Location:Ukunda Kenya
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Damn hot wow
Arrived with my companions to the centre of the city. This is Charles first trip anywhere in Kenya. Have found that kenyans do not travel to much really. So it was also his first train trip. We had a quick lunch of rice and chicken. I think it was chicken.
Then we said our good bye's. I walked to the ferry. Hot and very dry. The wind blew up the dust as the cars drove by I was actually feeling the sun for the first time. And of course as I walked I see a young man smile and say jambo. He reply hello my friend and here is my new companion. We walked to the ferry. He told me stories about Mombasa and his life. Then the ferry approached. The mass of people is hard to explain. We were packed like sardines about to pop the can. They opened the gates and the rush of people poured to the ferry. It looked like there was no way we would all fit the crossing to the other side was no more an 7 minutes.
On the other side my new friend helped me barter a ride to Diani beach gps location .
S 04 18.722
E 039 34.432
It is the stilts Eco lodge the room is "on stilts" ;) for only 1500 ksh per night. It is a 1 minute walk from the beach.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Then we said our good bye's. I walked to the ferry. Hot and very dry. The wind blew up the dust as the cars drove by I was actually feeling the sun for the first time. And of course as I walked I see a young man smile and say jambo. He reply hello my friend and here is my new companion. We walked to the ferry. He told me stories about Mombasa and his life. Then the ferry approached. The mass of people is hard to explain. We were packed like sardines about to pop the can. They opened the gates and the rush of people poured to the ferry. It looked like there was no way we would all fit the crossing to the other side was no more an 7 minutes.
On the other side my new friend helped me barter a ride to Diani beach gps location .
S 04 18.722
E 039 34.432
It is the stilts Eco lodge the room is "on stilts" ;) for only 1500 ksh per night. It is a 1 minute walk from the beach.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Mombasa Kenya
Cattle train overturned
Ah we are stuck I. The middle of know where.. Mr Balera
just came around to tell us that there was a cattle train that overturned 25 KM ahead. We could be stuck for 6 plus hours. I have a feeling that they do not have a crane just kicking around either to move the train. So I passed the time handing out more toys.
In the book it said broken, warn out, faded glory. It said that there are often break downs and delays. Haha I wanted to see rural Kenya now I have it! No complaint at all. I like the fact life is simple and why get your knickers in a bunch. This was meant to be my only challenge is my electronics are low on power and so is my camera.
Off for a walk.
Met some great new friends. First my companions Charles who is from Nairobi and his partner jen from brighton England. Charles was great as he knew the language and he suggested we stay on the train. Most of the muzungu left on a very over priced taxis. Sure enough 20 minutes later the train started to surge and off we went to the next station. We then walked to the road. Charles Jen and myself got a trip in a van all the way to Mombasa for 100 ksh Everyone else paid 1500 plus. Rule of the road is always follow the locals.
And my other friends Jasper from Denmark and his fiancé Moi from japan. They are now living in Kenya and moi works for the UN food program in Somalia. The people I have met Kenyan or western counties have all been top drawer. Travel is the people,places , food and adventure. Feels like I have been here a month and I got here at 730 am on the third of feb.
just came around to tell us that there was a cattle train that overturned 25 KM ahead. We could be stuck for 6 plus hours. I have a feeling that they do not have a crane just kicking around either to move the train. So I passed the time handing out more toys.
In the book it said broken, warn out, faded glory. It said that there are often break downs and delays. Haha I wanted to see rural Kenya now I have it! No complaint at all. I like the fact life is simple and why get your knickers in a bunch. This was meant to be my only challenge is my electronics are low on power and so is my camera.
Off for a walk.
Met some great new friends. First my companions Charles who is from Nairobi and his partner jen from brighton England. Charles was great as he knew the language and he suggested we stay on the train. Most of the muzungu left on a very over priced taxis. Sure enough 20 minutes later the train started to surge and off we went to the next station. We then walked to the road. Charles Jen and myself got a trip in a van all the way to Mombasa for 100 ksh Everyone else paid 1500 plus. Rule of the road is always follow the locals.
And my other friends Jasper from Denmark and his fiancé Moi from japan. They are now living in Kenya and moi works for the UN food program in Somalia. The people I have met Kenyan or western counties have all been top drawer. Travel is the people,places , food and adventure. Feels like I have been here a month and I got here at 730 am on the third of feb.
Location:50 KM west of Mombasa
Trains have a great romance even when the glory has faded
Slept like a baby the banging and bouncing rocking me to sleep. The air is wetter now and the clouds are a haze the light coming over the land. You see little huts here and there woman walking with large water jugs on there heads.
Walking , dancing and singing are really the Kenyan peoples past time.
Small children leave for school at 6 am as they have such large distances to walk. I tossed hot wheels cars out to the kids as the train rattled by. We just stopped and three kids with big smiles outside the window. I tossed them some cars. It was pure glee. For them and for me.
Other train travelers tossed them tissues and pencils. Never money. Many people go to poor places and feel it is ok to give money. This is a proud and very industrious people.they could grow a crop without water.
In the distance is a massive bird nest. Not like any other bird nest i have ever seen It could be a eagle condo for 20 :).
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Walking , dancing and singing are really the Kenyan peoples past time.
Small children leave for school at 6 am as they have such large distances to walk. I tossed hot wheels cars out to the kids as the train rattled by. We just stopped and three kids with big smiles outside the window. I tossed them some cars. It was pure glee. For them and for me.
Other train travelers tossed them tissues and pencils. Never money. Many people go to poor places and feel it is ok to give money. This is a proud and very industrious people.they could grow a crop without water.
In the distance is a massive bird nest. Not like any other bird nest i have ever seen It could be a eagle condo for 20 :).
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:2 hours west of Mombasa
Train at last
After my trip to the history museum headed back to relax before the trip. There are cell phone stores every 80 feet. Everyone has a cell phone here. They are very reasonable and run on pre paid cards only all you have to Do is buy the phone average is 3000 ksh approximate $60 US.
Packed the gear and off to the station better off walking on the road as the sidewalks are packed with people. The train station has been the highlight. They have commuter trains also is seems. And 3rd class more resembles a cattle car. It was just as packed to.
This is the first time I have seen other westerners. Most people that come to Nairobi are here for the safaris.
The train is pulling away and more run to get on.
They are moving the cars around for the Mombasa trip.
Ready for departure. The train is 1223 compartment E. It is all to myself there are two bunks o and a small sink our train master is Mr Balera. Nice fellow dinner is served at 7 pm in the main car. The bell ringing as I write. I opted for the first class ticket. It includes dinner and breakfast. The trip will take about 14 hours approximately.
Packed the gear and off to the station better off walking on the road as the sidewalks are packed with people. The train station has been the highlight. They have commuter trains also is seems. And 3rd class more resembles a cattle car. It was just as packed to.
This is the first time I have seen other westerners. Most people that come to Nairobi are here for the safaris.
The train is pulling away and more run to get on.
They are moving the cars around for the Mombasa trip.
Ready for departure. The train is 1223 compartment E. It is all to myself there are two bunks o and a small sink our train master is Mr Balera. Nice fellow dinner is served at 7 pm in the main car. The bell ringing as I write. I opted for the first class ticket. It includes dinner and breakfast. The trip will take about 14 hours approximately.
Location:Nairobi central train station
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