The 2022 African Journals, Chapter 18: The Misfits Leave Tsavo West National Park

 Chapter 18:

The Misfits Leave Tsavo West NP

The difference between chirping out of turn and a faux pas

depends on what kind of bar you're in.--Wilson Mizner

After last night, it's probably a good thing we're leaving Finch Hattons luxury resort this morning.   The Canadians started it.    The two Americans joined in whole-heartedly, leaving staff no doubt as to where we stood on the scale of cultural finesse.

It began innocently enough.   Randy and Sylvia were off on a trip to a rhino reserve and weren't expected back until late.   That left Randy's five other wives climbing wearily out of the Land Rover after the late game drive and staggering toward the main pavilion under the weight of all our gear. 

Marg, hereinafter know as the instigator of trouble and good ideas, said,   "I'm going to have a grilled cheese sandwich with French fries for dinner.”

"GOOD IDEA!"  chorused the rest of us.

And we did.   We sat down at the table covered with a pressed white cloth, candles,  and an array of wine glasses and ordered grilled cheese sandwiches with fries all around.   Someone told the waiter to give the chef our apologies.   After all, we still wanted breakfast in the morning.

Did we get two slices of American cheese food product on white Wonder bread?   No, our dinner came with homemade bread (crusts trimmed) and white cheese of some kind.   Plus, regular fries like you get in America and Canada.  It was the perfect dinner.

A meal fit for barbarians.   It was one of our favorites of the whole trip.

We opt to skip the morning game drive.   There is  packing to be done and we have to be at the airstrip for our flight to Nairobi.   Yes, we have to fly all the way back to Wilson airport in Nairobi and catch another flight to the Keekorok airstrip in the Maasai Mara to get to our next camp.   Each flight was about 35 minutes, so it was no big deal.

Some staff express surprise that we don't want a game drive in the morning and mention that another party went out in the field every chance they had.   Well, good for their enthusiasm.    Frankly, we seemed to cover the same couple miles, saw the same rock hyrax, the same giraffe at the bend in the road, and the same scenery every time we went out.  Game was limited and in deep brush.  It seemed like we never got more than a couple miles from the lodge, except for the night we went to the Maasai Olympics.

Plus, we are spoiled from being in places where game is plentiful and easier to focus a lens on.   And we are looking forward to our next camp.

I want to emphasize that these opinions are my own, and only mine.   I enjoyed my time at Finch Hattons.   It was restful and pleasant and a very nice lodge.

That is not to advise against going to Finch Hattons.   It is a lovely resort and there's lots of action around the water.   Staff does everything within its power to please and the food is very good.

In the morning, we have breakfast, say goodbye to staff, and to the hippos in the water.   The airstrip is only minutes away.

The weather this morning is grand and I get a clear shot of Mt. Kilimanjaro before leaving Tsavo West National Park.

Marg debarking in Nairobi at Wilson airport.

We get some snacks and cold sodas from the lounge  at AirKenya and then board a plane for the flight to Keekorok in the Maasai Mara.

Waiting at the airstrip there is a line of safari vehicles.   Somewhere in there are the vehicles that will take us to Enkewa.    

The Enkewa guides spot us immediately and soon we are saying hello and hugging them.   Marg has been here a number of times.   This is my second time and I feel like I'm going to my second home.

There are a number ri of camps serviced by this airstrip.   They all aren't waiting for us.

And we're on our way.   But, wait.   I don't recognize this route!!!

That drive was so unusual that it requires a post all its own, so I will close this one for now.