Last day in Kenya

So we were up at dawn again preparing to check out of the Serena Mara Lodge.  Before we got there, I had had the impression that this was another tented camp, the "lodge" part should have given it away.  The lodge is quite reminiscent of the Flintsone's Bedrock.  It was nice to be in the same spot for two nights and able to sleep in.  The lodge was very comfortable and we enjoyed the stay.  Meals were good and service friendly.  We were off on a game drive at 07:00 in hopes of viewing a crossing of the Mara river by the Wildebeest. Sadly, this didn't happen.  It was close though, but the herd sensed the presence of a pride and backed off.  At 08:30 we arrived at the Hippo Pool for a camp breakfast.  This will be remembered as one of the highlights of the safari.

 We sat at a great spot (white tablecloth) on the bank of the river with a dozen hippos lounging in the water.  What a great thing to do, even if a bird blessed Myles' camera.  After that, it was the deep tissue massage for three hours.  It was so dusty and hot, really exhausting.  When we finally made the tar mac, we were all relieved, but still a long way to go.  Through savanahs and forests, pastures, and farmland.  It was depressing to pass through the towns and villages and see the people living in squalor.  Peter tried to convince me that this was a lifestyle choice, but I'm not convinced.  It was a truly long drive with the 80 kph governor on the jeep.  We finally got to William's hill which was a big climb into Nairobi.  The top overlooks the Great Rift Valley, which runs from Jordan to Mozambique.   After driving through some extremely sketchy neighborhoods in Nairobi (Peter said "close your windows boys") including passing some women shouting "buy from me white man (mzungu)", we stopped at the Galleria for "buying" and picked up a cheap suitcase to hold all of our treasures.  Finally on to the Eka Hotel, along Mombasa Road.  When we got there we were truly uchovu sana, njaa na kiu.  Eka was very comfortable, enjoyed our evening meal and then early to bed ahead of an early start to get to our next flight to Seychelles.  Great Safari, glad to be done.