Nicki:
Thursday:
I can't believe we are leaving Africa today... I feel like I've grown so much as a person and learned so much in the last few weeks. It has truly been an incredible experience. I hope I get the chance to come back some day.
We woke up this morning at 4am. We were packed and ready to go at 5am, when a driver named Leonard picked us up and took us on an early morning drive. More like Mr. toad's Wild Ride. It was pitch black outside. Why on earth would we subject ourselves to this random torture, you ask? Well, simply because I convinced my mom to go on a hot air balloon ride! It was honestly one of the coolest things I've ever done. I was so nervous, but I tried not to let it show, because I knew my mom needed me to be there for her. I'm so proud of her for doing it. And she actually enjoyed herself!
When we finished our drive with Crazy Leonard, we had to sign a few documents, and then we had a safety debriefing by our pilot. We had to enter the balloon's basket while it was on its side. It kind of freaked me out. We slid in and were sitting, laying on our backs, facing the sky, and the pilot told us to hang on, he started shooting fire into the balloon, and it got so warm! When the balloon was finally full, the basket was pulled up, so we were sitting normally, and the basket started skidding across the ground. Every time we thought we were up in the air, we ended up sliding across the gravel again.
Before we knew it, the pilot told us we could stand up, and it was so exciting to see the ground moving beneath us. I was amazed at how smooth the hot air balloon felt. It's now my preferred method of travel.
On our hour-long ride, we saw zebras, elephants, wildebeest, gazelle, antelopes, a hyena, and a beautiful sunrise. I was a little disappointed that we hadn't seen more animals out and about, but beggars can't be choosers.
The balloon itself was incredible. The torches that the pilot uses to keep us afloat, and the pulleys and levers it takes to move us in different directions were just captivating. I think I was channeling my dad a little. Except, he probably would have been climbing in to be copilot and ask the pilot how everything worked. I didn't go that far.
When we landed an hour later, we were driven to a location that had a beautiful breakfast spread laid out for us. We were greeted with champagne, and enjoyed sharing our safari experiences with our fellow ballooners. Then Crazy Leonard took us to meet up with Edwin and Paul, and they took us on one last miniature game drive on the way to the airstrip.
We saw a lone male lion, some hyenas, a jackal, some bat-eared foxes, a owl, an eagle, and a bird eating a grasshopper. I'd say it was quite successful.
We made it to Nairobi a little early, so we checked into the hotel, where we had a day room waiting for us. We relaxed for about an hour, then went and had lunch with the owner of our safari company, Mrs. Pinto. She is basically the nicest lady I've ever met. She might or might not have offered me a job. I couldn't tell if she was just being nice or not. I'll have to look into that.
We returned to the hotel, where we repacked our bags and freshened up before having an early dinner and heading to the airport. You'd be amazed at how tight security is at Nairobi's International Airport. It was crazy. We had to have our bags inspected three times. It was kind of annoying, but at least we knew we were safe. My mom lost a corkscrew in the process. What a bummer. At least they didn't take her curling iron like I thought they were going to.
Our flight to London was at 11:30pm, and I passed out as soon as the plane was in the air. I basically slept the whole flight. I guess that 4am wake up call caught up with me.
Africa has been incredible. I'm sad to leave, but I'm excited for the next leg of our journey. We are off to Paris!
Cindy:
Thursday:
Last day in Africa.......this went by so fast, I'm so grateful to have shared this with Nicki. Well, she talked me into this balloon ride and we were up at 4:00am to be ready, packed, etc.and picked up at 5:00 am. Edwin and Paul will meet us later with the bags and take us to the airstrip.
So, off we go with Leonard, from the balloon company. I think he is a frustrated race driver- we almost hit a sleeping cape buffalo on the way and I told Nicki, if we survived this the balloon ride would be easy.
We made it just in time for the pilot's instructions and to load up- of course, I'm nervous now.......but, had no time to let it settle in.....got in the basket while it was on it's side and assumed the proper position. Then the waiting....Nicki was so cute, she kept asking me if I was ok....the gal next to me had been on a balloon ride before, so she assured us that all the heat and noise were normal. Then we started to move....OMG and we were up.......
Ok, it was beautiful, we both enjoyed it.....although, I preferred it when we were closer to the ground than higher.
We watched the sun rise and looked for animals on the plains. We didn't see a lot, but it was really a beautiful experience - and, yes, I would do it again.
We had breakfasts after the ride and visited with our fellow passengers- very nice. Then we were off to meet Edwin and Paul.
We had one last game drive on our way to the airstrip. We were looking for the last of the big five- the rhino.....we didn't see him! So we have to come back!
We did see the most majestic lion laying on the top of a small mound looking out over the valley.....a most fitting way to end our time in Africa.
We flew into Nairobi and went back to the hotel to clean up before lunch at the Pinto's residence. The Pinto's are the owners of Micato- the safari company that we picked. Mrs. Pinto was very impressed that we had waited almost 5 hours to see the crossing. She was very excited for us as this experience isn't something that happens in a predictable time frame.....obviously!
We had a great time at lunch then went back to the hotel to shower and change for our flight to London and then on to Paris. We leave at 11:30 pm. We were VERY happy that Edwin got us to the airport almost 4 hour early. Nairobi's security is horrendous - we went through three different security clearances and, as you can imagine, we were tired and a little cranky by the time we entered the British Airway Lounge.
We both slept pretty well on the plane and now we are in London waiting for our connection to Paris. Will update you all again soon.........Hugs.
So, off we go with Leonard, from the balloon company. I think he is a frustrated race driver- we almost hit a sleeping cape buffalo on the way and I told Nicki, if we survived this the balloon ride would be easy.
We made it just in time for the pilot's instructions and to load up- of course, I'm nervous now.......but, had no time to let it settle in.....got in the basket while it was on it's side and assumed the proper position. Then the waiting....Nicki was so cute, she kept asking me if I was ok....the gal next to me had been on a balloon ride before, so she assured us that all the heat and noise were normal. Then we started to move....OMG and we were up.......
Ok, it was beautiful, we both enjoyed it.....although, I preferred it when we were closer to the ground than higher.
We watched the sun rise and looked for animals on the plains. We didn't see a lot, but it was really a beautiful experience - and, yes, I would do it again.
We had breakfasts after the ride and visited with our fellow passengers- very nice. Then we were off to meet Edwin and Paul.
We had one last game drive on our way to the airstrip. We were looking for the last of the big five- the rhino.....we didn't see him! So we have to come back!
We did see the most majestic lion laying on the top of a small mound looking out over the valley.....a most fitting way to end our time in Africa.
We flew into Nairobi and went back to the hotel to clean up before lunch at the Pinto's residence. The Pinto's are the owners of Micato- the safari company that we picked. Mrs. Pinto was very impressed that we had waited almost 5 hours to see the crossing. She was very excited for us as this experience isn't something that happens in a predictable time frame.....obviously!
We had a great time at lunch then went back to the hotel to shower and change for our flight to London and then on to Paris. We leave at 11:30 pm. We were VERY happy that Edwin got us to the airport almost 4 hour early. Nairobi's security is horrendous - we went through three different security clearances and, as you can imagine, we were tired and a little cranky by the time we entered the British Airway Lounge.
We both slept pretty well on the plane and now we are in London waiting for our connection to Paris. Will update you all again soon.........Hugs.
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