Wed 23rd April
Picked mum up from the airport at 7.30am which was SO nice!
We went back to Starehe and mum unpacked while I went to Nyao House and finally
got my permit through. Wahoo officially a legal Kenyan resident! We spent the
day sorting out safari and planning the trip and seeing the many goodies she
had brought me from home, including the Easter bunny (Dad) chocolate surprises.
My lovely neighbours made matoke (cooked bananas and potatoes in a tomatoes and
onions), one of my favourite dishes, for mum to experience real Kenyan food.
Thursday 24th April
We took a matatu to Ngara and walked 10 mins down to the
museum and had a lovely time learning about Kenyan culture and history. Followed
by a walk into town where we sorted mums phone out, went shopping, bought a
toaster as mum thought it was necessary (am now so glad I have it!) before
heading to Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant for mum to try Ethiopian, trying lots
of small dishes with a njeera, all with your hands. True African food.
Friday 25th April
We left mid morning for Ngong town and took a bike up to the
Ngong hills gate. Only when we got there did we realise how expensive it was,
especially considering we had to walk through construction works. However we
still enjoyed our walk up the breezy hill and taking in the gorgeous views. Mum
was astonished at how the Matatu conductors fought over our custom! We stopped
off in Karen to go to the Karen Blixen Museum where we learnt all about Kenya
before independence and Karen Blixen’s history, a recommended tourist
attraction. It was so nice cooking dinner with someone else, makes eating more
exciting!
Saturday 26th April
Mum met me in town after I finished teaching but she was
delayed getting in because she got on a matatu that got stuck in traffic! We
went to Yaya Centre and wandered around where we met Steph for a late lunch and
caught up with her. We then headed to Conservatoire orchestra where mum met
lots of my friends, slightly overwhelming for her. After conserve we went for
dinner with Carey, lovely string playing and teaching friend from the US, at
Bridges Organic restaurant, I think one of my favourite places and as always
delicious food.
Sunday 27th April
Karura forest with Corrine, James and Ellen. This was one of
the best days during my holidays for many reasons. Karura forest is beautiful
and loved just wandering around, fresh air and exercise, for mum and me it felt
like we were at home at the valley waterfalls! Also because I get on so well
with Corrine, I love spending time with her too, one of my big sisters and good friends here. Spent a few hours walking to the
waterfalls, caves and looking at all the pretty butterflies. After the forest
we went for a well earned icecream in Village market, wandered around and saw
how upper class it was and could only dream of shopping there before heading
back to town. Stopping off at a busy City Park for mum to see the monkeys,
unfortunately so busy that barely any were around! Called in to see Margaret so
mum met the Korinko family including Seth the baby. 
Monday 28th April
Woke up to a happy text from Kizito saying Jenny had given
birth to their son Joseph during the night! Started our long journey to Masai
Mara when we left the house at 7.30am. After the bumpy ride after leaving the
main road at Narok we arrived at our camp at 4pm ready for our evening game
drive. In a 2 hour game drive we saw elephants, lions and giraffes, the main
reasons I come on safari!! We also saw the beautiful sunset while leaving the park. We met some lovely
Europeans and Kenyans on our bus and in our camp who had a lot of questions for
me, a westerner living in Kenya, I didn’t mind though. 
Tuesday 29th April
All day game drive and saw almost every animal, a lot of
driving around empty land with lots of us falling asleep! Lots of photos, a
picnic lunch and lots of animals, lots and lots! We were back at the camp at
5pm chilling before supper and an early night. Some funny moments such as mum
being caught in her mosquito net and the generator being cut off before it’s
meant to be, leaving us fumbling around our tent!
Wednesday 30th April
Early morning game drive to see the sunrise, didn’t see many
other animals, still no wild Rhino but got beautiful photos before heading back
for breakfast and to leave the camp by 10am. We headed back to Nairobi for the
long painful journey after stopping off in the awful services at Narok, which I
believe is what later gave me food poisoning. I quickly left for Kenton for the
NMS rehearsal but it took me 90 mins to get there so was an hour late for the
rehearsal! Got a pizza on the way home to share with mam, a necessary end to a
tiring day.
Thursday 1st May
Mam’s last day which we spent around Starehe. Mum met all
the staff she hadn’t already, we had late lunch at Shivembe’s , her famous chapatti’s
and supper at Margaret’s ugali and tilapia (fish from Lake Victoria) Yes for
those of you that know me I tried fish, still can’t eat it though. We bought
sandals with the help of Onyango and the girls at Karikor for Jade at a much
cheaper price than what they wanted me to buy them for and what I have already
paid for mine months ago, stupid white skin!
Friday 2nd May
Left at 5am to take mam to the airport, very sad to see her
go but we had a great time and life must go on! Roll on my visit to the UK with
the Starehe Boys in September when I’ll get to see her again.
I love you mum :)
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