10 Memorable Moments from Trip to Kenya

Published on The Indianapolis Star

Amy Crook, a former Indianapolis resident, joined the Village Experience for a sustainable tourism trip to Kenya in November 2013.

Crook said she'd always wanted to travel to Africa, so when the Village Experience sent a Facebook invitation for the trip, she made the decision to go "almost in an instant."

"Before Kenya, I was charging towards something and trying to push heavy or closed doors open in life," Crook said. "When I returned, I started spending more energy on life paths where doors were opening more freely."

Here, she shares her 10 favorite memories from the adventure.

1. Feeding elephants at the elephant orphanage (Nairobi).

A beautiful and peaceful way to start the trip. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust opens to the public daily during the 11 a.m. feeding time. Two classrooms of children joined us, and I couldn't help but wonder if it was a frequent opportunity for these students or if we were all sharing this experience for the first time.

2. Meeting bead makers at Kazuri Beads (Nairobi).

Kazuri means "small and beautiful" in Swahili. We met the women who made beautiful beaded jewelry and accessories and took a tour of the facility – from soil to clay, paint to bake.

Locally, you can check out their selection of jewelry at one of Global Gifts fair trade retail locations: 446 Massachusetts Ave. or 1800 E. 86th St.

3. Walking safari with giraffe and zebra (Crescent Island).

We took a hippo boat ride to Crescent Island for a walking safari. Crescent Island was the filming location for "Out of Africa" with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford and the sequel to "Tomb Raider." It was simply surreal to walk alongside grazing wildlife including zebra, giraffe, wildebeests and gazelles. I imagined having a picnic here.

4. Nyama choma (roasted meat) markets.

We passed several of these markets on our journey, where meat hangs freely in the window displays. We stopped at one and tried some lamb, liver and ribs – small bites dipped in salt.

5. Leopard sighting on safari (Lake Nakuru National Park).

We stayed at Lake Nakuru Lodge. On a morning safari, we spotted zebra, white rhino and a leopard – a panoramic sight enjoyed from our vehicle. The leopard got chased into a tree by buffalo. On our way back to the lodge we visited the Jacaranda Girl's Home. The home houses 30 girls and teaches agricultural skills. The fruits and vegetables grown are sold to Nakuru Lodge for guest and staff meals.

6. Paradise on Lamu Island.

I am a pretty fast-paced person, so I would have never thought of a beach vacation as desirable. But Lamu is a magical place, and the people are incredibly open-hearted and welcoming. On my second visit I was greeted with, "Welcome home."

This is a very happy place and you'd be surprised at how fast the day fills itself with local activities: dhow trips, fresh seafood, wedding celebrations, birthdays, backgammon or simply reading under the "happy tree." From what I hear, everyone who visits this place leaves a little bit of himself or herself behind.

7. Children's graduation ceremony (Lamu Island).

The program for the children at New Life Home Trust included several performances: welcome songs, poems, traditional Kenyan celebratory songs and fun, light-hearted skits like "The Nairobians." One song encouraged parents to put a great emphasis on education. The children went around the room stating what they wanted to be when they grow up. Some of the girls dressed up as models, working the runway like women would in a Nairobi fashion show. These girls had such confidence.

8. A little Robert Indiana Love on the Kenyan coast (Manda Island).

Frank's on Manda Island. The mirror replica of Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture catches my attention being a Hoosier native. I ordered the Dawa cocktail prepared by Chai, our bartender. The Dawa is Kenya's national cocktail, a vodka drink with lime, sugar and honey served over crushed ice. Chai filled a bar towel full of ice, and beat it with a stick to make crushed ice. I enjoyed the grilled calamari served with a fresh arugula salad with a unique rocket herb, sort of like parsley, and a perfectly buttered potato.

9. The 13th annual Lamu Cultural Festival dhow race (Lamu Island).

We cheered for one of our travel companions as she joined the Casa dhow crew for the sailing competition. The dhow (ship) race ran about four hours, and we followed it on another dhow. We made a a pit stop in Lamu Town midway to re-stock on some Tusker beer, walking through a Muslim cemetery to get there. The gravestones were etched in Arabic. The rest of the race we simply sat back and enjoyed the sailing and Lamu at sunset. Breathtaking. Casa came in second place.

10. Lamu Cultural Festival donkey race (Lamu Island)

We cheered for our guide's donkey. Spectators watched from tree limbs, on walls or on rooftops. We met Gov. Issa Timamy of Lamu, who asked us, "Please Tweet and tell people to come to Lamu." Would have never expected to hear that as so far, no one we had met on the island was on Twitter or even had regular access to Wi-Fi.

Note: Crook estimates the trip cost $6,000. The Village Experience services ($3,600) included lodging, tours with local guides, most meals, safari fees, transportation vehicles and flight arrangements from Nairobi to Lamu.