PRESERVING HOLIDAY MEMORIES KENYAN STYLE

Stunning vistas. Bespoke hotels. Sumptuous feasts. I wish.

Image: Viajes Savannah Africa Safaris  Image: Serena Hotels

Nairobi is not much fun now. It's pouring here with a vengeance. Good for agriculture, bad for holiday. Rain has a way of putting a damper quite literally on things especially if stuck in the city with no break in the sun to look forward to.

Came to mind that apart from a cute cropped T, stack of photos, not much else bears witness of that last holiday down in sunny Mombasa.

Should have done the following.
Creative ways of capturing a vacation and taking it home.

CULINARY: Keep a culinary journal, or ask Chef to jot down a thing or too. You could take the other way out and buy a Cookery Book. Then, once back home pull out your new bag of tricks and host a dinner party. Keep hosting one, even just for yourself, until the next jaunt off.

Image: Amazon.com

Tip: When next in Kenya look out for Javed Jafferji (photographer) and Elie Loseleben Swahili Kitchen published by Gallery Publications 2005. The book hosts some truly fine recipes. Sadly unavailable on Amazon, this gem of a buy last spotted at Text Book Centre, Galleria (Langata).

ATTIRE: Buying a Jambo Kenya or I've Been to Wherever T may be all good, but invest in something that will up your decor, and flavor your style.

Image: Kikoy.com

Tip: Buy a Kikoy (rectangular woven Cotton cloth) not Batik when shopping in Kenya. Batik's stay on the walls. Kikoys in contrast can be that stunning table decor, perfect back drop to lay on spicy coastal dishes. One day table art. Next day body art, hello Sarong. 

COFFEE TABLE: Consider turning a glass top coffee table into a visual showcase of your travels. Pictures can be placed under the glass with corresponding souvenirs, artfully placed on the table. Change scenes with each vacation.

Image groundofferings.com

Tip: Do not nick flora or fauna. Please leave the Starfish where you found it. Stop by instead a curio Kiosk (Stall) or the hotel shop and pick something up. Once home, sit back and enjoy your holiday memories with Kenya's gold. Kenya Coffee. World famous.

Into The Wilds Of Karen And Rest For The Weary

Rest Stops: Quick Guide
Travelling via Langata Road the main feeder leading into the wilds of Langata and Karen, locations still teeming with wildlife in and outside the Nairobi National Park, has become a nightmare.

With major construction work starting from the Kenya Wildlife Service main gate through to the world famous Bomas of Kenya, trying to make any destination in under 2 hours is all but impossible.
Say good bye to a day trip to this area.
Say hello though to a great over-nighter, the perfect spot to start off local Karengata safari.
Nestled in a private alcove is a property that offers elegant charm and hospitality for the tiredly hot and bothered. Under 8 minutes away from David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, 2 minutes from Bomas, is a rather delectable old house built in the 1950's, known as Murangi House. Recently refurbished yet maintaining some of its period features, the charming 6 bedroom, home-away-from-home, enjoys lots of history. Mrs. Dorothy Hughes East Africa's first Kenyan woman architect, famous for other projects such as Rift Valley Sports Club, Princess Elizabeth Hospital, takes credit here too. This year the property where it is located Forest Edge Gardens has been nominated for both Best Residential Infrastructure Development in Africa and Best Architectural Design in Africa categories, Africa Real Estate and Housing Finance Academy Awards.

On the madness and badness up to Karen, required reading material for the road trip up, it has to be "Love, Life and Elephants -An African Love Story" by Dame Daphne Sheldrick.  The Trust which incorporates an Elephant Nursery, overseen by Sheldrick, offers love, supreme care  and hope for orphaned baby elephants. In her autobiography of a book, the good Dame offers insight into her life and loves.
murangihomes.comhttp://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/html/anafricanlovestory.html

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