Kris and Kim in Kenya: October Vacation!

We had a WONDERFUL month with Dr. Allan helping me at the hospital, a week-long vacation, and a visit from Kim's parents, brother Andrew, sister-in-law Elyssa, and new nephew Levi!

Here are some of the highlights from our time away from Kapsowar:

A fun new recipe - Giraffe Bread! (and washable markers on our serving plate)

On the train ("SGR") to Tsavo National Park

Dominic took lots of pictures of these blue-bodied, orange-headed lizards at the safari lodge near Tsavo

We took a guided nature walk around the safari lodge - past the hippo-hole, crocodile hang-out, and leopard den. At least, that's what the guide said! We only saw a monitor lizard.

"Man Eaters" is named after the two mane-less lions who became infamous for attacking, killing, and consuming the men who were building the railway from Mombasa to Nairobi. One of Kris' favorite movies is "The Ghost and the Darkness," and we surprised him with a stay at the actual location where the events happened.

The railway station at Tsavo

I think these are called the switches, used to redirect the train tracks. This particular rail line is still in use, although these switches are no longer used.

We saw real elephants, and this one in our room!

After a few nights in Tsavo, we took the train on to Mombasa, where we stayed at a resort. We got up for a sunrise jog on the white-sand beach! (Well, Kris and Dominic jogged. I took pictures and had a cup of coffee.)

After two days at the resort - Dominic spent most of it in the pool! - we moved down the coast a few miles and then picked up Mom, Dad, Andrew, Elyssa and Levi at the airport. Our AirBNB was right on the beach. Here are Dad and Dominic going for a walk in the Indian Ocean, with matching outfits right down to their hats!

We chose this AirBNB for it's proximity to the beach and ALSO a private pool.

We took a day to check out Diani and go out for lunch. All of our other meals were prepared at the AirBNB by a chef that we were able to hire to cook for us. It made the vacation so much more relaxing to not have to think about shopping for food or preparing meals!!

Back in Kapsowar - Kim had to go back to work on Monday, but the family came to stay with us for almost a week. Mom and Elyssa came to the hospital to see the new blood bank refrigerator (that's to some generous donations from YOU) and Elyssa stayed for a c-section - and got a baby girl named after her!

Allan gave me one last day off to go to Kerio View in Iten for pictures, a view of the valley, and an early dinner.

It's our favorite time of year to go to Kerio View, as every evening the clouds roll in and sometimes you get a great view of lightening across the valley.

We were thankful for all the help with preparing meals at home...

Andrew did a great job baking in what we call our "Easy Bake Oven" (no temperature control and no convection, minimal insulation and of course the challenges of high-altitude baking).

And now some pictures completely out of order and context from everyone else's cameras :)