posted by Edward
8:51 pm
Greetings from the equator! Early this morning we left Samburu National Preserve, but not before M got a hour-long massage and we were able to chill by the pool for a bit. Being on safari is quite tiring and we enjoyed the break. On our last drive at Samburu we saw some pretty amazing stuff. We followed a cheetah as it hunted gazelle, we saw two cheetahs actually feasting on an impala, and this morning on the way out we saw a lion feeding on a cow. Yum! Early this morning we headed for our current location at Sweetwater Tented Camp in Laikipia. We took a three hour drive to where we are now on the equator but at an altitude of 6000 ft above sea level, so it's actually nice and cool(our driver/guide drives pretty nutso, passing on bridges, passing on hills and blind spots, swerving around cattle) . Our our drive today, we saw rhino and then went and visited a rescue shelter for abused and neglected chimpanzees that was instituted here by Jane Goodall.
The camp here is very different from our last one. All the rooms are essentially fancy tents set up around a watering hole where different animals come to drink. We saw giraffe, rhino, African buffalo, warthogs, and zebra right there outside our tent. Tomorrow, we're headed for Lake Nakuru.
Halfway through our Africa trip and going strong!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Jambo!
posted by Edward
9:22 pm
'Jambo' means Hello in Swahili. As you can guess, we made it to Kenya.
After a torturous experience checking in and getting on our KLM flight in Schipol International in Amsterdam, we made the 7 hour flight into Jomo Kenyatta International in Nairobi last night. Our guides met us at the gate, and whisked us away to our hotel in Nairobi for the night. The stark contrast was immediate in how friendly everyone was in comparison to Europe.
This morning, we woke up early for our 6 hour drive from Nairobi to Samburu National Park. Our guide, William, drove us around Mt. Kenya, the second highest mountain in the continent of Africa. We drove through many towns and cities, as well as vast rugged landscape. We finally got to Samburu Game Park and started our safari officially. So far, we've already seen: impala, babboon, elephants, warthogs, dik-diks (yeah, really), oryx, buffalo, and the highlight, cheetahs as well as a giraffe giving birth! We saw the hooves and legs of the baby giraffe coming out of the thingy!
Tomorrow, more safari! We miss you all and love you! Pictures forthcoming hopefully, otherwise we'll attach pictures to the corresponding blogs when we get home.
ps/jen, how's lucy?
9:22 pm
'Jambo' means Hello in Swahili. As you can guess, we made it to Kenya.
After a torturous experience checking in and getting on our KLM flight in Schipol International in Amsterdam, we made the 7 hour flight into Jomo Kenyatta International in Nairobi last night. Our guides met us at the gate, and whisked us away to our hotel in Nairobi for the night. The stark contrast was immediate in how friendly everyone was in comparison to Europe.
This morning, we woke up early for our 6 hour drive from Nairobi to Samburu National Park. Our guide, William, drove us around Mt. Kenya, the second highest mountain in the continent of Africa. We drove through many towns and cities, as well as vast rugged landscape. We finally got to Samburu Game Park and started our safari officially. So far, we've already seen: impala, babboon, elephants, warthogs, dik-diks (yeah, really), oryx, buffalo, and the highlight, cheetahs as well as a giraffe giving birth! We saw the hooves and legs of the baby giraffe coming out of the thingy!
Tomorrow, more safari! We miss you all and love you! Pictures forthcoming hopefully, otherwise we'll attach pictures to the corresponding blogs when we get home.
ps/jen, how's lucy?
Friday, June 26, 2009
Tip 2 Sexy
posted by Edward
10:50 pm
So we headed out into Amsterdam once again. First priority was for M and I to find something to eat. We stopped at Rembrandt's Corner that was set right on a canal. Our waiter, who we dubbed 'Dirtier Euro-Jeff', was hilarious. At one point, some girls walked up to the outside cafe and asked him for a menu. He replied, "Menu? I AM the menu." The girls promptly walked away, while he pleaded for them to return. So the food was good and the service entertained. After dinner, walked to Red Light District again and checked out the freak circus. It was a lot more crowded than last week because it's Saturday. We then sat in the big square in the middle of the city and people-watched.
After, we got ice cream at Rene's Croissants. The guy looked like a white Bruno. Straight up. When he handed us the ice cream he said, "4.50 Euro, Ja?" There was a jar on the side of the counter labled ""Tip 2 Sexy." We put some change in.
In our way home, we got caught in a rainstorm and had to take cover in a dark alley in the Red Light District. Not cool. We waited there a couple minutes, then figured just make a break for the hotel. We arrived wet, but happy and ready for our journey to Kenya!
10:50 pm
So we headed out into Amsterdam once again. First priority was for M and I to find something to eat. We stopped at Rembrandt's Corner that was set right on a canal. Our waiter, who we dubbed 'Dirtier Euro-Jeff', was hilarious. At one point, some girls walked up to the outside cafe and asked him for a menu. He replied, "Menu? I AM the menu." The girls promptly walked away, while he pleaded for them to return. So the food was good and the service entertained. After dinner, walked to Red Light District again and checked out the freak circus. It was a lot more crowded than last week because it's Saturday. We then sat in the big square in the middle of the city and people-watched.
After, we got ice cream at Rene's Croissants. The guy looked like a white Bruno. Straight up. When he handed us the ice cream he said, "4.50 Euro, Ja?" There was a jar on the side of the counter labled ""Tip 2 Sexy." We put some change in.
In our way home, we got caught in a rainstorm and had to take cover in a dark alley in the Red Light District. Not cool. We waited there a couple minutes, then figured just make a break for the hotel. We arrived wet, but happy and ready for our journey to Kenya!
Back to Amsterdam
Posted by Michelle
17:36 local time
Our last night in Paris was great. It consisted of pretty much the same thing as the night before...wine and The Seine!! My favorite!!
Now were back in Amsterdam after taking the train from Paris. It took us a awhile to find our hotel, the streets here are really hard to navigate and the names of them are quite difficult to pronounce. Anyway, after we found our hotel, we took a quick nap and are ready to take to the streets again.
Tomorrow...Africa!!
P.S. Stoked to be in front of a half way decent computer!
P.P.S. Had the BEST croissants I've ever had! Yum!
P.P.P.S. Happy Birthday Mom and Erin!!! XOXO
17:36 local time
Our last night in Paris was great. It consisted of pretty much the same thing as the night before...wine and The Seine!! My favorite!!
Now were back in Amsterdam after taking the train from Paris. It took us a awhile to find our hotel, the streets here are really hard to navigate and the names of them are quite difficult to pronounce. Anyway, after we found our hotel, we took a quick nap and are ready to take to the streets again.
Tomorrow...Africa!!
P.S. Stoked to be in front of a half way decent computer!
P.P.S. Had the BEST croissants I've ever had! Yum!
P.P.P.S. Happy Birthday Mom and Erin!!! XOXO
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Musee de Louvre
posted by Edward
6:50pm
Last night M and I, armed with ham and cheese baguette sandwiches and a bottle of red wine, took to the streets of the Islands. First we stopped for some streetside glaces, which is like gelato and delicious. Then we leisurely strolled through the neighborhood, stopping on a bridge to listen to a band of older men playing 1930s American classics. It was nice to sit on the bridge, overlooking the Seine, and having old Paris buildings and Notre Dame in the background.
We scrapped our Eiffel Tour plans because we ended up finding a beautiful spot along the banks of the Seine, and watched the sun go down in the shadows of Notre Dame, which we never get tired of admiring. We drank our wine, it's legal to drink openly in the street, and watched the tour boats drift by. Just a beautiful night.
Today, we woke up early to get more sandwiches at our street boulangerie and make it to the Louvre. When we got there, the crowds we feared were nonexistent. We made a beeline for La Jaconde, or the Mona Lisa. Sure enough, not soon after the infamous crowds formed and made the place difficult to navigate. Some other highlights of our visit were the Venus de Milo, The Astronomer by Vermeer, and The Raft of the Medusa by Gericault. Our favorite piece though was the Victory at Samothrace, circa 190 BC. We'll be sure to post pictures as soon as we get to a better computer.
On our way back to the hotel, we stopped off for more sandwiches and another (bigger) bottle of wine to while the night away somewhere in the city one more time. Tomorrow morning, we have a train to catch to Amsterdam.
6:50pm
Last night M and I, armed with ham and cheese baguette sandwiches and a bottle of red wine, took to the streets of the Islands. First we stopped for some streetside glaces, which is like gelato and delicious. Then we leisurely strolled through the neighborhood, stopping on a bridge to listen to a band of older men playing 1930s American classics. It was nice to sit on the bridge, overlooking the Seine, and having old Paris buildings and Notre Dame in the background.
We scrapped our Eiffel Tour plans because we ended up finding a beautiful spot along the banks of the Seine, and watched the sun go down in the shadows of Notre Dame, which we never get tired of admiring. We drank our wine, it's legal to drink openly in the street, and watched the tour boats drift by. Just a beautiful night.
Today, we woke up early to get more sandwiches at our street boulangerie and make it to the Louvre. When we got there, the crowds we feared were nonexistent. We made a beeline for La Jaconde, or the Mona Lisa. Sure enough, not soon after the infamous crowds formed and made the place difficult to navigate. Some other highlights of our visit were the Venus de Milo, The Astronomer by Vermeer, and The Raft of the Medusa by Gericault. Our favorite piece though was the Victory at Samothrace, circa 190 BC. We'll be sure to post pictures as soon as we get to a better computer.
On our way back to the hotel, we stopped off for more sandwiches and another (bigger) bottle of wine to while the night away somewhere in the city one more time. Tomorrow morning, we have a train to catch to Amsterdam.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sully-Morland
posted by Edward
3:55 pm
Today we woke up late and got some baked goods at a Boulangerie right outside our hotel. My French is apparently getting a little bit better because the girl behind the counter seemed to understand me without any funny looks. M got a sandwich au fromage and I got un pain amande. Yummers. Michelle says that everyone in Paris seems to dress so stylish, and that she feels like a bum. To remedy that, she went to a boutique and made a few purchases. We walked through a street market at Rue Moffetard, and now are headed out for a river cruise along the Seine. Tonight we're planning on having a picnic in the park at the Eiffel Tower after happy hour in the Latin quarter. Au revoir!
3:55 pm
Today we woke up late and got some baked goods at a Boulangerie right outside our hotel. My French is apparently getting a little bit better because the girl behind the counter seemed to understand me without any funny looks. M got a sandwich au fromage and I got un pain amande. Yummers. Michelle says that everyone in Paris seems to dress so stylish, and that she feels like a bum. To remedy that, she went to a boutique and made a few purchases. We walked through a street market at Rue Moffetard, and now are headed out for a river cruise along the Seine. Tonight we're planning on having a picnic in the park at the Eiffel Tower after happy hour in the Latin quarter. Au revoir!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Paris continued...
Posted by Michelle
Paris is very different than Amsterdam. The city is so much bigger. Amsterdam had such a quaint feel to it. (Its super hard to type on this keyboard because its in French...the letters aren't in the same place. A "Q" is where the "A" normally is...etc) After checking in to the hotel we walked over to the Island. I like this area. It had more of a "small city" feel to it. From the island we went over to Notre Dame. Amazing!!! I can't imagine how it's possible to build something like that in the 1400s. After that we took a Metro ride over to ____ (I can't remember what its called and Edw taking a nap right now so I cant ask him. I'll tell you later). Anyway, its a big cathedral on a hill overlooking all of Paris. The view was amazing. Then we strolled over to the Moulin Rouge and then headed back over to the island. We found a nice sidewalk cafe and had dinner. That was certianly my favorite part of the day. We sat there and took in the sights and people, including a view of Notre Dame. We have already done so much today, it's great!! After Ed wakes up from his nap were going to take a stroll along the river. I love how it doesn't get dark till 11:00pm!!
I'll try and post a few pics later.
Paris is very different than Amsterdam. The city is so much bigger. Amsterdam had such a quaint feel to it. (Its super hard to type on this keyboard because its in French...the letters aren't in the same place. A "Q" is where the "A" normally is...etc) After checking in to the hotel we walked over to the Island. I like this area. It had more of a "small city" feel to it. From the island we went over to Notre Dame. Amazing!!! I can't imagine how it's possible to build something like that in the 1400s. After that we took a Metro ride over to ____ (I can't remember what its called and Edw taking a nap right now so I cant ask him. I'll tell you later). Anyway, its a big cathedral on a hill overlooking all of Paris. The view was amazing. Then we strolled over to the Moulin Rouge and then headed back over to the island. We found a nice sidewalk cafe and had dinner. That was certianly my favorite part of the day. We sat there and took in the sights and people, including a view of Notre Dame. We have already done so much today, it's great!! After Ed wakes up from his nap were going to take a stroll along the river. I love how it doesn't get dark till 11:00pm!!
I'll try and post a few pics later.
Day 2 - Paris
posted by Edward
3:34 Paris time
Hi from Paris! After a scenic 4 hour train ride from Amsterdam, we finally arrived. There was a 45 minute debacle trying to buy our Metro tickets, but we made it to our hotel and are ready to hit the streets. First stop, food. Then, Notre Dame. Wish you all were here!
ps/Happy Birthday Ed!
3:34 Paris time
Hi from Paris! After a scenic 4 hour train ride from Amsterdam, we finally arrived. There was a 45 minute debacle trying to buy our Metro tickets, but we made it to our hotel and are ready to hit the streets. First stop, food. Then, Notre Dame. Wish you all were here!
ps/Happy Birthday Ed!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Vacation Day 1 - Amsterdam
posted by Edward
18:03 local time
Hey everybody! After a 10 hour direct flight on KLM, we finally arrived in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Coming in, it was hard to not notice how green and rural the area is around the airport. Lots of open space and lush greenery everywhere. After a rather expensive cab ride into Amsterdam, we checked into our Hotel (directly overlooking one of the many beautfiful canals) and set out onto the town.
Not long after we started our walk, a freak rainstorm blew through so we had to take cover under an awning at one of the many cafes that line the streets here. M has been compulsively taking pictures, so much so that often I'll be talking to her only to find out she's not next to me because she's paused to take yet another picture. It's so picturesque here though that it's hard to blame her.
We made our way to the Anne Frank house on Prisengracht (the names of streets here are crazy). It was a somber way to start our tour of the city, but it was very interesting and a historic place to visit. We actually got to go into the annex where they hid and enter her very room. Afterwards we went to a nearby cafe and ordered their 'regular' coffee, which here means they make an Americano. The coffee was SO good. It's a shame coffee in the States is just so spotty at times. Anyway, M got a ham n'cheese sandwich, I went with a goat cheese, honey, and walnut sandwich on multigrain which was so great, pictures to come.
Next up, we're going to go scope out the Red Light District. Watchout!
18:03 local time
Hey everybody! After a 10 hour direct flight on KLM, we finally arrived in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Coming in, it was hard to not notice how green and rural the area is around the airport. Lots of open space and lush greenery everywhere. After a rather expensive cab ride into Amsterdam, we checked into our Hotel (directly overlooking one of the many beautfiful canals) and set out onto the town.
Not long after we started our walk, a freak rainstorm blew through so we had to take cover under an awning at one of the many cafes that line the streets here. M has been compulsively taking pictures, so much so that often I'll be talking to her only to find out she's not next to me because she's paused to take yet another picture. It's so picturesque here though that it's hard to blame her.
We made our way to the Anne Frank house on Prisengracht (the names of streets here are crazy). It was a somber way to start our tour of the city, but it was very interesting and a historic place to visit. We actually got to go into the annex where they hid and enter her very room. Afterwards we went to a nearby cafe and ordered their 'regular' coffee, which here means they make an Americano. The coffee was SO good. It's a shame coffee in the States is just so spotty at times. Anyway, M got a ham n'cheese sandwich, I went with a goat cheese, honey, and walnut sandwich on multigrain which was so great, pictures to come.
Next up, we're going to go scope out the Red Light District. Watchout!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Leaving on a Jet Plane
C'est la vieTomorrow we leave for vacation extravaganza. We can't wait! This is what our itinerary looks like:
June 20th LAX-Amsterdam
June 21st-Frolicking in Amsterdam
June 22nd-All aboard a train to Paris
June 22nd-June 26th- Gettin' fresh with the French
June 26th- Another day in Amsterdam
June 27th- Keepin' it real in Kenya
June 27th- July 5th- Safari so Goodie!
July 5th- Goin' back to Cali
So, today we're just wrapping up last minute details and packing. This is going to be one whirlwind adventure. We hope to make small postings and updates on this blog while we're gone. So please check back frequently. You never know, our travel blogs may be so dynamic and captivating that you'll think you're watching the Discovery Channel. Au revoir.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Unproductive
I'm supposed to know everything on these papers by 1600 today. However, instead of studying them, I decided to screw around with Photobooth. Photobooth is way more fun than Pharmacology!!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Chillin'
I just got a new lens for my camera. It's a Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. I like it. This is one of the first pictures I took with it.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
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