I woke early on the Tues morning in Nairobi so I could catch the 06:00 Naekana to Taveta. Of course my planning was perfect as usual but I had no control over the fact that we didn’t leave until about 07:30 !! Apart from that, it was a great journey…the 6.75 hrs was good going; it helped that we didn’t stop in Voi. It was nice to see my rented room again.
Well, not too much has happened in the last few weeks. Mainly just short cycle rides and seeing lots of friends around town.
One highlight was cycling to Chala on 25th Feb to visit Dad on his birthday. Decided on a different route and promptly got lost. I ended up in a stone quarry and when I saw a boda with a TZ number plate, I was half thinking I’d strayed into TZ. That wasn’t the case, and soon got back on the right track….I’d wasted about 25 mins. Spent an hour or so at the grave and headed back the more straightforward route which is slightly downhill and with a following wind. That evening I took Mercy out to dinner at Market View htl to celebrate Dad’s birthday….with chips kuku of course as really not much choice. But the chicken was really tasty. I needed a few drinks to soothe my achy bones after a very bumpy ride.
Another cycle ride was to The Place…about 20 mins out of town. A nice place to relax…away from the hustle and bustle of Taveta.
On 4th Mar I cycled to Lake Chala. This time I didn’t get lost. Stopped for b’fast of chapati and chai along the way. Took the shorter route up the side of the crater rim. Had been warned of an entrance fee required these days….anything to make extra money. There is a big sign these days…as though it’s a tourist attraction!! The path down to the lake has been cleared of bushes etc, making the descent a little easier. I think I was last there with Gabriella about 4 yrs ago.
I stayed about an hour…..it’s a beautiful volcanic crater lake. If the weather is good, Mt Kilimanjaro forms a lovely backdrop. I stayed at the original lake Chala lodge in 2000 with the family. We were the last guests they ever had, and in fact I think they opened up esp. for us. A great 10 days. The place is now a ruin.
On my way down on the bike I noticed the barrier was down and there were two ladies on duty to collect fees. I teased them by cycling passed and ducking under the barrier. We all saw the funny side when I stopped and handed over my 50 bob. A good cycle back to Taveta as the whole road had been graded.
Apart from that…….A few days ago I tried out a new kitimoto place just 5 mins out of town. Not the best, but combined with drinking mnazi and the good company of my friend Joseph, made for a nice time. The place is a bit rough and ready but good fun. The owner recognised the style of my mboko and knew straight away that it came from Kilifi.
So, after a few weeks in Taveta I was getting itchy feet and on Wednesday I packed, ready to travel to Mombasa on the 11th.