Naivasha Sopa Resort

 Thursday was supposed to start early so we could travel across the Great Riff to a resort on a big lake. The bus was as least an hour and a half late, so plans had to be changed to accommodate. 

We learned about the great rift that is going on in the African continent. All the way up to the Middle East down through Israel and through the African continent there is a rift that is getting deeper and wider - very quickly in scientific terms (millions of years versus thousands). So when we were on one side we looked way across the valley to the other side. I have a hazy picture. Here is a link if you want education. 

I only saw a big valley. I'll probably need to go to YouTube and watch some drone show what it is.

Lots of time on the bus talking and chatting. Snacks were sent around. I decided I liked the banana chips though they had spices on them. The chocolate was very good. Did you know that the chocolate that comes out of Belgium starts in plantations in Africa? They refine it then market it and  send it out as Belgium chocolate. Makes me wonder where the slabs of chocolate from Trader Joe's comes from.

I was fascinated watching all the little farms that were everywhere! Even going up the mountain.

After a LONG drive 

We got to the Naivasha Sopa Resort where we immediately saw zebra up close and personal, water bucks, and a monkey. They were setting up for a wedding and the whole place was really beautiful and nice. We were told that the giraffes were not far away........after walking in the heat over rocks and through the brush in a 2 mile circle we found them not far from the main lodge. Too bad we didn't start out on the road for our circle. It was so nice to see them up close foraging on leaves that were in trees with LONG thorns. I brushed up one or two small ones and did not like the scratches on my pants and ankles. So how do the giraffes stick their tongue around the leaves and not get poked? The guide told us they were very sweet leaf treat for the giraffes.

I am too old to be walking through the bush....

Watching the giraffes was worth it.

Water Buck

Water Buck and giraffes
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This little one was so cute to watch. He couldn't be very old.

Out on the Lake

Instead of getting off on a famous island to see the animals there, we elected to ride a boat out in a big circle to see the birds and hippos. We had run out of time because of our late start. They have an eagle that looks like our bald eagle and egrets that look like the ones in California. The starlings looked like nubs on the tree until we got close and they all scattered. I kept watching the water but our guide said there were no crocodiles. Just hippos. And cormorants, and other birds.

The lake is closer than it was three years ago

Due to heavy rains the lake has risen and killed off the trees that were once on the shore. A walkway has been built to get over the swamp. Plants grow looking deceptively solid, but I watched a man wade through that "solid" mass of plants.

Not solid ground, plants over the shallow water

Twelve Ladies

Wildlife on the lake

Late lunch, LONG drive home 

We came back from our boat ride and had a late but tasty lunch and then drove back over the same long road it took to get to the Resort. A missionary called and put our dinner reservations back 45 minutes.

Door to the rest room at the restuarant - look at that detail!

Ok, I had about 50 shots out the window, but I doubt you want to see even half of what I put up:)