December is almost here with us and we know what that means…most of us will be headed to the beachside for the holidays. Join us as we feature resorts, hotels and apartments that we think should simply be at the top of your to do list!!! 
As you plan for your holiday we make it easier for you to select your accommodation at the coast.
Traveling young is important because it shapes your worldview. When you travel young, you realize who you are and what you believe in before it’s time to make the big-kid decisions (career, marriage, and all that scary stuff) that will impact the rest of your life.
If you were to visit each of these places before turning 30, you would be pretty darn well in touch with yourself and pretty equipped to take on real, adult existence.
Check out — and check off! — our ultimate soul-searching bucket list.
30. Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, Namibia
Larger-than-life red sand dunes will make you feel, well, smaller than life. In a good way.
29. Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan
Padmasambhava, known as the “Second Buddha,” meditated in this cliff-top carve-out for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours. Close your eyes for three minutes, and inspiration will find you, too.
28. Jellyfish Lake in Palau
Swimming through thousands of golden jellies without a sting leaves you feeling half awestruck, half invincible.
27. Dharavi in Mumbai, India
One of the largest slums in the world, this friendly community is a square-mile pocket of poverty in India’s booming economic center.
26. Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, California
It’s just a day hike, but it’s a strenuous one at that. When you summit, you’ll know what it’s like to stand on the top of California.
25. The Songkran Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand
In a display of national unity, pretty much everybody in Thailand has a wild water fight to celebrate the new year.
24. Hydra, Greece
Before you surrender to big city life, learn to savor the pace of a small town (in what happens to be an incredibly artsy small town).
23. The Washington Monument observation deck in Washington, D.C.
Sure our country is defunct sometimes, but it gave you the freedom to be.
22. The Rhino Charge in Nairobi, Kenya
Every year, extreme drivers embark on a 10-hour, off-road race through the savannah to fundraise for animal conservation.
21. Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico
The only soccer stadium in the world that’s hosted two World Cups– sit in the seats where fans before you witnessed Maradona’s “goal of the century” in 1986.
20. Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia
The world’s largest salt flat is miles of flat, zen, abandoned bliss.
19. Disney World in Florida
Because soon you’re gonna have to bring your kids with you, and they’re not going to stop for a beer break.
18. The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt
This is the only of the seven wonders of the ancient world that’s still in existence.
17. Rio Upano in Ecuador
Whitewater raft through the rainforest and see what it’s like to grow up beside toucans in a native tribe.
16. La Closerie des Lilas in Paris, France
Picasso, Cezanne and Apollinaire used to chat at this fancy café. So did Hemingway– you can still sit at his favorite bar stool.
15. The Inca Trail in Peru
On the 26-mile trail to Machu Picchu, you’ll pass five lesser-recognized Incan towns that were once thriving.
14. Nowhere, Spain
Each year, attendees at the desert festival design their own society based on “creative freedom.”
13. Bernauer Strasse in Berlin, Germany
When the Berlin Wall first made one side of this residential street part of Soviet East Berlin, people died trying to jump out their windows to a free neighborhood on the other side. It’s an odd and important contrast to modern Berlin’s hipster-filled streets.
12. Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Spain
Spending downtime outdoors is a weird concept to Americans. Madrid’s social hub will change your opinion real fast.
11. Macau Tower in China
The second-highest bungee jump in the world starts 760 feet above China’s version of Las Vegas.
10. Drake Passage, Antarctica
Get a penguin’s eye view of our Earth’s very bottom before you start working your way to the top.
9. The Dead Sea in Jordan
With a Biblical history and a perch in the midst of modern conflict, this could be the most historic (and saltiest!) body of water on Earth.
8. XS Nightclub in Las Vegas
Go big with bottle service at the highest-grossing club in America.
7. The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic
Stacks of graves are layered over each other, so nobody knows exactly how many people are — or who exactly is — buried here. That’s intense.
6. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Last year, literal millions of people turned up for what might be the biggest party on Earth.
5. Havana, Cuba
Get a glimpse of what happens when a culture hits the pause button.
4. Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan
These zany, Seuss-like fields will reintroduce you to your zany little kid self.
3. Zurriola Beach in San Sebastian, Spain
Surfers in this small city get amped about riding the same waves, on the same beach, every single day. And they never ask for anything more.
2. Bodø, Norway
The quiet village outside the Arctic Circle will give you major room to think, especially when you spelunk deep into one of its caves.
1. Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia, Chile
At the top, you’ll treasure the view of towering, unspoiled glaciers– and the pride of knowing you climbed there.
The Huffington Post
Olive found dead with sustained injuries at the back of the neck and tail
Rhino Ridge male and Olive courting, Photo Credit: Paul Kirui
Olive strolls across the open savanna one morning near Olkiombo airstrip
Olive and cub, Photo Credit: Paul Kirui
A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset. When you wake up, take a second think about what a privilege it is to simply be alive and healthy. The moment you start acting like life is a blessing, I assure you that it will start to feel like one. Time spent living is time worth appreciating…. enjoy your Friday lovely people. Feel good Friday!!!
Following the Westgate Mall attack yesterday, Kenyans have turned up in large numbers to donate blood for victims. Various designated blood donation centers in the country include Kencom and Moi sports centre Kasarani (where the Safaricom7s is underway) in Nairobi, Koblenz hall, Agha Khan Hospital and Pandya Hospital in Mombasa, Agha Khan Hospital in Kisumu, Moi teaching & referral hospital in Eldoret amongst others. Many other Kenyans have as well donated foodstuffs for the victims, even prepared breakfast meals for the security officers, press and all others who had camped at the site of the attack throughout the night.
Photo Credit: Kenya red cross society
The death toll has sadly risen to 59 people with 175 people wounded, as per Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku’s latest statement. The Cabinet Secretary states that the siege at the mall continues, but the security forces are in a “delicate” rescue mission that has seen over 1,000 people rescued from the mall since the Saturday morning attack.
The unity and goodwill showcased by Kenyans at large has been extremely encouraging and it indeed goes to show that we are one irregardless of color, race, tribe and even religion. Condolences to all who have lost loved ones as we continue to pray for you and those still held hostage and those in hospitals.
Some of the images captured following the attack yesterday…
Women carrying children run for safety as armed police hunt gunmen who went on a shooting spree in Westgate shopping centre
Photo Credit: Reuters
A child runs to safety across the shopping mall Photo Credit: Reuters
A mother and her children lie on the floor as they attempt to hide while the gunmen armed with automatic weapons go on the rampage Photo Credit: Reuters
Armed special forces aim their weapons at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, after gunmen threw grenades and opened fire during an attack that left multiple dead and dozens wounded. Photo Credit: Khalil Senosi
A rescue worker helps a child outside the Westgate Mall, Photo credit: Riccardo Gangale
Photo Credit: Jonathan Kalan
An armed police officer takes cover during a bout of gunfire outside the Westgate Mall. Photo Credit: Ben Curtis
A Red Cross assistant helps a child outside the Westgate Mall. Photo Credit: Khalil Senosi
UHURU KENYATTA
This morning, a group of armed terrorists forcefully entered the Westgate Mall in Nairobi’s Parklands area and unleashed senseless violence upon customers and workers. They have killed at least 39 innocent people and injured more than 150 others.
With the entire nation, I stand with the families of those who have lost their lives and extend every Kenyan’s deepest condolences. I ask God to give all of you comfort as you confront this tragedy. My Government will provide the support you will need in the days to come.
To those who were injured, I wish you a quick recovery from the physical and other shocks you underwent today. The Government will be at hand to ensure that your lives return to normal as quickly as possible.
The people of Kenya have been wonderful, as always. With your support we safely evacuated hundreds of people from the Mall. I salute your conscientious and selfless acts of solidarity in response to the terrorist attack. Your courage and sympathy saved lives and reassured countless people.
I commend those who volunteered by giving first-aid, transporting the injured to hospital, donating blood, locating and contacting loved ones and making it easy for rescue, medical and security personnel to do their work. I appreciate those who have used media to rally help of all kinds, condole with and comfort the affected and thank all those responsible citizens who have desisted from spreading panic and despondency. Please continue helping, and continue praying.
The despicable perpetrators of this cowardly act hoped to intimidate, divide and cause despondency among Kenyans. They would like us to retreat into a closed, fearful and fractured society where trust, unity and enterprise are difficult to muster. An open and united country is a threat to evil doers everywhere. With our values of solidarity and love for our homeland, we fought proudly and bravely to secure the freedom to lead our lives as we choose. Our choice is codified in our Constitution.
We have overcome terrorist attacks before. In fact, we have fought courageously and defeated them within and outside our borders. We will defeat them again. Terrorism in and of itself, is the philosophy of cowards.
The way we lead our lives; in freedom, openness, unity and consideration for each other represents our victory over all those who wish us ill. We are as brave and invincible as the lions on our Coat of Arms.
My Government stands ready to defend the nation from internal as well as external aggression. I urge all Kenyans to stand together and see this dark moment through. Donate blood. Provide information to the authorities. Comfort and reassure the affected families. Let us ashame the Devil and his works by demonstrating our timeless values of love, compassion and solidarity.
Our security forces are conducting a multi-agency response to this attack as we speak and are in the process of neutralizing the attackers and securing the Mall. It is a very delicate operation as our top priority remains to safe guard the lives of innocent people held up in this unfortunate incident.
But let me make it clear. We shall hunt down the perpetrators wherever they run to. We shall get them. We shall punish them for this heinous crime.
I have directed security agencies to be decisive in their response to this or any other threat. They must and will do this to demonstrate our constitution’s categorical guarantee of Kenyans’ indefeasible rights to life and property.
Across the country, we have tightened security but I urge all of you to remain calm and vigilant.
God bless you. God bless Kenya.
Driven to test the tribe’s male-dominated culture Mindy Budgor went to Kenya … to become the first female Masai warrior
Mindy Budgor with tribesmen in Kenya during her training as a Masai warrior
It was 5.12am, deep in Kenya’s Forest of the Lost Child. Seven Masai warriors, standing with spears high in the sky and ready to kill, were huddled around me. I was nudged by one of the taut, muscular bodies, scantily covered in its tiny red tartan cotton robe, and I had to make a decision: be a warrior by joining the front line to protect my tribe from a snorting, slobbering 500kg bitch of a buffalo, or stay on the sidelines by hustling up a tree to watch from above as the true warriors went to battle.
A year before, my instincts might have said something else, but by this time I had seven weeks of warrior training under my beaded belt, and a renewed trust in my personal power. I looked the buffalo straight in the eye and with a flex of my muscles, I charged like the warrior I had trained to be, sprinting and screaming with the spear ready to strike.
The Masai are a semi-nomadic tribe living in Kenya and Tanzania. Their warriors are similar to a typical military force, but the main offenders in the bush are the lions, buffalo, elephants and hippo. While the goal of the tribe is to live in harmony with the land and the animals, the warriors will back away from nothing if the community is in harm’s way. Showing one hint of fear as a warrior is strictly prohibited.
One standard practice to prove a warrior’s strength is the circumcision, which occurs when a male is in his teens. The procedure is not a little snip snip – it is a complete skinning of the penis. One wince during this procedure could get you shunned from society. The Masai live in the wild in homes made of mud, sticks, grass, cow dung, human urine and ash, and their diet is animal blood, meat and milk. I was a 27-year-old Jewish girl from California, who had spent the past four years building a concierge service for college students. I spent four years building the business before selling it.
Masai man. Mara national park, Kenya Photograph: Angelo Cavalli
My most extreme backpacking excursion had been on a cruise ship to Alaska. I loved my manicures and pedicures, and driving around in my BMW and I believed that life wouldn’t be OK without a just-out-of-the-oven croissant and a cup of Earl Grey tea in the morning. But I wanted to test myself. After selling my company I started applying to business schools. Once the applications were submitted, I faced a significant time gap. I sent out an email to solicit ideas. A college friend responded, raving about a trip she took with a US-based foundation that sends westerners to places, including Kenya, to help build schools and clinics. The particular trip my friend mentioned was to build a clinic in the Masai Mara game reserve in south-western Kenya. This was the type of experience I wanted, so I submitted a check and the registration for the trip the same day.
On the flight from Nairobi, I peered down at the thin, twisting valleys etched through parched, dusty-brown land dotted with fluffy green treetops. When the pilot pointed out the volunteer centre, a pinprick of a settlement in the middle of the savanna, I knew that being left alone with my thoughts and nature was exactly what I needed.
For the next two weeks, while laying bricks and making mortar with the locals, I learned about the Masai. I took morning hikes with Winston, a chief from the tribe and also our guide while volunteering. His deep, almost spiritual sense of purpose and confidence was what I wanted.
Winston explained that his tribe was at a crossroads because the Kenyan government was taking away more and more of its land and because global warming meant continual droughts that caused their cattle (their main asset) to die. There was widespread fear among the tribe that the Masai culture will no longer exist in 50 years.
Losing the integrity of a tribe because of westernisation seemed unacceptable to me, but I felt one element of modern life – women’s rights – could help the tribe continue while remaining true to its practices and beliefs.
Women at a Masai wedding. Photograph: Kristian Buus/Corbis
Masai women are extraordinarily strong: they build homes, chop trees for firewood, walk seven hours a day to fetch water. But they are not treated as equals. I knew that the warriors had the utmost respect in the tribe and that they were given greater access to education and not married off when they were 12. I believed that providing women with the right to become warriors would broaden the tribe’s perspective of their personal power, which could only help them fight to maintain their customs.
On a hike I asked Winston the question that had been gnawing at me since I met him: “How many women are warriors?”
His reply: “None. Women aren’t strong or brave enough to do it.”
His response ignited a fire within me that made me want prove him wrong. I asked him to explain what was involved in becoming a warrior. He said: “You need to be a man. You need to go through rites of passage that only a man can do. You need to live where you can only eat meat and drink blood and herb soup that makes you lose your mind. You need to get circumcised and not wince from the pain. You need to be fearless. You need to protect and entertain your community and be able to face any animal head-on. You need to be able to throw a spear and use a sword with total accuracy. And you need to be a man
I said: “Don’t Masai women want to be warriors?”
“Of course they do. Who wouldn’t want to be like us?”
“And they’ve never had a chance?”
“No.”
“But everything you just said is something a woman can do – something I can do – except for the penis part,” I said.
The Chief wasn’t entertained. “Women aren’t built emotionally or physically for the work that warriors do.” He shrugged his sculpted shoulders and turned back to the mountain. Winston’s words and that shrug made me furious! I can take no for an answer if there’s a good reason, but the idea that women couldn’t be warriors just because they weren’t men wasn’t sitting well with me. Winston and I made a deal that if I left my stilettos behind, he would take me through the traditional rites of passage to become a warrior.
I was excited about this, and tried not to spend any time thinking about the dangers. But later that day Faith, a Masai woman who worked at the volunteer centre, told me that women in her tribe had been trying to get the right to be warriors for generations, and if for some reason a white, Jewish girl had the opportunity to make a change, I should take it seriously.
I went home to California to prepare for a longer stay with the Masai, but after reviewing myself in my bedroom mirror, I wondered if my pleasantly plump figure was going to be able to climb a tree if needed. Deciding not to wait until a hippo was about to swallow me whole, I started training to get myself fit.
Two months later, I returned to Kenya with Becca, a friend from the US. Becca and I had met in Kenya on the building trip and became friends when we agreed that women should have the right to be warriors. Landing in Nairobi, we travelled back to the clinic and found Winston, the chief.
“What are you doing here?” he asked. I reminded him of our deal. Clearly, he hadn’t taken me seriously, and despite our pleading, turned us down. He said he would not have the deaths of two Americans on his head.
Becca and I were back at our hotel in Nairobi. Our project seemed roadblocked when out of the blue a friend from California introduced us to the man who would guide us through the rites of passage: Lanet Danson Lekuroun, a university-educated Masai warrior who was raised to believe that women’s voices should be heard.
“I can’t promise that you will become warriors. I also can’t tell you that my tribe will accept you. There is going to be much danger. I will do my best to help prepare you, but there is no way to predict the future in my world or yours. All we can do is try.”
In the round … Masai men form a circle and perform a traditional ‘jump’ dance.
Photograph: Adam Jones/Getty
Within hours we piled into a taxi and were on the road headed into the bush – again. As the main road ended, my teeth clenched and my hands were in tight fists as we slowly crept over rocks and tall grass. On the way, Lanet explained that a new warrior class only happens every five to seven years, but the training that he would put us through would be exactly the same as what the Masai men do.
Lanet also told us that he had chosen six other Masai men to live with us deep in the forest while we underwent training. He said the men chosen were known as community leaders and also quite progressive in their thoughts about women’s rights.
For the next two months, we lived on a 20-square-foot patch of land in the forest and slept in a communal bed made mainly of oak leaves. On many occasions, I truly believed that I was going to die.
On day one, we were almost stampeded by elephants, and I had to suffocate a goat and then drink its blood directly from the jugular. On day two, my hands were covered with bloody blisters from learning how to use a spear and a sword. And a few weeks later, I was very nearly swallowed by a hippo. It was only a pull of my belt by a fellow warrior that yanked me back.
I had a daily urge to wave the white flag, especially after 10 smelly days without a bath. But just as the flag was about to go up, Lanet would remind me that this mission was about much more than my personal goal. And this reminder allowed me to transition to Masai life. I quickly learned that by just doing and not questioning, I would have a greater chance of surviving.
Open wide … one of Mindy’s most extreme experiences was nearly being swallowed by a hippo. Photograph: Manoj Shah/Getty
Initially, the tribesmen thought that Becca and I would last less than a day. Surely the nightly calls from the hyenas or the diet of raw kidneys and goat brain soup would make us bolt back to a five-star hotel. Once several weeks passed, however, we proved that we were able to live an authentic Masai life. Most important, though, our values adapted to those of the Masai, which revolve around community, courage, selflessness and living in the moment.
After a little over four weeks of training, we moved camp to a more dangerous part of the forest. It was a regular day of spear training and trekking until we purposely went to what the Masai called a “buffalo playground” so that we could test our mental and physical strength.
Just as we arrived, we saw a baby buffalo grazing on the grass. Everyone went silent as we knew that the calf would not be far from its mother. If the mother saw us, she would try to kill us to protect her baby. I stood petrified, as the ground started to rumble. The baby buffalo trotted to the edge of the field and the sea of green parted again to reveal the meanest animal I had ever seen.
Grunting and howling, I sprinted towards the beast and released my spear. As it rocketed through the air, the other Masai released their spears, but mine landed first, in the edge of the buffalo’s right butt cheek. The buffalo died, but only because it was going to kill us. I was able to claim the kill because my spear hit the buffalo first.
That night, the elders decided that Becca and I had proved we were strong and brave enough to be warriors. They felt that the training we had gone through and our fearlessness and selflessness were at an equal level to the male warriors. One of the elders, who was a senior leader of the Rhino clan, inducted us into his clan with a short ceremony followed by a long speech over the fire, which allowed us to be officially recognised as the first female Masai warriors.
We stayed with the Masai for another month. Our first major community interaction was at a wedding, two days after we left the forest. Lanet told us hundreds of people would be at the wedding. It would be like my coming-out party. Lanet had said from the beginning that he wasn’t sure if his tribe would accept us, and we were finally going to find out their true feelings.
At the wedding we sang and danced as warriors. I felt completely at one with the tribe until an elder male approached me, screaming and waving his sword. I was paralysed with fear and just as he swung his sword again, Lanet and another warrior whisked me away. I asked what happened. Lanet told me that the man was angry that Becca and I had been recognised as warriors.
He said: “This is now up to the tribal leadership to decide if Masai females will have the right to become warriors. There will be much opposition, but there will be, and already is, much support.”
While making this change is not unanimously accepted by men and women in the tribe, the vast majority believe steps towards equality will help sustain the culture in the long term, and one of those steps is allowing women to become warriors. And I am so proud to say that there are at least 20 girls in Loita who are ready to be part of the next warrior age set.
As a result of our training and advocacy, the Masai in Loita, Kenya, are leading the charge to change tribal law and allow all Masai women the right to become warriors.
-Mindy Budgor, the guardian.
There is a deeper meaning to travel…
something that can only be understood if and when one experiences it first-hand.
So just why do we travel? some of us travel to broaden our minds, others to embark on a journey to self discovery, and many of us do it mainly for the adventure that comes along with it. Although we may all fancy the thought of travel, more often than not, many of us tend to get caught up in such busy schedules that leave no room for some fun time.
Perhaps some inspiration to get us off our feet is what most of us need. Something to remind us of the beauty that awaits to be explored out there.
Travel quotes are a good source of this inspiration, many of which are insightful and very easy to relate with. Love traveling, these here quotes should resonate with some if not most of your experiences and if you are yet to embark on any such adventure, the inspirational quotes should do just the trick of motivating you into planning a trip or two.
Do these quotes inspire you to go some place you haven’t been yet? These are some of our favorite inspirational travel quotes, feel free to share yours with us. And most importantly, when you get the chance to, explore the world!! My bags are already packed…what about you?
Don’t be a tourist. Plan less. Go slowly. I travelled in the most inefficient way possible and it took me exactly where I wanted to go. – National Geographic’s Andrew Evans
“Trust me. It’s Paradise. This is where the hungry come to feed. For mine is a generation that circles the globe in search of something we haven’t tried before. So never refuse an invitation, never resist the unfamiliar, never fail to be polite, and never outstay your welcome. Just keep your mind open and suck in the experience and if it hurts, you know what… it’s probably worth it. You hope, and you dream but you never believe that something is going to happen for you, not like it does in the movies and when it actually does you expect it to feel different more visceral, more real, I was waiting for it to hit me……..I still believe in paradise, but now at least I know it’s not some place you can look for ‘cause it’s not where you go, it’s how you feel for a moment in your life…and if you find that moment… it lasts forever.”
~ Richard – The Beach
– See more at: http://www.anewyorkertravels.com/some-of-my-favorite-travel-quotes/#sthash.0KjtRk7I.dpuf
“Trust me. It’s Paradise. This is where the hungry come to feed. For mine is a generation that circles the globe in search of something we haven’t tried before. So never refuse an invitation, never resist the unfamiliar, never fail to be polite, and never outstay your welcome. Just keep your mind open and suck in the experience and if it hurts, you know what… it’s probably worth it. You hope, and you dream but you never believe that something is going to happen for you, not like it does in the movies and when it actually does you expect it to feel different more visceral, more real, I was waiting for it to hit me……..I still believe in paradise, but now at least I know it’s not some place you can look for ‘cause it’s not where you go, it’s how you feel for a moment in your life…and if you find that moment… it lasts forever.”
~ Richard – The Beach
– See more at: http://www.anewyorkertravels.com/some-of-my-favorite-travel-quotes/#sthash.0KjtRk7I.dpuf
“Trust me. It’s Paradise. This is where the hungry come to feed. For mine is a generation that circles the globe in search of something we haven’t tried before. So never refuse an invitation, never resist the unfamiliar, never fail to be polite, and never outstay your welcome. Just keep your mind open and suck in the experience and if it hurts, you know what… it’s probably worth it. You hope, and you dream but you never believe that something is going to happen for you, not like it does in the movies and when it actually does you expect it to feel different more visceral, more real, I was waiting for it to hit me……..I still believe in paradise, but now at least I know it’s not some place you can look for ‘cause it’s not where you go, it’s how you feel for a moment in your life…and if you find that moment… it lasts forever.”
~ Richard – The Beach
– See more at: http://www.anewyorkertravels.com/some-of-my-favorite-travel-quotes/#sthash.0KjtRk7I.dpuf
Help stop poaching…Ivory belongs to elephants!!!
In February this year, Wildlife conservation activist and CEO of Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC) (a Non-Governmental Organization whose mission is to protect the African elephant and secure landscape for elephants outside protected areas) Mr. Jim Nyamu set out on an important mission, Create public awareness on poaching and the plight of elephants in our country by walking from Mombasa to Nairobi. He has since covered about 1500km on foot having traversed other areas that include; Maasai Mara in Narok County, Mai Mahiu, Naivasha, Nakuru, Nyahururu, Nanyuki, Laikipia, Wamba, Archer’s Post in Samburu, Isiolo and Meru. Mr. Nyamu has achieved quite a feat that also saw the First Lady Excellency Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta accompanied by Prof Wakhungu (Environment cabinet secretary), KWS Director, Mr William Kiprono and other officials partake in even just so for a few kilometers.
The noble endeavor came to a close on the 29th of June with a ceremonial walk to the Ivory Burning Site in Nairobi National Park to pay tribute to poached elephants. The site was set up in remembrance of the iconic incineration of tonnes of ivory stockpile in 1989 by retired President Daniel Arap Moi. The walk, dubbed ‘Ivory for Elephants‘ was under the banner of Elephants for Kenya, a coalition comprising individuals and organisations, cutting across all sectors of society united against elephant poaching and sensitising the public on the importance of elephants to Kenya’s economy and people’s livelihoods. The organisations involved included Elephant Voices, University of Nairobi, Elephant Neighbors Center, Maniago Safaris, African Eden, Youth for Conservation, Save the Elephants, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Friends of Nairobi National Park (FoNNaP) and Stand Up Shout Out.
From Jim’s diary we get a few excerpts to help us delve into his world and get a feel of how his experience was…
9th February Flag off of Ivory belongs to Elephants walk.
I started the day with my team at Nakumatt Likoni at around 9 am. I met with the branch manager Mr. Aswani and briefed him about the walk. He then flagged us off at 10 am. We were then joined by the Nakumatt staff and together with my team the procession started from Nakumatt Likoni escorted by a traffic police officer. I led the walk through Kenyatta Avenue via Tononoka traversing Kibarani into Makupa. It is at this point that I was interviewed by several media houses. Mombasa Island, being a very busy town with a large population, many vehicles and narrow roads, is characterized by heavy traffic congestion especially Kenyatta avenue where the walk began, this is due to the heavy traffic flow coming from the Likoni ferry. So for us to hold traffic on such a major road, it was obviously expected that motorists would be highly inconvenienced to the point that some hurled insults. One truck driver for instance told us to hold our demonstration in remote places like Isiolo (a town in Northern Kenya) where there is no traffic, only camels. (This was however humorous especially because of his native Swahili accent, they are so eloquent and convincing in how they speak, I think one day I just might walk in Isiolo: lots of elephants there too). Many of the locals however were very supportive and had lots of encouraging words. Many are aware of the elephant situation in the country which I had anticipated given that there was a demonstration of a similar theme held in Mombasa town some few days back. Being the first day, I was surprised that the weather condition was in my favor. It was cloudy all morning hence unusually low temperatures for an area of such low altitude. (Maybe God was setting a fast pace for me) It is because of this weather that I was able to walk all the way to Mikindani a distance of about 17km despite the late flag off in the morning which was delayed 2 hours due to logistical issues. On reaching Mikindani, I was joined by Ivan of African Free Press and after a short interview and taking a few photos I extended the walk together with him for another kilometer. Satisfied by the days turn out of events, we went back to Wildlife Clubs of Kenya and called it a day.
13th February, Five days after flag off
I left the camp much earlier today as compared to yesterday. At around 7:30am, having covered almost five kilometers, My good friend Captain George flew past me at a low altitude and saluted from his KWS aircraft, he is a great man and I feel honored. The Captain was my college mate and this noble gesture reminded me that I was not alone in this fight. As I walked on, I encountered 5 carcasses, 1 jackal, 1 hyena, 1 African, hare a mongoose and a vervet monkey all at different points. My guess was they had been run over by fast moving vehicles. I felt so sad and distracted it even slowed down my pace. I stopped at around 10.00am to take my usual rest which happened to be in a wildlife watering point. I also had to take a few gulps of water. The nurse checked my blisters, a little massage and I had my light meal before I got ready for the midday and afternoon walk. In the afternoon I covered another 15km the sun was a little scorching but I managed to meet my target. I made my stop for the day 15km past our campsite for today (Wildlife Works) in Maungu town and then came back to Wildlife Works where we had a very warm welcome from Rob and the team. They gave us tents for the night. My blisters are getting worse, they are quite big and my left foot is swollen. One of the team members won’t even look at my feet, says they are too fragile to massage, another threatens to burst the blisters when I’m asleep because they are too large. I think tomorrow I’ll walk in my open shoes, at least in the morning hours. The internet connection here is great, I haven’t slept on a bed in a while, it feels great….am going to bed a happy man! Thank you Rob and thank you Wildlife Works as a whole.
14th February, Valentines Day!!
I started my walk from Maungu set for Voi junction. Not sure why, but I had so much energy today, I managed to cover 30km by noon (maybe it’s the Valentine mood that has plagued my team, they are all so happy). Probably because I received a call that we had been given a valentines treat by a lady who learnt about the walk on Facebook (am grateful to my very efficient communication officer, all info is always up on time). This was from a lady I dint even know. She made reservations for the whole team at Tsavo lodge. Apart from that, she bought us meals and enough water to last us for 5 days. At around 5:30, though tired, I went with the team to the David Sheldrick station in Tsavo East National Park and here, I met my friends, the Ele’s, this was the best valentines ever. I wished the female jumbos happy valentines in person. How awesome is that! They’ll be talking about me for ages, haha We took so many photos with the gentle giants, they are so playful and friendly I can’t believe there’s a soul out there that would harm such an incredible creature. We got back to the lodge and I was visited by senior Assistant Director KWS (Tsavo Ecosystem), the senior Research Scientist and the Community Warden who later joined me for dinner. We had a lengthy and healthy conversation with them and they really encouraged me and offered so much support for the cause. One team member has busted my blisters, which are now three, my right foot is quite swollen I have decided to soak it in cold water this time. We are really enjoying our stay here, some of the team members are a bit sad being away from their loved ones on such a special day, but nevertheless, I can still hear them laughing from their rooms, their energy is just amazing.
17th February
Having slept for an hour, I left at 6am as usual in the company of the rangers. The walk started at Man Eater’s junction. Here, there are no settlement at all since we are at the heart of Tsavo east and west. On the way, we encountered 3 troops of baboons, 2 hyenas and two giraffes that were peacefully feeding along the road, a caracal, a vervet monkey, a mongoose and a jackal. We had the chance to meet Lucy from Save the Elephants and two gentlemen from Walt Disney who were with her as they headed back to Nairobi. We covered an astonishing 47km today, like I said earlier, “If you want to walk far, walk together”. The rangers are extremely physically fit! They just keep going, which is a good thing, they motivated me so much. For the first time I drunk all the water I had carried. The rangers too emptied all their hydration bags (that’s what they call them) and we blamed it on the scorching sun. The walk came to an end at 7pm. My team was so proud, but concerned that I might have pushed myself a bit too hard, and now as I write this, I think I did. I can’t feel my feet, it’s like the blisters don’t exist anymore. I can see the wounds but can’t feel any pain. Sounds like a good thing, but we’re all a bit worried. I hope my nervous system is okay, I got pins-and-needles that just won’t go away. We’ve pitched our tents at Mtito Andei Tsavo East gate, this is the halfway kilometre mark between Mombasa and Nairobi. My team are a bit depressed from worrying about my feet, though they try as much as they can to hide it, I can see the look in their eyes when the nurse is examining my feet, I think they’re more scared than I am. I’ll just sign off now and go sit with them, it is the last night with the rangers, and we’ll have a kind off a farewell.
Jim and a team of rangers
21st February
Today I left Sultanhamud for Kima at 6.15am. I was to meet Mary from Action for Cheetahs. I covered 14km before meeting her, my support team and a group of pupils from Kavuko Primary School and Kiima Kiu secondary School. The students are scouts and members from the wildlife club in their school. They somehow reminded me of my days back in primary school. I was a founder member of the wildlife club in my high school. I told them briefly the main purpose of my walk though I knew Mary had done so prior to our meeting, (they needed to hear it from the Elephants mouth). They were ready to walk with me for a few miles. The terrain here is quite hilly and I was afraid I will drag because of the little ones, but I was shocked to see them climb the hilly roads with so much energy, BRAVO little ones. As we walked, Dr. Cynthia Moss an old elephant matriarch from Amboseli Elephant Trust joined us to show her support. Even with a twisted ankle, she managed to walk with me for about 10 meters. She also brought us a gift of wrist bands printed with a strong message “DON’T BUY IVORY”. I gave some children and my team members each wore one. Thanks Cynthia. We covered 9km to Salama town, had lunch before meeting students from Kiima Kiu Secondary School. The people of Salama had so much to tell us about elephants, very friendly people. I think we were given a better service at the restaurant when they realized who we are. They had seen us on TV and had been waiting eagerly for the day we would pass by their town. They really admired the wrist bands and I distributed some at random to a few lucky chaps. (Thanks again Cynthia, you’re a lifesaver). My sincere gratitude goes out to the highway patrol officers for making the walk a success. They really helped in controlling the fast moving traffic, and ensuring that the students crossed the road safely. Together with the secondary school students we covered another 16km to Malili centre. Mary has accommodated me and the entire team for the night. For a relief I will sleep on a bed after days camping in a sleeping bag. I can hear my support team chatting around the bonfire and others playing poker with Mary. I wish I could join them but I have to wake up early tomorrow. Wonder why they haven’t come to say goodnight yet, they always come at around this time…….maybe for a change I’ll go say goodnight instead. “Big mistake Jim!”
23rd February
Today being the last day, I can say excitement woke me up earlier than usual. At 6.30am I received a call from Anabella from Maniago safaris (She is like a mother to me) asking where I was. She was already at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (a few Kilometers from camp) waiting. We met at Small world and I was surprised to see a very big team from Maniago safaris ready to walk with me. The staff told me that Manaigo offices had been closed for the first time in history on a Saturday. Together with Maniago safaris was Dr Sitati: Head Species/Elephant and Rhino Program World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Kenya and his team. The walk destined to end at the Aboretum grounds started at 10.30am and along the way we were joined by a bus full of members from Wildlife Clubs of Kenya and others from Elephant voices who also walked with us all the way. Students from The University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University wildlife clubs also joined us. The energy in this young people was immense. They sang and danced and waved, encouraging passersby to come walk with us. The crowd kept getting bigger and louder. Our convoy was getting longer and longer. I was wrong last night, Kenyans really do care about our Elephants. Ever since I started this walk, I walked fastest today. One of my team members said it was like I was walking with the rangers again…….. And I replied, “son,……this time I have a whole army”!! Good Job Kenyans! Good Job. People will always lend a helping a hand to a man who tries hard We walked through Nairobi City to our finishing point at Aboretum. We received a warm welcome amid cheers from a large group of energetic people. Later, Dr.Kagiri and I received the Chief guest The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Wildlife; Mr Gathara, The Kenya Wildlife Service(KWS) spokesman Mr. Mbugua and together we held a press briefing and gave a few short speeches. Very inspiring speeches by the two and the very funny speech by Dr.Kagiri. I introduced every member of my team and they surprised me with a lovely gift of an elephant carving with my new nickname “JIMBO” engraved………thanks guys! I couldn’t have made it without you!! So everyone asks me what next Jim?……….. Well my blisters are dry now, I have the best support team ever and a strong will , I could walk round the globe for the elephants, we’re not even halfway in the fight against poaching……. to me, the Walk has just began.
“It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching” Francis of Assisi
Jim accompanied by the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and other officials
So what next? The Maasai Mara – Mt Kenya walk here I come in May ….. Welcome to the next exhilarating, amorous and longest WALK.
Here is a link for those interested in reading the whole adventure; http://www.elephantneighborscenter.org/files/jim_diary.PDF
Zuru Kenya 