Christopher,

Thought you would love this e mail from Colleen. Thank you! Catch me when you can for the cake in NBO.

Love,
Evie

Hi Evie, Cheryl and Cathy,

I decided to send this same note to all of you. That way you will get the thank yous you deserve. I am not sure who is responsible for what so thank you to all.

First I must say Christopher took wonderful care of us. We were treated like royalty. The look on Paige's face was priceless when she was presented with roses (a lot of roses I might add) and the beautiful card upon arrival in Nairobi. She thanks you all very much for her birthday card and roses. Kathryn presented us with numerous gifts at our safari briefing. Two hand woven hand bags and 3 'shawls', Evie I forget the local name, sorry. Anyway everything was lovely and deeply appreciated.

The safari was fabulous. I must say it was a trip of a life time and we will always remember what a wonderful place Africa is. Cheryl and Cathy you must go if you can, it is well worth it. Words can not explain. You just have to do it! Your friend, Evie, at the Serena Maasai Mara was very kind to us. The last night we were there a cake was delivered to Paige with the word farewell on it in the local language. The wait staff proceeded to play drums and sign two songs to us (Paige). Yet another nice touch.

Christopher and gang met us in Nairobi on our way out to Victoria Falls. We ate at the Carnivore Restaurant. Very neat. Paige got another cake and singing by the staff, this time in English and a very nice belated Happy Birthday. As we left your friends Evie we were sad. They were all so nice. Kathryn and Fred and of course Christopher. Our driver in the Mara 'Alex' did a wonderful job spotting all sorts of animals. We got to witness the Wildebeests crossing twice. It was truly unbelievable. That was my favorite part. Paige loved all the giraffes and I think Jim liked the cheetahs and leopards the best. We did the hot air balloon in the Mara (fantastic) and had two separate breakfasts in the bush. One after the hot air balloon and one before our day outing with 'Alex'. We also visited the Oloololo village outside the reserve. Very nice and the kids loved 'Paige the white girl'. It was all very awesome.

Victoria Falls was equally great. The falls were not 'full', so we actually got to walk out on the rocks and see things up close and in person. We saw the falls from the Zambia and then Zimbabwe side as well as from the air (helicopter). Very cool too! Again this all seems like a dream at this point.

I have about 1200 pictures to sort out. I will get to that next week. I am thinking I will do a photo album in Snapfish and share it will our family and friends. I will let you know when it is available online.

Again thank you Evie, for the connection with Christopher. I have a stack of his cards and will hand out to all the experts here who inquire. Most experts who live here will go on safari at one time or another. Hopefully you will get a few clients from Qatar.

Thanks to all of you for the card and flowers. You are too sweet! I miss you all and think of you often. Hang in there at the SBSO...

Have a wonderful week.

Sincerely,
Colleen, Jim and Paige

 

Lee's Safari is over and all are back in California. It was hard to se them go, as I really enjoyed their company in Kenya an Tanzania. We, between all of us have thousands of photos of wildlife, hotels, people, and so many memories to look at when we are home

 

Some of the special things that stand out in my mind are; Michelle’s smiles where ever she was, so open to new people of different cultures, her photo taking, she has lots of video and stills

 The next thing for me was the visit in the north of Kenya in Samburu to the village, to see old friends, see new babies of the families, one is expecting in a month time. So when I come back again there will be a new baby to take photos of. Simon the spokes person for the village has said I have been back so many times they need to make a hut for me to stay in so I never have to go home to California again. Next was our visit to the Maasai village in Amboseli, the usual thing to expect is to be greeted outside their village gate, they welcome us with songs, they dance their traditional dance where the men take turns at jumping, some jump so high, then they offer a prayer for all, then we are allowed into the village. This time after the prayer was over they said we had to wait as they had a surprise for me, for ME! Six ladies from the village came forward, each had a bracelet in their hands they had made special for each of my clients and me, and with our names on them. Surprise I guess so, it took a week for each lady to make the beaded bracelets. What a wonderful gesture on their parts. I don’t know why I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends in a far away country, with different cultures, different life style. We were shown the living huts of the Amboseli Maasai, and then we went to their school, which I always try to bring special school books for the children to use when they are attending school. They are hoping to finish another school room so they can extend the number of children they teach. This is another worth while project for any who would care to help.

 

The visit to the Pre School in the village was again special. The land was donated to them, and most of the women are widows, or single mothers, they have worked very hard to start this as something special for them and the children of the village. It got a big boost thanks to so many wonderful people who listened to my plea of help for them. Thank you all. We were served a delicious lunch cooked by the ladies. Some of the other things we saw on the Eco Tour were the rock quarry, the sand harvesting, an organic farmer’s farm, a visit to a homestead, so it was a very full day. One thing for sure they are very hard working people the Kamba, mainly farmers, but they have a vision of helping them selves and their fellow neighbours. Water is always a thing of need, most have to walk three to five miles carrying cans to have clean drinking water for their homes.

The next very special thing for me was the night after we visited the village in Amboseli, Joel, Joseph and the Chief came to the hotel by our invitation, so they could finish their business with one client. When they got up to leave, the Chief as always gave me a big hug, then to my surprise, he removed one of his beaded necklaces that one of his wives had made for him and placed it over my head, I have to say as I am writing this I have a big lump in my throat as this is a big honor to have the Chief give this gift to me. I will cherish it always. So if you see me wearing this sometime in California, you will know just how special it is to me.

 

The wildlife in Kenya and Tanzania are spectacular! We saw prides of lions, cheetah families, elephants, Dik Dik’s, leopards, Topi’s, the two different kinds of zebra’s, the regular one and the one with the narrow stripes. If you want to come on safari, Kenya and Tanzania are where you want to go, and you will get to meet some of the most wonderful people that will greet you with beautiful smiles and warm handshakes.

I hope to return to my other home, Kenya in January 2008 bringing more people to see what I love so much, and to have memories of their own. Please contact me if you have any questions, or if you are worried about something someone has told you, I will tell you the facts, not the gossips.

Jambo,

Mamaafrica

 

Jambo Everyone,

Sorry it has been so long, but lots of exciting things, we are having a wonderful time, never have felt a bit of fear, except when maybe the cheetahs were so close to another vehicle and looked like they might like to climb on the hood of it to rest and see better.  The last few days have been great for game viewing, yesterday we saw lions, resting by a tree, they must have had full belly's.  Today it was a family of cheetahs, stalking prey.  So we have some wonderful pictures to share.

The only place in kenya you can see Topi's is here, so there are many herds of them.  Also as we were coming back to the lodge today, we saw Wildebeest at the edge of the Mara river, we wished they had tried a crossing so we could get the photos of it, but they could be there for days making up their minds.

Tomorrow we fly to Nairobi for lunch and then drive to Amboseli for two days.  Then on to Tanzania.

More when we have another chance to write.  YOu have to come here, it is so wonderful, I want everyone to see the vastness of this land, and to meet their people.  Wonderful friendly people.  You feel as if you have another family.  Remember a smile speaks any language.

 

Jambo Everyone,

Sorry it has been so long, but lots of exciting things, we are having a wonderful time, never have felt a bit of fear, except when maybe the cheetahs were so close to another vehicle and looked like they might like to climb on the hood of it to rest and see better.  The last few days have been great for game viewing, yesterday we saw lions, resting by a tree, they must have had full belly's.  Today it was a family of cheetahs, stalking prey.  So we have some wonderful pictures to share.

The only place in kenya you can see Topi's is here, so there are many herds of them.  Also as we were coming back to the lodge today, we saw Wildebeest at the edge of the Mara river, we wished they had tried a crossing so we could get the photos of it, but they could be there for days making up their minds.

Tomorrow we fly to Nairobi for lunch and then drive to Amboseli for two days.  Then on to Tanzania.

More when we have another chance to write.  YOu have to come here, it is so wonderful, I want everyone to see the vastness of this land, and to meet their people.  Wonderful friendly people.  You feel as if you have another family.  Remember a smile speaks any language.

 

What a time we have had so far.  Samburu was wonderful with prides of lions, herds of elephants,a mama cheetah and five babies, leopard, zebras, so much to remember.  But the most fun was to see Lee's face when she saw her first lion, it was silent scream! Which was recorded by a camera, otherwise we would have lost the moment.  Everyone has loved the food, the rooms, and the friendly Kenyans.  Today we arrived in Sweetwaters Tented camp, five star, four of the group are on a camel ride as I am writing this note.  Next we go on the afternoon game, which will be the Chimp sanctuary, and Morani the tame rhino.  Tomorrow we head out for Lake Nakuru and the hundreds of thousands of  pink flamingos.  We will be staying in what I  call the six star hotel.

We are enjoying each others company, and William is the best driver guide of All!

Internet is some what spotty, but we will be trying to let you know how things are going when we can.

MamaAfrica 

 

The time is getting closer, when we all touch down in NBO, the excitment is building in all of us.  Phone calls, e mails, with last minute details, don't forget a warm jacket, as it may be summer here, but it is winter there.  And Mount Kenya area is a bit cool.  All are packed, with many gifts for the schools in the rural area.  One lady has managed to get soccer uniforms for youth to give to the schools, so they can play soccer against each other.  I will be sure to have photos to post later.  And we will be visiting  the  building site of the Pre-School that is being built in the Kamba village, bringing with us a fantastic donation of $500, from two wonderful Doctors from Santa Barbara Area, Dr. G and Dr. C., with other donations from Bev and Jeff in Boulder Creek.  Again lots of pictures will be taken and sent out.  This trip, we have one lady, Lee, who has dreamed of this safari  for a long time,  she has even learned the language, Swahilli, so she can tell the locals just how happy she is to finally be able to come to Kenya and Tanzania.  Learning the language was not necessary as most all speak, read and write English.  More later when we arrive in my other home Kenya.

 

The Lee Safari group all came together two weeks ago in beautiful Santa Ynez valley.  Two drove from Boulder Creek area, one from Los Angeles, I drove from Santa Barbara, the other two live in the valley.  This was a meeting for the first time for them, they didn't take long to get to know each other, and soon the party began.  We had a mini safari briefing, went over all the things they needed to know, what to pack, their medications, don't forget those.  And then we had a great dinner and made sure everyone in the restaurant knew we were going to East Africa, Kenya and Tanzania.  The next day we met again and enjoyed a great brunch, before those that lived out of town had to leave.  Next time we all meet up will be in Nairobi, which will be in just a few days from now.  This safari has been planned for almost a year and a half.  So it has been a long wait for Lee, the lady the safari is named after.  My hopes with the clients is they will have as wonderful of time as I have had in each of the safaris I have put together.  I love Kenya and Tanzania, I feel it is my other home.  It is unlike any vacation you  ever had. 

Sunday July 22^nd will be the evening I touch down in Nairobi on what has now become my regular homecoming safari. After making my maiden trip in the year of our Lord 2005 I fell for the bite that is Africa. Over the years I have failed again and again the addiction that is this wonderful continent that is home to the most friendly and most hospitable people of all. I have traveled a lot the world over, however Africa has taken the top most of my favorite travel destination and remained atop ever since.

My travel agency has turned into the “safari bus” that has taken my friends and clients to a travel destination that is home to the undiscovered. I am now having trouble creating time from my busy schedules to make at least two trips a year that I have to undertake. Escorting my own safaris has become an assuring facility that many require to be convinced to travel to what my clients have returned home and declared “an experience second to none”.

As I oversee my upcoming safari with a load of five lovely ladies full with zeal looking forward to be rewarded with the excitement that continues to show on my face at first sight, I am already planning my next safari. We will be traveling under the umbrella of Lee Special Safari, next year it will be Maureen’s Special Safari – this safari is so special for Maureen because she will be making her 2^nd trip this time she can’t wait to have her friends by her side and share her experiences.

Watch this space for the dates of this safari and start packing your bags as well as commence the countdown for “Africa Touch Down”