Egypt's protest a walk in the past for Kenya?

We have all been watching on news for the past couple of days the violence happening in Egypt as a result of political indifference.Egypt, a country well known for its beauty, great touristic features, rich history and culture especially for the religious has fallen short to a victim of war and protest just as it happened in Kenya a few years ago:2007 -2008!

Protesters in Cairo....

 As a result of the post elections protests, Kenya did not only loose hundreds of its people, the tourism sector suffered countless losses and up until today we are still trying to recover! I fear that Egypt will go through the same consequences considering the number of travel bans that foreign countries are issuing to their people....and to think when i was in Egypt mid last year, i could not help but admire them as an African state.

Protests go on even at night in Cairo....

I believe that Egyptians should realise that there are diplomatic ways that they could use to protest and that their own lives are much more important than anything else on this earth. Kenyans realised it when alot had been lost and we had to start from scratch. We faced an almost economy collapse with most of us facing salary cuts and unemployment, habitat displacement and hunger etc I remember one time when we were forced to close our office for the day at 11.00 in the morning after a threat that protesters were coming our way .. i was forced to get a taxi and go home; that ride to my house was the most scariest moment i have ever lived.My taxi was almost stoned, however in one way or the other, God did manage to save me....

A happy self of me in Egypt boarding a ship to go on a dinner cruise...

Today, i particularly pray for Egypt to restore peace and that they awaken to the fact that all is not lost and the can salvage all...Africa is a beautiful place, a land where archeologist's believe is the cradle of mankind, so why do we want to ruin it? 

Egypt please let these memories be a future for tourists who visit your country..

Sunset and Sunrise...

These images are so beautiful that i just had to share them with you.....

Only in Africa

Makes me miss the coast.....

Raw beauty......

Images courtesy of Google

My top 5 most romantic destinations in Kenya!

With February only a week away, of course the thought of Valentine's creeps up in your mind. I must admit i am a hopeless romantic and i utterly believe in love.It is a great feeling  and with such  thoughts in my mind i felt it was necessary to share with those who are like me,some of the places you may consider visiting this Valentines.

1. Lamu is top on the list for me. As have mentioned previously, Lamu is rich in culture, great history,great hotels such as my all time favorite Kizingo and  Swahili food is a plus!

Lamu island sunrise....

Kizingo Lamu...

2. Laikipia comes in second place without a doubt due to the luxuriousness the place offers and the rich number of game found in this area.From the amazing high end camps in the Lewa area to the star beds in Ilngwesi Camp of the Ilngwesi group ranch, to the prestigious Nanyuki hotels such us Fairmont Mt.Kenya Safari Club (cant help but say that with an English accent). Damn! this place is awesome.

Borana Lodge...Lewa

Fairmont Mt.Kenya Safari Club....

3. Diani Beach follows in third because of the clean beaches and exquisite hotels that can be found in the South Coast area!From the likes of 5 star hotels such us Leopard Beach hotel, Diani Reef hotel  who have out of this world spas to sports 5  star hotels like Leisure lodge for golfing or boutique houses such as flamboyant and Afrochic....Diani beach is definitely among my top 5!

Diani Reef spa moment....

Diani Reef the 5 star hotel..

4.Manda Island This place is just pure bliss. It is an island near Lamu which if I'm not wrong has only about 2 or 3 hotels with the Majilis being  one of them. This place is unique, exquisite and damn expensive!Not only do you enjoy the beach but you could also go for nature walks etc So if you want to spend some money on her..this is a place.I can assure you it will not disappoint.

The Majilis....

5. Samburu This is ideal for nature lovers and adventure freaks!Samburu has high number of game animals and a secret for culture.Most of the camps are high market with many of them making it in the international review lists especially Sarara camp, Saruni Camp - who offer drawing safaris and Sasaab who are well known for their "spa in the wild"

Saruni Camp inside luxurious tent...

Sasaab,the place with an amazing spa in the wild.....

All Golden - Animal Metallicism

Gold has always been and will always be among my favorite "colours" !Having said that, look at this beautiful golden animals....

1. Golden Bettle

2. Golden Jumping Spiders

3. Golden Monarch Butterfly Chrysalis

4. Golden Fish

5. Golden Poison- Dart Frog

6. Gold Tegu Lizard

7. Golden Snakes

8. Golden Marmoset

9. Golden Weaver Bird

10. Golden Bond Girl - This is a funny one! The girl from James Bond - Goldfinger, whose character died due to skin suffocation!

For more information on golden animals you can look up webecoist.com considering i got the pictures from there!

Dolphin Slaughter in Japan

It has been a while since i spoke about animal cruelty and recent piece of articles were brought to my attention by a friend of mine and it was too bloody that i had to ask myself, have human beings lost their minds?! Apparently, in Taiji dolphins are being massacred all in the name of culture!

Believe it or not..the red is blood!Dolphin blood!!

I salute Mr. Richard O' Barry  the director of SaveJapanDolphins.org, a campaign conducted by the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute which was formed to put an end to the Japanese drive fishery slaughter of dolphins and stop the capture and live trade of dolphins to zoos and aquariums around the world.

Many people in Japan are against the slaughter but fear to speak out  due to the consequences such as loosing your job, friends and even family! This weekend saw a turn of events when 6 very brave Japanese women took to the streets to demonstrate against the killing! In Australia, supporters of the cause have vowed to demonstrate weekly outside the Japan embassy in the hope of their cause being heard one day....

The facts estimate about  2300 dolphins are killed per year in Taiji! This alone leaves me speechless due to shock, anger and alot of feelings that i cannot explain...Something needs to be done!!!

STOP DOLPHIN MURDER!! Murder is murder whether an animal or not....

Czech Republic: Prague the city of great architecture

The most interesting thing about this blog is that i have never though of this country when i think of going for a holiday! Most of our thoughts are usually driven  towards a beach or the wild etc.However, in this blog we take a different angle, an architectural angle a place i never pictured to be this beautiful and magnificent. A place where i feel that their attractions need to be highlighted.The capital city yet largest city in Czech Republic, Prague which is pronounced as Praha!

Prague is most know to architects due to it's astonishing architectural work. The city practically offers a glimpse of different architectural styles ranging from Baroque, Gothic, Art Noveau, Functionalism, Cubism, and the list goes on. People even joke that you can get a PhD on architecture when you go on a Prague holiday.For more on holidays check Journeyetc's Top Prague destinations

 Now tell me, is this not Beautiful?

Pictures courtesy of Google images.

Female Lions Remind Me Of African Women, And this is why....

Earlier today i was reading an interesting document about female lions and the more i read the more i related to them. I almost felt like i knew that family or i belonged to the Lion family.

 Lionesses are known to be tough, strong, beautiful and like Tyra Banks would say, Fierce! Well in that very description, i believe it would fit an African Woman!And going by these few but main points, i believe you will agree with me when i say  Female Lions are like African women.

Facts: 
Lionesses are the pride's primary hunters. They often work together to prey upon antelopes,zebra's,wildebeest and other large animals of the open grasslands.Many of these animals are faster than lions,so teamwork pays off. In the African culture Kitchen business is a woman's business!(LOL)

A cub may nurse from other females in the community as well as its mother.Well this point should not be taken Literary but think about it, your friends mother is as good as your mother. Remember when we were younger and you would misbehave then you friend's mum would punish you while your mum wasn't there?Like the Swahili saying that says " A child belongs to the community"

Males and Females fiercely defend against any outside lions that attempt to join their pride. Maybe in this case the family that preys together stays together! It is a well known fact that mothers purely and generally protect their family!

All said and done, Lionesses are beautiful, unique,hardworking, protective,intelligent and yes of course ..Fierce!!Now don't you think that description fits an African woman?

Pictures courtesy of Google images.

Going to London for the Royal Wedding?

Truth be told, if any other celebrity in London was to have their wedding on the 29th of April, I'm pretty sure the attendance would only be the family of the groom and Bride!!Tourism in London is expected to hit the roof this spring with people from all over the world coming to witness Prince William and Kate Middleton say "I DO"

Westminster location...

UK's travel authority have advised to book your travel in advance however, accommodation else,Westminster are already fully booked, and though vacancies are still available some are planning to increase prices by as much as 200 percent. Deals still exist, like at the Lancaster Gate and Shaftesbury Premier hotels in Hyde Park, which offer discounts for longer stays.

Flights to London are also expected to increase the fares and of course, late booking /  buying may mean not getting a chance to attend the wedding!!

Things to do while in London:

• Tour - London has great historic stories and museums!

• Dine and Drink - Even though the English are not great drinkers, they do like cocktails and great wine! The Lounge Bar at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel is perfect for pre-dinner drinks.

• Shop - I doubt i need to explain this!

Stripping stunt to sell tours? Kenya ,can we do this?!

It has been a while since i blogged! Last week i got an email which was rather funny but interesting as well. It showed the kind of determination and lengths at which Tour operators in specific "Virgin Holidays" were willing to go so as to keep and attract business!

Led by Dita Von Teese lookalike, Kimberley Holladay, the staff posed on the steps of London's National Gallery - all in the name of publicity. Staff from Virgin Holidays braved the cold to attempt to break the World Record for the World’s Largest Burlesque Dance.The stunt was aimed at promoting the company's January  sale!

Kenyan Tour Operators , how far are you willing to go?!

The Gondola Ride - The floating city with Euros to spend!

I am certain you have in one way or the other seen one but you just did not know that its called a Gondola!!

A gondola is a boat kind of structure that has a unique kind of design and shape.Almost like a straw hat.They are mostly found in Venice, Italy and according to veniceforvisitors.com, "A gondola ride is like a hansom cab ride in New York City: It can be a delightful experience, but only if you're able to forget the price and focus on the experience."

With the phrase above, you must be wondering how much does this Gondola ride cost?Well be ready for a shocker!!! 

The facts are that Venice sets the official rates for gondola rides, which started at €80 for 40 minutes. Additional 20-minute increments are €40.  Yes, you read correctly!And if you consider yourself the romantic type and want to give your spouse an evening ride , the rate after 7 p.m., the base rate climbs to €100, with €50 for an additional 2 minutes.

The maximum number of people who can be on a gondola at a time is 6 . This doesn't mean you'll actually pay 80 euros, or that you'll get a 40-minute ride. Depending on demand, gondoliers may regard the official rates as a polite fiction. Extra 'special' services, such as singing, can boost the fare even more !! This also means that you are allowed to negotiate....So who is willing to take me on a Gondola ride?!