A Short Break Away

     We realized that all work and no play isn't good for anyone.......so here is how to take a break in Kenya.
If you travel this far and live in the land of the original safari like in the movie "Out of Africa" this is what everyone does here. Last year we ventured into the Masi Mara game reserve where they show the wildebeast migration on National Geographic shows. This year we chose a different route. There is a lake nearby we had not visited and another park.
     On our first day we traveled to "Hells Gate" to see many animals plus a huge gorge that has been washed out by rain each rainy season. We hiked down the canyon (literally similar to our Grand Canyon) for about an hour with some very steep climbs down into the canyon. We came across some very hot streams coming out of the canyon walls. At one such spot you could even boil an egg and there was evidence that someone had done just that. At the end of out walk we climed out a different way which was very steep and hot (it was much cooler in the canyon).
     Next we drove thru a section near the "Hells Gate" park where the Japanese have developed geothermal energy from many boreholes in the earth. The high pressure steam derived from the wells is used to generate electricity for the nearby cities. Some were venting into the air with much pressure and noise. Then off to our hotel on Lake Naivasha where we ate lunch and secured our room.
     After lunch we went for a boat ride on the lake to view many hippos, ducks, birds and fish eagles. While out we also took a walking safari and was very close to many native animals. Hippos are very dangerous and will attack you while in the boat. They can swim underwater for five minutes without surfacing for air. Our guide suffered such an attach while fishing and almost lost his life. He was with five other fishermen in the boat when a hippo came out of the water and grabbed him by the arm. It pulled him from the boat and flung him back and forth underwater. He survived and had many scars on his arm to prove it.
     The next morning we were off to Mount Kenya (highest mountain in Kenya) for a visit to "Sweetwater Game Reserve" where we take a safari (only shoot with a camera) to view the many native animals of Africa. The safari vans are very comfortable with a roof that raises so you may stand to view animals or picture taking. On the way (about a five hour drive) we stopped off to view Thompson Falls, a beautiful waterfall but very touristy.
     The Sweetwater resort has tents you sleep in that are very comfortable and acommodating complete with hot water provided by tanks that are heated with wood. Beside the tent compound is a large watering hole for the animals. About dark many come in for a drink. Note the tent, giraffe drinking at water hole and even a beautiful sunset on Mt. Kenya.
     A part of this reserve has a chimpanze refuge for chimps that have been taken from illegal owners and placed back in the wild. It is a part of Jane Goodall's efforts to free chimps.

     Also the rhino population is extremely low because of poachers who kill them just for their horn. The park has gunbearing guards who watch at night for paoachers. One such rhino we got to pet was called Barraca, a very gentle creature who had lost his sight from an eye disease. He is huge but very tame and not harmful in the least.
     On the return trip back to IAA we stopped on the equator to view a demonstration how water flows down a drain. When 20 m north of the equator it flows in a clockwise direction and 20 m south of the equator it flows counterclockwise. Wow it really does, just look the next time you drain your sink which way it flows. To all who read this blog we expect you to come with us next year and take a safari with us, you would love it!!!!!