Monday, March 12, 2012

Day 28: OLE SERENI

...this was a good day to get settled and explore our new environment...


...we were given a good overview of the city by our driver.  Beautiful skyline with some very interesting architecture...



...I find it such a contrast from Accra. In Nairobi we are almost 6000 feet above sea level. Days are warm (28-30 deg) but not at all humid.  Nights are cool (17-20 deg) and there is quite often a pleasant breeze. Here there is the feeling of a modern thriving city.  No hawkers are evident (absent by law)...
 
...But apparently the crimes are violent ones...I won`t be able to go out of our `compound` on my own during our two weeks. Our driver - who is from Nairobi advised not a good idea.  Same for the guys, only in groups...
 so will take everyone`s advice and stay safe...


...Our hotel, however, is a very beautiful place to be held captive... 





...each day we see giraffes, water buffalo, antelope, Thompson`s gazelles and herds of zebra. There are also many varieties of birds - some ordinary looking sparrows but some brightly coloured species...


...the decor is very luxurious with many original sculptures, african artifacts and paintings...




...life-size stained glass leopard...








...the buffet breakfast (included in our room price) is a great way to start the day.  I am rarely hungry before Francois returns at the end of the day...
...my usual is eggs, bacon and a plate of fresh fruit (here I have fresh mango, passion fruit, melon and papaya - whole ones the size of footballs) with yogurt,cheese with fresh cherry tomatoes and parsley in olive oil  (looks and tastes like bocconcini mozarella but they say it`s their homemade cottage cheese) and a glass of fresh beet root juice...and the best part - really good Kenyan coffee...their cappuccino are the best I have ever had...

....there is a fitness centre that would make some private gyms envious...


...Ngong Bar just off the main dining room with pool overlooking the game park...

... we have also booked a spa treatment  after our mini two-day safari this weekend - Francois, deep tissue massage, me - Swedish massage.  They also offer reflexology treatments, aromatherapy sessions and head and shoulder massage...


...We chose a room on the game park side, overlooking Nairobi National Park....


...Mufasa surveying his kingdom...

...Hakuna Matata...