Day 1 - Nairobi

Unlike last year, I was embarking on this trip alone. The fact that Willem did not join this time became painfully clear when the seat next to me in the airplane remained empty. However, as this also meant more room for me, I wasn’t sad for too long. And after 3 movies and two meals we arrived in Nairobi.

Since the airport was damaged by a big fire a few months ago, we were welcomed in a newly build parking garage that had been turned into a temporary customs and arrivals hall. Clearing customs and getting our luggage went surprisingly smoothly, but queuing times increased tremendously at the ATM. I understood when I saw the huge stack of money that had to be counted to get the equivalent of 300 Euro’s.

I am not sure whether it had to do with the terrorist attack in a shopping mall in Nairobi a few weeks before, but on our way to the hotel we noticed a large presence of policemen and soldiers. At the hotel we were let in through a big gate and we were advised not to go out and explore the city that evening. Given that we were all tired of the flight and that we had to get up early again the next day, I don’t think many of us had those intentions anyway.

Before going to bed we had a quick round of introductions: 21 people and one tour guide (plus a driver and cook) – 21 Dutch and one Belgian – 21 people with great expectations and one who rather wanted a motor cycle, but instead had to join his wife on this trip (after one day he had become one of the most enthusiastic members of the group though).