And we’re off

We hit the road on the 31^st of August 2023.  Full of excitement, our bags, spare parts, and 396,000KM on the clock, this adventure can officially start.  The first two weeks we will not be visiting unchartered waters, in fact, we are not even heading south. Instead, will visit friends and family in Arusha, Bissil and Nanyuki.  These two weeks will get us prepared and into the safari groove.  All our stuff (and there is a lot of it!) will be jiggled around till it finds a permanent place to live in the car, we have the chance to get a border crossing in, and get back into the habit of navigating African roads. It will also give Andromeda the chance to blow out all her cobwebs – she has been parked and worked on for almost a year now without a run.  This way if we need anything major for her, we are in familiar territory and know where to look for help.

Before our break for the border – we had to get Andromedas paperwork sorted which meant a short stop at the police station and the tax office.  The police man fell in love with Andromeda – if we were ever looking to sell her he would be keen.  That has been the second proposal in a week.  It is clear that out of the three of us, she has the most suitors.

Our first border crossing was from Tanzania – Kenya at the Namanga border.  It took us 21 minutes and 11 seconds.  Smooth sailing!

African highways are something I am not sure I will ever get used to.  Whilst Col stays calm and collected and manages a giggle at all the madness that goes on around him, Lauras foot keeps going through the passenger footwell looking for the brakes.  The prize for the most maddening road till now is without a doubt: the Thika Highway. It’s like playing dodgem cars, but you start at level 10 of 10, and you are on steroids. 

Our experience went as follows – all of the below takes place whilst driving 110 km per hour:

• There is no fast or slow lane – you zip around in whatever lane you please, where there is a wee gap – feel free to squeeze into it.
• You can overtake on any side you wish, which was challenging when the bus in front of us weaved in the opposite direction to his indicators, not once but three times.  I do believe he had his wires crossed – in more ways than one.
• The Hilux truck that we thought was overtaking a lorry, but then slammed on the brakes as he had to get off the road completely to buy pineapples (as you do). 
• Despite driving in 5^th gear, one can expect speed bumps, in an effort to communicate with you that there is a legal pedestrian crossing coming up.  An actual zebra crossing – on the highway!
• At said speed bumps, opportunists are standing in the middle of the road selling water, bananas, and…..hand towels.  One never knows when a hand towel can come in handy when driving at break neck speeds….
• There are people (most likely on minimum wage) sweeping the highway.  We saw one of the sweepers get her broom clipped by a motorcyclist driving against traffic… I would say he had something coming…. he was lucky it was just a broom.
• We dueled with the Levictus mini bus – they had god on their side.
• There are plenty of inspirational quotes to get you through the whole experience.  ‘Arrive alive’ was one that stood out!

Despite the above – we made it to Nanyuki in one piece and are now enjoying a week with Colins folks!

Coming up next – more on the beauty that Kenya has to offer including our weekend at Blissful Bissil!