Today has been a very eventful day, to say the least. The bell didn’t ring overnight to signal any special animals at the watering hole, so we all got a very restful night (until about 6 am when the Egyptian Geese started attacking each other outside of our windows). The buffet breakfast was very good and we all enjoyed it until 9:30 when we left in the safari cars. It was our first real driving safari in which we ventured up and down the bumpy roads of Aberdare National park. Our drivers, James and George (different George than before), took us on dirt roads away from The Ark towards our destination.
Within the first twenty minutes of our drive, the front car spotted a Leopard walking across the road. Seeing a leopard is extremely unusual, so we were very excited when we happened to cross one’s path. The back car sped up to join them in hopes of seeing the Leopard before it went into the bushes. Luckily both vans were able to catch a glimpse after the curious Leopard came back out of the bushes once both cars were stopped. Everyone took pictures before we headed onwards.
After a couple hours of driving and spotting numerous animals, including elephants, water buffaloes, warthogs, monkeys and birds, we finally reached the first of the three waterfalls. After walking along to the waterfall we all sat down and ate our lunches, which were by far the best packed lunches we have has thus far. We then boarded the busses and carried on to the next waterfall. On the way to the second waterfall, Lily, Monica, Kristen, and Jake, who were all sitting on top of the trucks, had to carefully and skillfully dodge the low branches. After seeing the second waterfall, we headed to the last of the three.
The last waterfall had a very steep walk down, that made Kieran hesitant as to whether or not he was going to head down. However his FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) got the best of him and he came down and joined our group picture on the huge rock at the base of the waterfall. On the way back up to the trucks, from the waterfall, Monica and Lily ran into a tricky situation with biting ants (something that Amelia had encountered in her hair last night). Monica quickly exclaimed “%#$@, I HAVE ANTS IN MY PANTS” before sprinting into the bushes, closely followed by Amelia who came to the rescue. After Monica’s pants were cleared of ants, and Amelia thought her job of playing hero was done, Lily ran into the bushes and yelled “I HAVE THEM TOO”. Eventually, both Monica and Lily were clear of ants (thanks, Izzy, for the extra pair of sweat pants!) and we were all able to load the trucks to begin our journey back to The Ark.
We were all very tired after our long day and were having a restful, bumpy ride back, when the second truck (the first truck had sped on ahead) happened upon a stopped car. In front of the car was a strapping young gent who was examining the engine under the hood of the car. He explained, in a very enticing British accent, that the car had overheated. Monica, Lily, and Haley were more than willing to have him and his two friends continue his journey in our van if need be. He assured our driver that that would not be necessary, and we decided to continue on to The Ark. The rest of our journey continued almost without a problem, until a small bug flew into Amelia's mouth as we were driving. Fortunately, she was able to choke it back up, amid cheers from her concerned jeep-mates.
Everyone is happy to be showered and dressed warmly for tonight’s dinner, and have enjoyed watching encounters between the many hyena, elephant and water buck that are outside at the watering hole. Hope everyone is doing well and see everyone soon!
(Written by Monica)
The last waterfall had a very steep walk down, that made Kieran hesitant as to whether or not he was going to head down. However his FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) got the best of him and he came down and joined our group picture on the huge rock at the base of the waterfall. On the way back up to the trucks, from the waterfall, Monica and Lily ran into a tricky situation with biting ants (something that Amelia had encountered in her hair last night). Monica quickly exclaimed “%#$@, I HAVE ANTS IN MY PANTS” before sprinting into the bushes, closely followed by Amelia who came to the rescue. After Monica’s pants were cleared of ants, and Amelia thought her job of playing hero was done, Lily ran into the bushes and yelled “I HAVE THEM TOO”. Eventually, both Monica and Lily were clear of ants (thanks, Izzy, for the extra pair of sweat pants!) and we were all able to load the trucks to begin our journey back to The Ark.
We were all very tired after our long day and were having a restful, bumpy ride back, when the second truck (the first truck had sped on ahead) happened upon a stopped car. In front of the car was a strapping young gent who was examining the engine under the hood of the car. He explained, in a very enticing British accent, that the car had overheated. Monica, Lily, and Haley were more than willing to have him and his two friends continue his journey in our van if need be. He assured our driver that that would not be necessary, and we decided to continue on to The Ark. The rest of our journey continued almost without a problem, until a small bug flew into Amelia's mouth as we were driving. Fortunately, she was able to choke it back up, amid cheers from her concerned jeep-mates.
Everyone is happy to be showered and dressed warmly for tonight’s dinner, and have enjoyed watching encounters between the many hyena, elephant and water buck that are outside at the watering hole. Hope everyone is doing well and see everyone soon!
(Written by Monica)