

Sounds like a fabulous trip and it's wonderful when you have local friends to spend time with.

Bookworm said...

What an adorable elephant! I wish I could've been there--you don't see that kind of cuteness at your everyday zoo!

Zibilee said...

Glad have you back!!

trish said...

That baby elephant is adorable. Baby animals are so freaking cute!