Category: Uncategorized

Well a 500 am wake up for a 545 leave is on tap today. Joseph takes us to Wilson Airport to catch our first bush flight.

Here is the gang getting on the plane. No beverage service or movie for this flight. No peanuts or assigned seats. The only drawback is 32 pounds of luggage per person.

A view of the narobi national park from the air.

We land on gravel, not even a landing strip and are met by these beasts.

After a short drive our guide and driver stops to show us his map and offer coffee and rolls. A true continental breakfast.

Here are some animals we see in our first game drive.

Then it was on to Ol Donyo Lodge our new home.

The gang enjoying the view.

Then after spending a hour in the blind watching animals and asking tons of questions to our guide Tim, including do they wear underwear under their robes, I saw this sign.

Lynn and I came back for a short rest to prepare for the next game drive and had a room visitor.

Our next game drive.

Then the highlight of the evening for Nate and I. A double Johnie Walker black at our first sundowner on the plains.

Then it was back to the lodge for a dinner to cap off the night. I got to make and eat my own pizza!

Well for today that’s all folks.

As usual the day started with the traditional hearty breakfast. This included altitude pills and malaria pills.

Yesterday I introduced you to Joseph our driver and guide. Here he is by our cruiser.

He found this hat! The word has spread internationally about our efforts.

First stop was the national park of Nairobi. Here is a picture of our first animal sighting. The ladies are head over heels in excitement.

Our second sighting.

The animals just keep on coming.

I could go on but you get the picture. So many animals. But time to move on to the elephant nursery.

While watching the elephants the “mosque ladies” as Nate has named them popped up again. Maybe we will take them with us.

After the elephants we went to a local shop where clay animals and beaded goods are made.

The ladies checking out the goods.

While there the locals broke out into a native dance. Those two ladies from the mosque joined in! They have rhythm.

Lunch at a special spot.

Our outdoor table.

Then the highlight of the day for the ladies. The giraffe nursery.

We also had an informative session with a guide/intern. Victor was his name. His passion is giraffes.

Here is the gang posing for its daily group shot.

And of course the giraffe needs his picture taken.

One last shot of my second favorite animal. I am thinking of applying to be an elephant trainer. Thoughts?

See you in the morning.

Until next time!

We took a late flight from Doha to Nairobi. There we met our personal guide and travel guru for the next few days, Joseph. First night was at the Tamarind.

Joseph picked us up and took us on a tour of the city. From government buildings, historic landmarks, outdoor markets, the largest “slum” in the world, we were all blown away by the blending of old and new and wealth and poverty in this city. Then it was on to our home.

After a nice lunch we all needed an afternoon of napping and relaxing. Then it was on to dinner. What better way then a good quick stroll through the garden.

Along the way it was amazing. The two local ladies we met at the mosque in Doha showed up again!

Here is the gang at dinner.

During dinner we met the head of the restraunt and wine specialist. He invited us to his wine room.

Then it was a quick walk home to this surprise. Ready for another sleep. Those two ladies could not wait to see the animals!

Our special place. See you tomorrow. Dreaming of elephants, lions, hippos, and giraffes!

First day of sight seeing. You will be our wing people. Hang on. Here is our hotel and a view from our room of Doha.

We took a half day tour of the city. But you need to fuel up first. Our tour guides visiting the buffet.

First stop along the way was The Pearl and the blue mosque. It is one of the only mosques designed by a women architect.

While in the mosque, we met two “local ladies.”

Next to the mosque we found these two buildings. No they are not for storing grain. They are for 12,000 pigeons who live in the area.

Next stop was a unique sculpture. It reminded me of Corbin. A butterfly trying to escape but dragging an iron ball.

Next stop was a museum dedicated to pearl divers. There were no free samples. Darn!

Our next stop was the presidential palace and the camels used for the daily royal procession. They are also available as Ubers in the afternoon.

One hobby here is falconry. A good bird is about $300. A great bird can run you $300,000. Here is a guy and his bird at the falcon hospital we visited.

This is where sick birds wait for the falcon doctor.

Here is where the owners wait.

We were nearing the end of our tour. One of the last stops was the Souq. It was a bazaar or market.

We learned that if you want to build a building it has to be unique and different. Some random shots from our tour to give you a flavor of their architecture.

Another great building.

The tour guides taking a quick break.

All good times come to an end. Here is the gang with Evelyn our official guide.

Before leaving for the airport for the next leg I wanted to think about the great day and sights we saw.

Off to the airport for our flight to Kenya.

STOP: The first sighting of a silverback!

See you in Kenya!

If you have not flown Qatar, think being at a Four Seasons in the sky. You pre order your food. The adult beverages are great. But the highlight are the pajamas you are issued for sleep. Check us out!

We were met at the airport and then off to our hotel in Doha.

What a beautiful place. More marble than I have ever seen. Off to bed after a day and a half of travel.

We are starting the trip of a lifetime. The sun is not up yet but the full moon is shining enough for us to see our way at oh dark five.

Here is the Princess and me waiting for the Hyde’s. We could not wait in the house any longer. Excitement of finally getting on the road was overwhelming.

Here is the first, of many to come, of the group photos. Waiting in Phoenix for the first of many flights.

Our first stop along our first days journey. Hollywood and home to other celebrities. Saw the first sign to our next stop.

While at LAX we followed the path forged by the Dusel’s looking for the international terminal. Look who, because of his new look, was designated as porter. Note what my wing man is hauling!

We were six plus hours early. So off to the Hilton for adult beverages and a snack. Great way to kill three hours.

Then back to the airport. Wife 2 and the Princess trying to get us into the special lounge. But we tried first class and got bumped to business class lounge. Still not bad place to kill two and a half hours before boarding.

Well it is time. We have a pod for four. Also we are with our sweeties. That is Nate and I. We just finished toasting our ladies for setting this up and in anticipation of meeting the silverbacks! That is it for now. We leave in five minutes. Welcome aboard!

People have asked where in Africa are you traveling. All I talk about is seeing and hopefully being with the silverbacks. But here is our travel schedule and the camps we will be at.

Are we ready? You bet we are. Here are our safari clothes ready to rock and roll. As the Princess says, four more sleeps and we start our adventure.

The next trip is back to Africa to see the silverback gorillas. Here is the first cousin of the silverback gorilla delivering to our traveling partners their plane tickets. This has been and remains number one on my bucket list. More details on this trip to come. Stay tuned.