The Travel Connection

The one Sunday we had during the visit did not allow us to visit Masai Mara but the trip to Lake Nakuru more than made up for it. I have always associated Africa with a lone tree standing majestically in never ending expanse of openness. My excitement on the possibility of seeing such a tree was limitless.We started the drive from Nairobi early morning and slowly started leaving the buildings behind. The buildings were slowly and steadily replaced with species of trees I was seeing for the first time. Maybe it was that lonesome tree in my dreams, but the changing landscape was something I had never experience before. Yes! I was in Africa! We were told by our driver cum guide that we had to drive through the Great Rift Valley to reach Lake Nakuru National park. I was clueless what it was till the plains showed itself through Acacia trees. The breath taking expanse of nothingness is broken only by the escarpments. We were told it contains multitude lakes, active and dormant ...

Dream come true! Nothing more Nothing less!  A perfect safari of 4 hours through the park with supposedly lucky sighting of almost all the prominent inhabitants. Only disappointment was that most of the flamingos had moved to another lake. So we didnt get to see the pink carpet covering the expansive lake. But nevertheless , one of the best 4 hours of my life. I hope to have many more such hours!   Speke's weaver Water buck and Zebra   Black Backed jackal, Gazelle, Impala The Big 5 - Lion Ostrich Grey crowned crane, Spur winged plover, Black smith plover/lapwing, Pied Avocet  Flamingo, white pelican Rhinoceros, Buffalo Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Augur Buzzard, Lilac Breasted Roller, Common Buzzard, Martial Eagle juvi?,secretary bird Giraffe, Baboon, Vervet Monkey Date : November 2014 Place : Lake Nakuru National Park, kenya Tip : Let go and enjoy! First : Africa, Lion, Rhino, Af...

Some opportunities open up when you least expect them. My trip to Kenya can be considered as one of those opportunities. With the Ebola virus being in the news, not everyone was thrilled about my official trip.But with a shot of yellow fever vaccination and polio drops, I was all set to land at Nairobi. The unimpressive air Arabia had a stop over at Sharjah before we continued onwards to Nairobi. An interesting flight nevertheless! Wake up call early morning Over Dubai The desert Gulf of Aden/ Red sea The first sight of the continent of Africa Ethopia? Nairobi is a city of contrasts. And we got to explore both the affluent  and underprivileged side. We were constantly warned by our cab driver to keep our windows up , to hold onto our cell phones, cameras and bags. The homeless were in and around all the time. The shanties unkept and needed cleaning. It was a contrast to the tall towers with immaculately dressed men and women in their expen...

I had not heard of Tiger's nest till about a year ago though I spend a good time browsing about travel. My cousin mentioned the mysterious monastery up in the sky and I was totally blown away. At that instance Bhutan dropped into my bucket. My fitness level has always been questionable . So my treks and hikes have been limited and easy. Tiger's nest would be my first high altitude hike on the mighty Himalayas. The monastery is considered an important pilgrimage for Buddhist and many a times listed under top ten places to visit for the avid traveler. The monastery is perched on a vertical cliff at about 3150m/10250 ft above sea level. Considering that I have already traveled to Leh which is at 11,500 ft and Khardungla pass at 17,500 ft, Tiger's nest didn't seem very close to the heaven. But the fact that we were were going to hike the moderately difficult trail from an altitude of 7400 ft to 10250 ft made it different. As suggested by every travel book and ...