Africa extra: Chris vs. Hippo

I finally got my hippo video uploaded, check out my close call with Momma Hippo.

Africa Day 9: The longest 2 hour plane ride

When I’m not actually doing my job I am usually travelling to another location to do my job. The ninth day of my trip was spent flying from Kampala, Uganda to Dar Es Salaam (or DAR) via Kilimanjaro (or KILI) with Precision Airlines.

As the bird, or the Embrarer flies, this is a two hour flight. But when you are flying in sub-Saharan Africa things take time (vast understatement there). The flight plan was easy enough…

Depart Kampala (11am)
Stop in Kili (for 45 minutes)
Arrive in DAR (2:00pm)

This was a liberal interpretation thanks to the ground staff at Kili, one of the smallest airports I have ever visited. Small yet has the efficiency of O’Hare. At first we were told to stay on the plane, then we were told to get off, we got off. We received a laminated “Transit ticket” and sat in a very hot waiting room in Kili. With no view of the actual mountain. After the promised 45 minutes, we got back on, then were told we had to get back off. Then the pilot left the plane. So we started off the plane again. Then the pilot came back from the terminal, he seemed mad with his employer, he got on and we took off. Apparently the company wanted us to stay on the tarmac for 3 hours waiting for a delayed flight that had actually landed a few hours before and the passengers were waiting in the terminal, had already boarded our plane, yet the ground staff hadn’t noticed.

My point is this. If you are travelling in Africa by plane just go with it and enjoy!

Africa Day 8: Kampala

The reality of my job is I never get to see places. From my very short stay in Kampala here is what I’ve taken away:

1. If you watch cricket long enough you start to understand the game.
2. Kampala has nice birds, mainly pelicans.
3. Being inside all day when it is really nice outside makes you go loopy, or at least makes me go loopy.

That’s is off to Dar Es Salaam tomorrow!

Also, here is a photo of Uganda.

Africa Day 7: Nairobi to Entebbe

Traffic in various cities can be unique. Seattle has a highway running through it, Boston has roads that twist and turn everywhere, but nothing compares to Africa. I usually don’t generalize the entire continent but so far it rings true when it comes to traffic

Originally I thought it was just Nairobi, where it took us an hour to get to the airport which is 20 kms away from the hotel. The holdup in Nairobi was one car pulled to the side of the road. And it’s not like people in Canada that want to look at what’s going on, it’s that there is just one road and when someone pulls over it turns into half a road.

As mentioned, I thought this was just Nairobi, then I got to Kampala…

My flight from Nairobi to Kampala was 55 minutes gate to gate. The drive from Entebbe International Airport to downtown Kampala was one hour and 45 minutes. The airport is 32 kms from downtown. It’s not that the traffic is slow, it’s that there is one road leading into downtown and everyone uses including Presidential motorcades, motorcycles, push carts and of course my favorite…3 people on a bike built for one. The funny thing is, no one seems to mind. It’s a controlled chaos. No one speeds, no one honks and no one cares. You get there when you get there. It’s Africa enjoy it…

Africa Day 6: Safari time

Every time I told someone I was going to Africa the first question they would ask is, “Are you going on a safari?” To be honest, when I first researched a safari I thought they were way overpriced. I went back and forth on whether I should do one or not….

Lets just say I’m glad I did.

After a bit of research I went with a one day excursion to Hell’s Gate National Park and Lake Naivasha in Kenya, about an hour outside of Nairobi. I went with Lion Trails Safaris as they were highly rated on trip advisor and they do one-day excursions.

Our first stop was a viewpoint overlooking the Rift Valley. This is where many of the animals in Kenya make the Great Migration twice every year. There were some native Masai people selling goods and I picked up a trinket, snapped a photo and moved on.

Our next stop was Hell’s Gate National Park. After a circuitous and dusty van ride through some very small towns (think a few shops along a road), we made it to the park. At the entrance of the park there is a toll booth and you can actually choose to ride a bike or walk through the park. Luckily we drove into the park and the first thing my guide pointed out was a flock of birds…

At this point I thought, “great, all this way, one day off and birds….”

Then everything changed.

First off were zebras everywhere.

Then a giraffe comes strolling in.

Trust me, there is a giraffe in there.

 

And the animals kept coming. Zebras, wildebeests sweeping across the vistas, impalas and one of my personal favorites the warthog. The only reason I like warthogs are that they remind me of Howard, our dog, when they run/frolic. Like loaves of bread with little legs and horns.

After driving through the park we came to a parking lot for Hell’s Gate gorge. This spot was a trail head for hikes I tot the gorge. What it turned into was the best part of the day by far. My waking guide, James, took me on an hour long hike into the gorge. He explained to me that this was the land of the Masai people who still live in the land that stretches from Kenya to Mozambique. Needless to say I think he was pretty stoked to have someone that was in relatively good shape to show around as at every point in the gorge he would say “easy way or hard way?” Any of you who know me know what the answer was to that question. What follows is a step by step photo shoot of our gorge walk. The only thing I regret is not getting a photo with James, which I immediately thought of after we had pulled away from the park.

So yeah, pretty incredible. After the hike my driver and I had lunch at a swanky country club and I snapped a photo of a few camels hanging out in front of the country club.

Then it was into a boat and onto Lake Naivasha to have a look at some hippos. Now here is what I learned about hippos:

1. In the day, they are not usually on land.

2. If they are on land during the day they probably are a momma hippo protecting it’s male son.

3. Hippos don’t like humans.

Here is what happened. Basically I was filming the shoreline, like a good tourist when I spotted a hippo on land. It was kinda moving towards the water and then it caught a glimpse of us in the boat. It picked up it’s pace towards the water, let out a grunt and dove in after us. Where is the video you ask? Well bandwith being what it is in Africa I am going to have to wait to upload and post it. But when I do, trust me you will see the hippo charging, me putting down the camera and the nervous laughter afterwards is a thing of beauty.

So after my nervous laughter and my hippo encounter I was happy to get back on dry land and with a new guide this time to walk me around Crescent Island, which isn’t really an island but a peninsula shaped like a crescent. There are no predatory animals on the island so you can actually walk around the island without fear. This is where I snapped a few photos of giraffes, impalas and zebras close up. I also got my guide to snap a pretty iconic photo, which Facebook has enjoyed, of me in front of all these animals.

And that was my day, after a long one hour ride back to Nairobi I can honestly say that this was some of the best money ever spent. I definitely want to go back and do a full few days in the wilderness, preferably hiking through the gorge to see the Masai people or try to come back during the Great Migration.

Off to Kampala, Uganda tomorrow…

Africa Day 4-5: Nairobi and the Masai market

Nairobi is Kenya’s largest city and the political, economic and social hub of the country. With elections quickly approaching it has become awash in political banners and slogans. I didn’t have much time on the first or second day as most of those days were slammed with work but I managed to take some time before work on the second day to head to the Masai market with a few colleagues.

This is a market open on weekends in Nairobi and if you plan to go try to take someone who lives in Nairobi as bartering becomes much easier. I always struggle in bartering environment because my Western conscience takes over and when doing the quick math you realize you are bargaining someone down from a price that you would never find in North America to begin with. But you play along. Other than the goods for sale the biggest bonus was meeting the more destitute Nairobi residents. The first thing that you take away is everyone is very friendly and happy. I was shaking so many hands I felt like the mayor….

Now of course it must be said that you need to watch your wallet and your bags but I found that if you make friends and look relaxed the thieves stay away and the true friendliness of others surrounds you. The market was fantastic and after purchasing some pretty cool art I was on my way. safari tomorrow!

Africa Day 3: Monkeys in Mombasa

I woke up from my monster, bordering on coma, sleep and felt pretty good. Being born and raised in Vancouver there is something that makes me extremely happy about being on the ocean. Mombasa is a coastal town of 100,000 people. I didn’t have much time to explore but luckily enough the hotel I stayed in had monkeys roaming around. So my day went from all work and travel to a morning of monkeys and beach time, tomorrow it is off to Nairobi for a few days.

Also, it was awesome to find the above note in my materials that were sent ahead of time. Thanks for the suggestions Felix, you’re an all star!

Africa Day 2: sleep

Not much to say for Day 2 other than I’ve arrived and slept for 17 hours….

3 flights + 32.5 hours travelling + tons of water = 17 hours of sleep and waking up at 5am local time!

Day 3 involves a flight back to Nairobi…

Day 1: flights

Well here we go! My first foray into southern Africa. The only thing I have really taken away thus far is that it takes a crazy long time to get here. Right now I’m sitting on my second of three flights to Mombasa, Kenya. Essentially I have spent 17 hours in the air over the past day and a bit, with one small flight to go once I land.

The positive to take away today is that Heathrow has lounges where you can rent a room with a bed and a shower which is a godsend when you are staring down the barrel at your second 7+ hour flight.

The negative is leaving the family for so long and far away. I think it says something when Howard, our dog, didn’t eat the treats I gave him until he watched me leave. Heart breaking buddy. But it’s great to get updates from Jo about how when I’m away she is way more efficient at puttering around the house because I’m not there to remind her to relax….well…..RELAX Jo!

I promise pictures as soon as I get there, just want to try and update everyday.

Joanna Hunter guest post: Tips from a traveler’s partner!

Jo’s secrets of travelling!

Some time ago Jo asked me if she could write a post for the old travel blog and she has finished it. Here is Jo’s first ever blog post! Be forewarned she uses some pretty aggressive language, Grampa Hunter you may want to have a chat with your grand daughter.

I’ve been asking Chris for a while if I can write a guest post on his blog.  He very nicely said I could but asked what the subject matter would be.  I had an epiphany a little while ago while on my third glass of wine: write about what I have learned from Chris or by being Chris’ ‘plus-one’ in travel.  Here forth are the lessons that I have learned from Christopher Jeffery Payne, ESQ.

CHILL OUT

The first time we took a significant trip together he made fun of me mercilessly for getting on the plane as soon as I heard the boarding announcement.  Chris looked at me with my boarding card and passport – flipped open to the photo page – ready to go.  He said something that is burned in my brain forever “We’re going to be on that plane for 6 hours, what’s the rush?” He was right.  It’s ok to wait – as long as you are not worried about overhead luggage space.

Jetlag is a BITCH

First – sorry for the expletive Grampa (my Grampa reads Chris’ blog, because my Grampa is on Facebook.  Grampa Doug is awesome.)

Chris came home from the Middle East and was determined to slip back into our home life without missing a beat.  He really, really wanted to go for a walk with our dog, Howard.  The day after he returned home I found him on our stairs, trying (unsuccessfully) to tie his shoes to go out for a walk with Howard.  I gently asked him if he would really like to go to bed and I would walk Howard.  The look on his face was like I had told him he had won a million dollars.  He went back to bed and slept for 10 hours.

Travel = great gifts

The same trip that Chris went to the Middle East  he also stopped had a layover in Frankfurt, Germany and stopped by the duty-free.  He came home with a Haribo Advent Calendar and a litre of Glen Livet Scotch.  Anyone who knows me know how much I love Haribo gummy bears as well as scotch.  This man knows me so well, I am so lucky to have married him.  He presented me with both gifts proudly at the airport when I came to pick him up.

Time changes is funny

One month after we were married Chris had to go on a work trip to China for 21 days.  It was sad when he left but he made a calendar where I could check off the days he was gone.  The first day I saw the calendar I cried, 21 days seemed so long, I was a little fragile.  About day 19 Chris called me early, early in the morning Vancouver time.  The conversation went something like this:

Jo: hello?

Chris: JO!!!!

Jo: Chris?  Are you ok???

Chris: JO!  I AM STAYING AT A SEX PALACE!

Jo (bolts upright in bed): …pardon?

What Chris meant to convey was that he was in a very swanky hotel.  He was very tired as he had a long day and I was very tired as it was very early in the morning.  Excitement led him to be overdramatic (Chris?  Never) and led to a very confusing conversation.   Again – note to Grampa – I promise he wasn’t staying in a real sex palace.

Routine trips to Boston = lots of Red Socks/Patriots Gear

Chris knows that I am not into pink sports wear.  He found a store  that sells all women’s Red Sox and Patriots sports gear in Boston and so excited to spend our disposable income on clothes.  He also came home with a Boston Lobster squeaky toy for Howard and a stuffed lobster for Penny.  He is always thinking of the people (and dogs) he loves on the road.

Airport Lounge access is THE GOAL

Aeroplan miles are like crack.  Once you taste lounge access there is no way you can go back.  I have been at the dinner table and witness to Rachel Toyen and Chris’ discussion about Lounge Access.  I never really understood until I tagged along to the NYC trip.  We had a 5 hour layover in TO.  I dreaded the layover but Chris was confident because we had Lounge access.  Little did I know what that meant.  It meant:

• Guinness on tap
• All the olives and crackers I could eat
• Free magazines
• Comfy chairs
• Wi-Fi
• GUINNESS ON TAP

Travelling makes him happy so it makes me happy

Chris loves to travel.  He loves UBC.  To travel on behalf of UBC is a dream come true for him.  Although it keeps us apart for some periods of time he truly loves his work and takes full advantage of the places to goes.  And if it keeps me in Haribo gummy bears, scotch and my favourite team sports wear – fantastic.