Getting away from traffic is probably one of the big motivating factors for me in periodically getting out of Nairobi for a weekend. That, and the stunning and varied countryside that lies beyond the city borders. In the last few weeks, I had a couple of such weekend escapes.
The first of these was to a cottage that I’ve stayed at many times now (4 already this year!). I took Jim and Rebecca with me. They’re over from the US for a few months, helping us out in the Finance department while a couple of staff are away. After 2 months, it was high time that they got out of the city! Away from all the traffic noise, the sounds heard from Hadada are the various bird calls made by numerous different species in this birdwatchers’ paradise, the occasional crowing of a rooster, and the grunting of hippos in the nearby flamingo-fringed lake. Set against a spectacular backdrop of hills and volcano craters in this part of the Rift Valley, with zebra, giraffe, eland, gazelle, hartebeest and warthogs roaming around freely, it is a perfect place to relax, go for walks and generally enjoy God’s creation.
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| Jim & Rebecca enjoying the view at Crater Lake |
[For those who know Hadada, the elderly couple whose guest cottage it is, have both died in the last year. Hadada still remains available, at least while it goes through probate. It will be a sad day when it’s no longer there.]
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| Oldien Bay |
The second weekend getaway was a new find – a nicely furnished house, just the other side of the Ngong Hills, about an hour of traffic-free driving away (not that it was traffic free on Friday afternoon!). The Ngong Hills form a dividing line in the landscape between the green more arable land towards Nairobi, and the dry, scrub land dotted with Masai manyattas going down (literally – about 6,000 feet down from the top of the hills!) to Lake Magadi. Whilst already down a ways, the house was perched on the hillside with a stunning view. There was the very occasional sound of a vehicle coming up the road, but otherwise, the peace was just punctuated by birdsong, baboons barking, cow and goat bells as Masai herded their livestock down below us, and on Sunday, the sound of singing from an open air church service off in the distance. Another great place to chill out with friends, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
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| Jill seeing what she can see |
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| The view from the bathroom! |
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| A Picture of Relaxation! |
1 comment:
Hello! I found your blog while searching for Hadada cottage, as it was recommended to me by another missionary. My husband and I are missionaries living in Nairobi as well. Actually though, I am wondering if you could tell me the name of the place you stayed at past the Ngong Hills. We also are always looking for ways to get out of the city without spending crazy amounts of money. Thanks and blessings! Clarissa
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