Visit to the Holy Land .... Africa!! Karibu !!!! , A Land Of Realities
JAMBO !!
This was a trip we planned way back in March . It was unbelievable how days flew by and we finally made THE trip !! To be honest it did feel like a regular trip to Bandipur Tiger Reserve and did not hit me until I reached Mumbai .
Mumbai stop over was good to start with ,atleast knowing the people we would be with the next few days was a start . The "cult " definitely was making sense now . The touchdown in Nairobi , Kenya was welcoming for a change . Unlike the Indian pilots who fly the airplanes like bullock carts and hard land them like a dunk in a basketball game :) .
The commotion on finding Cass and worrying if she ever took off from Dubai or walked off the terminal for a caffeine shot , went on for about an hour and a half . Only to realize she was in the exact place as she was instructed to be . Nonetheless was really happy to see her and instantly there were the "OMG where have you been " etc etc !!"
My first impression of Nairobi..Holy cow , Blood Diamond makes sense and I can see shades of it . Not very impressive in the first go , but its definitely a place which grows on you quickly . We were welcomed by Mr Peter Matheri Mbutu . Introduced as our tour guide and driver for the next couple of days until we left the country .
Mr Peter Matheri Mbutu. ( Poser !!!! )
Our drive to the Masai Mara Game Reserve was a solid 6 hour drive which includes a 2 hour road block by the local masai people . They demanded the govt paid them money as their cattle was killed by the Lions of the region...It was past 5 when we reached our first resort inside the game reserve . It was unbelievable how the geography changed as soon as we entered those gates into the reserve . The Grasslands were high and trees sparsely seen around but seriously at this point , all I wanted to do was take a shower and then soak into the African soil .
We were all set for the official Masai Mara Game drive !! and I could not contain my excitement :) It was finally happening !! This trip was one of Sachin's wishlist . eventually I was wondering why wasn't it on mine :) well never to late to populate a list I guess ;) .
It was incredible to see the cycle of life coming to play in the grasslands . We witnessed the great migration , a live hunt by a cheetah , saw a couple of mating lions , a cheetah mother guiding her kids away from the tour vehicles to a safe distance overlooking the vast grasslands , a morning meal by two cheetah brothers feeding on a Thompson Gazelle , Hippos fighting over territory , vultures and Mara stroke feeding on carcasses , A lion calling out for the lionesses nearby etc..
I could go on and write events which we witnessed of this beautiful land . I saw some amazing sunsets as we drove back each day after our day long drive in the reserve . Picture perfect made sense . S & me will definitely go back . We havent had enough of the Mara . I wanna thank Peter for giving us a trip of a lifetime .
