Friday, November 28, 2014

Main Gate-Shimba Hills

NOVEMBER 29-A Double Nero-in to Diani Beach 

Staci made a curry dinner, and Samson made the meat for last night's meal. It was quite the Thanksgiving feast. It was unique to have them listen to each other's play lists on their phones. It was fun that Samson really liked the sound of country music. 


Sunrise was beautiful at the Sable Bandos, where we camped. 


The Main Gate at Shimba Hills. This doesn't mean we're done hiking through the Park (Reserve), it will still be a day of hiking in the next section, so Saleem and Samsom will join again with us one more day after this nero of resupplying. 

By 9:00 a.m. we were headed back in Tony's rig toward Diani Beach. We needed to resupply and see about charging electronics. This has become a headache. A necessary plug that worked, 


worked, fried. We had no way to charge from a wall socket here. We luckily found what was needed, but it looked funny. Even so we could only charge one item at a time, and nothing charged quickly. The only reliable charging mechanism we had was a solar charger we borrowed from a friend in Scott Valley. The reason charging was important we have so many items, and no reliable electricity ahead. Two cell phones each (US and Kenyan), InReach tracker, two external batteries, and a set of two way radios. 

We shopped. Selections are limited. I wanted rubber cement, as my doggone air mattress is leaking badly. I tried, to no avail, to repair it with duct tape. I had to buy an entire tire repair kit just to get a tube of the cement I needed. I could survive, miserably, with a flat air mattress for most of the trip, but it must function on Mount Kilimanjaro or the cold wouldn't be good. 

It's hard to imagine cold right now. I have no idea how hot it is, but it's real hot. They say that where we're heading next, toward East Tsavo and West Tsavo, is even hotter. Oh my. 


This mama baboon is packing the baby baboon behind. They are pests here. 


We had a nice lunch at an awesome little restaurant on the beach before resuming taking care of our resupply chores.