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EVERY MOUNTAIN HAS A SOUL..

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2June2025 Sunrise: Mt Kenya (photo by Imtiaz Khan - a Master Photographer!) THE HARDEST MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB IS THE ONE WITHIN - J Lynn Madaraka day means Freedom Day. And this year it falls on a Sunday and thus an opportunity for a long weekend. So, the family took advantage of this and planned a practice hike to the Mountain.  Abit of background for future plans for this year: In October this year the family is planning the first Kilimanjaro climb. The diaspora from UK, Canada, Australia etc - are joining. It is expected to be a mega family event - one of many we hold regularly almost every other year.  So, every potential climber of Kili is practicing for the October climb.  Well, not that seriously but sort of ... ! The Kenya side decided this long Madaraka Day weekend to flex their muscles, joints and limbs on Mt Kenya. Imtiaz and Shafeen are the co-leaders of this rendezvous. And I must add, they are excellent organisers and leaders (I am not saying this because we...
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14 YEARS LATER

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 6 April 2025 “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” –Mark Twain Sunrise: Mara River (all photos by ALK) Honestly, I was expecting a newer Land Cruiser. KBY! Surely? And f or 65k?  And f or two days?  I felt abit cheated...by Gulab? "Is this car ok?" I ask Gulab - our pilot. "Yes, this is a perfect car. Don't look at its age and interiors" He tries to assure me. Its too late to change now! I say a silent prayer as we board.  (I always pray irrespective of the condition of the car: God is always in control) Destination: Neptune Mara. Its 14 years since I last visited Neptune Mara.. The drive from Nairobi started at 6am. Uneventful and safe. By 10am we were in Narok and onto to Mara North via Ololunga and Ngorengore. Really rough road. Huge ruts worsened by tractors plying to and from the large wheat and maize plantations ... owned by you know who and who .... And its planting season - so heavy traffic of these behemoths. And o...
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WAJIR: A TALE OF HEAT, DUST & WORK

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  19 March 2025 WAJIR: A TALE OF HEAT, DUST AND WORK "Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller. " - Ibn Battuta A mundane street in the outskirts of Wajir Township Its the 19th of the blessed month of Ramadhan 1446AH .... equivalent to 19March 2025. Ramadhan is moving fast; as it always does! Its a dreary day. A constant drizzle has now changed into steady rain. The smell of rain falling on the parched dust - the petrichor is invigorating but the depressed light is making this morning quite wintery. January, February and early March have been searingly hot....dry, dusty, biting heat! Temperatures in Nairobi have surpassed 32celcius on an almost daily basis! The absence of any large water body means a total lack of humidity, so the heat is dry, penetrating heat. And the resultant dust. Mix this all up with diesel and petrol fumes. And for good measures, throw in the noise, the din of boda bodas, matatus, the shrill music s...
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