Our flights were great, and the kids were
absolute troopers! We had the chaotic check-in with 8 bags and 5 backpacks at a
very crowded airport. Our first flight was 10 hours long, completely full, and
we were packed in the back of the economy section. Economy is perfect for kids. They had seats
assigned next to each other, plenty of legroom, flight attendants that loved
serving them soda, movies, etc. The kids were in Heaven. Economy isn't so great these days, however, if you're
6'2". Use the computer? Update the blog? I was barely able to write using arms that
felt like they had the coordination of those of a T-Rex. Did I also mention
that I was sitting next to the biggest guy on the plane? I have some bizarre magnetic attraction for 300 pound plus men and women.
After 10 hours in the air with a waning sugar buzz, we staggered through a 2 hour layover in Amsterdam at what was about 4 a.m. Seattle time. We then enjoyed another full 8 hour flight to Nairobi; each of us attempting but never quite finding that nearly impossible upright-in-flight sleeping position.
After arriving somewhat stunned in Nairobi ("Hey Halle you're the first in our family to step foot in Africa!"), we met our safari guide Nella Nencina at the airport. We then took a van to the little cottage where we stayed at the Muthaiga Country Club. Nairobi traffic is crazy at best. Mostly dirt roads, completely chaotic, and a true test of the survival of the fittest. We survived the drive and all slept long and hard. Our first morning we were well-rested and well-fed. After a short walk around the grounds, we spotted a wild Sykes monkey in an Acacia tree on the way back to our cabin. On closer inspection it came down out of the tree. Halle had a plum in her hand that it wanted. Determined to be good citizens and not feed wild animals we turned and walked away. Next thing we know it had jumped onto Hayden's back and had attempted to get in the hood of his sweatshirt (thinking that it was a food pocket). The valiant Dr. Janssen whisked him off (good instinct...think I'll keep her). A few shoo's and laughter and all was good. Hayden survived his first close encounter and we knew we were off to a good start!
After 10 hours in the air with a waning sugar buzz, we staggered through a 2 hour layover in Amsterdam at what was about 4 a.m. Seattle time. We then enjoyed another full 8 hour flight to Nairobi; each of us attempting but never quite finding that nearly impossible upright-in-flight sleeping position.
After arriving somewhat stunned in Nairobi ("Hey Halle you're the first in our family to step foot in Africa!"), we met our safari guide Nella Nencina at the airport. We then took a van to the little cottage where we stayed at the Muthaiga Country Club. Nairobi traffic is crazy at best. Mostly dirt roads, completely chaotic, and a true test of the survival of the fittest. We survived the drive and all slept long and hard. Our first morning we were well-rested and well-fed. After a short walk around the grounds, we spotted a wild Sykes monkey in an Acacia tree on the way back to our cabin. On closer inspection it came down out of the tree. Halle had a plum in her hand that it wanted. Determined to be good citizens and not feed wild animals we turned and walked away. Next thing we know it had jumped onto Hayden's back and had attempted to get in the hood of his sweatshirt (thinking that it was a food pocket). The valiant Dr. Janssen whisked him off (good instinct...think I'll keep her). A few shoo's and laughter and all was good. Hayden survived his first close encounter and we knew we were off to a good start!
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| The wily Sykes monkey, waiting for ignorant Americans |
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