Wednesday, March 16, 2011

im coming home!!!!!

I'm coming home this Saturday!!!!! Come see me come see me come see me!!!! Hahahahaha I miss home so much!!!! Wheee it's been a month since I left. Will touch down 3.00pm Singapore time. I'll fly out next week Saturday so i'lll be home for a whole week! Yea!!!!!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Lake Nakuru today

Even though it has been quite a long week, still decided to use this opportunity to head out and explore Kenya and the parks around it.

Today, 3 of us went to visit Lake Nakuru, a small park famous for its water birds like flamingoes, pelicans etc. It's only here that I start getting envious with those who own an SLR because it is really a waste to be going to a safari with my little excuse of a camera... Only with an SLR can you zoom in to see the animals and take all those wonderful scenic shots of water and sky...

Anyway, it was a 2 hr drive up and a 3 hr drive back. As usual, i slept most of the car-ride... even when I was in the safari, I still can't help falling asleep... haha...But I did manage to take some pictures... Here's the link I have uploaded them all at...


Some special shots I have...

A zebra with 5 legs... I couldnt believe my eyes at how long his "thing" was!


Awesome view of the Lake and the grounds from an "Aerial" view.


The famous sight of water birds dotting the edges of the Lake...


Check out the Spectalar view of the skies


Some rhinos grazing around. We didnt wanna get too close.

We also saw Lions/ Giraffes/ Buffaloes/ Gazettes/ Gibbons...

Yea, quite an eventful saturday I must say... :)

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Busy Busy Busy Banana

Just came back... another long day of intensive work.

This week and the next, we are organizing a workshop where we invite colleagues from Singapore (the regional team = the team I used to belong to) over to Nairobi. It was good seeing so many familiar faces and it also made me feel like I belong... I'm no longer the only banana in a sea of Gorillas.... (Think what color the banana is and what color the Gorillas are)
My team came down last Thursday where we started our internal workshop which is carrying on until this week. I have been standing up, presenting non stop and coaching the team for the last 5 days. Yes, it has truly been intensive. Waking up earlier too, because instead of leaving at 8, we now leave at 7. Instead of leaving work at 6, we now leave at 8. And instead of eating dinner at home, we always go out for dinner and drinks after.
Tiring... but yet... somewhat fulfilling. I always feel like I am adding value... for now.
So here's pictures of the place I went to tonight, really nice place..

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Dirt, Dirt, Dirt and more Dirt

One thing that you need to get used to when you are in Africa?

The dirt. Your hands can never be clean, you always have the familiar dusty feeling on your fingertips and no matter how many times you wash with all the soaps imaginable, 5 minutes later, you are bound to get dust on your hands again.

In the night, when i come back... if something has not been in the cupboard, you can be sure that there is a layer of dust on your clothes/ computer/ any surface area. the floor will be filled with black specks or bits even though the cleaner cleans everyday.

Some stories to share.. hee hee..

First day here, i wanted to take a bath... on the tap... brown water appears. After a while, water becomes clear... just shower la.

Washing the dishes, my plates are white... ran the water and noticed black specks on the plate. OK, told myself i didnt wash it properly. Ran the water again, now some strands of straw can be seen... Haha.. just wash la.

Washed my clothes in the washing machine. About to lay it on the NEW SHINY rack they have given to me.. did a cleanliness test by wiping a damp towel on the rack.. turned our BLACK. Spent awhile cleaning the whole silly rack before laying my "clean" (not sure if it is really clean) clothes on it.

The other day, wanted to cook porridge. Pour the rice straight from a vacuum pack, once cooked, bit into it - Extremely grainy and sandy. Throw away the whole lot.

Some of my colleagues have complained about skin irritation - burning skin, itchiness, red spots on body... Yep, it is reaction to the unclean water we are bathing in... I'm fine, not affected at all... Looks like not bathing regularly back in Singapore has finally paid off for me by immunizing my body against dirt...

So the only thing i can do if i really want to be clean is to wrap myself in toilet paper and start sanitizing everything i see and filter everything I eat/ drink/ bathe with. That's ridiculous and will attract way too much attention... Not to mention, it will be difficult to go to the toilet...

Let's just take it as it comes... :) At least, my bed is clean.. cause the mosquito net keeps out dust too. Yep... Still settling in...