Monday, December 29, 2008

Asante Sana, Kenya...

...for the friendliness of the people, and the beauty of the natural surroundings and wildlife. We'll long remember our cultural experiences and the excitement we felt while helping Amanda and Chris in their important research on the Mara River. Kwa herini!
Sincerely,
Pam and Bill

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Matatu to Nairobi


Sadly, it's time to leave Narok and return to Nairobi. But it's also an opportunity for another new experience... riding on a matatu- a minivan tricked out to hold 11 passengers, upholstered with bright paisley seats and curtains, playing hip hop music, and covered in colorful pictures and slogans like "Death Train." Travel is always an adventure!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Watching Lions in the Masai Mara


Yesterday we saw them eating a fresh buffalo kill, today resting in the shade. Amazing!

The Hippos


Checking out a large group of hippos in the Mara river...

Sunday, December 21, 2008

1st Breakdown


1st breakdown of the Masai Mara trip...easy fix with Bill's help.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Mexican Night in Kenya


Chris suprised us after a long day in the field with a fabulous home-cooked Mexican feast (you would be impressed Mrs. Dutton!).

Trials and Tribulations


As you can see...they just can't resist getting into our plants.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Chameleon


Maybe not as big as the bongo or as agressive as the baboon, but we were excited to stumble upon this little fellow on the safari walk!

Nairobi Safari Walk


This was taken shortly after a baboon tried to steal Pam's banana.

Monday, December 8, 2008

They Made It!


Amanda's parents just made it to Nairobi...now we are relaxing at a nice outdoor bar and catching up.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Monday, December 1, 2008

Sunday, November 30, 2008

View From the Pilot's Seat.


My camel... shortly after he ate a flower from a cactus plant.

The Solution to Breakdowns


Camels.

Here is Amanda trying to slow her camel down from ramming mine. Luckily a Samburu fella stepped in to help.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Last Night


This is where we camped last night...nice place except for the donkey that kept us up.

I Love Africa Travel


Yesterday - 16 hours of driving, 4 minor vehicle issues, 1 trip to a service station, 4 vomit incidents (i got my arm splashed during one of them).

Today - 45 minutes of driving and 1 vehicle issue that has taken us to a missionary workshop in the middle of a very poor and arid area to get our ride fixed. After this...maybe 10 more hours of driving till we reach lake Turkana. Always an adventure!

Almost there...

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Off to Lake Turkana!


Sorry, but we've been so busy lately we haven't had much time to post. Here is a quick update; bosses arrived and spent 6 days traveling over 1600 km with us that included 7 breakdowns in two African countries, 4 days sampling in the Masai Mara that included getting stuck in the mud for 3 hours, 4 days in dubai for visa renewal and vacation, 5 baby chickens hatched (2 died within hours, 1 hurt her leg so we removed her from the coop and we are nursing her), and now we are off to Lake Turkana for 6 days to see the giant crocs with 5 of our neighbors (4 of the 6 days are to get there and back). Wish us luck!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Worm-Composting Gecko

This guy was hanging out with our worms in our composting enclosure.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The Obama Campfire

A few nights ago, we had a campfire in celebration of the election of the US President with Kenyan roots.  A bunch of our friends and neighbors came over and were treated to Nyama Choma (roasted goat) and s'mores.  




Monday, November 10, 2008

The Dry Land of Kenya

We live in Narok.  It is extremely dry.  The town itself has primarily dirt roads and it is extremely dusty at all times of the year except for the long rains and the short rains.  I've heard it referred to as a "frontier town".  

We've received so much rain the last couple days...this little critter somehow got through our front door last night...




Keep in mind, we live approximately 400 meters uphill from a small river.  I've got no clue how this guy got into our house. 

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Where Were You When Obama Won the Election?

We were in the Masai Mara National Reserve.  Here we are, listening to his speech on our cell phone...in the middle of the reserve.  Thankfully, a friend of ours in Nairobi called us as Obama began to speak to the world and he put his cell phone up to the television in Nairobi so we could listen in the Masai Mara.