Cordes Travels: 2018

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Back home with Moshi and Malaika

Friday, February 23, 2018

So the hotel had two cars to take us to the airport, just a few minutes away. But they couldn't fit all six of us and our luggage, so they rounded up a third car, this Nissan. One piece of Aria's luggage is in the back seat. The driver left the car running, opened the trunk to remove luggage, and then closed the trunk. Immediately the driver knew he'd screwed up. Apparently this car auto locks when you close the trunk. Not sure of the security logic there. So the cars running, key's in the ignition, car's locked, it's blocking traffic, and Aria's suitcase is in the backseat. It took at least 20 minutes for them to round up another key after the decided they couldn't break into it. Just lovely at 3:30am.

New 4 Points Sheraton

Wow, this place is awesome! Only open 3 months, located a mile from the international airport.

Airstrip security

No check-in, no security, other than this guy. But I'm pretty sure he's protecting us from lions, etc., not terrorists.

Once we landed in Nairobi (smaller airport, "Wilson"), we gave our names and were checked off a list. And then our luggage went thru security screening before we exited the airport. Not sure how any of that makes any sense.

Tiny cheetah cub

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Fierce roaring lion!

Ok, it's really just a lazy yawn.

Lilac Breasted Roller

Official bird of Kenya

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Cape buffalo

Elephant

Young male impala

Airport gift shop

Busiest dirt airstrip I've seen!

Wednesday morning

Departing for Massai Mara, 50 minutes on a charter.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Visiting friends

On Tuesday, my friend Mark took me and a couple other friends to visit his home and shamba (farm).

The drink being served is Mursik, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mursik

Sent from Kyle's AT&T iPhone

Monday, February 19, 2018

Tuk-tuk

And finally there's the three wheeled tuk-tuk, generically known as an auto rickshaw. These are found all over the world by one name or another. I think the tuk-tuk name comes from the sound made by the undersized 2 cycle engine as it putters along. This sits three passengers. There are fewer and fewer of these on the road here.

I have no idea the cost of a ride in one of these compared to the other options.

What I can tell you is that anyone staying at Indiana House is restricted from riding in a tuk-tuk, a matatu, or on a boda boda. All are considered dangerous by our standards. We can walk or take taxis. Or in our special case, use the hospital bus.

Matatu

A matatu is the ubiquitous small passenger bus, legally sitting 11 or 14 people. These things are everywhere. Most people don't have cars and these are the most affordable means of transportation. They may go from city to city or just travel between the city and suburbs.

Boda Boda

A boda boda is a motorcycle taxi. These are everywhere in town. I'm quite sure their numbers have doubled since we started coming.

The drivers typically wear heavy coats, no matter the temperature. Some people use them to commute to or from work. I also see them used a lot during lunch time. But most of the time the drivers just wait. Here are some lunchtime photos.

Including the driver, it's not unusual to see 3 on a bike. I've seen 4 a number of times. I'm sure there's been 5, probably including children. Based on my observations and intuition, the further outside of town you get, the more likely to see 4 on a bike.

A boda boda ride is more expensive than a matatu but less than a regular taxi. Which, by the way, probably doesn't have a taxi sign on it, but is likely to just be some guy with a car that decides it's a taxi. I've certainly never seen a meter in one.