Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Kenya {Day 12} - Last Day in Nairobi

Our last full day in Nairobi was more leisurely as we enjoyed some additional attractions around the city. We were able to get some good sleep (after our huge (and exhausting!) meal the night before) and have a relaxing breakfast at our modest but comfortable "guest house" before heading out on our adventures that day. Because we were only there in the dark on the front end of the trip, I did not take or share many photos. Here are a few to show our accommodations while in Nairobi... 
They fixed breakfast for us each morning in one of the other houses. We ate with other guests who were also staying at the property.
Shards of glass...interesting type of security fence
 
Some sights along the way
Lots of road work and traffic...
We spent the earlier part of the day at The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an elephant & rhino orphanage dedicated to protecting and preserving Africa's endangered species. At first, I was disappointed to not see any elephants at the game park the day before, but getting to see baby elephants up close and personal here more than made up for it!
A few other animals were wandering around before we got to see the main attraction.
Seeing the backsides of the animals was a common occurrence on this trip!
The elephant keepers awaiting the arrival of the babies with a wheelbarrow full of milk bottles
The elephants were only available for viewing during a certain time period so a lot of other guests and school classes gathered as well to see the show.

 
The baby elephants were led in by an elephant keeper and it was quite a sight.
We were told to be quiet while the elephants were close but many in the crowd were so excited that they could not keep the noise down. The keepers reprimanded us numerous times.
While we were in Kenya, the temperatures had been perfect and mild. This was a more rare day and it actually felt hot. The keepers continually shoveled dirt on the baby elephants' heads and down their backs to keep them cooled. What a mess!
These elephants are babies and already covered in wrinkles!
Different groups of elephants (based on age) were brought out for viewing at different times. The elephant below was the youngest baby who they made sure to protect the most from the sun. 

Extra protection from the sun while they drank their bottles (and dripped milk everywhere!)...
More water splashes and dirt baths for cooling
Some of the bigger/older elephants made their way to the "pool" for relief from the heat.
Many piled in together and ended up on top of each other. We laughed out loud as they sat on eat other and acted so indifferent to it. I suppose they like being close...even when it's hot!
The milk in these bottles was gone in a matter of seconds when the elephants go a hold of them...
So neat to watch them hold the bottles with their trunks 
There was only a thin rope separating us from the action. In fact, the babies being fed bottles underneath the shade of the blanket happened RIGHT in front of us. 
After the elephant "show" was over, we made a stop by the rhino cage before leaving the orphanage...
On to our next adventure... 
After the elephant orphanage, we went into town to a local mall to grab some lunch. There were multiple places to eat so the team divided up, but when it was all said and done, we all ended up at the Nairobi Java House. 
The mall had a market attached so we all did a little shopping after lunch.
Bud waiting patiently for all of the slow shoppers to make our purchases (this was our second and last opportunity to find some African treasures to bring home).
And then on to the Giraffe Centre
We were so close to the giraffes that I could hardly get a picture of an entire giraffe inside the frame!
Feeding the giraffes
I love the giraffe's tongue sticking out 

 Photo courtesy of one of my teammates (and one of my absolute favorites!)...
Our last dinner all together and with Bud was outside in Nairobi at an Italian restaurant. It was a lovely evening and meal.
We made a stop by a local ice cream shop after dinner before heading back to our lodge and turning in early. We would have another early wake up call the next morning to catch our flight home. 

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