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| Tanzania: Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater 25. - 28.03.2009 |
Montag, 30. März 2009
Welcome to Tanzania
I was told that the trip from Mombasa (Kenya) to Moshi (Tanzania) would take 4.5 hours and to Arusha 6 hours. Well I arrived in Arusha on March 23rd at about 3pm. Actually I wanted to travel to Moshi but on the bus an employee of a safari company told me that Moshi is just for persons climbing Kilimanjaro.
So here we are in Tanzania. I checked in to Flamingo Hotel. A really nice place. Actually the best accommodation I had so far. It was also a little more expensive, Tsh 20'000 including breakfast.
For ones I was pretty happy that someone would stand at the bus stop and bother me. He, sorry but I don't remember the name, took me to the hotel and to a safari company. My plan was to try to join a group for Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater. After walking around in Arusha for 2 hours I was pretty tired and happy that I found a group. I should just go and pay the following day to be able to leave on the 25th. As I arrived in the office on Tuesday I was informed, that the couple changed their plans and that they were going to Serengeti instead of Lake Manyara.
Well I know, Serengeti. For some reason I didn't want to spend money on Serengeti as I had been to Masai Mara and this is the same Ecosystem as Serengeti.
But now I first would get a break. To get to Arusha I took the public bus and there was also a basketball team from Mombasa on it. They went to Arusha to compete at the "11th Edition Intercity Basketball Tournament". I walked around for 1.5 hrs to figure out that the stade was just 2 minutes from my hotel. So I spent about 4 hours at the tournament, outdoor and almost got burned. But everything is under control. In the evening I went for diner and met two Spanish guys which live in Arusha. Well not exactly in Arusha, they do live in the bush. They were so kind to take me out for a drink at the Arusha Backpackers.
Wednesday I really had to find a group so I started walking around again. And I got lucky, I had two possibilites:
Leave on Thursday for a 2 night safari to Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater with a couple or leave the same day, join a group (2 guys) which already visited Lake Manyara and see Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. As I wasn't decided I told both agencies that I would recontact them. I went to see another basketball game and met a tour guide I was introduced to the day before. I asked for his advice and he suggested to see Serengeti. So here we go.....
So here we are in Tanzania. I checked in to Flamingo Hotel. A really nice place. Actually the best accommodation I had so far. It was also a little more expensive, Tsh 20'000 including breakfast.
For ones I was pretty happy that someone would stand at the bus stop and bother me. He, sorry but I don't remember the name, took me to the hotel and to a safari company. My plan was to try to join a group for Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater. After walking around in Arusha for 2 hours I was pretty tired and happy that I found a group. I should just go and pay the following day to be able to leave on the 25th. As I arrived in the office on Tuesday I was informed, that the couple changed their plans and that they were going to Serengeti instead of Lake Manyara.
Well I know, Serengeti. For some reason I didn't want to spend money on Serengeti as I had been to Masai Mara and this is the same Ecosystem as Serengeti.
But now I first would get a break. To get to Arusha I took the public bus and there was also a basketball team from Mombasa on it. They went to Arusha to compete at the "11th Edition Intercity Basketball Tournament". I walked around for 1.5 hrs to figure out that the stade was just 2 minutes from my hotel. So I spent about 4 hours at the tournament, outdoor and almost got burned. But everything is under control. In the evening I went for diner and met two Spanish guys which live in Arusha. Well not exactly in Arusha, they do live in the bush. They were so kind to take me out for a drink at the Arusha Backpackers.
Wednesday I really had to find a group so I started walking around again. And I got lucky, I had two possibilites:
Leave on Thursday for a 2 night safari to Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater with a couple or leave the same day, join a group (2 guys) which already visited Lake Manyara and see Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. As I wasn't decided I told both agencies that I would recontact them. I went to see another basketball game and met a tour guide I was introduced to the day before. I asked for his advice and he suggested to see Serengeti. So here we go.....
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| Welcome to Tanzania: Arrival in Arusha |
Dienstag, 24. März 2009
Kenya: Mombasa 20. - 23.03.2009
Alone again!!! Sniff!!!!
Mombasa, what can I say. I thought I would at least meet a few travelers, but I was wrong. I checked in to a hotel from the Lonely Planet, but it's low season and as already mentioned, the others probably travel the other way around.
But I am in Mombasa and I should look around a little. On my first day I wanted to do what is written in my travel guide, a city tour by foot, but I got "lost" and walked around in the docks for about 1.5 hrs, until I took a Matatu to get out of there. I just walked around in the city, went to see the Tusks and got some local food from the streets. I am really surprised that until now I haven't been sick yet.
I went to see the Old Town where a very nice person allowed me to get on his veranda to see where Fort Jesus was. He is a coach of the Kenyan Triathlon Team, had traveled a lot and was very educated. Not that the other Kenyans wouldn't be, but well, I am sure you understand. I didn't enter Fort Jesus, just had a look around it. I am not so into museums and as I am not really interested it would have just been a waste of money. The afternoon I spent at the internet, trying to get my pictures onto picasa and on my flash. But it was also to keep myself busy and not to think about how lonely I am. My trip in 2006 was so different. There were travelers just everywhere and you actually never were alone. I questioned the meaning of traveling alone. Wouldn't it be nicer to be able to share all these experiences with someone to whom you are close? I mean it's not like if I would go to France or Germany, this is a complete other world and there is so much to discover. (Thanks to Stefan and Lorenz for cheering me up).
As it seemed that there was not really a lot to do in Mombasa I got myself a bus ticket from Tahmeed to go to Moshi on Monday morning 7am. Moshi is a city or village from where you would start your Mount Kilimanjaro Trek. After that I got a City Tour with a Tuk Tuk, as it was just too humid to walk around. The driver explained a lot and was really very nice. His name was "Dick", really, I am not kidding.
Well who knows, perhaps I will be back one day.
Mombasa, what can I say. I thought I would at least meet a few travelers, but I was wrong. I checked in to a hotel from the Lonely Planet, but it's low season and as already mentioned, the others probably travel the other way around.
But I am in Mombasa and I should look around a little. On my first day I wanted to do what is written in my travel guide, a city tour by foot, but I got "lost" and walked around in the docks for about 1.5 hrs, until I took a Matatu to get out of there. I just walked around in the city, went to see the Tusks and got some local food from the streets. I am really surprised that until now I haven't been sick yet.
I went to see the Old Town where a very nice person allowed me to get on his veranda to see where Fort Jesus was. He is a coach of the Kenyan Triathlon Team, had traveled a lot and was very educated. Not that the other Kenyans wouldn't be, but well, I am sure you understand. I didn't enter Fort Jesus, just had a look around it. I am not so into museums and as I am not really interested it would have just been a waste of money. The afternoon I spent at the internet, trying to get my pictures onto picasa and on my flash. But it was also to keep myself busy and not to think about how lonely I am. My trip in 2006 was so different. There were travelers just everywhere and you actually never were alone. I questioned the meaning of traveling alone. Wouldn't it be nicer to be able to share all these experiences with someone to whom you are close? I mean it's not like if I would go to France or Germany, this is a complete other world and there is so much to discover. (Thanks to Stefan and Lorenz for cheering me up).
As it seemed that there was not really a lot to do in Mombasa I got myself a bus ticket from Tahmeed to go to Moshi on Monday morning 7am. Moshi is a city or village from where you would start your Mount Kilimanjaro Trek. After that I got a City Tour with a Tuk Tuk, as it was just too humid to walk around. The driver explained a lot and was really very nice. His name was "Dick", really, I am not kidding.
Well who knows, perhaps I will be back one day.
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| Kenya: Mombasa 20. - 23.03.2009 |
Freitag, 20. März 2009
from Nairobi to Watamu
Ai, as Mount Kenya was really a challenge (for me, Karin was fine), we needed to relax our bodies on the beach, so we headed to Watamu.
Watamu is a small village on the east coast of Kenya. North from Mombasa and that means far away from Nairobi.
So on Monday March 16th, (I am on the road since 1 month) we took the bus from Nairobi to Mombasa. It took us 8 hours and cost KES 1'200.00. The bus trip was pretty ok as we took the bigger one to be more comfortable. Also the bus was not full so each of us got 2 seats (except, Karin you know).
The bus would only make 2 stops. One after 4 hours to have lunch and then another one, 1 hour after lunch in Voi. On Mount Kenya I did drink a lot and for some reasons I would have to ease myself every 2 hours. But I managed and controlled myself for almost 2 hours until we finally made the long awaited lunch break.
Wow, the climate in Mombasa is very different from the one in Nairobi. It's very humid and really, it's not a nice feeling, but at least we weren't cold anymore.
Martin, the Manager from the place we would stay (Beach Villas) told us that we would have to take a Matatu from Mombasa to Gedi and from there to Watamu. It was almost that simple and we arrived well in Watamu.
What a surprise. As we get out of the Matatu everybody speaks in German to us. We then learn that this corner has mostly Italian, German and Wwiss tourists. Oh my god!!!!
It's a cute little village but we didn't really go sightseeing because it was just tooooo hot. Plus Karin really had to relax, as she will have to go back to work on Monday.
Watamu is a small village on the east coast of Kenya. North from Mombasa and that means far away from Nairobi.
So on Monday March 16th, (I am on the road since 1 month) we took the bus from Nairobi to Mombasa. It took us 8 hours and cost KES 1'200.00. The bus trip was pretty ok as we took the bigger one to be more comfortable. Also the bus was not full so each of us got 2 seats (except, Karin you know).
The bus would only make 2 stops. One after 4 hours to have lunch and then another one, 1 hour after lunch in Voi. On Mount Kenya I did drink a lot and for some reasons I would have to ease myself every 2 hours. But I managed and controlled myself for almost 2 hours until we finally made the long awaited lunch break.
Wow, the climate in Mombasa is very different from the one in Nairobi. It's very humid and really, it's not a nice feeling, but at least we weren't cold anymore.
Martin, the Manager from the place we would stay (Beach Villas) told us that we would have to take a Matatu from Mombasa to Gedi and from there to Watamu. It was almost that simple and we arrived well in Watamu.
What a surprise. As we get out of the Matatu everybody speaks in German to us. We then learn that this corner has mostly Italian, German and Wwiss tourists. Oh my god!!!!
It's a cute little village but we didn't really go sightseeing because it was just tooooo hot. Plus Karin really had to relax, as she will have to go back to work on Monday.
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| Kenya: Watamu 16. - 19.03.2009 |
Mittwoch, 18. März 2009
Kenya: Mount Kenya 12. - 15.03.2009
1st day (12.03.2009): Nairobi - Old Moses
9km / 2650m - 3300m / 3 hrs.
2nd day (13.03.2009): Old Moses - Shiptons Camp
14km / 3300m - 4200m / 7 hrs.
3rd day (14.03.2009): Shiptons Camp - Peak Lenana - Shiptons Camp - Old Moses
Shiptons - Peak Lenana - Shiptons: 5km / 4200m - 4985m - 4200m / 3 hrs. + 1.5 hrs.
Shiptons Camp - Old Moses: 14km / 4200m - 3300m / 4 hrs.
4th day (15.03.2009): Old Moses - Gate - Nairobi
9km / 3300m - 2650m / 2 hrs.
Finally back in the warm, and we made it.
I did enjoy the 3rd day, the 3hrs walk to the peak and the walk back to Old Moses. The countryside here is so nice. I have to admit, they have some really funny plants here.
But day number 1 and 2 weren't for me. Due to the fact that I didn't enjoy the entire trip and Karin's reasoning, I will most probably not climb Kilimandjaro. It is very expensive. So why should I do the same thing again, just longer and spend more money if I don't really enjoy it. I rather do something else like a horseback trek.
Now we definitely deserved some days at the beach. Tomorrow we are heading to Watamu, that is on Kenyas eastcoast.
9km / 2650m - 3300m / 3 hrs.
2nd day (13.03.2009): Old Moses - Shiptons Camp
14km / 3300m - 4200m / 7 hrs.
3rd day (14.03.2009): Shiptons Camp - Peak Lenana - Shiptons Camp - Old Moses
Shiptons - Peak Lenana - Shiptons: 5km / 4200m - 4985m - 4200m / 3 hrs. + 1.5 hrs.
Shiptons Camp - Old Moses: 14km / 4200m - 3300m / 4 hrs.
4th day (15.03.2009): Old Moses - Gate - Nairobi
9km / 3300m - 2650m / 2 hrs.
Finally back in the warm, and we made it.
I did enjoy the 3rd day, the 3hrs walk to the peak and the walk back to Old Moses. The countryside here is so nice. I have to admit, they have some really funny plants here.
But day number 1 and 2 weren't for me. Due to the fact that I didn't enjoy the entire trip and Karin's reasoning, I will most probably not climb Kilimandjaro. It is very expensive. So why should I do the same thing again, just longer and spend more money if I don't really enjoy it. I rather do something else like a horseback trek.
Now we definitely deserved some days at the beach. Tomorrow we are heading to Watamu, that is on Kenyas eastcoast.
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| Kenya: Mount Kenya 12. - 15.03.2009 |
Mittwoch, 11. März 2009
Kenya: Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru 08. - 11.03.2009
1st day (08.03.2009): Nairobi - Masai Mara / Evening Game Drive
We got picked up at around 8am but we didn't leave Nairobi until 10, but that is Africa, there is nothing you can do about it. We were a group of 6 but one, the only man would just be the 1st day with us. We then would be 2 girls from the US, one from Canada, Karin and myself. There was the driver Nathaniel and a cook.
We had lunch in Narok, a small and dusty village in the middle of nowhere. But I guess for here it was a smaller city. After we checked in at the camp we left at 4pm for an Evening Game Drive and we were so excited. Zebras, Giraffes, Chijtas, Lions, Gazelles, Wildebeests, Impalas, Topis, Buffalos, Servals and Hartebeests, wow. Before I left Switzerland I thought, ok, Safari, see some animals, but ones you're there it is just, wow!!!!!
2nd day (09.03.2009): Masai Mara Game Drive
The entire day we spent in Masai Mara which is the northern part of the Serengeti. In this Nationalpark it is possible to see the Big 5: Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo. Again this was a very exciting day. Within the 1st hour we would see a male lion walking very proudly on the street coming really close to the cars. We saw a big group of Buffalos, and then, our 1st Elephants. And lucky as we were there were baby Elephants there too. We had lunch at the River Mara where we also met the Vervet Monkeys, they are also called the Blue Ball Monkeys because their balls are blue. That is the truth, check the pictures. The hippos weren't really nice to us. Before we were close enough they would open their mouths widely but as soon as we were in position to take a picture they just thought about sleeping. There was also a crocodile and we were surprised to see some autriches.
3rd day (10.03.2009): Sunrise Game Drive / Masai Mara - Lake Nakuru
This isn't what I call a holiday. We left the camp at 06.15 for a sunrise game drive. It was really a good thing that we got up because we were able to see 2 lions with 3 cubs. It was really very difficult to get a good look on them because their mother would hide in the bushes and make us move from one side to the other.
We went back to the camp, took our breakfast and left Masai Mara for Lake Nakuru where we would see the pink Flamingos the following day. And Nathaniel promised us that we would see the Rhino, so after that we would only be missing the Leopard out of the Big 5.
4th day (11.03.2009): Lake Nakuru Game Drive / Lake Nakuru - Nairobi
Again a wonderful day and we were all looking forward to the Rhino and the pink Flamingos. It is amazing, on the 1st day at Masai Mara we were all excited when we would see a Giraffe or a Zebra, now we would just say something like: "ah, ok". But we were also tired I have to admit, spending hours and hours in the car, watching out for animals is very exhausting. We did see a lot of yellow Pelicans, Marabu Storcks, pink Flamingos and we did also see a few White Rhinos, some Buffalos, two Rock Hyroxs and a Chaqual.
We got back to Nairobi at about 4pm and were very tired. But it was a wonderful trip and a great experience. I am so lucky being able to do all this.
We will not get a lot of rest because tomorrow we will start our trek to Mount Kenya. Why? Who had this idea?
We got picked up at around 8am but we didn't leave Nairobi until 10, but that is Africa, there is nothing you can do about it. We were a group of 6 but one, the only man would just be the 1st day with us. We then would be 2 girls from the US, one from Canada, Karin and myself. There was the driver Nathaniel and a cook.
We had lunch in Narok, a small and dusty village in the middle of nowhere. But I guess for here it was a smaller city. After we checked in at the camp we left at 4pm for an Evening Game Drive and we were so excited. Zebras, Giraffes, Chijtas, Lions, Gazelles, Wildebeests, Impalas, Topis, Buffalos, Servals and Hartebeests, wow. Before I left Switzerland I thought, ok, Safari, see some animals, but ones you're there it is just, wow!!!!!
2nd day (09.03.2009): Masai Mara Game Drive
The entire day we spent in Masai Mara which is the northern part of the Serengeti. In this Nationalpark it is possible to see the Big 5: Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo. Again this was a very exciting day. Within the 1st hour we would see a male lion walking very proudly on the street coming really close to the cars. We saw a big group of Buffalos, and then, our 1st Elephants. And lucky as we were there were baby Elephants there too. We had lunch at the River Mara where we also met the Vervet Monkeys, they are also called the Blue Ball Monkeys because their balls are blue. That is the truth, check the pictures. The hippos weren't really nice to us. Before we were close enough they would open their mouths widely but as soon as we were in position to take a picture they just thought about sleeping. There was also a crocodile and we were surprised to see some autriches.
3rd day (10.03.2009): Sunrise Game Drive / Masai Mara - Lake Nakuru
This isn't what I call a holiday. We left the camp at 06.15 for a sunrise game drive. It was really a good thing that we got up because we were able to see 2 lions with 3 cubs. It was really very difficult to get a good look on them because their mother would hide in the bushes and make us move from one side to the other.
We went back to the camp, took our breakfast and left Masai Mara for Lake Nakuru where we would see the pink Flamingos the following day. And Nathaniel promised us that we would see the Rhino, so after that we would only be missing the Leopard out of the Big 5.
4th day (11.03.2009): Lake Nakuru Game Drive / Lake Nakuru - Nairobi
Again a wonderful day and we were all looking forward to the Rhino and the pink Flamingos. It is amazing, on the 1st day at Masai Mara we were all excited when we would see a Giraffe or a Zebra, now we would just say something like: "ah, ok". But we were also tired I have to admit, spending hours and hours in the car, watching out for animals is very exhausting. We did see a lot of yellow Pelicans, Marabu Storcks, pink Flamingos and we did also see a few White Rhinos, some Buffalos, two Rock Hyroxs and a Chaqual.
We got back to Nairobi at about 4pm and were very tired. But it was a wonderful trip and a great experience. I am so lucky being able to do all this.
We will not get a lot of rest because tomorrow we will start our trek to Mount Kenya. Why? Who had this idea?
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| Kenya: Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru 08. - 11.03.2009 |
ALL rights reserved
Dear All
Please be informed that ALL the rights, for ALL the pictures on this blog (www.lilouclark.blogspot.com) and on the Picasa Account lilou.clark@gmail.com, are reserved by Lilian Kalsang Lhamo CLARK.
Kind regards,
Lilian
Please be informed that ALL the rights, for ALL the pictures on this blog (www.lilouclark.blogspot.com) and on the Picasa Account lilou.clark@gmail.com, are reserved by Lilian Kalsang Lhamo CLARK.
Kind regards,
Lilian
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