Posted on 06/20/2006 10:04:53 AM PDT by hindsfeetnhighplaces
Sure I am sure. :) you can PM me if you like. I would love to hear about your experiences there. We just found out about this Sunday evening so no, we haven't gotten any information yet. One of the pastors whe went has put together a presentation that he is going to give at his church and we are going to try and go to that. The trip isn't until November but I am anxious to find out as much as I can. If you have the time I would love to hear all about it.
Got a Passport?
Not yet but we will get them soon.
the first kiss took place on a Kenyan beach. They had the baby in Namibia.
I drink the water all the time -- and this is Nairobi City Council water not borehole water! I guess I developed the antibodies as a baby or something.
Lot's of crock on this thread, to be honest.
Crime is a serious concern, but you'll be fine if you're sensible.
Otherwise Kenya is a fantastic place, and even Nairobi is great -- though it does have its downsides.
Here's a quick run down of best restaurants to eat at:
JAPANESE -- Furasato in Westlands does the best Sushi in Africa.
FRENCH -- Alan Bobbe's Bistro has finally moved out of the centre of town since the great man died. I don't know what it's like in the new location -- but this was THE place where European royalty, U.S. tycoons and Hollywood actors used to go. Ask to see their guest book.
SEAFOOD -- A bit overpriced but Tamarind in the centre of town is very good. Much better, though, is their dhow in Mombasa.
INDIAN -- Haandi in The Mall or either of the two Anghitis (one in Westlands, one in Muthaiga) are truly excellent.
CHINESE -- My favourite is still the rather run down Hong Kong on Koinange Street -- aka the Street of Sin.
ITALIAN -- Variable and sometimes inconsistent. I still like Trattoria if you're in town and want a quick pizza. Medditeraneo on Woodvale Grove is an old favourite an Chianti's in Hurlingham is good too.
THAI -- Siam Thai in Xerox House of Woodvale Grove is the best in town
INTERNATIONAL
Favourites are Moonflower on Dennis Pritt road -- lovely atmopshere
Talisman/Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and especially Kudeta in Karen/Langata are great, thought sadly Kudeta was closed last time I looked -- but may be reopening.
For the best outdoor experience go to the Rusty Nail, which has a lovely garden but not such good food. Have afternoon tea and a sticky toffee pudding or a beer instead.
Pavement in Westlands very good too,
Out of town head for the Kentmere Club on the way to Tigoni.
Most famous restaurant in Nairobi is the Carnivore in Langata -- a feast of Zebra, crocodile, Impala etc etc
For breakfasts head to any one of the Java Houses in town. The one at The Junction at Dagoretti is the hippest place right now.
For the kids there are fast food joints all over.
Beer recommendations:
Fancy: The Mercury Bar, Casablanca, Havana, Pavement, Karen Blixen
Mid level: Gypsy, Klubhouse, Soho, The Horseman
Dives: Plenty
Clubbing; The Pavement and Simba Saloon at Carnivore are the top places. Black Cotton Club once a month is also recommended.
Weve got the most importqant stuff in nairobi out of the way. Anything else you want to know?
I was born in Kenya by the way, lived there for 18 years and go back there at least three times a year...
By the way it's not such a bacward place.
I live in Moscow now and Nairobi has more advanced supermarkets, better cinemas and better bookshops than here.
The food is a hundred times better too.
Are you sending the kids to school, by the way?
They'll have a wonderful time if you relax and let them...
You must try Zebra -- it's the best meat in the world. Like a very tender steak but much juicier and more tender on the tongue.
The Java House chain is a safe bet if you want the taste of America. It's owned and run by a Canadian.
Tamambo's is essentially U.S. cuisine and the chef at Verandah in Langata is an American.
I have quite a lot of American friends who have come out and they say the cooking at decent restaurants is at least comparable to the U.S.
Forget about the granola bars. You can get orios, hershey bars and granola bars at a number of the better supermarkets...
If you're at the coast or in Muslim areas wome should at least wear trousers. Otherwise wear what you want. Kenya is a liberal country.
November in Kenya is normally the short rains, but weather patterns have been very unpredictable in the past 10 years. That means it can often be very muddy. But the climate should still be warm. Because Nairobi is 5,500 feet above sea level the weather is never relentlessly hot. November is normally pleasently warm but wet.
Hard to say on the gift front. If they have teenage children, bring baseball caps with a sporting theme. The young are increasingly trying to model themselves on black Americans.
For the parents, hard to say. I've never been to America so I don't really know what would be best. But whatever it is, they will be overjoyed. Kenyans are very warm, very friendly people.
Don't go out geeling scared or apprehensive. Be open-minded and you will have the time of your lives. You are on the cusp of a very special, very blessed moment in your lives.
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