In Turkana

In Turkana

Thursday 18 October 2012

Beautiful Republic


At 'Kona Baridi' i.e Cold Corner, near Ngong
I am a Travel and Tourism student. I love my course because it adequately covers what I am almost most passionate about. God’s grace enabled me join the best institute that offers Hospitality and Tourism learning in Africa. That not only means I occasionally interact with foreign students (that sounds discriminatory), but also offers a chance to travel far and wide mostly for research, familiarization and fun! This is a post about a recent trip to the Kenyan Rift Valley, a natural phenomenon of exquisite beauty and a geological masterpiece produced by millions of years of intense volcanic, tectonic and faulting processes. This we capped by paying a 3 day visit to the world renowned Maasai Mara Game reserve; host to the 7th natural wonder in the world, the annual cycle of wildebeest’s migration to and from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

Menu: Kenya...spoilt for choice
With colleagues after going through the gorge
Day 1 saw us travel to The Bogoria Spa Resort. Enroute we visited the flamingos’ paradise that is Lake Nakuru and got an aerial view of the Rift Valley near Kijabe. An elegant establishment owned by Kenya’s second president and less than quarter of an hour’s drive to the famous Lake it’s named after. It also prides itself for having the only natural spa in the entire world that constantly bubbles out water at 37°C, the human body temperature and as such, a pool has been built that offers not only the warm water but also healing properties for the skin. That was fun, trust me; swimming at 0200HRS in that water is unrivalled. Next day, we got the chance to visit the nearby Lake Baringo with its 7 islands including one which is dwelt by one man, his 5 wives and 27 children! Lake Bogoria is marvellous with its characteristic long and slender outline but more so the thousands of flamingos on its shores and geysers that spring over 20 metres high. Boiling eggs in its hot springs was also massively fun, and so was the partaking of themJ

Hell's gate and the spa's swimming pool
After two nights, we departed for the other lake town of Naivasha passing the Equator as we travelled South not to forget the spectacular Lake Elementaita just past Kenya’s most famous ‘nyamchom’ (grilled meat) location, Kikopey. The night was an eventful one and energy levels high as we planned an early hike in the absolutely fascinating Hell’s Gate National Park. This was to be followed by the two hundred kms journey to the Mara. For any man that hopes to propose marriage to a lucky damsel soon, I would suggest you do it at the gorge in the H.G.N.P…it began as a crack. This then developed and the erosion processes over millions of years has made the gorge a site to behold. We had a local Maasai guide and the hike through various spots took our breath away; from visible volcanic plugs, to rocks bearing hot water and steep descents and ascents coupled with the eerie feeling of being totally surrounded by wild animals is unrivalled. Let us just say it’s a smaller version of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Lakes Baringo, Bogoria, Nakuru and Magadi
Heading to Mara along the very straight Maii Mahiu-Narok Road, you’d be mistaken to think a ruler was used all through. We passed in between two volcanic mountains. Suswa on the left is extinct but the more spectacular Longonot is dormant; meaning it may just blow up anytime with no prior warning! The drive was long but we got to relax for two nights at Sarova Mara, a marvellous hotel built right inside the game reserve.

Locomotion; our tour bus in various locations

The drives in Mara are to die for and unique. Early morning we went to witness the unique Balloon Safaris. Basically, you pay 420 US$ (35,000 KSH) for an unforgettable experience composed of an hour in the air watching either animals, the African sun rise from far in the horizon or taking awesome aerial pictures. I give up. My words cannot describe just how amazing it is. It has to be done at dawn because then the sun has yet to make the air hot which would prevent the hot air rising up. The Mara River swarms with crocodiles and hippos and is a site to behold as thousands of animals cross for greener pastures, literally. After visiting more hotels and sites, our cameras were now full of pictures holding immense memories and it was time to drive back home.

One of the seven wonders of the World
Dear reader, Kenia ist schön  (Kenya is beautiful, German). Plan and get away from the city sometime. Explore the nation that is surely a Beautiful Republic. I remain, Njabia the 3rd.

Sunday 7 October 2012

MOBBED TO DEATH

Where is that Rascal?

Amazing reader, how art thou? Hoping all is well in your world. If you are familiar enough with Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, then you may be in the know of the latest and probably best statue to commemorate a past hero of this great nation; yeah the almost perfect remake of Tom Mboya just at the center of the city, adorned in full African regalia with flamingos complimenting the landmark, just like in his native Rusinga island home. A tranquil place with designated seats for use by the public that for a few minutes turned into a scene of chaos and almost murder. This was sometime back as I waited for an acquaintance along Nairobi's Moi Avenue.

I wonder if he survived...
Prior to that incident I am about to narrate, the whole country was shocked and left in a daze after an innocent pastor in the Coastal town of Mombasa, together with a colleague had been brutally murdered in public after being confused for criminals. All that happened in daylight as a mob baying for their blood had broken the 6th Commandment and taken away their lives in cold blood. I remember feeling pity on the man of the cloth’s wife as she was too shell-shocked to accept what had befallen the father of her children and a shepherd of the human flock who worshiped at the Mombasa Melchidizek church of Buxton.


Back at the Nairobi incident, a similar occurrence almost unfolded before my eyes. This petty thief and a dumb one I have to say; had the nerves or rather stupidity to try and snatch a woman’s handbag at the  bus stop adjacent to the 3 star Hotel, The Ambassadeur. A place ever teeming with people, both departing and boarding buses for certain Nairobi destinations and an awful lot of unoccupied mortals; either idle or awaiting someone. A single blood-cuddling shout of alarm from the victim-to-be was enough to spring hordes of men into action, chasing the man as he crossed the few roads and into the reception of the Hilton Hotel for deliverance as he knew, just like you may know, the proverbial 40 days for a thief had come to a close.

The loss of a loved one pains to the core
The crowd baying for his blood were able to inflict enough beating to just about leave his life hanging by a thread and a few more minutes would have effectively reduced the world’s population by one was it not for the arrival of the police. He was whisked away but how lucky because hundreds more have lost their lives in similar circumstances.

As a kid, one of the most eerie moments were coming across a scene with a burnt tire; all the way that just wires showed and some bones of a thief burnt to death, with the aid of the said tire and petrol. Personally I know of two individuals, one killed by an angry mob after being cornered after some stealing exploits and another shot to death by police who opted not to capture and try him in court. These were both young men barely out of their teens and by virtue of personally knowing them, I stand on the side opposing 'mob justice'. I put it in quotes as that is no justice at all.

Jesus: He who is without sin, throw the first stone. (All flee)
Probably, you've seen how mob justice is meted and you may be on either side of the divide. Having property that you've worked hard for stolen or harm inflicted on you is a great boost to participate in mob justice but please, I beseech, that person crying out for mercy could be your relative, close friend or future spouse…before throwing that stone and splattering blood and brains all over, take a thought and allow compassion for fellow man to override the anger and rage of the moment. There are laws of the land, made to deal with such, and a God above, who declares vengeance to be His.

Thank you for your few minutes, wonderful reader. Till next time, I remain Njabia the 3rd.

Total Pageviews