Well have been back in the UK now for 4 days and thought I might update this blog for any of you who are still reading it.
The trip home was fine, a few strange things happened... So here goes.... I spent the last night in a rather posh hotel in Mombasa, I plumped for this hotel because it had a pool but hey ho it rained so I never got to use it. Instead I spent the time watching the World Athletics on my telly, so didn't really need to stay there, did toy with the idea of using the gym but I came over all faint at the thought of it and had to go for a beer.
Managed to get up in time the next morning thanks to setting two alarms and having an early morning call. I managed to scoff two boiled eggs a piece of toast and a quick cuppa at 3.15 before Ken arrived and whisked me off to the airport. What is it with airports, they tell you to get there two hours before departure but the staff don't turn up till well about one hour before departure so you are standing around like a lemon in a queue that you feel you shouldnt be in coz you have already checked in online......
Whilst standing in said queue I was motioned by the guy who shrink wraps the luggage and he pointed to someone looking official who was beckoning me over. So I duly went, bear in mind it is 4am and I am a tad tired. Anyway he started asking me questions about Ken. Who was he, how did I know him, was he a cab driver, where did he live, what did he do, was he at the airport last week etc etc. So obviously I asked him why he wanted to know this and who he was. He said he was Police and I asked to see his ID, not sure he was particularly thrilled with me asking, but how do I know what Kenyan Police wear! After ID shown I was still a tad difficult and think he got a bit frustrated, he asked for Ken's number so I gave him the old one that doesn't work and then asked if I could go back to my bags.
So feeling a little perplexed I went for a cigarette which I had to leave the building for and went and sat down in a cafe. The Police man came into the cafe, spoke to the waitress, she looked at me and he went away. I was beginning to feel a tad paranoid at this stage. Then finally after getting boarding passes etc went upstairs to go through. A member of the airport staff ran by me and spoke to one of the customs guys. My hand luggage was put through and I was asked for my passport. The custom guy then wrote down my passport number on a bit of paper, so now I was beginning to think maybe I am an international terrorist or smuggling drugs and I had forgotten to remind myself of this fact.
Anyway that was the end of the drama in Mombasa. When I got to Nairobi all was fine, no weird looks, no whispering etc, I pootled around the shops for cigarettes and other goodies and then forgot the time and realised I should be boarding. When I got to the Gate, they immediately said to me are you Miss Mills - oops, there were other people boarding still though. Flight back to Amsterdam was fine, I managed to secure myself a good seat with plenty of leg room.
As usual on flights we were over fed, I had three breakfasts that morning - one at the hotel, one on the flight from Mombasa and one on the flight from Nairobi. The only problem with the flight from Nairobi was that although I had my own screen and was looking forward to watching the films my headphone jack was broken so that was that. I had to listen to my ipod instead and snooze.
I had a quick turn around at Amsterdam, we were due to land at the time I was supposed to board, so the airhostess moved me nearer the exit to an empty seat so I could get off the plane quickly.
I don't know if you know Amsterdam airport but it is huge and the gates are miles away from each other and of course my priority was, yes you guessed it, having a cigarette. So it was all rush rush rush and I had been hoping to do some more shopping but no chance. A very nice guy lent me his mobile so I could ring Pauline and tell her I was arriving on time and the flight back to London was very quick, felt like we landed before we had even taken off.
Was very impressed at Heathrow, I rushed to get to the Customs queue as I knew it would be a long one so I got through quickly and then after a quick trip to the Ladies the bags were out and low and behold there was mine. I did have thoughts that maybe they would still be in Kenya but Kenya airports are obviously very efficient - so tut tut to me for thinking otherwise.
As I went towards 'nothing to declare' a customs official looked at my bags and then obviously followed me because as I was going through the channel he was beside me. He asked if I had come from Nairobi, I explained that I had come from Mombasa, he asked if I had any more cigarettes in my luggage rather than those on display in my duty free bag. I honestly answered I had a few lose packets in my luggage and then I was on my way. Must have a very honest face!
So that was that. I managed to call Pauline again from a pay phone and then had to ring her again from another very kind person's mobile to let her know where to pick me up from and then I was being whisked back to Hackney to deal with the cat. That will be put into my next edition!
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Sunday, 16 August 2009
CT Last Post
Well this will probably be my last blog from the Colobus Trust and possibly from Kenya. Maybe will have time at the airport to do a blog or tomorrow - just depends on what the sun is doing!
Talking about sun it is well and truely hidden this morning, the forecast looks good though so hopefully it will come out to play so we can get some tan topping up time. Managed to get an hour or so yesterday. I could of had longer but I was too lazy and got up late and pontificated around so did not get down to the beach until 3pm ish.
Need to get my hair re-done - anyone know any good hairdressers over here? I cannot get hold of Hope who did my hair originally so I think I shall go off in search of one whilst the sun is still hiding.
Things are ok here, little strained and I am keeping very quiet, don't want to rile said employee again...... Claire is leaving tonight so then it will just be the four of us. I cannot make my mind uyp whether to go to Mombasa and stay there tomorrow or whether to just go from here on Monday evening. Still haven't got my credit card back as Andrew didn't make it into Mombasa yesterday so have to think about that too. Maybe if I could find a cheapish hotel with a pool in Mombasa I could go up there tomorrow am. So I shall have a quick peek at my guide book.
See you guys are having good weather - hooray! Please keep it so for when I come back, I don't want my gorgeous golden tan to fade...... If the weather takes a nose dive for the worst then I will have to result to sun beds.....
Quiet here today, the French girls have gone into Mombasa and everyone else is just chilling. Little Erica is up to mischief again this morning. I had her last night, she was as good as gold, I woke up at 7am ish and feed her and then she came back to bed but then decided to pooh and wee on my bed. At least she saved it until the morning rather than the middle of the night. She is bouncing around now and keeps pouncing on the keyboard as I try to write.
I am now going to blog off and see if I cannot find a hairdresser, I might give Hope one last call, then I hear the beach calling and I have to nip down to Forties as I could not find my shoes on Friday when I left so I am hoping that they might have found them.
Greetings to all from Kenya.
Talking about sun it is well and truely hidden this morning, the forecast looks good though so hopefully it will come out to play so we can get some tan topping up time. Managed to get an hour or so yesterday. I could of had longer but I was too lazy and got up late and pontificated around so did not get down to the beach until 3pm ish.
Need to get my hair re-done - anyone know any good hairdressers over here? I cannot get hold of Hope who did my hair originally so I think I shall go off in search of one whilst the sun is still hiding.
Things are ok here, little strained and I am keeping very quiet, don't want to rile said employee again...... Claire is leaving tonight so then it will just be the four of us. I cannot make my mind uyp whether to go to Mombasa and stay there tomorrow or whether to just go from here on Monday evening. Still haven't got my credit card back as Andrew didn't make it into Mombasa yesterday so have to think about that too. Maybe if I could find a cheapish hotel with a pool in Mombasa I could go up there tomorrow am. So I shall have a quick peek at my guide book.
See you guys are having good weather - hooray! Please keep it so for when I come back, I don't want my gorgeous golden tan to fade...... If the weather takes a nose dive for the worst then I will have to result to sun beds.....
Quiet here today, the French girls have gone into Mombasa and everyone else is just chilling. Little Erica is up to mischief again this morning. I had her last night, she was as good as gold, I woke up at 7am ish and feed her and then she came back to bed but then decided to pooh and wee on my bed. At least she saved it until the morning rather than the middle of the night. She is bouncing around now and keeps pouncing on the keyboard as I try to write.
I am now going to blog off and see if I cannot find a hairdresser, I might give Hope one last call, then I hear the beach calling and I have to nip down to Forties as I could not find my shoes on Friday when I left so I am hoping that they might have found them.
Greetings to all from Kenya.
Friday, 14 August 2009
CT
Well the holiday/work thing has taken a turn for the worse. I decided tonight to speak to one of the employees about his relationship with a volunteer, unfortunately he got very defensive and wasn't too happy with my question enough said about Kenyan male arrogance! Maybe I should be more submissive in my attitude to men over here, but I cannot help being a feisty UK woman especially when all around me are 'whinging' but are not prepared to change the situation. So what happens in the next few days? Will keep you posted.....
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Colobus Trust Update No 5 or 6
Don't know why I have been putting CB all the time when it is CT - so get used to the new title - must be all the sun eh!
Talking about sun managed to get on the beach the last two afternoons as seriously need to make you guys envious of my tan when I return, so might reach for the cooking oil on Saturday - anyone for a fried egg! Didn't bother going for a swim the azure blue sea gets a bit boring after a while.
Am planning to go to Mombasa tomorrow as none of you have volunteered to go for me, as need to get my flight sorted and paid for then I can relax. Only got 4 whole days left, time to come home will miss this place but am missing home more now.
Well what have i been up to the last couple of days. Yesterday we went de-snaring in the forest, got a big scratch on my back thanks to a bush! Found one operational snare, correction, I found one operational snare more by luck than judgement. We were standing talking and I looked round and went whats that...... Found some string also, which was obviously a snare.
Then it was beach in the afternoon and chilling out and early nights last for all, it is so tiring working in the sun and whatever else.
Today went off to find the hybrid again, i managed to spy it, but by the time the others got to me it had disappeared into the neighbouring hotel. We followed it but lost it although we searched high and low.
Apparently tomorrow we are going to catch it to take blood samples, faecal samples, hair samples and hopefully semen samples. Not sure which one of us will be pleasuring him to get the semen samples - I vote not me! He is actually a really nice monkey I sat right by him and took about 15 minutes of video and there was no aggression, in actual fact he ignored me. Charming really!
This afternoon I cleaned the cage out for the three baby monkeys, pooh everywhere, but hey better than an afternoon of de-snaring again which the others did. Andrew took Erica into the cage with the three monkeys and sat there with her for ages. The idea is maybe put her in with them for socialisation and to remind Erica she is actually a monkey and not a human. She has changed so much since I have been here, has really come out of her shell, doesn't need to be with us all the time and is now so playful. Jodie is her 'big' playmate and they have just been playing on sofa. We now have her climbing trees and mossie nets and anything else we can find for her to climb. It won't be long now before she will have to start being in the cage as she will become a real pain, cute pain, but a pain all the same.
I managed to get out of being on Erica 'sleeping' last night was Andrew's turn, I did have her the two previous nights. Nearly just killed Erica as she was bouncing around on the keyboard and managed to turn the computer off, thought I had lost this blog......
Tonight well we are staying in again, no doubt more early nights. The French girls are due back today but no sign of them yet. Tomorrow we are all going out for dinner to celebrate Eric's one month here, not baby Eric but Manager Eric. He is shouting us all dinner and we are paying for the drinks. There is a rumour that we are going to a local Kenyan club after which will be fun - we hope. At least we will be with all the Kenyan staff! Oh yes, hot gossip there is a little romance going on between one of the vols and a staff member.... not sure I should say anymore, but will keep you posted of any developments that are printable!
Anyway nothing else to say, this will be one of my last blogs, well only probably two or three more, so cherish this scribblings!
Talking about sun managed to get on the beach the last two afternoons as seriously need to make you guys envious of my tan when I return, so might reach for the cooking oil on Saturday - anyone for a fried egg! Didn't bother going for a swim the azure blue sea gets a bit boring after a while.
Am planning to go to Mombasa tomorrow as none of you have volunteered to go for me, as need to get my flight sorted and paid for then I can relax. Only got 4 whole days left, time to come home will miss this place but am missing home more now.
Well what have i been up to the last couple of days. Yesterday we went de-snaring in the forest, got a big scratch on my back thanks to a bush! Found one operational snare, correction, I found one operational snare more by luck than judgement. We were standing talking and I looked round and went whats that...... Found some string also, which was obviously a snare.
Then it was beach in the afternoon and chilling out and early nights last for all, it is so tiring working in the sun and whatever else.
Today went off to find the hybrid again, i managed to spy it, but by the time the others got to me it had disappeared into the neighbouring hotel. We followed it but lost it although we searched high and low.
Apparently tomorrow we are going to catch it to take blood samples, faecal samples, hair samples and hopefully semen samples. Not sure which one of us will be pleasuring him to get the semen samples - I vote not me! He is actually a really nice monkey I sat right by him and took about 15 minutes of video and there was no aggression, in actual fact he ignored me. Charming really!
This afternoon I cleaned the cage out for the three baby monkeys, pooh everywhere, but hey better than an afternoon of de-snaring again which the others did. Andrew took Erica into the cage with the three monkeys and sat there with her for ages. The idea is maybe put her in with them for socialisation and to remind Erica she is actually a monkey and not a human. She has changed so much since I have been here, has really come out of her shell, doesn't need to be with us all the time and is now so playful. Jodie is her 'big' playmate and they have just been playing on sofa. We now have her climbing trees and mossie nets and anything else we can find for her to climb. It won't be long now before she will have to start being in the cage as she will become a real pain, cute pain, but a pain all the same.
I managed to get out of being on Erica 'sleeping' last night was Andrew's turn, I did have her the two previous nights. Nearly just killed Erica as she was bouncing around on the keyboard and managed to turn the computer off, thought I had lost this blog......
Tonight well we are staying in again, no doubt more early nights. The French girls are due back today but no sign of them yet. Tomorrow we are all going out for dinner to celebrate Eric's one month here, not baby Eric but Manager Eric. He is shouting us all dinner and we are paying for the drinks. There is a rumour that we are going to a local Kenyan club after which will be fun - we hope. At least we will be with all the Kenyan staff! Oh yes, hot gossip there is a little romance going on between one of the vols and a staff member.... not sure I should say anymore, but will keep you posted of any developments that are printable!
Anyway nothing else to say, this will be one of my last blogs, well only probably two or three more, so cherish this scribblings!
Monday, 10 August 2009
CB Part 5
I have checked back and noticed that I had not mentioned No 7 before. The Troop of Sykes that we have in the garden were released here by the Trust after being brought in for one reason or another. They spent much time in the cage before they were released. No 6 was part of that Troop, No 7 was the other dominant female and No 6 and No 7 were always fighting. Anyway No 7 tail was badly damaged by No 6 in a fight and the tail looked broken. So days were spent trying to catch her which was impossible as she would not play ball - these monkeys are so stupid you are trying to help them but they just won't be helped.
Anyway finally last Thursday after another attempt at getting her she went into the garden next door and luckily I had already made friends with the Caretaker, so after a quick chat with him, I found out him and No 7 have a good relationship - he feeds her. So we duly gave him the net and some volunteers went in with him located her and all he simply did was put some fruit down, she came for it and then he netted her, easy peasy!
Then unfortunately No 7 had to be put under whilst the end of her tail was removed, I did not watch that particular gory part as I have a very delicate dispostion but I went in after and had a good look at her whilst she was still asleep of course! Anyway she is still in recovery and her tail is ok so it appears there is no need for further stitches or bandages at the moment. Ali (the Caretaker) came and visited her today but she didn't seem to recognise him or she has simply removed him from her Xmas Card list.
Reasonably quiet day today, been working on the computer for Hamisi doing his posters - must blow my own trumpet and say they look rather fab! Went out taking photos of trees for the posters......
Quiet evening tonight, updating the blog and reading. Went out for a run at about 5pm but the beach had disappeared with the high tide so had to run along the road which was a bit weird as lots of the locals were out on their way home. They probably had a good giggle at my expense.
Still got to muster up the va va vroom to go to Mombasa to sort out payment for change of flight, anyone fancy doing it for me!?
Anyway finally last Thursday after another attempt at getting her she went into the garden next door and luckily I had already made friends with the Caretaker, so after a quick chat with him, I found out him and No 7 have a good relationship - he feeds her. So we duly gave him the net and some volunteers went in with him located her and all he simply did was put some fruit down, she came for it and then he netted her, easy peasy!
Then unfortunately No 7 had to be put under whilst the end of her tail was removed, I did not watch that particular gory part as I have a very delicate dispostion but I went in after and had a good look at her whilst she was still asleep of course! Anyway she is still in recovery and her tail is ok so it appears there is no need for further stitches or bandages at the moment. Ali (the Caretaker) came and visited her today but she didn't seem to recognise him or she has simply removed him from her Xmas Card list.
Reasonably quiet day today, been working on the computer for Hamisi doing his posters - must blow my own trumpet and say they look rather fab! Went out taking photos of trees for the posters......
Quiet evening tonight, updating the blog and reading. Went out for a run at about 5pm but the beach had disappeared with the high tide so had to run along the road which was a bit weird as lots of the locals were out on their way home. They probably had a good giggle at my expense.
Still got to muster up the va va vroom to go to Mombasa to sort out payment for change of flight, anyone fancy doing it for me!?
Sunday, 9 August 2009
CB Part 4
Sunday evening and we are all exhausted. Friday was a reasonably quiet day we had the afternoon off and I just did some computer work for one of the staff. No 7 is doing quite well, not sure if I have mentioned her partial tail amputation, will check back and see if I have. The girls have been down tonight to feed her and apparently she has pulled off her bandage and pulled out her stitches so don't know what happens now......
Yesterday I got up late went for a run before breakfast, bad move I forgot to wear my cap and it was boiling, plus the beach was quite windy. I ended up going past the entrance to the Trust and had to turn round so was out for over an hour. So no sunbathing for me yesterday as I felt that maybe a little more would of pushed me over the edge. The afternoon was spent shopping with my fellow vols for pressies, I was helping them with the 'best prices' for their gifts.
We all went out for dinner at a local restaurant, well more like a local shack on the beach front. It was fantastic they had opened especially for us and we had a feast all for 780 ks each (approx 7 pounds). There was fresh fish, roast potatoes (yum yum), rice cakes, rice, coconut and tomato sauce and salad, beers and sodas and tea. Was absolutely gorgeous. Then off we trotted again to the Forty Thieves for partying and boy did we party. Three of us didn't get home till 5am, we danced, played pool and chatted. We have made some nice friends up at the Forties. So today we were all a bit exhausted, I got up very late and then went to the beach the others to the pool. Naps in the afternoon, huge bowls of pasta tonight and then it will be beddy byes time for all.
Sarah, Tom and Sam are leaving tomorrow off to join their other friends and then on to safari. The French girls are going up the North coast for for four days so it will just be Jodie, Claire and I will be really odd after having so many of us here.
Now I have been ordered to stop blogging and join in some video for the Le Claire and Annelore that they are doing for Uni. We have to dance in a strange way apparently, think they want to put it on You Tube, so will keep you posted.
Yesterday I got up late went for a run before breakfast, bad move I forgot to wear my cap and it was boiling, plus the beach was quite windy. I ended up going past the entrance to the Trust and had to turn round so was out for over an hour. So no sunbathing for me yesterday as I felt that maybe a little more would of pushed me over the edge. The afternoon was spent shopping with my fellow vols for pressies, I was helping them with the 'best prices' for their gifts.
We all went out for dinner at a local restaurant, well more like a local shack on the beach front. It was fantastic they had opened especially for us and we had a feast all for 780 ks each (approx 7 pounds). There was fresh fish, roast potatoes (yum yum), rice cakes, rice, coconut and tomato sauce and salad, beers and sodas and tea. Was absolutely gorgeous. Then off we trotted again to the Forty Thieves for partying and boy did we party. Three of us didn't get home till 5am, we danced, played pool and chatted. We have made some nice friends up at the Forties. So today we were all a bit exhausted, I got up very late and then went to the beach the others to the pool. Naps in the afternoon, huge bowls of pasta tonight and then it will be beddy byes time for all.
Sarah, Tom and Sam are leaving tomorrow off to join their other friends and then on to safari. The French girls are going up the North coast for for four days so it will just be Jodie, Claire and I will be really odd after having so many of us here.
Now I have been ordered to stop blogging and join in some video for the Le Claire and Annelore that they are doing for Uni. We have to dance in a strange way apparently, think they want to put it on You Tube, so will keep you posted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
