Homeward bound;


The next morning, we flew to Nairobi.
We breezed easily thru customs and paid $10 USD to leave the airport for our 8 hr. layover – this subjective fee can be 20. pp or more. Also, due to the good advice from the Fodor’s veterans, we decided to not send our passports to the embassies to get our visas prior to our trip. This saved us 50. pp for the multi-destination portion of our trip b/c we were never asked to pay. As told, sometimes they check, sometimes not. We just seemed to luck out for the entire trip.

As prearranged, Origins picked us up to cart us around Nairobi. We were pleased to see Rosemary this time around, as we felt that we hadn’t tipped her enough previously b/c she waited the entire time on our last visit outside while we straightened up our Kenya Air dilemma. We asked if she could bring us to a nice souvenir shop where we didn’t have to barter. She brought us to Utamaduni on the outskirts of Nairobi. It was absolute heaven to be able to shop without someone breathing down our necks the entire time.

We found the prices for similar items that we had seen in Tanzania to be very reasonable. Some of the exquisitely hand crafted items prices were a bit high which is to be expected for better quality. After closing the place down, we were then brought to Carnivore to satisfy our predator ways. This place is extreme to say the least. It’s a fun and high spirited place where staff and diners alike get into the festivities.

We ended up being seated in the lovely outdoor patio area, after asking to be moved from a table of 12 constant smoking Japanese men. These guys were actually smoking while eating. Bite, puff, bite, puff – most direct way to a coronary. Anyhow, we ordered a nice bottle of Italian red and proceeded to be inundated with every sort of meat known to mankind. My stomach was still a little jiggy from my virus, so I could only eat a few little bits. This was fine with me, as I think you could go into some kind of Atkins shock at this place. I did try the croc. just to say I did, and found it to be the vilest thing I have ever eaten. It’s a cross between fishy fish and gamey chicken – very nasty. My DH was very happy and managed to have an enormous heap of bones on his plate. He was even happier that he was able to feed the local cats with our leftovers. If there are any kitties or strays around, they will find us. It’s nice to have surrogate animals while we’re away.

We then headed back to the airport and flew to Amsterdam where we had all intentions of stepping out for our next long layover of 8 hrs. Once we saw the snow outside and that it was 30 degrees out, we decided to stay put, as we had both been to Amsterdam many times previously. We would all too soon be getting a taste of New England. Amsterdam airport actually isn’t half bad if you have to be stuck there. We were content to sleep in that wonderful quiet lounge and eat noodle soup. Oh how I love noodle soup. Particularly after so much Creole food in the Seychelles on a bad belly (don’t eat green peppers or onions) and the meat at Carnivore. I still haven’t got my fill of noodle soup from my favorite local Vietnamese restaurant since getting home. They automatically ladle one large bowl of soup when I walk in - obsessive.

Boston and home:
Somehow, I didn’t know if I should be happy that I just had the absolute best trip of my lifetime or if I should be sad that it's all over. The jet lag this time hit us both really hard for some reason and I’m thankful that I didn’t schedule myself to work for a few days after.

Thank you all for helping me plan my trip and bearing with me and my constant ramblings. We’re not finished yet though, as I’m already strategizing for my next trip to AFRICA! Stay tuned for yet another installment very soon.

Asante sana!

Sherry -

This was wonderful.

I too enjoy the Carnivore. Certainly not the best food, but for the price and being such a funky kind of place, make a visit each time I'm in NBO. Considering most of the fare tastes like chicken, I'm happy. And, the outdoor patio is so delightful.

That long layover in AMS to BOS or JFK is a killer. Though of late, I notice they're getting those to BOS out early via Detroit then back to BOS... you still arrive earlier; however, wouldn't take this route in the winter. And for me, instead of flying back into JRK, I now opt for EWR. Hate coming in at EWR when I'm clear over on the opposite side of Manhattan (on the upper east side), but if it saves me 5 or 6-hrs, I'm all for it.

So, where to next?

Thanks Sandi.
Next trip - possibly Botswana. I've ordered a bunch of books to brush up.

I sure wish that was one of your areas of expertise. Perhaps you'll venture out. You did help me tremendously for this trip - appreciate it.

Question:
Do you have any idea how long it takes NW air to deposit miles into the FF account - mine don't seem to be there yet.
Merci;
Sherry

On to Botswana!

Sherry,

What an incredible journey (still can't believe you bailed on your malaria prophylaxis!!!). I have enjoyed your report immensely and do hope that you can get to Botswana or another destination in Africa soon.

The description of what croc tastes like is too accurate. I can almost feel it on my tongue now.

Thanks again!

Sherry -

Glad to have been of help. Glad to have joined you on the Seychelles portion, as this was a favorite of mine when we visited.

The East African countries of Kenya & Tanzania are more than sufficient to keep me out of trouble. I'll leave the Southern Africa destinations to Rocco and Julian. Though you have my thanks for your vote of confidence.

ooops, forgot about the NW miles. I've never paid much attention as to how long it takes for these to be posted, but I believe it's within 6-weeks. If you don't receive monthly online statements from NW (rather paper statements which they send only when there has been activity) you can always call them to check that your miles have been posted.

Thanks for hanging in there with me on this very long report.

FF:
Sandi I did call NW last night and found that my account had been partically updated - I just posted a thread asking who may do a better job than World Perks.
p.s. I didn't think you could be coerced to Southern Africa - too bad for us!

Sherry,
Thanks for a wonderful trip report. When will there be photos?

Sherry:
Thanks for a wonderful report. So you are thinking about Botswana? What time of year?

Asante for your report, Sherry! Funny that you never had to pay for a Kenyan visa the first time around and only had to pay $10 for the transit one, subjective indeed. Good luck with Botswana!

Thanks for your kindness.

Photos:
We are awaiting permission from N. Geographic as they have first rights. They are particularly interested in publishing our tree climbing lions. Although our lions did use a chair lift esculator rather than climb, as it had been a long day.
They (NG) seem to be very excited and can't wait to show the lions (up in a tree of course)sharing a 5 course meal with linens, china and silverware. NG is frantically trying to find the attending hyena waiters to obtain written permission for full use photos - it would be embarrassing to them otherwise .

We're still editing our very humble and lackluster to anyone but us, 1300+ photos. btw

Bat:
Don't know about the timing for Botswana. Got lots of research to do.

Leely:
No maleria meds. is indeed a no no. Next time I know to do a trial rule before leaving.

Patty:
We flew into Wilson which may explain the reason for a lack of payment interest - just got stamped - no questions asked, also weren't made to pay Tanzanian exit tax - the Kenyan tax, I believe was included in our flight ticket. Don't ask don't tell.

When the editing is done, please post those photos. With National Geographic's permission of course. That's a hoot.

Sherry, you had me going on the National Geographic - I believ ed right up to the part about the hyenas...

Here are the photos that go with Sherry's report - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34817288

Sherry~Great trip report! I must have missed it when I got back from Zambia. What a great adventure! Thanks!
Dennis

ttt