Wednesday, October 28th, 2009: Camp Patterson and return to Nairobi

Hippo across the river from our camp.  He was so still it was like watching a statue!

Had an ok sleep, but the animals are pretty noisy.  But it was nice.  Maasi warrior woke us up at 6am, and we got ready for our walk.  We saw the family of hippos in the water.  The maasi through rocks at them to get them to come out from under the water (no he didn't hit them).  At one point though we thought they were going to chase us and we ran up the banks of the river LOL.  Scared me but they didn't come to our side.  We saw the elephant and hippo scat (poop) and they had come into the camp area for sure.  Hard to believe.

Had breakfast, fruit, toast and jam, eggs with bacon and coffee. This meal is also included in the price.  

Took lots of pictures and videos.  Monkeys had come to our verandas while we were hippo watching, because we had sugar and milk on the tables from our morning coffees.

Finally saw the crocs.  Bought a few souvenirs at the store at the camp.  Packed up and out by 11:30pm  Sang O Canada for the staff just before leaving.

Stopped at a few places on the way up to Nairobi.  Had a box lunch at a roadside store and picnic area.  Box lunch was also from Camp Patterson.  Chicken sandwich, boiled egg, passion fruit, shortbread cookies and a juice box.  Pretty cute and such a good deal.

Continued driving and got some good video of how they drive in Kenya.  Don't think I will complain about Doug's driving ever again.  They really don't care about the line, whether it is yellow, solid or not solid, they just pass when they think they can!  Some times over speed bumps.  Of course the big trucks can't go over 80 km/h so often the vehicles are not going super fast, but still scary sometimes!

Got to the hotel, Connections, same one we used before, at around 6pm. We decided to get ready, hot shower now that I figured out how to use it, and go for dinner downstairs.  Had chicken curry with rice and Kachumbi (the salsa).  It was really good, and I even ordered extra of the salsa.

Headed up to room by 10pm, so tired.  Rest of the gang stayed to dance a bit at the disco.

Unfortunately woke up around 1am and stomach a bit rumbly.  Might have been the curry?  Beds are hard as rocks here and the disco noise is almost unbareable!

Tuesday, October 27th,2009: Safari and Camp Patterson

The tents we stayed in.  Nets above that the staff bring down for you 

while you are having dinner.

Up at 4 am but the power went out, had to finish packing up in the dark.  Raining really bad.  Julius and Livingstone came to say goodbye even at about 5am.  We loaded them up with all our leftovers, pop, chips, cookies, even the pizza and pasta from the night before.

Headed out to the safari.  Quick stop at the souvenir place, I picked up some braided bracelet for 250 ksh each, bought 7, and 2 cow bone bracelets f0r 300 ksh.  Roughly that is $3.40 and $4.10.  Still raining so we had a coffee and waited it out a bit.

Entered park and bought a safari hat for $10.  Put the roof up and away we went.  Rain has died down now. Saw elephants, giraffes, lions eating, lots of birds, monkeys, zebras, Impalas, african buffalo, hartbeasts and baboons.  Was pretty incredible.

Had lunch at the Vio hotel, $18 for buffet but very nice.  Over looks the park and it has a watering hole to attract animals.  Rained so hard we had to move tables because we were getting wet in the restaurant (no windows, only a roof)  Around 3 we were able to leave to go to our camp, but Hillie really wanted to see more of the park.  We saw 2 male lions who had just eaten.  They must have been only 100m away!  So awesome.  Saw more elephants, but this time a baby one. And girafees even closer this time.  Saw lots of dick dicks, they are really cute and they travel in couples.  Monkeys were right at the end of the park.

Went down the highway to get to the Patterson camp.  Amazing tented campground just like 1898.  When Col. Patterson trapped and shot 2 lions who had been killing the railway workers.  The tents are the larger almost army style with beautiful cots and nettings.  Flushing toilet, shower and running water (gravity) inside the tent.  If you want a hot shower though, the guys will bring a bucket of hot water and climb up the back and pour it into the shower water supply barrel!  Maasi warriors must escort you especially at night.  You can hear the hippos splash into the river at dark.  We had a 4 course dinner in the diningroom.  Soup, salad, entree and dessert with coffee or tea.  All this is included in the $80 USD we paid per person for the night.  Had a glass of red wine with dinner.

Went back to the tent and in bed by 9:30pm.  Generator runs the power from about 6:30-10:00pm and a bit in th morning.  Once it is day light they don't.

Oh and we ordered a wake up call,  Maasi Warrior will knock on the tent at 6am so we can go for an escorted walk to see the hippos in the morning!