Chris and Charly's African Adventure - chrischarly

bbq and fireworks

chrischarly — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Tonight we had a bbq and enjoyed having a few drinks in the uk for the last time in 15 months. We had a great night wiv Neil and hazel coming down. I don't know about Chris but I'm pretty sacred now ...

Playing with Lucy and Jack

chrischarly — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This afternoon we took our lovely niece and nephew Lucy and Jack down to the park, enjoying as much of them as possible before Sunday. We will miss them soooo much :(

Halloween Party

chrischarly — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Neil our bestest friend held a Halloween house-warming party this evening which was a perfect opportunity for us to say goodbye to some friends before India.

A monster

We had a fantastic time...

Almost ready...

chrischarly — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Attempting to sell Chris' car

Chris' new passport has arrived, it only took 3 days! Went to visa embassy and received our India visas in the post this morning... So after a couple of last minute items and a fancy dress party at Neil's this Saturday we're almost ready for India! How friggin' exciting!

P.S, Anyone want a Mercedes SLK 350??

Waking up back in the U.K

chrischarly — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

After a long flight which surprisingly not too bad as I slept the majority of the way we arrived back in the U.K. It is so cold! Just have to sort out a few things, getting Chris a new passport, selling his car and arrange our India visas before we fly again on the 7th November! Cannot wait!

Last day in Africa :(

chrischarly — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A Millipede

Today is our last day in Afria and we were both feeling really sad :( we just couldn't believe it had been 3 months already! We checked out of our hotel early and headed to the airport 10 hours before the flight was scheduled to leave feeling unsafe walking around Nairobi with our bags. Once there I was feeling pretty rough managing to be sick 4 times; once in the departures lounge, (hopefully not on anybody) resulting in Chris having to buy me a new t-shirt!

Carnivores!

chrischarly — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Samuel, Catherine and I

Today was unfortunately our last day in Naivasha with our new friends and it was such a shame as we loved being a local we just wished it could've been for longer!

Monkey

So we did a little more exploring of the lake and fed a few monkeys bananas before going for a local lunch.

Kenyan Oven

5* Kenyan Restaurant

We had fried fish that cost less than a £1 and fed three of us! We then caught a matatu into Nairobi for 30p after saying a sad goodbye to Samuel and Catherine.

Denys and I

Chris and Denys

Where the food was cooked in Carnivore

Carnivore Menu

In the evening we took another matatu across town to meet Chris' god-father Denys at Carnivore's restaurant where we ate crocodile and ostrich!

Exploring Naivasha the local way

chrischarly — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Catherine and an Electrical Engineer

Today we went exploring Naivasha as true locals would.

A Stork

Illegal fishermen

We went to all the hidden gems of the town away from touristy areas and ate some amazing food at amazing prices!

Elsie and Nelly

We also went to visit Samuel and Catherine's daughters Nelly and Elsie at their school where they pretended I was their Auntie!

Chris and Stacey

Stacey and my Breakfast

What was also interesting is that in Kenya, men can have as many wives as they wish, Samuel only had two which is rare, so we visited his other wife Monica and tiny daughter Stacey.

Nelly and Elsie

It is apparently a great honour to have 'wuzungu' in their House, and they all made us feel so special, especially the two girls who said a kind prayer to us before they went to sleep.

Staying in a true African House!

chrischarly — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Donkeys

Today we took another bus back to Naivasha intending to spend the last few days of Africa relaxing by the lake. By the time we had arrived it was already dark and we got dropped off what seemed to be the middle of no where at a petrol station. So we took a walk up and luckily found a 'taxi-driver' who drove us around to find us somewhere to stay.

Elsie and Nelly

After 3 failed attempts at accommodation I jokingly said to him that we'd stay with him, which he responded saying he'd love to have us stay with him!

Our new home!

So off we went to stay in his House to experience the real Africa!

Last day in Jinja

chrischarly — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Nile

The nile

The Nile

Today was our last day in Jinja and we spent the majority of it recovering from rafting!

The Nile

Where we were staying had a fantastic view over-looking the Nile it was gorgeous.

Rafting!

chrischarly — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

My God rafting was scary,

I thought I was going to drown!

We flipped over at a rapid and I got stuck under the boat.

I don't think I've ever been more frightened! However, at least we can say we've finally done it!

We've booked rafting!

chrischarly — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Our dormitory

Today we finally booked our rafting trip for tomorrow! Pretty excited, yet petrified at the same time.

Murchison Falls

chrischarly — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Us on a rock

This morning we went on a lovely walk along to see the Murchison Falls, they were so powerful it's incredible, then we took a slow drive back to Kampala.

Chris and I

Us and the falls

Murchison Falls

On the way the matatu started making strange noises so we pulled over fearing the wheel was about to fall off!

The Nile

We stopped in a tiny village with lots of children who we gave balloons to and little balls after witnessing a fight between some locals that got really vicious involving a huge Machete! It was pretty scary.

Children playing with Balloons

Children

When we finally got back we moved into a dorm with our new friends and met up with a girl, Mel who we saw in Zanzibar!

Shoe-bill!

chrischarly — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Giraffes

Strange Antelopes

Giraffes

Today we went on a game drive around Queen Elizabeth National Park not exactly expecting to see a great deal.

Elephants

Flying Bird

A Purple Headed Stork

Elephant with a little trunk

However, we did see lots of elephants, some with missing trunks due to snares :(

6 lions,

and the elusive shoe-bill!

A shoebill!

A Baboon and her Baby

Later, we went on a river cruise to see the Murchison Falls.

A Buffalo

An African Fish Eagle

We saw lots of other wildlife including hundreds of hippos, lots of crocodiles and birds, such as the African Fish Eagle. Amazing day!

Another day of Travelling

chrischarly — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

One of many tire changes

This morning we woke up seriously early to get ready for our trip to Murchison Falls.

Where we are

Still stuck!

Pushing the matatu

L-R, Chris, Margaret, Aicha, Jaclyn, Me, Jess and Sophie

A Stuck Matatu

Another Road blockage

After our 3rd or 4th tire change on the way we eventually made it.

Chris' Catch

A Nile Monitor

A huge Truck

In the evening there was an incredible electrical storm that completely drowned us and made puddles in our tent!

My God, it's good to have a shower!

chrischarly — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Huge Ants

Luckily when we arrived at Red Chilli's Backpackers this morning at 2:15am there was a night guard who found a room for us and we instantly fell asleep. In the morning it felt incredible to have a shower!

Non-stop travelling

chrischarly — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Our 2nd 1st class cabin

The train arrived in Nairobi on time and we took a taxi straight to the bus-stop to book our bus in the evening.

Just arrived in Nairobi

When we got there, there was a couch just about to leave, so we jumped straight on it so it meant we didn't have to hang around in the city.

Tortoise crossing the road

The coach left at 10am and was supposed to arrive at 6pm, but after having a tire change, being stopped by the police and our bus driver almost arrested for playing music and a lady having a fit in the restaurant when we stopped for a break, oh yeah, and having officially the slowest driver in the world, we arrived in Kampala at 2am!

From Mombasa- Nairobi

chrischarly — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Mombassa

Today we left Diani and had a guided tour around Mombasa. It was surprisingly a very small city and quite beautiful in places.

Fort Jesus

Jammed in

Unlike many of the other cities in Africa, the people were very friendly and helpful and didn't hassle us.

Waiting for our train

After the tour we waited for our train to arrive at 6pm and it left on time. The train was quite similar to the Tzara but with smaller compartments so we didn't have to fight for our own cabin this time!

Our train

Meals were also included which were basic yet tasty but only 3 fans worked on the whole train and it was so hot. But apart from that- it was a very enjoyably journey.