Nairobi to Nanyuki

This morning after our Diguna breakfast of bread and chai, we went into downtown Nairobi to meet Blacklaw. Blacklaw was a friend Frances made the first time she was in Kenya. They lost track of each other for 20 years, but she found him again by googling his name on the internet. There was only one mention of him on the internet, because he was involved in a court case and the Kenya Nation newspaper did an article on him with his picture. Since the paper did not list his contact information, Frances emailed the paper and they contacted Blacklaw for her. And that is how they were reunited after all these years. He is named Blacklaw because he was born on the day Kenya got its independence from the British, on June 1, 1963.
We took awhile to find parking, and finally put it in a lot for $2.00. We met Blacklaw (he looks just the same!) and his brother-in-law Simon, and went for chai. We brought many gifts for Blacklaw and his sister Helen, so now our luggage is lighter.

Simon took us to the outskirts of Nairobi because Polykens did not know the way, and we drove towards Nanyuki. Again lots of speedbumps (hills) and some "jams" as Poly calls them. At the bumps or in the jams, there are lots of people at the side of the road selling things, or even walking between lanes. Some guys were walking with big pots and we wondered what was inside, then they showed us that they were selling sausages. There are lots of signs for car washes, which usually mean someone will appear out of nowhere with a bucket of water. If it says "high pressure car wash", it means they will do it in a hurry. As we got closer to Nanyuki, we drove into the foothills of Mt. Kenya, and the scenery changed from savanna to highland lush and green.

Just before Nanyuki, we stopped at the Trout Tree Restaurant. It's very famous, they have built a tree house in the trees and serve trout right from their own farm. It seats 60 people, there weren't 20 there today, and as you eat you can gaze at the beautiful scenery and watch the colobus monkeys play around you. Frances was standing watching one 50 pound guy, when he decided to literally jump onto her head. He had a hard time getting off because he got caught in her hair (it wasn't much fun for her either!). Anton missed the whole thing because he had gone to get his camera. But she wasn't hurt, only startled, and not too many people can say they've had that experience!!!

Just before Nanyuki was the sign indicating that we were crossing the Equator, so we stopped for the obligatory pictures. Then we found a Nukamatt, which is a chain of grocery stores, and got cash and food for our day tomorrow.

We drove past Nanyuki for miles and miles on very rough paved roads, looking for Timau. We finally found Timau River lodge, where we were booked to stay for 2 nights. I think the "River" in their name refers to the very muddy almost impassable dirt road that leads to the cottages. Polykens had to do some fancy driving to not get stuck. At Timau River Lodge there are cute thatched cottages with lots of character, and lots of geese and ducks and peacocks roaming around. The cottage has a large bed on the main floor and a loft with 2 small beds. We thought we would share one cottage with Poly, but they charge by the person not by the room, so they gave us 2 adjoining cottages. It is much colder here than Nairobi, and it is pouring rain. We are wearing layers and layers of clothing. This would be a great place if it wasn't raining, but right now it is cold and kabisa muddy everywhere. Anton has disappeared in search of some rubber boots.
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