Wed 10th. I left Naivasha for Nakuru. Took my time ; was in no hurry as the plan was to see Bonny late afternoon or evening. Helped Peter with food shopping before we went for a coffee. Then in the early afternoon he dropped me off at the matatu stage. I think it was half an hour before we got going, but it was a good journey. Saw some zebra roadside.
The Nakuru stage had been moved so not quite so central. I resisted all the offers to get a boda lift, and used the GPS on my map app to get me to the Mid Rift hotel. Of course I’d stayed there before so knew roughly where I was headed. Only about a 25 mins walk. Hotel was being refurbished so no bar or restaurant; but I went to Gilanis which catered for both. I had an African curry as the Indian curry was much more expensive. In the end I didn’t see Bonny as he was working late. Nice hotel room but the hot water was scoldingly hot…..safer to have a cold shower !!
Thurs 11th…I left the hotel early. Was at the matatu stage and in the vehicle by 7:30 but we didn’t leave until 9:30. Apart from the delayed start, it was a good 5 hour trip to Kisumu. Fortunately I was escorted to the bus stage ….otherwise a rabbit warren of passages with hundreds of people…..to pick up my bus ( Msamaria Mwema) to Shiatsala. It was a direct bus but rather old and stopped often to let passengers on and off.
It took 2 hrs to Shiatsala…..the purpose of going there was to see my old Friend Carkey. Had been there once before..nearly 2 years ago….but was slightly disorientated and caught a boda to his house. Actually I was glad I did as it was further than I remembered. He greeted me and showed me to my room…..a detached little mud/dung but with a roof made from reeds.
We went to his local bar, a slightly shorter distance than going to the village. He had mentioned Piston before and I couldn’t resist trying it. We joined a pleasant group of his friends after we had had a chat, and a few hours later I was staggering back to his house in the dark. Piston is a rather strong vodka. We had a very welcome dinner and then I just crashed.
I stayed 2 nights at Carkey’s large homestead, shared by a few members of his family. The next day I was shown around the huge variety of plants/bushes/trees and had the natural herbal qualities explained to me. He has plans to build 4 fishponds as well, but is lacking the funds to get them underway. When I get my residency I would seriously consider investing in those ponds. A quick return, as fish are a very popular food. The second night I stuck to drinking beer…much safer !!
Sat 13th. We left very early..about 6:30…to make our way to Lake Victoria. First a boda ride for about a half hour in drizzling rain. Stopped for a quick b’fast of chai ( somewhat insipid) and mandazi… Then a matatu to Bumala. Final leg was in a saloon matatu to Port Victoria. The colonial name is still used but on maps it is shown as Port Bunyala.
Still drizzling when we arrived, but we went down to the Lake shore to get our bearings. So it was my challenge to reach lake Victoria and was really excited to have succeeded. After much walking around looking for somewhere to stay the night, we settled on a cheap hotel costing 600ksh each..about 4 Pounds . We went out for tea whilst our rooms were prepared.
As we had arrived mid morning, we had the whole day to look around. Carkey had last been there about 40yrs ago. Lots and lots of fishing boats either moored offshore or at the lake shore.It was hard to get away from the smell of fish…. We went walkabout. First find the LaCosta hotel/bar….only 3 rooms I think….but very interestingly decorated. The only problem is that it didn’t have a view of the Lake. There was a hill nearby which I climbed to get good views of the Lake. I could see Che’s Bay where Carkey and were next headed for an afternoon beer. Only took me 15mins to walk to the top of the hill but there were hundreds of mosquitoes at the top which made things uncomfortable (was trying to film) and I couldn’t wait to get down again. I walked into a thorn bush on the way down and scratched the top of my head slightly.
Met up with Carkey at the bottom of the hill and we went to Che’s Bay resort to relax for a few hours. Prices were a bit higher but the location was superb. A small bay with a little beach surrounded on 3 sides by low hills. The visitors were very smartly dressed and a few came from quite far away. And I was able to watch a Spurs match !! The rain had stopped and the mud had dried. We went to a local restaurant not far from the lodging and ate fish and ugali and chapati. I drank Nile beer/lager; the last time i tasted that was in Kampala.
Left the next morning for Bumala. Had b’fast with Carkey before we went our separate ways. It took me a couple of hours (10:30)to get transport and decided I would only go as far as Naivasha as Nbi wouldn’t be reached until 7:30 or 8:00p.m. ;didn’t fancy walking Nbi streets after dark.
Arrived Naivasha at 18:00 And was dropped off way outside town so had to get a boda yo the town centre and to my hotel – Antonnioz. Very nice room for 1000ksh..7 Pounds …and with hot water. Went to the supermarket for a couple of snacks and settled into the hotel bar for a couple of drinks and to watch football.
Mon 15th. Again got going early, and the matatu stage wad just across the road. 2 hour journey to Nairobi, which I thought was excellent considering it was rush hour. I checked times of Naekana to Taveta fro the following morning then went to my usual hotel..SunWay. Still no water !!! Went to the bus stand an amazingly the journey out to Karen was only 30 mins. Purpose of visit was to see the family; I had been invited for lunch. Of course Elizabeth and Helen were there but Theodora as well ( who I had left in Naivasha).
A very pleasant afternoon on nice surroundings. The bus journey to the city was a bit tedious…taking an hour and 3 quarters. Had to gang up on the conductor to let us off when in the city…not his fault…I think illegal to stop somewhere other than a bus stop. Went to Ambassadeur by not hungry so didn’t require dinner.
Back to the hotel where one of the most extraordinary things happened to me. Was In the hotel restaurant area…an older guy and you lady opposite, say 10 feet, next set of seats. Wad talking to my brother Alan when I said..”you’re not going to believe this” …. The young lady went and sat next to the older guy. She kissed a little the het hand went down to his crotch area. THEN, she spread her legs and sat on his lap and inserted his dick inside her. Then she began bouncing up and down while she stared straight at me. I stared straight back whilst narrating to my bro what was going. I was amazed at their brazeness. I kept saying..Alan, Alan you’re not going to believe this. The business was broken up by the hotel security coming in and chasing first her away, then him. Then the hotel receptionist came in and apologised to me for that disgraceful display. That was certainly a First. Anyway, the next morning I was heading to Taveta.