Khloe in Nairobi

Khloe

We wanted to write a post about how Khloe is managing in Nairobi! Our jet-setting dog endured quite the trip to Nairobi, but we were very thankful when she arrived safely. She flew from Dulles, Virginia to Amsterdam on KLM Airlines. KLM has a pet hospital in the Amsterdam Airport, where she stayed for about 24 hours. I also flew KLM through Amsterdam, and we took the same flight into Nairobi. I was able to confirm with the KLM employees at the gate that she had been loaded on my plane in Amsterdam. I was slightly less worried knowing she made the flight! 

One of the best features of our neighborhood is we have an amazing dog park within a short walk. Usually, we walk Khloe twice a day.  While we're out walking, we visit the dog park at least once a day, sometimes twice within the same day! We can tell Khloe really enjoys her walks because when we wake up in the morning or come home, she does laps around the house whining and/or sits against the front door. She knows how to get her point across!! We have made a couple of friends at the dog park too. Both of her playmates are around 1 year old and are still puppies. At the ripe old age of 3, Khloe usually gets tired of playing first! It's great exercise for her running laps with the other dogs!

Here are some of the pictures we have compiled so far: 

Khloe in the backyard. She loves soaking up the sun! 

Before: Part of the garden in our backyard.

After: Khloe in the garden!

Soaking up some more sun! In between our house and the laundry room.

Helping unpack after our air shipment arrived.

Before we exchanged our furniture, we let Khloe
sit in this chair. She was in it every night! 

Now that we exchanged our furniture, Khloe is reduced to trying to get comfortable
on the 2 dog beds in the house!! Bed #1

Bed #2 

Mount Longonot

Mount Longonot National Park 

Saturday - 11.24.2012

We had the pleasure of visiting Mount Longonot National Park this weekend!! The National Park is only located about an hour drive from Nairobi.  There was an incredible amount of truck traffic crawling along on the road, so we had to move into oncoming traffic frequently to pass. Kind of scary, but Sean did a great job driving! 

The views of Kenya during our drive to the National Park were absolutely beautiful. It was amazing how quickly we transitioned from the city to breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley. For most of the trip, we could see Mount Longonot in the distance. We passed through several small impoverished towns, reminding us of the insulated life we are blessed to lead in the city. 

Mount Longonot is a dormant volcano last believed to have erupted in the mid 1800's. The hike involves hiking up to the rim of the volcano, hiking around the rim of the volcano and back down again. It's difficult to find the exact distances of the hike, but most estimate around 5 hours in total.

We started the hike around 7,000 feet above sea level, and felt the effects of the altitude quickly! It was an incredibly challenging hike up to the rim, I had to stop several times to catch my breath. It took us about 1.5 hours to get to the rim, and it felt like a steep uphill climb the entire way. The only way to catch a break was to stop, and it was a good excuse to appreciate the beautiful views as we ascended higher. 

We hiked around the rim for a bit, but decided to save the full hike for another day when we are in better shape and better acclimated to the altitude. The hike around the rim involves a lot of additional climbing, and we didn't feel up to it this first time! The views from the top were absolutely amazing, well worth the difficult climb.

The hike down the volcano was a lot quicker, we did it in under an hour. However, the path is made up  mainly of loose dirt and ash. In several steep places, we had to inch slowly down the volcano. I still slid and fell on my bum a few times, I need to invest in a pair of hiking shoes!! 

It was a very challenging and tiring day, but overall a great experience. Before we leave Kenya, we will do the full hike!!! 

Views from the passenger seat  

A lot of little huts along the way

We can see Mt Longonot in the distance - the 3rd peak
(We are starting to realize what we're in for....)

Passing through town. Not sure about the status of the 2nd story. 

Notice how the small structure on the right is labeled "hotel."
Sean's estimated capacity...2 people?

Getting closer! How beautiful!

Cattle grazing in front of the volcano.

We've officially begun the hike! 

Views during the hike
(Taking pictures as I gasp for air)

Getting higher!

If you can spot the hut at the top of the hill (in the middle of the picture), that's the finish line. We have already been hiking for awhile, and still have a lot left to go!
Gasping even harder for air now....

Taking a picture of Sean because I need another break.

Great shot of the path ascending the volcano. It's steep!

Enjoying the view as we climb higher.

Smiling for the picture, but inside his heart has stopped.
(Notice how steep the path behind him is)

The hut at the top! We made it! 

View of the Great Rift Valley from the top!

Inside the volcano

More views of the volcano.
(You can see why we are not yet ready for hiking around the rim)

Panoramic view from the rim!

We made it!

Hiked a little around the rim. You can see Lake Naivasha in the distance.

The path around the rim

A "little" crater visible from the rim

You can see the path around the rim as it climbs the highest peak of Mt Longonot. 

A nice little spot on the rim

Eating lunch in the hut, before going back down.

View during lunch. Totally worth the hike!! 

Too many trucks, not enough lanes. 

The truck in front has stopped completely. Waiting to pass.

Saw some wild monkeys hanging out near the road
and also crossing it causing a small traffic jam.
They were too quick for my photography skills, but
 I got this guy.

Elephant Orphanage

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Sunday - 11.18.2012

Our first time as tourists in Nairobi!! We braved the rainy weather to visit the Elephant Orphanage, just a short drive outside the city. The orphanage is open daily for one hour and gives you the chance to get up close to adorable baby elephants! The orphanage rescues baby elephants from all over Kenya, takes care of them and eventually helps them return to the wild. We saw two groups of elephants during our visit - the youngest ones came first and the slightly older (and bigger) elephants came second. We had a great time, and can't wait to go again!

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Elephants entering the ring!!

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Here come the baby elephants!!

Assume bottling stations

The little guy is trying to get more!

Petting one of the babies :)

Trying to stay dry!

Hanging out in the ring

Getting a massage

Loving all the attention!

The 2nd group of elephants got a lot bigger!

No hands!

They also liked eating all the leaves off small branches

Queueing up to leave...hehe

Had such a fun time!