I have travel on the brain so I’m sharing a transformative past adventure to Kenya which was packaged with a cruise to the Seychelles Islands. After we arrived in Nairobi, Kenya for an overnight stay, we flew out the next morning to Kichwa Tembo Camp in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. (Also known as the Masai Mara.) On our second day at the camp, Marla wanted to take a hot air balloon ride. I must confess to a case of acrophobia! I didn’t want to go. I definitely did NOT want to go,…but sometimes a guy has to wipe the sweat off his brow and just DO IT,…even with trembling legs!

Marla obviously loves heights! I must admit it was fascinating quietly floating over herds of interesting animals.

“Are we down yet?”

You missed the image of me hugging the ground!

This is definitely time to celebrate!

One day we booked a day trip to Lake Victoria. The Kichwa Tembo Camp has a dirt landing strip for a small aircraft to fly us to the Rusinga Island Club by the lake. I swear the pilot didn’t look a day older than 18! After lunch we took a boat tour of the beautiful lake.

We stopped at a Luo tribe village.

We were taken to meet the “headman” in his home. He had an English language newspaper on his desk which was at least 5 years old.

The children were especially glad to see us!

I’ll never forget how friendly everyone was in the village.

My favorite memory of the entire trip was visiting a Maasai encampment.

They were as curious about us as we were about them!

The “headman” of the tribe.

I’ve taken many images over the years but this is my very favorite!

Marla loved their festive attire and jewelry!

The women and children gave us a welcome chant.

Even the children dressed up for our visit!

Their beadwork is something to behold.

Intricate artistry.

The majesty of the reserve, the beauty and vulnerability of the animals, is a memory you never forget! Two cheetah brothers sit on a giant termite mound.

A group of very attentive cheetahs see something of interest!

One afternoon our guide took us out looking for elephants. This group seemed a bit nervous about our presence.

A majestic male lion.

The prelude to a hunt.

Beautiful Impalas.

Too close for comfort!

This was a Maasai dance on the last evening of our stay. Our Kenyan adventure was truly transformative!

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.