Sunday 27th March
Bhavni came home from her night shift, around 10, giving us a bit of time to pack the final bits before Milan came at 12, to pick us up for going to a hall in Bounds Green for a Jamwanu, where we had lunch and met Bhavnis east London crew. Getting back home at 3 we rested for while until 5pm (Bhavni Snoozing) when we were picked up to go to Anji’s house for some tea and snacks. Leaving at 6, Milan dropped us at Heathrow terminal 3, allowing us to check in, go through security and then shop for a bit (Electronics, Chocolate and Wine) before boarding the Quantus A380 to Dubai. Managed to watch the theory of everything before sleeping for a bit.
Monday 28th
Arriving in Dubai airport, we had a quick look at the shops and thought everything is silly money (fitbit was £200 as opposed to £150 in Heathrow), so instead we settled ourselves at a cafe and had an expensive 2 milkshakes, before boarding the 777 to Kenya, which had smaller seats, but we got 3 of them. Managed to watch a bit on the flight, before arriving in Nairobi.
Nairobi airport as usual was fun as getting the visa took ages. One guy offered to fill my form (partially), then asked for Christmas money, then in the queue, people just kept on jumping in the queue, and the person behind the desk was as usual very happy.
Getting out the airport at 3.30, Bhavnis mother and Surya Masi were waiting for us at a cafe, so we crossed the road whilst Kimaru got the car. There was not too much traffic on the way and we got to Surya Masis. We met with Miten and Bijal, then chilled before dinner with everyone. We left for Nyeri around 9pm, where I fell asleep in the car. Getting to Nyeri, Bhavnis father was waiting for us, then we had the obligatory tea before getting to sleep.
Tuesday 29th
This morning was a late start as we had a lie in. We had a breakfast of porridge and the works, before getting ready and and setting out down the road at 12 for our walk around town. We spent quite a bit of time 2 doors down at Bhavnis “grandma”, as she was feeling quite poorly. We then just ended up going to the shop, where Bhavnis mother came to get a few items, so we just hung around there for a while until we went back with Bhavnis mum for preparing lunch. We had lunch when Bhavnis father came home, then we relaxed. Around 5pm, it got really cloudy and than the heavens opened for a heavy rain storm – within minutes the barrels were overflowing. The rain lasted a good 2 hours. Dinner was late at 9pm, which was after Bhavnis uncle came from Nirobi. We were cleaning up after dinner, and were expecting guests to come over. Bhavnis father went into his brothers room to talk, closing the door behind him. Well someone had come, so I went to open the door; looking out the door viewer there were a few guests, but after opening the door, 2 assailants walked in with the guests – one with a pistol and one with a rifle. I thought it was a joke initially going as far as to push the pistol away, until I was the serious expressions on the rest. We walked in and went were told to go to the kitchen – but luckily Bhavnis mother had pushed the silent alarm. Anyway, we ended up all staying in the kitchen on the floor, whilst Bhavnis mother was made to go around the house. After around 10-15 minutes they fled firing a few shots as the security firm came. All in all with all the guests that came in (including after the assailants came) 15 phone, lots of wallets, jewelery etc had gone.
The police when the came, just had a big discussion together, until we asked them to take it outside, as they really were not going to do much after picking up the shell casings by hand. We then had the fun of canceling lots of phones and contacting everyone – mother got confused when I said muggeni – going to sleep after 1am.
Wednesday 30th
So today we woke up and chilled at home most of the day – I did lots of reading. Miten & Bijal came in the afternoon. We had guest come over, and the phone did not stop ringing all day. After the guests went we went for a round. Getting back, we made dinner – garlic bread and pasta soup, and after eating we went to outspan for a coffee.
Thursday 31st
We woke up early to see off Miten and Bijal at 6am, after which we went back to bed. I then got up much earlier than Bhavni.
The morning went by with lots of Frying going on and I helped make bits and pieces. I went with Bhavnis father to help sort out chips for their I phone that Miten had left. After I dropped Bhavni and mothering to “next door” for some singing, then I went to Greenhills for the next hour and a bit, where I updated the I phone. I left and got to the house for 5.15, to see the maids out and then ended up waiting for an hour for Bhavni and mothering to come back.
There was not much going on in the evening, so we packed as we are meant to go Nairobi tomorrow. After we ate dinner, had some guest come over, then it was bedtime.
Friday 1st
After waking up, we had to get ready for the Indian High Commission that were coming, so after breakfast we dropped mothering to the temple around 10.30 then quickly went back to get ready before going back. At the temple we waited around an hour as the muppets who invited the high commission took them around for coffee without informing anyone that they were doing so – I did not realise this at the time, so I was not sure why Bhavni wanted to leave and go to Greenhills. We went there and I had a beer before we went back and had the lunch at the temple. After finishing off, Bhavni and I went to police station to pick up the abstract (the guy wanted a small bribe to write it). We thee got home where we found out that not everyone was going to go to Nairobi. This soon became no-one at all was going – Grr! So after we gave up and went to Aberdaya country club with Bhavnis mother – we used the town road as the normal road had a sign saying do not use in wet weather. The road was quite bad, but we got there fine and had some drinks. Getting back the road felt better in the dark. Back at the house we went to bed early.
Saturday 2nd
There was not much going on in the morning – we just had breakfast then Bhanvni and I went for a round to the shop. We got back to the house and went back out with Bhavni’s mother to go the Market, where we spent the next 1.5 hours. We got to the house just after Miten, Bijal, Anji and the noisy one arrived, (with two emergency phones from the uk). We helped everyone settle on, had lunch and then Miten, Bijal, Bhavni and I went to Aberdaya country club. We played cards in the sun, before going in the room with the fireplace and TV. It was 2 hours by the time the others turned up. We stayed for a little while longer, before we headed back home where we had dinner. The others play cards till late, but we called it a night.
Sunday 3rd
The morning as usual involved lots of food making and a guest (which required tea and snacks) at end meant did not leave till just after 12. Bijal had looked up a place called Barneys, which was a cafe on an airfield next to Nanuki, so we went there in 2 cars, Miten driving one and me driving his. We had an interesting incident right at the place, as we missed the turn, but as we stopped, a taxi did a dodgy overtake and knocked a motorcycle over, but just carried on. We helped out a bit before going to Barneys.
We had a selection of stuff – pizza, pasta, mexican and salads, with a couple of planes taking off on the strip. As it was early still we decided to drive to Mount Kenya Safari Club. Apparently it is 1000bob min spend for each person – Miten however payed the guy to get us in for 2000bob. As we got there it started raining, so we sat inside (after a brief time face timing and playing chess) and had some drinks. After the rain cleared, Bhavni and I had a walk (with Saanya in tow), then we just chilled until after 6.30 when we left. It was just Bhavni, Bijal and I in the car as the noisy one jumped ship.
We got back at a reasonable time, and had the food that they had made in the morning (Dhai Wara), then we slept relatively early.
Monday 4th
Miten & Bijal left a little late in the morning (6.30am) in the pouring rain, after which we went back to bed for a while. The morning was as usual, breakfast and helping out, but after we went for a walk around town (after stopping next door), with Anji and Saanya in tow, so a bit sedate. We got all the way up to the top of town, before going into Bhavnis Venchand Mamas shop, where immediately Saanya asked for an ice cream, and got the largest she could hold. We then went to the shop, where the rest got a lift back in the car. I just quickly walked back alone – it looked like it was due to rain, but it did not. There were water issues going on at the house, the plumber was changing stuff, well ignoring this we had lunch, and after cleaning up persuaded all to go to Greenhills. I had my usual Tusker Malt and we played cards until nearly 5. We got back and sorted out clothes, before dinner of Mutter Dockri, after which we ended playing cards until late.
Tuesday 5th
So the usual morning start, but Miten sent us the hotel voucher just after 9.30, but as Bhavni was doing work with Saanya (who got stressed out at Bhavnis patience), and with a last minute wiring job by me, we left nearly at 12. We went quickly to the shop to say bye, then to the station to fill up air (amusing watching them have to fix the air as we are there). So an hour later we got to Nanyuki, then turned left towards Sweetwaters. The road was under construction so was quite bad, but to out surprise, we found ourselves already entering Ol Bujeta, so we had to pay park fees – I let Bhavni sort that out.
We arrived and check in, took stuff to our tent (one of the old ones), slightly freshening up then going to the restaurant for lunch, just as it started to rain. We had soup, then helped our self to the buffet. We told the guys not to bother coming tomorrow.
After lunch we went on a game drive, taking a guide with us (it was 4pm). I was cool going around in our own car – we saw lots, Buffalo, antelope, giraffes and then a couple of rhinos. The guide got a phone, so I drove back at break neck speed (relatively) to near the camp, where we saw some lions, including a chilling male.
After getting back at 6, we relaxed for a bit before going on a night game drive. This was quite different, as we saw lions in the dark, plenty of rabbits, hyenas, jackals and others. We had an interesting 2 hours, before getting back. We had dinner, then made our way back to the tent for an early-ish night.
Wednesday 6th
Even with best intentions, we missed the sunrise, so we waked up properly at 8am and went to have breakfast (was not going to go for a dawn drive). We asked for a seat near the windows, but they would not move us, but promised that they would for lunch time.
We went out on our own at 9.30, our first stop (with animals on the way) was the chimp sanctuary. The timing could not have been better, as the troop just came to the fence. The most amusing one was Max, who came really angrily as there were some trucks that started making noise, he looked like a small child in a ape costume. We then had a walk with the guide, further in to the secondary site, but the other troop were not around, but it was still a nice walk in the increasing heat.
From the chimp sanctuary we had a really indirect drive to the rhino sanctuary. This was really good as we got to see some elephants, giraffes and more white rhino on the way. At the sanctuary we had a turn each feeding some sugar cane and patting Barraka, who was a 20 year old blind black rhino (one eye from a cataract, the other from fighting). We did not see the southern white rhinos, so we headed out doing a bit more touring before getting back for lunch.
The seat they gave us was better, as I had a window seat, but Bhavni was still next to a wall, so we asked for dinner if they could do something for us. After lunch we rested for a bit as it looked like rain, and the temperature fell markedly.
I was feeling sorry for the neighbour, and invited her to join us for game drive at 5. After seeing the rain never came, we went to the club house at 4pm and relaxed there. At 5 I look for Lisa (the neighbour), but after 20mins I give up and we headed to the car park, where she just arrived having gone on a tour (so much for her not having anything to do). Anyway we all went on the drive, which was really good again. We saw most animals, apart from a leopard.
Getting back we freshened up and then went to the club house and had a drink in front of fire (Amarillo for me and Stony for Bhavni). We then went for dinner at around 8, where they had set up a table for 2 in front of the window, so we could see the watering hole, with candles etc. The view was good as we saw elephants and rhino at the watering hole whilst eating.
After dinner we went to bed early. However we were woken up for a couple of hours by what the staff later said were tree hyraxes.
Thursday 7th
Today we actually got up for sunrise, I was out first and went around to the clubhouse to get to a good spot, Bhavni just made it in time. Back to bed for a bit before going for breakfast, where we had a leisurely meal for an hour till around 9.30.
We checked out and saying bye to the neighbour, we headed out. As we were leaving we saw a massive herd of elephants, we tried to get to a road that went a bit towards them, but we could not get to them. So leaving the park, we filled up some petrol at Nanyuki and then headed back to Nyeri.
We got back just before 12, where they were making buscuits, which I got roped into helping with. This then turned into frying, helping make chuckris. Saanya got into the action as well.
In the afternoon we went to Greenhills and played cards – Saanya enjoyed the swings. Coming back we made some green curry for dinner, but ended up eating early as the shop did not close till late. After Bhavnis father had come home and eaten we had to drop a worker to his house, that was quite far out.
Friday 8th
It started a normal day, apart from repairing the wallpaper in Bhavni’s parents room as best as I could, then with us going for a walk near midday, however Bhavni was a social butterfly, meaning we were at people shops for 30 minutes at a time, meaning we got to the shop as they were closing. However Anji was there and wanted to take her father for some blood tests. So an hour later (after a menu of blood tests), we got back after 2 and had lunch, sorted last minute things and then left at 3.30 to go to Nairobi.
The drive was not that bad, we got there in 3 hours, just one really slow truck that even tankers had to overtake. We got to Surya Masis at the same time as Miten, had a bit of time to freshen up, then went to Furasatu (after dropping Surya Masi to Savaita Masis). Nice dinner with Sushi and Korean. We then went to a place near diamond plaza for ice cream, before going home.
Saturday 9th
After a chilled breakfast, we went to Mitens flat to see the problems. The most obvious one was that so many of the floor tiles were either damaged or at different hights. I left Miten to this and made a massive list of other problems to fix. The problem is that the builders do not see any other way of doing things, and even if you explain a better way they will not do it even after agreeing. Another example is that showers where they just put gaps where dirt will remain. On the plus side, the flat was very nice otherwise.
After having enough, we went to a place called Odds and Ends to look at the furniture they were choosing. It took a long time due to the traffic. We had a look at some of the furniture they were looking at and some ideas.
After we went to the Purdy Arms, an old colonial haunt, where we sat on the veranda and ordered way too much food, Miten and I had a draft beer. A while later we got back to the car and soon the heavens opened with torrential rain. We tried to go to a place called Giraffe manor, but they would not let us in as you had to book first. So we went back home.
We relaxed for a bit before leaving for westlands to go to the cinema. Mehul and Bijal’s sister joined us to watch Zootopia. Apparently we had to stand to the flag of Kenya, but I did not know. We saw Rajvi (Parita’s sister) there.
After the film we dropped Surya Masi home from her sisters then went to the new hotel hangout that the guys frequent for a drink, whilst the rest did sheesha.
Sunday 10th
We had a slight lie in this morning, then after a lazy breakfast we went with Miten and Bijal to see the bed place, before going to Bijals parents house. We got home then left Bijal and Miten there as they had to go to Oshwal, whilst, Bhavni, Surya Masi and I drove to Rotli Wave for lunch meeting her Kanti Mama there. Quite nice food, we got there at a good time as it became very busy by the time we left.
We got back and waited for a bit until the rest came (Nyeri had gone to Oshwal). It was then lots of visiting (4 places).
For dinner we went to Slush, with lots of other people. Getting back, we finished sorting stuff and then headed back to Nyeri. I fell asleep for a bit, getting woken up as we got up the hill, with the torrential rain, which had reduced visibility to silly levels. Back at Nyeri at 12.30, we had a tea before bed.
Monday 11th
The morning was raining quite a bit. Richi came over in morning to say bye and collect some food. The morning was lazy, I did lots of reading, then got roped into making buscuits. After lunch we went to Outspan and chilled for a while, reading and just enjoying the sun.
Getting back to the house, we had dinner, then played some cards into the night.
Tuesday 12th
A better morning, meaning we went for a walk, almost the usual round. Back for lunch, after which we went out to Outspan again for a while. We then went to the shop, where we ended helping with the unloading of the delivery van until late. Getting back, it was a case of dinner, packing then a short game of cards.
Wednesday 13th
By the time we were ready to leave to go to Nairobi it was close to 11. On the way, there was some buying of fruit including a whole bunch of bananas for 300bob. We got to Surya masis, had a bit of time to sort out last minute bag changes and sit down for lunch. Nirav and Miten made it in time. Kanti Mama had a colleague who was on the same flight as us to the UAE, so he accompanied us to the airport (after a last minute wait for something from Kanti mamas house).
We pretty much had to check in and go through to the departure lounge. On the way we had 3 seats between us, so we had a comfortable flight watching some movies.
In Dubai airport we chilled in Giraffe (ordering a big plate of Nachos), managing to face time using a VPN to let everyone know we were ok. The flight to the UK was quite full. I got some fitful sleep. In the UK we got out bags quickly enough and Bhavni went to work directly whilst Akshey picked me up and dropped me.