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| Tom nudged me to turn around when I had the camera pointed in the opposite direction. I gasped when I saw this, a gift from the heavens. Thank you, Kenya. |
As we wind down our stay at Olonana Sanctuary Retreats we feel that this has been the most enriching and pleasurable experience of our lives. In asking Tom for a description of our time here he smiled from ear and ear, simply saying, “WOW!” And WOW it was.
The story of our time at Olonana and spending 21 hours on safari in three days is only just the beginning. As I mentioned, once we return to a better Internet connection in Diani Beach and get situated, we’ll be able to post more photos in a day’s post as compared to the few we’ve posted the past few days.
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| This female lion as all animals in the wild is constantly on the lookout for the next meal to feed her cubs, also lying under this tree, as shown in the photo below. |
Also, a full review of the retreat, the safari, the food, the service, and the extraordinary staff will be posted in the next week with photos of all of the above, definitely in the 5* category.
A kindly, frequent “commenter” asked a few good questions at the end of yesterday’s post, “While on safari for 6 to 10 hours at a time, what do you do for a restroom break or food?” Great questions! (Thanks for asking, Pat!)
Two of the three days, we had a picnic in the bush under a tree while Anderson set up a complete meal including all foods appropriate to my way of eating plus the goodies for everyone else.
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| This lion is at leisure with her cubs under the shade of a tree. |
The passengers excluding Anderson, the guide and driver (the best ever!) in the open-sided Land Cruisers, was six, with only four of us the first half of the three days. They were all fun, animated, full of laughter, and equally in awe of every moment of our experiences.
As for the potty break, that was also in the bush behind a tree or a shrub or the vehicle if necessary which Anderson referred to as “checking the tire pressure.”
If we needed to stop, we need only say, “I need to check the tire pressure” and we’d all laugh. Obviously, this is an easy task for the guys. Us girls managed rather well.
Today, our return flight is scheduled at the landing strip at 2:00 pm. Anderson will drive us, leaving here at 1:00 pm, most likely with a few photo stops along the way.
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| The guys laughed when us girls said the hippos were cute. |
With these small planes, the times are inconsistent, but we hope to return to our house in Diani Beach, Kenya no later than 6:00 pm, drop off our bags, and have Alfred, our cab driver, drop us at a local restaurant for dinner.
Tomorrow, we have much to do including organizing our 600+ photos, beginning “the rest of the story”, and wrapping up some details for our trip to Hawaii to meet up with our family for Christmas in 14 months, a seemingly long time away. Based on how fast this past year has gone, it will be in no time at all.
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| The acacia tree, usually flat on the top is a common tree in Kenya. |
We’ll be back tomorrow with many more photos along with the progression of our time at Olonana with 21 hours on safari. UpWe’ll never forget the gift Mother Nature blissfully bestowed upon us, leaving us breathless, humbled and in awe.
“WOW,” he says. I agree!
Thanks for answering my questions. The picnic under the trees sound fun but the "checking the tire pressure", not so much. I pretty much figured that was the case but was hoping for a roadside johnny-on-the spot .ha-ha. You can tell I have not roughed it that much. Dan said he hoped there would not be a lion or snake behind the tree too.
As usual, your photos are so clear and focused. You really do a great job as a photographer.The one of the female lion just looked like she could step right out of the picture. You said you did 21 hours of safari in 3 days. It doesn't sound like you needed anymore than 3 days. Didn't you see just about everything? It must have been fun to have other people along but not too many. I am looking forward to seeing pictures of your tent accommodations. Also I found it fantastic that they were able to give you the right food for your diet. It really does sound like a 5 star safari camp. Congratulations for completing your dream come true trip.
Pat and Dan is following also.
In the bush in the Masai Mara there are no trash cans, no out houses, few signs other than road markers, no warnings other than possible road washouts and no signs of humans, other than an occasional grouping of safari vehicles all parked at a good sighting.
Thanks for compliments about photo taking. But, I do need to learn a lot more. With my bad right shoulder, I would never be able to handle a large heavy duty camera with giant lenses. So I have to make due with what we have, But thanks for saying so.
Oh, yes, the tent accommodation photos are coming in the next few days. Of course, we shot many of those as well.
The memory of the dream come true will never escape me. We are grateful to have the health to have been able to do it and the stamina to stick with it each day. It was exhausting as you'll see when we continue on.
Now, back to today's post. Lots more photos coming!
Thanks for writing, my dear friends and readers.
Warmest regards,
Jess & Tom