I was lucky enough to go on a trip of a lifetime for two weeks over Christmas back in 2005, as one of my best friends, Elaine, chose to get married in Kenya and I was invited to attend the wedding. Even though I did not have the money to go (I had to ask family members for a loan) and it meant leaving my staff to run my cafe in my absence, I felt I had to go as I may never get the opportunity again.
Despite the 9 hour flight and feeling ill for the first two days due to the malaria tablets, it was a great holiday. Being able to watch my friend from school get married in blazing sunshine over looking the sea was amazing.
There were even members of the Maasai tribe there to add some colour and Kenyan tradition to their nuptials.
A good time was definitely had by all for the rest of that day and late into that evening!
A couple of days later we all went on a 3 day safari deep into the Kenyan plains which was an amazing experience being able to watch and photograph animals in their natural habitat.
This is one of my favourite wildlife shots I took (and I took a LOT !) as I love the way the rising sun is showing the lioness’s beautiful colourings, and she had 3 gorgeous cubs with her.
This is not the best picture of me (lol) but look how close Elaine and I got to a white rhino! Just an amazing thing to have done because they are a rare breed.
We also visited a Massai village which was really interesting as we saw how they live and we were able to step inside their tiny mud huts. The children of the village even sang to us – very cute 🙂
I was so lucky to see so many different species of animals and I have a lovely collection of photographs of all those I saw.
Once back at the coastal resort Christmas was nearing. Christmas Eve we ventured outside the safety of our hotel and visited a local pub as we were fed up with the greasy all you can eat buffet food (first and only holiday were I actually lost weight!) and the over priced drinks the hotel offered. We had such a great night
The locals were really welcoming – the hotel had painted a different picture!- and we ended up sounding the night with a varied bunch including Massai men, prostitutes, men who were there for prostitutes, pimps and us!
I love this next photo showing Elaine’s brother posing with the Massai men – it still makes me smile when I see it
By the time we eventually returned to our hotel we thought it would be a great idea to jump into the swimming pool!!
However, the hotel security did not agree with us strangely enough!!! Soon we were asked to vacate the pool and return to our rooms, where we laughed about what happened for a bit longer! (IMy memory of getting back to my room that night is a bit vague!!)
This is what I remember most about this holiday – laughing so much! I will never forget the beautiful wedding I attended, the safari experience, the long hot days by the pool and the nights we got merry – all moments I shared with such a brilliant group of friends!
Just such a brilliant holiday!
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Thank you xx
Thank you xx
I love the one of your friend’s brother – could he look more British! I wonder what the locals were thinking too!!
This is a great series of photos! I love the wedding with the lion!! I’ve always had a problem with christmas & hot but it looks great!
Oh wow, that’s some trip! What an absolutely fabulous memory – well worth taking a loan for!
It definitely sounds like a great holiday. I have never been to kenya, but the pics look fab, love the one with the lioness and the cubs 😉
Brilliant series of photos too! Nice!
Amazing pictures and sounds like an amazing trip.
i love the fact that you all went on your friends honeymoon together
my other half attended his best friends wedding in australia a few years back and they did exactly the same thing – a group of them hired out a beach house on the coast and they all headed out there together after the wedding
perfect!
Wow what an amazing holiday experience. Great photos, looks like fun was had by all. Love the pic of the lions, beautiful x
Amazing photos and really the holiday of a lifetime 🙂 I want to go there now……… Jen
A lovely selection of photos and what an amazing holiday experience! A really interesting read. Thank goodness we have the memories 😉 x