adventures in kenya part two..

So I'm going to start this post with a link to a song that was literally everywhere while I was there ! I heard it countless times whilst I was driving about.. gotta love the feel good african vibes :) By the end of my trip I was happily singing along with everyone else :D 

 

During the last few days of our trip we'd decided to go on a safari in the Serengeti over 2 days and one night. We organised everything through a local tour agent.  On the morning of the excursion we were collected in the early hours by our friendly guide and so began our little adventure.

The journey took about 3 hours from Mombasa. The scenery changed pretty fast from flat land and palm trees to tall mountains and open landscapes. 

We stopped for lunch here at this beautiful half building/ half plant hotel called Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge. To be honest I felt like I stepped back in time.. wish I took photos of the inside to show you what I mean.

Checking out the local sights ^_^

First view of our accommodation for that night.. Salt Lick Game Lodge

View of the waterhole from my bedroom.. I got up several times in the night to see what animals would turn up. At one point there was a buffalo who in his haste slipped and kept falling in the water! It was so funny! I'm pretty sure I could see him looking embarrassed about it too ;)

Sunset in the middle of nowhere..

 

African deer and an incredible sunrise..

  

Ran into a family of baboons..

Zebraaa....

Hanging about the waterhole.. 

A giraffe's run is surprisingly graceful..

I see a heart every time I see this tree. Sadly this is the closest we got to the elephants.. to be honest there were hardly any animals about and the guide explained that we were witnessing the tragic effects of poaching. It makes me feel so sad and frustrated with the world.

 

I love this shot. There were many occasions where desperately wished that I had a 70-200mm lens or the 100-400mm lens.. the only lens I used for all of these shots were the 50m f1.4 and the 17-85mm and my Canon 450D body. Still there's always next time!

Pumbaa and friends :)

A few days later it was time to head back (to enjoy the wettest June ever!) sigh.. 

Ok so I saw these giant circular things in the Libyan desert (I know it's in the Libyan desert because I later hunted them down on google maps!) .. what on earth are they?!! My father suggested oil wells but I googled it and didn't find an explanation.. please let me know if you have an idea.. I'm really curious :p

These were all taken with my canon point and shoot.. not bad quality huh!

I loved the way the clouds were gathered up again the tall Alps.. 

Speaking of which.. I flew over the Alps on Monday having NO idea that on Friday I would be enjoying a barbecue at the foot of the Alps in South Germany. A day later I shot a very beautiful wedding (that's the next blog post!) 

Isn't it funny how life plays out?

First view of English coastline.. :) Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading! 

♥

adventures in kenya part one..

Back in May, I had the pleasure of accompanying my father on his business trip to Mombasa, Kenya. Now, I actually grew up in Mombasa, literally a stone's throw (or a short walk through the bushes) from the ocean. I moved to England when I was a teenager. It's strange, growing up somewhere so idyllic and so far removed from my present environment that sometimes I'd feel as though I'd made it all up and that none of it had ever happened. It had been approximately 10 years since I left and I had an incredible time rediscovering the scents and sounds of my childhood, visiting new places and my favourite bit, reconnecting with old friends all of whom welcomed me back with big smiles, warm open arms, stories and new adventures! I didn't take many pictures (considering what I'm usually like!) there were just some occasions where I felt unsafe to be using the big camera.. I don't like getting unwanted attention and it just wasn't worth it. Call me overcautious ;)

Anyway this is part 1 of 2 and it's just my way of sharing a fraction of my experiences.. 

*warning.. it's photo heavy and there's a lot of sunsets! (come on.. african sunsets are amazing.. I couldn't help myself !!)

Walking along the beach on the first morning.. after that I tried to take a walk on the beach every day.. :)

While watching these kids, I could see my brother and I as children playing away on the beach after school as we often did..

Ran into an old friend on the plane. Not gonna lie.. it was a very childish, overexcited, squealing moment ! ^_^

 

Candy coloured clouds during one very pink sunset! 

  

Camels spending their day lounging in the sun..

 

My view from where I used to sit reading during the mornings .. speaking of which I read Haruki Murakami's, Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, which if you haven't read I'd thoroughly recommend! I think it's my favourite of his (so far :p) 

 Driving through town.. 

Random lime green building!

Advertising everywhere! Still, I loved all the colour :)

!!!

Lighthouse, where people go to enjoy the view, make out, enjoy fresh cassava crisps, mangos and coconut juice.

View across town. It's here where you see a noticeable Portuguese architectural influence. There's a temple and a mosque amongst all the buildings. Mombasa is very multicultural. Different religions and cultures coexist happily and it's really an aspect of this town that I most admire. 

Road trip under a big sky..

 We arrived at a golf course - in the middle of nowhere - ! It's really at this point where my pictures fail to convey the sheer scale of the place, the suspense I felt when we were driving up along a lone road, going higher and higher into the hills with the land falling away on one side showcasing views of more hills and an untamed nature..miles and miles and not a building in sight. On the other ride of the road we were passing huge, beautiful houses.. homes of Kenya's most affluent. At some point we passed an airstrip catering for private planes for those coming to play golf and escape for the weekend.

A family friend's home complete with infinity pool and one hell of a view! Needless to say I did not want to leave!

  Vipingo Ridge golf course and the clubhouse (of course) is all man made.. an island in the middle of wild nothingness. 

The clubhouse designed with decidedly Moroccan influences.

View from the rooftop..

 

Dad and I :)

 

The spectacular sunset from the rooftop lounge area..

Heading out to safari! And it's another beautiful day.. 

 

 

Phewww.. sorry for the long post! Well done on making it this far though! Part 2 coming soon :)

♥