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KENYA: Nanyuki 12 Feb 2007
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Welcome to Nanyuki
Downtown Nanyuki
Dinner with Nick & Juliet - sashimi & wine!
| We are in Africa! Flew into Nairobi, Kenya and headed straight to Nanyuki, a small town about three hours away. Scott's cousin Nick lives in Nanyuki with his wife Juliet and their young daughters Bianca and Matilda. Nick and Juliet spoilt us during our time in Nanyuki and opened up some amazing travel opportunities that the average backpacker wouldn't get to experience. We spent a few days at Nick's lodge in the Mt Kenya wilderness and Juliet allowed us to tag along on a work trip up north to visit some local communities (and spot some wildlife). More about these in the next few entries. Nanyuki is located near Mt. Kenya, which at 5,199 meters, is the highest mountain in Kenya (and the second highest in Africa after Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania). Mt Kenya is actually located on the equator yet despite this, its summit and upper slopes are covered in snow and ice all year round. The equator cuts Kenya in half - and actually runs right next to Nick and Juliet's backyard. We had lots of fun running across the equator line saying, 'Northern Hemisphere / Southern Hemisphere' or 'Winter / Summer'. It's amazing what can amuse you after nine months on the road. Another interesting fact (can you tell we've been reading our guide books?) is that the Rift Valley, which runs through the centre of Kenya, has been established as the 'cradle of humanity'. Skulls have been discovered in the area dating back 2 ½ million years and some other bones are estimated to be 6 million years old - a strong contender for the title of man's oldest ancestor. And finally, did you know that in 1952, the then Princess Elizabeth was honeymooning in Kenya when her father died and she ascended to the throne, becoming Queen Elizabeth II. |
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