Crossing the equator – the coldest place in Kenya

Tuesday, 5.11.2013
Today we have a long trip from point A (Marich Pass) to point B (Nakuru). It is interesting to watch how nature, climate and people’s occupation changes along the way. When we pass mountains, agricultural area begins. We see a lot of people on the roadside making and selling charcoal, gathering wood and maize, splitting stones and even welding steel doors. Here we buy bananas, mangoes and passion fruits.

Our car moves uphill very slowly because of damaged fuel filter. In Kitale mechanics successfully replace it and now we drive faster. Roads are also changed, instead of permanent holes now we have more or less comfortable ride. Except those crazy road bumps! In the afternoon we finally make stop for the lunch.

Soon we pass Eldoret that is quite busy town. We are constantly moving uphill reaching 2800 meters height and temperature drops from 24 degrees Celsius in the afternoon to quite chilling sensation when darkness comes. We use GPS to locate equator line. We cross it and enter southern hemisphere again. Unfortunately we cannot stop at that place. This is strange, equator is the coldest place in Africa we have met so far.

Finally we reach Nakuru that is quite big city but very noisy and crowded. We stay overnight in very modest place Care Guest House with prostitutes staying outside. Noise on streets continues all night. Most of our group go for dinner to eat meat and nibble bones.

To Nairobi

Monday, 28.10.2013
Our way to Africa begins in Zurich. Ilgonis, Ilva, Vitolds, Ināra and Artis are worried about Agnese being late but when the boarding begins, she arrives. Her day has not started luckily, Agnese lost her ID card and some other documents. But these problems cannot interrupt our journey.

6000 km long flight to Nairobi takes 8 hours. Some people are watching movies, others are reading. Food provided by Swiss Airlines is nice, drinks are plenty. But this is not so important comparing with excellent views through plane’s windows. Grey color Swiss Alpes are followed by brown Greek mountains. Then comes refreshingly blue Mediterranean sea with inclusion of Crete island. Vivid yellow color of Egyptian desert comes as a surprise. Over this vast area white clouds are chasing their shadows. Then come high tropical clouds When they clear out, we see unnumerous fields of green plants in Sudan. While approaching Kenya, the sun sets down, but we still can see Turkana lake where we will watch the solar eclipse.

Formalities at Nairobi airport are short but we must leave our fingerprints. We are met but two guys in suits. They deliver us to car rental company owner’s house. We are warmly welcomed by hostess Helena and her beautiful daughter Diany, try Kenyan food and drink tea with milk. We meet Rūdolfs and Anders, now all our group is together. We sleep in twin rooms.