FUN-video: Amazing Africa – Movie Trailer

August 27, 2019 by · Comments Off on FUN-video: Amazing Africa – Movie Trailer 

 

FUN-Travel: Amazing Africa – Trip Recap

August 6, 2019 by · Comments Off on FUN-Travel: Amazing Africa – Trip Recap 

Our international bucket runneth over! After India we said, “No more 3rd world countries.” Then arrive… only to realize… Africa is a 3rd world country… What was I thinking?

  • While safaris vary greatly in pricing…from basic to luxurious…

…they are not 3rd world…it’s the getting to and from that is.

Travel “Needs to Know”…that your travel agent should tell you…but ours didn’t!

  1. Check Departure Times…we booked months ahead…flight #s stayed the same…but times had changed drastically!
  2. Clean Newer Bills…the crispier the better…for Customs & Immigration…even better yet…get Visas on line…TZ costs $100 pp…KE costs $50 pp
  3. Yellow Fever Yellow Card…Kenya only…medical record proof doesn’t cut it…and they charged $50 pp.
  4. Passport Stamped…make sure upon arrival…they don’t give you a receipt…much confusion entering Kenya…mine stamped not Chris…nice ladies at Nairobi Intl let it slide.
  5. Bush planes – 15kg total weight including hand luggage allowed …means you pack ever so lightly…it is not a fashion show! Laundry service was included at Entim Mara…makes traveling much easier…you don’t have to check anything…and risk getting it stolen…if you want to bring more…than book another seat and get 30kgs…and lock everything not in your sight! Told Nairobi Wilson is strictest airport for departing…TZ only weighed checked bag…not hand carry…ours were only 9 kg each. Bought it bags from Amazon…only weigh 3.8 lbs!

  1. Guides Sense of Time…one said the airport was 45 minutes when it was 20…other said an hour and a half…when it took almost 2…only need to be there 15 minutes prior.
  2. Balloon Rides…cost $600 pp in TZ and $450 pp in Kenya. That’s just plain insane! Only saw one sunrise as heavy overcast skies & then rain in Kenya…which totally validated our decision.

FUN-fact – In Arusha, TZ they have the Clock Tower which is halfway between Cairo & Cape Town.

FUN-Travel: The 12 Days of Safari

August 5, 2019 by · Comments Off on FUN-Travel: The 12 Days of Safari 

(sung to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas)

  • On the first day of Safari

the Mara gave to me…

…1000’s of Wildebeests Crossing…

…12 Giraffes in Grand Stance…

…11 Elephants a Foraging…

…10 Buffalos a Bounding…

…9 Hippos a Howling…

…8 Impalas a Prancing…

…7 Simbas a Stalking…

…6 Pumbaas a Prowling…

…5 Timons Truckin’…

…4 Cheetahs Chillin’…

…3 Leopards Leering…

…2 Kingfishers Flapping….

…and Reggie the black Rhino!

FUN-Travel: Out of Africa

August 4, 2019 by · Comments Off on FUN-Travel: Out of Africa 

Depart camp 10:15 am for airstrip…11:15 delayed…depart 11:45…arrive Wilson 1 pm.

  • 11:35 pm flight…

…and no desire…

…to be in…

…or see Nairobi!

  • Good travel karma once again…

…couple at camp from South Africa…

…tell us “Go to Hemingway’s Hotel and hangout…

…it’s not in the city”…

…AHH civilization!

  • British Colonial plantation-style…

…lunch on lovely outdoor patio…

…overlooking lush tiered manicured gardens…

…with massive fountain centerpiece.

  • Depart 7 pm for airport…

…arrive 8 pm…

…to nice surprise…

…British Airways has lounge privileges…

…with Turkish Air!

FUN-fact – The main veranda at Entim Mara overlooks the Mara River where the wildebeest cross.

Not so FF – They had crossed before we got here…the photo shows what we would have seen.

Oh well…

…we just have no control over nature.

FUN-Travel: Masai Mara, Kenya – Safari – Day 3

July 31, 2019 by · Comments Off on FUN-Travel: Masai Mara, Kenya – Safari – Day 3 

Game Drive 6:15 – Our guide Nickson receives call at 6:30…

…rhinos have been spotted and we tear out…

…barreling down the bush on the Safari Superhighway…

…arriving at 7 to relish the sight of Reggie…

…mama & baby retreated to thick bush…

…but he stands tall and regal…right out on the open plain!

  • Then more good fortune…2 mama lions with 3 cubs…

…spotted sleeping and nursing in grassy bush…

…then for the grand finale and pièce de résistance

…Simba is spotted sleeping on savanna mound…

…who wakens and sits up…

…then ever so slowly saunters off.

Experience our first bush breakfast…then head back to camp.

  • Opted to not take afternoon game drive…

…I wanted another massage…which was brilliant…

…as nice steady rain started dropping…along with distant thunder and lightning…

…and continued throughout the night.

FUN-fact – Had Goldilocks weather in the Masai Mara…not too hot and not too cold…just right. 🙂

Not so FF – There are only 40 black rhinos in this area.

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