A normal afternoon in my office, doing my thing, sorting those holidays and the phone rings. I answered only to be told I had won a camping trip to Kenya, Africa. First thought: ‘You’re have a laugh?’ Second thought: ‘I can’t do that!’
I had entered a competition for it so why I was so shocked, I still can’t explain. My obviously wonderful entry into the competition was a quick fire poem, written on my train journey home two weeks prior.
There once was a girl called Ella,
Who wanted to go to Kenya,
Never having been before,
There is nothing she wants more,
Camping isn’t her usual style,
But it has been a while,
Who can make her dreams come true?
Why, Intrepid always do!
I was quietly pleased with my poem, being no Shakespeare. I submitted my entry and thought what will be will be, and left it at that. Only to have the phone call, now the complicated decision of if I was capable of completing the trip. Suffering with anxiety when it comes to travelling anyway, however this was hardly your usual fly and flop sort of holiday. I was going to be camping for 6 nights in the Kenyan Bush, some nights with no facilities (showers or toilets). Now I don’t think of myself a high maintenance person when it comes to my appearance. I don’t wear make up on a daily basis and love of bit of dry shampoo. However when simple things such as not being able to wash my face and teeth twice a day aren’t available, I wouldn’t be on top form, put it that way.
After taking of advise from family, work colleagues and friends, I somehow found myself saying yes to the trip..followed by eight weeks of panic.
Sleeping bag, walking boots, malaria tablets, just a few things from my packing list which I didn’t all ready own. I spent the weeks presiding the trip mostly in the Mountain Warehouse store, so much so the guys who worked there knew my name! This was soooooo far out of my comfort zone, I hardly camped in my own country for goodness sakes! Kenya was one thing, given the distance from home, camping was the other
I am not going to go into great detail of the trip as it would take 3 separate blog posts. However:
Ella’s Kenya Experience in a Nutshell
After spending the night before leaving for Heathrow telling myself I couldn’t do it and I didn’t want to go, the time had come to get on the train and head down to the airport. Crying all the way to the station with my mum driving, telling her that I didn’t want to go isn’t the ideal way to say goodbye to your nearest and dearest before heading to Africa. However she handled it and told me I was going to have a great time. Annoyingly my mother is ALWAYS right.
The kindness I have been shown on this trip has really made me think about life and how it should be lived. From the girl at Manningtree train station seeing me upset and standing next to me and chatting to take my mind of it, from the agents on this trip who made me feel so at ease and like I had known them all my life, to the Kenyan people who can live with so little, yet be so happy. All of these factors plus so many more managed to make me see that I CAN go to Kenya for 10 days, of course I can.
Anxiety can get the better of you and convince you that you can’t get over a hurdle, despite how much you want to get to the other side. But I did get to the other side, and I wouldn’t swap it for anything.
Seeing Simba sleeping in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, the elephants crossing in front of the truck, the Giraffe blocking the walkway we were in, campfire evening with the Masai, the fabulous friends made, the laughs (so many laughs) we had, the amazing food prepared by Albert the camp chef, the superb driving in some dicey conditions from Stoney and lastly our spectacular tour leader Mambo who I think could run for president!
Intrepid Travel are an escorted touring company trying to change the way we travel for the better, using responsible methods such as:
Our style of travel involves:
- Real life experiences which promote cross-cultural understanding.
- Using public transport (where possible).
- Staying in smaller-scale locally owned accommodation (where possible).
- Buying locally produced food and drink, and purchasing souvenirs from local artisans.
- Spreading the economic benefits of travel by purchasing from a range of local suppliers.
- Minimising plastic waste (where possible).
- Careful management of limited energy and water resources.
- Avoiding the exploitation of the vulnerable – including women, children, animals and endangered species.
They were also the one of the first companies to ban elephant rides on their tours plus changing the way for many other animals. They believe that wild animals should be viewed – with no contact or interaction – doing what they do best: living in the wild.
Keep travelling with Intrepid, and they can keep it up!
Thank you Intrepid, it was a blast. If I can do this, anyone can do anything.
travel is good for the soul 