SAFARI time....only words and no pictures....I think it's due to the very s l o w internet??

Hi everyone who checks the blog! We have been completely and totally rural and in the bush. This is definately a rare and welcomed "blog opoportunity"! I will start first by saying we are all great and all safely travelling the back country of Kenya. We get tid bits of news updates that tell us of Somolian unrest. What we know for sure is that we feel safe and well looked after. Tourism is key to Kenyan economy so tourists are treated extremely well by all.

On a lighter note, we have had an amazing few days into our safari adventure and topped it off this evening with some great sightings of flamingos, a jackel, white rhinos, lions and our third rare leopard sighting! The 'cats' seem to be the most elusive and therefore the toughest to see. We spent last night at what they call The Ark. A very beautiful lush green spot where the animals came to us! There were big open decks set in front and along side The Ark that was situated in front of a large green space and a watering hole. We watched hyenas and water buffalo, mongoose and a garet cat, impalas and water buck. Then with the assist of some flood lighting we watched in awe, a dozen elephants and a tiny baby as they came to drink and dine. We sat and watched for well over and hour.

A couple of days ago we side tripped from the game drive to spend a morning at a Samburu village. What an experience. They danced and performed and showed us deep into their way of life encouraging us to ask any and all questions and to visit with the village people. We learned personal details of their way of life and spent time in their school that they were very proud of. The children sang and we very entertaining and lots of fun. I fell in love with 'Salamina' who was two, naked from the waist down and came and took me by the hand to dance with her! One of the many things we learned of the Samburu people is that they eat ONLY meat, milk and blood!

We are here in the rainy season so most days we have a heavy rain that lasts only about 20 minutes or so and leaves many puddles in the otherwise dry dusty "bad" roads.

Cheryl and I found ourselves in the local toilet facilities today but ended up with a true African experience! The food is great with lots of variety and some great fruit, coffee, tea and we manage to get in Tusker time for happy hour! (a refreshing Kenyan beer)

Thanks for checking in and hopefully another blog opportunity will arise very soon!