Open Horizons

As we got to the gate at six, we handed over our identification cards for the security guards from Kenya Wildlife Service to verify the passengers on board. It took twenty minutes as our bags were searched. Another couple, the organisers, had gone ahead of us in their personal car and we met them there at the reception. The usual ‘Hi am so and so…I do this for a living’ cliché set off the tone of the long awaited highlight of the journey. Slowly driving in our minivan, we were shown a thatched-roof hut not far from the main entrance. From afar it didn't have the grandeur or splendour however we were warned of its special visitation from the gods. “Honeymooners who spend the night there never come out the same again. Rumour has it that they get twins a year after, “the tour guide said. The men got their fair share of amusement and the ladies discussed... babies. I saw herds of buffaloes at such close proximity at the national park that it felt scary and magical at the same time. The park was green and alive with so many trees and bush thickets such that one forgot civilization on that cool evening. No network was accessible and clearly our mobile phones were to be put away safe in our bags for the amount of time left while there. Being shut off from the rest of the mobile phone population, the much I could do with mine was take photos. The room I slept in had bed deckers with mattresses and blankets provided. We had to boil water with fire wood to bath. Good relief; a flushing lavatory. I ended up chatting with my other friends as the night moved on unnoticingly. The next day started with a good breakfast; egg sandwich, bread scones and tea. A few of us ladies helped prepare snacks for lunch. Most of us had already bought drinking water and fruit juice. The baboons stole some of our food.
The trip was succinct; I saw pink flamingoes strutting in the lake. Pinks against blue open skies with endless open horizons of the lake; why is that not beautiful? I too saw a white rhino, giraffes and gazelles that wandered about the park as we drove. Buffaloes in their herds were seen strolling in the park, and their huge bodies intimidated even the most macho man in our team. They drooled a lot as they chewed on; not a photogenic quality they possessed. Time discipline was the one setback. Had the organisers been keen to observe time we would have seen all the animals there (and by all I mean seen a lion). The trip should have started at 7 am and winded up at 5 pm.