Navigating in and around Nakuru

I always say that the best part of Nairobi is leaving it. So, I've done exactly that 3 out of the last 5 weekends. First Lewa, then the Funzi Keys, and most recently, Nakuru. I've traveled to Nakuru for work, but I've never been there for fun, which is surprising given its proximity to Nairobi. I highly recommend it for any weekend or even just a day trip! Highlights included:

Hiking Menengai Crater (down a trail, up a steep self-blazed path, with a stop to dance in a Kenyan Christian music video):

Taking a game drive through Nakuru National Park, aka flamingo and pelican paradise:

Rhinos!

A gorgeous sunset over Lake Nakuru:

Hanging out at Kembu Cottages - Bananagrams, home-cooked meals, roasting s'mores in our fireplace, and having breakfast out on our sunny porch:

and finally, a visit to the neighboring social enterprise where we learned about how local women are taught how to knit wool products for sale both locally and exported abroad. I bought some adorable Kenana Knitter Critters as gifts (sisters, if you're reading this, just pretend you've never seen them before when your kids receive them at Christmas):

A special thanks to Andrew for organizing such a wonderful trip and to Matt and Jessica for driving me and Nat around!

Fun in the Funzi Keys

This past weekend, nine of us flew from Nairobi to Mombasa to head down to Avicennia Island, one of the islands in the Funzi Keys.

Unfortunately, the weather was a bit grey, but it made the few hours of sunshine each day all the more treasured. Highlights of the weekend included:

Kayaking through mangrove channels:

Watching school girls play with a home-made "organic" jump-rope:

Eating fresh seafood at Monsoons Restaurant (near the Jumba Ruins in Mtwapa):

Celebrating American independence... in Africa

The past 4 years, I have celebrated the 4th of July in Africa (Ghana, Uganda, Seychelles, and Kenya). To honor both the country where I was born and raised and the continent that has become my home, I list a few of my favorite things:

Things I miss most from the U.S.:

• My family and friends
• Celebrating the birthdays of my 6 adorable nephews and nieces
• Weddings
• Soul food
• Fast food, especially Chik-fil-a and In 'n Out
• Cheap regional flights
• Being able to use a credit card to buy a $3 smoothie
• Retail therapy
• Clean and fast public transportation
• Long summer days and warm summer nights
  

Things I love most about Africa:

• Working with rural farmers
• Meeting great people who are also passionate about social entrepreneurship and sustainable development
• Scuba diving in the Indian Ocean
• Riding random animals like camels and ostriches
• Wild adventures like white water rafting the Nile, swimming with whale sharks, and gorilla trekking