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

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!

Christmas Goat Roast

The Christmas Goat

Our friends preparing the Christmas goat...

Chris-tmas Stocking

Looks like someone was a good boy this year!

Visions of sugarplums...

While Chris was sleeping, Santa paid a visit to our very little Christmas tree. Merry Christmas to all our friends and family!

The Subaluskys and The Maasai

An Acacia Christmas Tree

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...

1st Breakdown

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

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.

The Rift Valley

Cocktails at Sunset

We enjoyed a fruity drink as we watched the sunset by Mt. Kenya.

Uncooperative Camel Part 2

Bill's camel fled from the camel train (with Bill on him) because he was hungry.

Uncooperative Camel

Bill's camel decided to stand straight up while they were directly under a spiny acacia tree.

Mt. Kenya

On the Equator

Sailing on a dhow in Lamu.

Lamu Market Street

The Giraffe Center

Yes, Bill kissed a giraffe.

Elephant Nursery

The Subaluskys are now foster parents to two orphaned elephants!

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.

Getting Fitted...

Amanda's mother...getting sized for a tailored kitenge.

A Deal Was Struck!

Masai Market, Nairobi

Hunting for bargains...

They Made It!

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

Road Block

A Leopard Tortoise road block in the Masai Mara.

Roasting a goat.

This was our Thanksgiving dinner up at Lake Turkana...wonderful.

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.

Yup

Broke down again...gotta love it.

Finally...

We made it...Lake Turkana.

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...

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!

Mara River Wetlands, Tanzania

Worm-Composting Gecko

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

Lions

Two lions we found resting behind a dirt berm.

The Clothes-line Chameleon

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.  

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. 

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.