Ulloo9 - Kenya
Wildlife at it's best
(Raj) On our way to the Masai Mara we stop for a breather. This is the view of the Rift Valley where all the action is - as we shall see. The afternoon is pleasant enough, just right as far as the temperature went, but the ride ahead would be quite bumpy.
This is their world not ours
(Raj) Once we were on the Mara I could not help but get a strange feeling. Something I had never felt before. Every day we live in a world of villages, towns and cities and are certain it is all for us and we can go and roam as we please. But not here. We would be confined to the inside of our vehicle never to step out. It was "look but definitely do not touch!" Unless you want to be beaten up or eaten.
Once I rationalised it the feeling was "We are outsiders here and this world belongs to the animals". Putting it into words will not do - just go there and experience it yourselves!
Once I rationalised it the feeling was "We are outsiders here and this world belongs to the animals". Putting it into words will not do - just go there and experience it yourselves!
"My friends you have seen a lot of action!"
So said our good guide and driver. "Most who come here see no action! They can be here for days and see nothing." We were lucky enough to see nature in all its "red in tooth and claw". This cheeta caught a rabbit, toyed with it as does a cat with a mouse, realsing and re-capturing it and finally putting an end to the game to have breakfast. More on the action later.
"Raj, there are animals out there!"
(Raj) At the Mara we stayed in a lodge and here is a picture of the two chalets we were allocated. One for Saif and I and another for Samji and Sudesh. Clean and comfortable places. Night fell and we walked over to the lodge to have dinner. Since we, and others, were stuck out in the middle of nowhere, and if we did not like the look of the menue, the nearest resturant other than here would have been a few hundered miles away. But we need not have been concerned. The variety and quality of what was on offer was world class. Fantastic stuff and all without fault.
Dinner finished I left the Ulloos to go and use our chalet bathroom. After fifteen minutes the Ulloos returned and asked "were you stopped by the wardens at the door of the lodge and asked to be lead to the room?" Well no. There were no wardens when I left so I walked through the garden by my self. They told me "we were stopped and escorted. He shone his torch at the bushes and there were all these eyes there".
OK I responded, I wasn't born yesterday and you don't get me on this one!
"Pick up that torch and have a look for yourself!" So I did. And there in the bushes lurked tens of eyes looking at me. "Oh hell!"
Within minutes of closing and locking the door secure shut we heard, quite close by, a blood curdlelling roar of some sort and went silent. Until Sudesh asked "Did you hear that?"
Dinner finished I left the Ulloos to go and use our chalet bathroom. After fifteen minutes the Ulloos returned and asked "were you stopped by the wardens at the door of the lodge and asked to be lead to the room?" Well no. There were no wardens when I left so I walked through the garden by my self. They told me "we were stopped and escorted. He shone his torch at the bushes and there were all these eyes there".
OK I responded, I wasn't born yesterday and you don't get me on this one!
"Pick up that torch and have a look for yourself!" So I did. And there in the bushes lurked tens of eyes looking at me. "Oh hell!"
Within minutes of closing and locking the door secure shut we heard, quite close by, a blood curdlelling roar of some sort and went silent. Until Sudesh asked "Did you hear that?"
Samji signs the papers
(Raj) Samji do you know you are doing? Signing that paper will mean the company and its staff running this show will not be held responsible in case anything should go wrong. I wouldn't do it!
Samji for the dive
(Raj) Samji is being checked by the guy who will take him under water. Rather you than I Samji! Good luck!
In they go!
Hope you enjoy it, see you later!
I think a storm is brewing
(Raj) Mombasa. All well and good with the snorkling and Samji diving until, on our way to an island, the skies darkened and rough weather threatened our fragile existence.
Not looking too good
(Raj) No sooner had the sail been unfurled when the crew begin to lose control of it and with it the boat. Quick action is needed to bring about stability and save us from going over board. Saif and I can only swim one depth! The boat is rocking and so are all on board! I think Saif is getting ready to be sick over me.
All hands on deck and Sudesh to the rescue.
(Raj) The crew ask all able hands to capture the sail and re-tie it to the mast. Sudesh is one of the heroes who jumps at the task. I think he's enjoying it. Saif and I think of joing the women and children to be the first to be rescued.