13th April 2009 Easter Monday

In the morning we packed everything together again and made some tea with my little storm cooker. Breakfast was ordered at the restaurant, and until delivery I had a little walk to the lake site to take some pictures. There were a lot of birds, tiny parrots and large marabous, and some moneys also some with white pattern on their back. Most campers were of Indian descendant, but there were also some afro Kenyan. The European breakfast was very simple, toast with jam and cornflakes with milk, a large cup of tea or instant coffee and a glass of juice. But it was enough to make us going again.

Going to the Abadare, a mountain area East of Naivasha. We almost missed the turn when we came on the main road again. The first 10 km of the road were very good and without speed bumps. Then the tarmac stopped and we found the next sign. Sometimes the signs were a little out of the main view, but we found our way on the 40 km of gravel roads. We were happy that the rains had settled the dust. When we entered the mountain area all scenery changed. Before the boundary there were small farms with sheep and cows that had grazed the grass really short. Around the farms there were mostly eucalyptus and some grevilea. Inside the boundary those were completely absent, but there were many other species of trees and shrubs dominated by bamboo. The narrow tarmac road was going up and up with views of the valley and the clouds. After 10 km we came to the gates of the park, inside the roads were very variable and a 4x4 was necessary to get around.

Without problems we found Karuru waterfall parking and the path, through extraordinary flora, leading over bridges to the two viewpoints where the sun was shining. The construction was made of solid materials giving access to view and hear the waterfall under us and one on the other side of the valley. After a little lunch consisting of the last pieces of carrot cake and cookies and enjoying the cool and lush green highlands at 3000m we drove down again. The dense vegetation hides its inhabitants very well, but I have seen two deer running to hide as soon as the car came close. On the roads there was also a lot of evidence of the presence of elephants. We drove back to Nairobi again, where the after Easter traffic was fairly dense. And it was good we remembered the landmark of rusted metal at the exit of the main road, because here were no signs.

The last Easter chocolades were eaten and everything was ready for an ordinary Thuesday.