In 9 days time, I get to travel to Kenya again for the 3rd time, all thanks to my husband, Eric, and his jobs working over there.
As I prepare for this trip, I thought I would share last year's trip again, but instead of on my personal Facebook page, this time, on my E-n-E Travels 365 blog! And this time, I'll share a select few of my actual photos that I took with my camera (finally!) vs. my cell phone that was easier to share on FB. Day 1 had nothing award winning, but I figure worth viewing at least. :)
The first time I visited was 2007. At that time, we were living in Italy. Eric was working there for a few weeks. At the time, I never had a desire to visit Africa. Not sure why - but since he was already there working there, why not?! It was so awesome, I was chomping at the bit for 14 yrs to go back!
Last year, was a gift for my 50th birthday, which was actually the year before (but due to covid, it was delayed) so it was also my 51st birthday present and we splurged where we could and it was totallyworth it.
On July 5, 2021, I flew from
Norfolk International Airport to Nairobi, a long 30 plus hour trip with a stop midway in Amsterdam. With a couple hour layover - I walked around enjoying the beautiful color - bright red, yellow, orange tulips and checked out the cheeses, vowing to grab a few wheels of havarti on the way back to the USA. The hours of travel are not as bad as it sounds - it goes by fast with lots of movie time and switching my sleeping schedule to Kenya time as soon as I board really helps with jet lag when I arrive.
Karibu in Swahili means WELCOME! I always feel welcome in Kenya!
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Day 1:
I got to know the team Eric was working with the past month. He teaches the local Kenyans how to diffuse bombs (being a Master
EOD Tech has it's perks when you retire and get opportunities to travel for your new job!).
We did a little bit of shopping. (priorities!), finding an etched glass Elephant mug that I had to buy. The ride to our new hotel was fascinating. The roads are lined with businesses - from furniture to garden nurseries and fruit & veggie stands.. they all set up shop just inches from the busy traffic! I captured many images as we whizzed by to give you an idea of what life is like in busy Nairobi.
I had to take a small nap in the afternoon at Eric's work hotel. We just checked into our new hotel,
Smother's Boutique Hotel, not far from the American Embassy. It is a very nice place - love the front of it with the 'Dr. Seuss' tree complimenting it!