walk the earth

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Under African Skies


Vast and Beautiful is Africa. Not a whole lot of time, but I was able to get some photos online for your enjoyment. I've enjoyed being behind the camera as much this week as ever in my life. Got to Nairobi, Kenya on 1/11/06. Spent the night in Nairobi Backpackers which was excellent, and met a really great group. We checked out Nairobi a bit, but really just looked to book a budget safari for the four days we had to wait for Andrew to arrive. We ended up booking through another hostel, and BUDGET it was. We saw incredible game, as show below... but had some truly laughable accomodation. luckly, we had a cool guy from Conn, Kirt; along for the safari with us. He's a real adventurer, having just summited Mt. Mckinley last year, amazing. Great company for sure. So, it was 4 days, first one at lake Nukuru, days 2 thru 4 at Masi Mara game park. both are very well know in Kenya, and was an awesome first safari!


White Rhinos at Lake Nakuru








mother and baby.

The King.


ROOOAR! ok, it's a yawn.

Baboon!


The morning drive into Masi Mara. we would listen to Toto, 'Africa' on Matt's iPod during the drive, to get pumped. great song, great place.


lion cubs at Masi Mara. I could watch lion cubs playing for the rest of my life and be perfectly happy. they're my favorite for sure.


As if someone went nuts with black paint on a white horse, the Zebra are an omnipresent feature of the Masi Mara landscape.


And a Giraffe by request.


breakfast of champions, nothing beast buffalo in the morning. they go for the tongue first, appearently the favorite part for the lions...


we were so close that we could hear the bones crunching and flesh tearing. sweet.


she was perfectly content having us around, and almost on que would turn to the camera. awesome.


ele's


At the hippo pool, with a few crocs thrown in for good measure.


Our AK-47 wielding park ranger. to protect of from the hippos, of course. Hippo's cause more human deaths in Africa than any other animal.


A Hippo covered bend in the Mara river.


another favorite.




Nairobi Backpackers

presently in moshi, Tanzania. Picked up Andrew on the 17th, bused down here on 18th, arranged trek on 19th, leaving for Mt. Kilimanjaro tomorrow! We're doing a 6 day trek up the Machame route. met our guide, Eugene, seems great. We're all very very excited, and a bit anxious, it's a high mountain! wish us luck!

11 Comments:

  • Good luck Pat and Andrew. Can't wait to see photos of Kili. Be safe and have fun!!!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 19, 2006 3:57 PM  

  • Good luck, Pat! Thanks for the great Africa pics. Hope to see more from the summit.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 19, 2006 5:06 PM  

  • Good Luck Pat! Take good care of Andrew for me :) I hope you guys have an awesome climb!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 19, 2006 6:33 PM  

  • Toto's Africa is a classic, it's even on my clover valley CD! The pictures are wonderful but not as great as seeing the world through your words. Have fun on Kili and be safe!
    Love,
    Andrea

    By Blogger Andrea, at January 19, 2006 6:41 PM  

  • WOW! Awesome pictures..you look so close! Your descriptions are great to read too. Thanks for sharing it with all of us :)

    --Mardy

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 20, 2006 10:09 AM  

  • I agree - you've certainly got a way with words. Be safe and enjoy the view!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 20, 2006 10:45 AM  

  • Hey guys!
    Excellent pics Pat! I forgot to warn ya, baboons like to throw poo as well as leave it as gifts for tourists. I guess you managed ok though. Speaking of which, will it be a "blue bag" expedition?
    I do have to disagree with your hippo statistic. I believe that listening to "Toto" is more destructive than anything some ol' hippo could do. I know, I was in highschool when toto was big. You were probably in day care :-).
    Hey, you and Andrew be safe and take lots of pics as you traverse up to "top rock".
    take care and safe travels guys!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 20, 2006 1:00 PM  

  • Pat,

    Even if you are in Moshi for only one day - go the the Coffee House off Hill Street and pick up "Moshi Guide" for $2.

    Also: Indo-Italiano restaurant near the Buffalo Hotel was good as was the Austrian restaurant across town: Salzburger.
    Mambo poa!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 20, 2006 4:58 PM  

  • awesome!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 24, 2006 5:26 PM  

  • There is something totally exhilarating about being in the bush and coming across a pride of lions. It is a sight and sound that will be with you for a long time. Africa is an amazing place. Enjoy

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 29, 2006 7:41 PM  

  • WOW! Your pictures are amazing. Have fun and stay safe. Love, Lauren W.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at February 01, 2006 2:42 PM  

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