Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and Crater Lake

We took day trips to both Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru. We didn’t see any big cats during our game drives in this part of the Great Rift Valley, but we saw so many other things – including what had to be the worlds bravest Dick-dick – the smallest of the antelope species. The dick-dick was a family favorite – not only because of its small size and that it mates for life, but also the sympathy garnered for an animal that surely must live its life in constant and never-ending terror. There are estimated to be 1,500 hippos in the lake – they are absolutely enormous.

Lake Nakuru is a relatively small, alkaline lake located in the heart of Lake Nakuru National Park. Famous for the thousands of flamingos that migrate to the lake, the park is also home to white and black rhinos and wide range of other wildlife including. We saw our first hyena there and a rare tortoise. We had lunch overlooking the lake – the view was spectacular.

Eric and Steve took a half day trip to Crater Lake National Park – it too was packed with wildlife. They were particularly impressed by the number of bones from “circle of life” events that happened on the lake’s shores – it’s amazing that there is a migration out of Crater Lake.

Governors Camp at Maasai Mara National Park

We spent the second part of our safari adventure at Governors Camp located in the Maasai Mara National Game Reserve situated in south-western Kenya. Named after the Maasai people who still inhabit the area, the game preserve is considered the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Like our experiences at Loldia House, Governors Camp was fabulous. Though a bit more rustic than our cottage overlooking lake Naivasha, the tents had running water and were lit by gas lanterns. We had elephants visit us at night to make sure we were enjoying our stay. The staff – from Captain Thomas who greeted us at the gate, to our wait staff Tony and William, to our driver Mohamed, to Mercy at the bookstore, to James, our Maasia escort within the camp – all were enthusiastic to make us feel welcome and comfortable. Coffee and hot chocolate was delivered at 5:45 a.m. each morning to get us ready for the 6:30 a.m. morning game drives. Our meals were wonderful; crocodiles and hippos regularly emerged from the Mara river to remind us where we were. One crocodile decided to dine with us one day during lunch by dragging an impala it caught onto the bank of the Mara and eating it whole, much to the chagrin of the mother hippo and its new born, who watched near by, and all of us at our table who quickly lost interest in our lunch. The mother hippo tried unsuccessfully to chase-off the crocodile, which didn’t want to be interrupted during its lunch. We couldn't think of a better way to see the Maasai Mara.

Game Drives On The Maasai Mara

The Maasai Mara game preserve is known for the large number of animals and its big cats. We found them all – and got to see all of them enjoy the results of the hunt the night before. We witnessed both the gentle sounds of the herbivores enjoying the fruits of the recent rainfalls, and the bone crunching and flesh tearing sounds of the “circle of life”. We did spend one morning with a Maasai tribe to learn more about that proud people’s traditions and every day life in a Maasai village. They were very welcoming and truly an eye-opener for the family. We saw and learned new things during each game drive - what a truly amazing place. We loved our Safari - the animals and the people.

Switzerland-- Our New Home

The Woolley family will be making their way a bit further west with a stop in Switzerland for a few years. Steve has a new opportunity with Honeywell to work with their Airport Systems based out of Europe. Though the job will start in the next few weeks, we have decided to let the girls finish out their school year in Dubai. We all traveled there recently to have a look around. Wow- beautiful, fresh air, and orderly is how Steve and I described it. The quote from the girls, "Can we move here today?" It's good to have buy in on their part too. So, we will begin to make the transition as soon as the school year ends. On the way back State-side we will do our house hunting trip. (We still aren't certain if it'll be Geneva or Zurich. It all hinges on school availability.) And then packing up our house in Minneapolis as we are looking forward to making a real home abroad this time. Anybody want to rent a nice house from us? We have the best neighbors!!

Kate Turns Six!

Yep-- our littlest one is one year older now. The highlight of her many birthday celebrations was the arrival of her Grandparents. She was thrilled to have them take part in the many opportunities to celebrate over the weekend. The first was a party with her friends at Build-a-Bear Workshop. The group came over afterwards for lunch, cake, and stuffed animal fun. Then at school on Sunday, we had another cake and celebrated with her classmates. And, finally that night the family ventured for dinner and pottery painting at 'Cafe Ceramique'.

Kate quite likes being six and we are having fun watching her grow!

Karak Castle and Petra

Steve's Dad (Bill) is a military historian who encouraged us to stop at Karak Castle on the way to Petra. Karak Castle lies at the top of a mountain 1000 feet up from the valley and was a massive fortress used during the Crusades. Bill was blown away by the extensiveness and enormity of the site. We enjoyed a lunch at the top of the citadel before continuing our drive to Petra.

By this time, Steve had to head back to Dubai for work, but the girls, grandma, grandpa and I ventured on to see Petra. The walk down the 'siq' (1 km crack in the mountains) to the view of the 'Treasury' is breath-taking. We continued on for another kilometer past the royal tombs, amphitheater, and main city center. The girls took a donkey ride on the way back to rest their weary legs for the climb back up the 'siq'.

This place has a magical quality about it.

Jerusalem

After an interesting arrival at the Israeli boarder where people were quickly exiting the building, we had to explain to the girls that even boarder crossings have 'fire drills'. Relief was ours when we met our guide who took us to many well known sites outside and inside the old city walls.

Our first stop was the Mount of Olives where the Church of Gethsemane is located. This is where Jesus foretold the destruction of Jerusalem. And, right next door is a beautiful garden where Jesus was captured by the Romans. The Olive trees in this garden are thought to be over 900 years old.

We visited the Wailing Wall (Western Wall) of the city built by King Herod the Great in 19 BC. This is a holy site for Jewish people-- believed to be the place where their temples once stood. It is also important to Muslims because it is believed that Mohammad ascended to heaven from the Dome of the Rock right next door. Though closed because it was a holy day, we walked around the 'City of David' where he is memorialized. This site is also said to be the location of the Last Supper.

The next morning we had a walking tour inside the city walls. It is a labyrinth of streets jam-packed with shops and restaurants, and people of different faiths. The old city is divided into four quarters: Muslim Quarter, Christian Quarter, Jewish Quarter, and Armenia Quarter. We spent most of our time walking the stations of the cross ending in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where we saw the rock where Jesus was crucified and the tomb where he was buried. Our short visit here was barely enough time to see the highlights. Truly a city like no other, it is well worth another visit.