Cheetah on a termite mound

We woke up this morning to plague of insects. The bathroom had been pasted with insects during our slumber. I had a shower being careful to avoid the insects as much as possible, but that wasn't easy considering that every surface was covered.

We met Alfonse outside the lodge and set off on our drive. Within 20 minutes we were parked up watching a Cheetah, who in turn was watching Impala. The Cheetah slowly (so slowly it was only noticeable by how close he had got to a bush, without this reference point we might not have noticed him move at all) moved in closer to the Impala. After about another 20 minutes the Cheetah gave chase to the Impala, who were using a woodland as cover, but the Cheetah was not quick or close enough and the Impala got away with it this time. Dejected the Cheetah turned around walked towards us and had a bit of a moan. The call of a Cheetah is a strange cry and sounds like a cross between an angry lion roar and a dog barking. The sporting fellow did something everyone with us who had a camera will be eternally grateful for. He climbed on a termite mound and posed for photographs. He sat there, looking for his next potential meal until we left him some 15-20 minutes later.

Martial Eagle

Heading back for breakfast we came face to face with a Martial Eagle, sitting on top of an Ebony Tree. A rather large bird and quite distinctive with his spotted chest. A number of pictures later and we went to grab our breakkie.

Driving back to Mombasa Alfonse told us about a Masai Village along route that sell tours of their village as a way of raising revenue to educate their children. Education is not free in Kenya. We thought this sounded like a good idea and accepted Alfonses offer to take us there.

Arriving at the village Alfonse haggled on our behalf and we paid the equivilant of 8 GBP each to be shown around the village. The Masai Guides name was Jon. Not very African sounding but Jon told us that he was ready to go off and kill a lion. This is how the Masai boys become men and how they get a wife without having to pay around 20 cows. Jon took us around the village explaining how they make their huts out of cow shit (his words, not mine). The huts are made by the women and last about 5 years each. Jon took us into the hut of the Chiefs first wife (for the old devil who is 100 years old has 15 wives, the youngest being 15!) and explained that the Chief has to go into the bush to get medicine in order that he is strong for his wives. Masai Viagra (Jon's words again).

After leaving the hut the Massai took great delight in trying on Toms sunglasses, and thought this to be hilariously funny. One of the kids did look rather cute in them and this created one of Lisas' favourite pictures. While Lisa was taking video film of some of the Masai, one or two of the kids found the LCD screen on the camcorder rather intriguing, and found it great entertainment when Lisa flipped the screen so they could see themselves, It wasn't long before a rather large crowd of Masai children had gathered to see themselves on the screen.

Boing

We were then given a demonstration of tribal dancing in which some of the people watching were dragged in to throw a shape. The shape in question was usually straight up like a beanpole a couple of feet off the ground. Following this Jon showed us how they lit fires by rubbing sticks together (see it's not just the scouts that do this!). This process, like most the Massai procedures also used dried cow shit.

After an enjoyable visit to the village we said our goodbyes and made our way back to the hotel.

We were given a different room at the hotel, this one still had a sea view, though not as good as the last. However this room also had a view of the Sports Pool as a sort of 'asthetic compensation'. After getting a shower and changing we got stuck into the serious business of cooling off in the pool.

For dinner this evening we had booked into the Seafood Restaurant "Smugglers Cove" at the hotel. I had the most gorgeous lobster ever. Following this we met up with Gwin and Mark for Tusker beer and then toddled off to bed.