There was slippin and slidin and whoops!

Baby elephant bulls are my absolute favourite!  They are oblivious to their body size but are very aware of the fact they are boys and they truly revel in that knowledge.  A visit to the elephant orphanage had us totally surprised as the boys came stampeding around the corner, ears flapping wildly as they launched themselves into the mud bath.  

All the elephants at the orphanage were found at a very young age either lost from their troop or next to their mother who had been killed.   The orphanage hand raises them and then when they are old enough they are moved and introduced back to the wild.

They do a great job and it’s really worth the visit especially if you want to touch an elephant and get a real close up picture.

the boys showing that they can behave from time to time

Beyonce, the moon and I

This title really reminds me of those corny Nigerian, e-grade, nollywood movies we were subjected to in varsity.  Nonetheless I found myself on the road at midnight, with nothing but the moon as my companion and Beyonce belting away “the best thing I never had”

I was driving my mother and sister back to Johannesburg, both had dozed off and I was wide awake, focused on the road and thinking about my next entry.

I love driving; there is something about being behind the wheel, I love the tar, and the element of danger that comes with handling heavy machinery.  I’m pretty sure I inherited this love for driving from my parents as both of them are excellent drivers.

As I drove, I was taken back in time to our family road trip to Zambia when I was in grade 6.  It was a road trip that would have us seeing, Zim, Zam and Bots the objective of the road trip to attend a family friend’s wedding in Zambia.  My parents shared the driving but on our way back my mom took hold of the reigns and pushed on as we had to be back at the border at a specific time. This meant driving through the night, I remember dozing in and out of sleep and catching glimpses of my mom focused on the road and blasting some music that she had bought off some hawker for a moment like this.  My mom got us to the border on time safe and sound.

As I drove on my mother dozed in and out of sleep at some point I said to her "mum you know I now understand how you managed to drive through the night when we were in Zambia."  Being responsible for people’s lives especially your family is enough to keep you awake and focused because life is just that precious.

Growing up certainly gives more clarity to the decisions our parents took. It gives us a deeper appreciation for whom we are.

 

2 Night time driving tips

1.    Don't look at oncoming headlights. Focus on the edges of oncoming traffic and bright objects, as staring directly into headlights can blind you for up to five seconds until your eyes adjust. – It also can give you the impression that the oncoming car is driving in your lane and this can result in accident if you swerve into oncoming traffic.

2.    Do stop at a petrol station to stretch and get refreshed.

For more tips visit, http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/car-safety/26674/night-driving-tips.jsp

The best thing I never had ~ Beyonce

I’m in Diani Bitch….

Yes if you were wondering about the title it has been stolen from that club anthem “I’m in Miami Bitch.”

There are places that the lord created, stood back, marvelled, winked and said “Beat that!”  Diani is such a place it’s what dreams are made of and home to nomadic travellers like me.  Yes home, because it’s so easy to get lost in the beauty of such tropical islands, forgetting where you are from and that you actually have responsibilities to get back to. 

Diani has many resorts and some are just typically better than others, offering all sorts of beach activities such as Kite Surfing, water skiing, fishing, snorkeling and basically anything water. 

Countless afternoons spent relaxing in paradise.

Lantanu Galu Beach Resort was one of my favourite’s, with a pristine beach and a bevy of James Bond looking men it provided a fair amount of beauty and entertainment.  Their food was lovely but the dessert menu was more of a desert than an oasis. 

Keeping cool in the ocean, sipping on cocktails

The best thing that came out from Lantanu Galu though were 2 gorgeous English brothers who hosted us for New Year’s Eve Dinner.  Our chef was kitted out in a pair of fitting Ducati chino’s that made his tush a delightful sight… a real man’s man.  Our Barman, his brother was a tall drink of milk, with a body to write home about, I’m sure he has inspired many a fantasies.

New Years Eve Dinner

Taking in the view from the balcony

5 Tips for making the most of Diani

-          Bring your coolest friends along, there will be plenty of memorable moments and you want to be able to laugh about them when you get back home.

-          Get a 4x4 with a great sound system; potholes are the order of the day, therefore you might as well bounce along listening to some cool beats.

-          Get ready to dance every night, Diani has great night spots,  my favourite being 40 Thieves, its easy going, good music and a great time out on the beach

Many nights were enjoyed at 40 Thieves

-          Be adventurous, do things you have never done before, break the rules just make sure you won’t get caught because those Masai guards will beat you up.

I wished a Camel Happy New Years- after all if the clock strikes 12 just love the one you with.

-          Eat, drink, live and be Merry.