Merry Christmas From Nairobi

Christmas greetings from hot hot Narobi. Arrived here this am around half nine the usual 5am wake up get the tents down in the dark eat in the dark do all things in the dark and leave. Than sleep on the truck the first 2 hours. Besides crossing the equator, we have been to some amazing lakes in Kenya all campgrounds but really nice ones. All with bars, showers (the most important well next to the bar) meeting up with all other trucks like ours from different companies new best friends ......................We stayed one night at a large farm. Everyone buying shots from the bar it was a night we all slept well in tents as well as in the truck. Yesterday we went to Joy Adam's place where she wrote her books about Elsa the lioneness the "born free lady". We had high tea there went back to the campground on another amazing lake ate, bar, disco , tent and up again at 5. Our auzzies could not go to their destination as all bookings were full so continued here with us today. Being my birthday today had a party on the bus coming here with a great pair of earings from the group and of course a class card. Went to lunch at a great place (hard rock cafe is closed) just Petra (from Germany) Sarah (from UK) and me. We started in at the bar at 10:30 was able to find our food at 12 now getting ready for tonights Christmas dinner at 7 and say farewell to our auzzies and we pick up 13 more new people starting now for Tanzinia or however you spell it Christmas am at 8:45. The Serginiti for 3 days after that than 4 nights rest at a beach place in Zanzibar for the new year holidays. We went game driving yesterday. Amazing it was as on one side of our truck we had a black rino on the other side was a white rino. The black Rino is nasty. He did a mock charge at our truck of course it did not work. Got disgusted so we all watched as he crossed into the territory of the white rino. Got all the pictures. Saw and got pictures of as well of two Zebras fighting. The only animal not yet seen is the chettah and the leopard. All the animals have migrated to the Serrigenti so will def. see everyone again in two days. I forgot 2 nights ago we went bush camping. There is nonething more than you your tent that's it. Heard a buffalo group stomp by in the middle of the night just getting to sleep a lion does his thing and of course the baboons plus the hyenia. After awhile you get to know the different sounds. We had to put up our tents in a semi circle all facing the truck. It was really great and will be doing the same in the serrigente. Wishing all of you the best and happiest of holidays. I really am missing home today tomorrow will be the same. Keep in touch.

ME

Emily my vodofone keeps on saying sim card regristration failed. Let me know what I can do.

It is 8 hours dif. from Canada and the US 3 hours dif. from UK. my number here where I am staying is 254 202 227567. Room 228. I will be leaving here at this time 8:45 for 9 O'clock Christmas Mass in the Cathedral. It is over at 11 so will be back here by midnight. Anyone who wants to call after midnight the time here would be good.

change of plans

Taking advantage of getting this email in as Sarah and I stayed back with the cook and driver while the rest left for white water rafting. We leave here around 10 am for Jinja. We were there once before to make our lunch def. going to upgrade tonight for a dorm. A beautiful place right on the River Nile. We all help each other with the tents cleaning up plus doing all the dishes ect. There is music of all types playing while we are on the road speaking of which some of them it is difficult to even call roads they are so ruff and bad. As we near the market towns the people go crazy as we go by it almost makes you feel famous. they are also nice as well. The women go up and down hills with such large loads upon their heads and babies hanging off their backs. Some of the young children wear clothes some don't. Everyone has a bicycle with a large seat upon the back with two ring type things near the pedels for the feet. They are usually loaded with bannans heading for the market towns or people sitting on the backs. When I got my matress a guy gave me a ride down to where they were at first a bit scary as they go like hell and everyone is trying to beat the next guy. After negoations and locating another bike with driver we loaded the mattress upon his seat and started back for the truck. No one has running water in their houses so you see people filling their big yellow plastic jugs in the rivers, streams anywhere there is water. The are also places where a well has been driven for clean water. Cows and goats are always coming or going up or down the roads with children as young as 5 driving them to where ever they are going. Banna trees are in an abduance as well as sugar cane lots and lots of veggies growing truly a site to see. There is so much to tell but not possible to convey the feelings inside. As to the usual question regarding snakes. Haven't seen one yet and probably won't did not see any even in the jungle. I take a maleria pill every Wednesday use Rid a mossi spray from Australia which seems to do the trick. The weather is great a bit hot but better than bloody snow. Time to leave now keep on sending the emails.

Keep on dreaming guys
Me

Mark from England and Lisa from Ireland this is a must trip for your next one. Let me know will give you all the details the booking is out of the UK.

Emily can you get what ever needs to be done for my phone? I guess I need roaming as it would be good to have something especially in some of the places we are going to. I will pay you when I get to the UK and also expect a package to arrive of clothes I will be wearing when I get to the UK. I probably will be doing that sometime in January. Let me know what's up with my phone as I will put back my vodofone sim card.

Kim yes you are coming in loud and clear thanks for sending them onto Darby.

Jim and Russ will call you on Christmas eve the best I can do for time ok?

Jude I have lots and lots of airmiles maybe a trip to the Yukon sometime this summer for a few days to see you. Start saving this trip is the one to do.

Carole what's going on with the relationship

Mary S. Keep on with the emails this is a bit different than Ireland

Lee Hope I can connect via phone when I get back to Kenya in a few days def. will be before we get
into Narobi. Miss you loads.............

Kampala, Uganda

Hi guys, Still in uganda. Have had the best time and the place is beautiful. We have travelled since the last time I was here on this same computer to places I think unkn own to everyone else except the people here. we camp everywhere we go. Have the opportunity to upgrade than if you think about it well it takes away from the nicer things at the end of the journey called the bar. So we all sleep in the tents go to the bar at tnight meet everyone else from other overlander trucks what else can I say. Today several of us bought mattersses around 8.00 dollars American. Pillows were the next thing and one more towel. All our clothes got washed yesterday so now all the ruck sacks are clean with clothes. The showers are the next biggie on things like thiss and yes we all take showers every night where ever we go and hot water which we don't really need as it is so hot here. Back to the trip. We were greeted by the border of Congo they really thought we were the UN. We were in a special small little thing that took roads even in the state of Maine would be considcered out of order. Our passports went quickly and off we went all ten of us in a 6 seater car type of thing. We stopped at a village about an hour before we were to go into the jungle to see the gorrillas which we were told it could take up tro 6 hours going through the jungle with the rangers. the stop over was to fix something on the car and out we had to go and be amoung people who really have never seen many white people never blondes or blue eyed people. they were terrific. They spoke what ever and we did the same. Music came on and away I went with beat. Some of the younger children wanted to touch our skin, our hair they sang to us I almost felt I was Diana it was so overwhelming. they have nonething but they have everything. Life to them is so simple even my grandparents did not have to live llike these people when they came to my counry. the gorrilas were awsome. We went up a hill entered the jungle got only about 15 feet and there was the silver back sitting down with his females and babies. Highly unusual the rangers said. I said Irish Luck. I was the least 10feet away from the big male. The pictures we got are surreal. We followed them for one hour qwhich is alloted and away they went into a farmers fields of corn. There are no words to explain what we felt, saw and realiozed until we got back into the crowded little what ever it was for the 3 hour trip back to a somewhat road back to the borders of Uganda. We stopped twice on the return one for a flat tire and again the two villages of people so poor you cannot imangine their clothing but there appearence was not to be as they were happy so happy they made us happy. As to our food, shelter could not be better. The people I'm with are the best. all new best friends ready to meet all my other best friends. We so far have played pool, volley ball, beach ball, tomorrow is white water rafting on the nile, what else can you say about something like this. the electric goes out alot in Uganda which makes it even better. Our cook is Sammy and he is the best. we all help in preparing the veggies, washing the dishes doing all the chores expected while on this. The average time we get up is around 4:30 or 5 am as we have long ways to go to the next place to set up and places we must see. Yesterday we spent the morning on a boat not seen by North Americans or my Eurpoean people or Ozzies for an hour down the nmost beautiful lake in Uganda to a pigmhy Island. We were greeted by the children and when I say we walked up a steep hill for over an hour I mean steep along the edge of this steep slope until we came to a small village. We were entertained by these people by their dancing and singing. This is real guys. Not National Geographic or discovery channel these people probably haven't bathed in their entire lives. A tooth brush is unheard of and to come from where we all come from it takes a bit to git use to the pugent smells. After tomorrow we head back to Kenya ending on Christmas eve in Narobi. Our party will be held at the Hard Rock Cafe in Narobi. Christmas midnight mass for me and on the way again early in the am of christmas for Serringiti for 3 days in the bush for the viewing of the animals once again. The pictures I've taken are unbelievable. Things I've never seen before even hard to explain. to think 7 more countries to go after Kenya. the next email thing won't be until Narobi as again we are going to some other lakes in other campgrounds before I arrive back to Narobi. Have the greatest and healthy of holidays and of course blessed as we are all blessed to be who we are.

Bye for now
Me

Mitch I get to the Uk May 1st I think. Get something in the wind let me know Tenerife?
Lee I lost you the phone kicked out nonething I could do. will talk with you from Kenya I can't tell you the time as I don't know the schedule in a few days.
Kim Forward to Darby please she does not ge the emails.
Jimmie Russ Laura Katie B #2 will try and ring you all Christmas eve. We are 8 hours ahead of you. Expect a c all anytime I can get on the phone box.
Mary S. This is the trip for you.
Everyone else I'm not ignoring you just email me you know how it is.
Lee again can't waite to speak to again. Remeber the where the red fern grows.

heading for "The Congo"

Big meeting tonight for the first leg of this trip. Only 7 people really small group. Going first for the Masi people spend a few nights there and off to see the gorillas in the Congo. Back to Uganda ending here in Narobi Christmas eve just in time for my birthday. Staying out at the camp ground as the mates on this leg will all be there. 1 german, 2 Americans, 2 Ozzies and me after meeting these people tonight for the first time it's a really ok group. New Years is Zanziibar i remember that. The blonde hair is now crammed into the ball cap at least walking around here anyway. One of the people I met at the bar tonight just came back from a safari trip was walking around someplace last night when gun shots were up close being heard. This place is awsome nighttime choose the place your staying for the evening or go out in a big group. The place I'm staying at tonight is flash. Have a room over the pool a TV that really works and hot shower water. For $15.00 American I bought a sim card for Eastern Africa. After Christmas will buy the $5.00 one for the rest of the trip until we get into S. Africa where I'll get yet another number. Looks now like I have a fetish on the damn sim cards. Number here for now anyway is 2570722429724. Will only have the internet a few times a week and after these first 14 days will have some incrediable stories to tell. Everyone keep in touch always good to hear from home as well as the travellers just wish you were all here. As always living the life wether it be in a bar or some other place.

Me

Mark, Lisa this won't be like Frazier Island crew but will be ok.
Carole send me all the details
Emily will deal with vodophone when I get back to the UK thanks anyway
Maggie update on the Christmas party
Lee I'll be seeing you
My wonderful kids miss you
Mary S. Boston upon the return trip
Johnny V any extra packages sent them my way
everyone else keep in touch

Greetings From Nairobi

I have no clue who will get this and who won't the internet here has alot to be desired. I arrived late last night my flights were great and the people I sat next to were even better. The flight from Uk to here was a laugh from the minute we started to fly. I've never had a band play upon arrival anywhere. they did here. My taxie fare was payed for by the mates I was on the plane with. Great beginnings. Only thing annoing at almost outside my window is the guy who seems to screach to all good muselims to go to worship. Besides killing myself on the uneven sidewalks here in Narobi and people wanting to touch my blonde hair things are looking good. Been invited to a home here by the plane people for the evening meal. The new best friends are orginally from the UK. While on the plane ride from UK to here these people had gotten about 10 little bottles of wine from the wine trolley and gave them to me for the trip. I haven't room for a needle let alone wine bottles. I'll have to get into all of this later the mind is slipping and want to have a walk about before I leave for supper tonight. Details later. The journey has just begun.

Me and still living on the edge

Lee I hope you get this will try to call you tomorrow if I can. My phone does not work as I did not get roaming charges while at Heathrow.

Mark Did you get my last e-mail?

Emily maybe you can help me with the vodophone thing