Colours Of Life
The Yongs' Pic Album since 1998
World Seva 2011
Robyn's Diary
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13th Year: 2011
Jan
- Piano Recital by Robyn, Mosaic Art Portrait & CNY Reunion Lunch
Feb
- Chinese New Year, PA Got Talents, Alvin's Birthday & Opening of Clay-Street New Studio
Mar
- Bye-bye Heni
Seva Wk 01: Art of Living Ashram, Bangalore
Seva Wk 02: 1st Seva with Divine Karnataka Project & On Course
Seva Wk 03: Sponsoring Rural Village Sport Clubs & Bridge at Chikmagalur
Seva Wk 04:
'WHY DKP' Corporate Fund Raising
Apr
Seva Wk 05: DKP Helps Rural Farmers, Gadag & Koppal, Karnataka
Seva Wk 06: Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Konark, Puri & Sri Sri University
Seva Wk 07: Tribal School Project, Jharkhand
Seva Wk 08:
Tribal School Arts Festival on Facebook
May
Seva Wk 09: Tribal School @ Dumuria & Ranchi
Seva Wk 10: Tribal School Digital Contest & Kolkata
Seva Wk 11: Kolkata to Delhi to Himachal Pradesh
Seva Wk 12: Shoghi, Shimla & Tirthan Valley in Himachal Pradesh

Jun
Seva Wk 13: Homestay @ Tirthan, Kullu Valley
Seva Wk 14: Sangla, Peo, Nako, Kinnaur Valley
Seva Wk 15: Tabo, Kaza, Kye, Spiti Valley
Seva Wk 16: Demul to Komic on Yaks, Spiti Valley

Jul
Seva Wk 17: Kaza to Manali to Gurgaon, Delhi
Seva Wk 18: Gurgaon & Barefoot College,Tilonia
Seva Wk 19: Jaipur & back to Bangalore
Seva Wk 20 & 21: With the Murthys in Bangalore

Aug
Seva Wk 22-24: Meridian 101 Ambassadors for India & Bye Bye India
Seva Wk 25: Seva in Africa - Jumbo Kenya!
Seva Wk 26: Seva at the Children's Garden Home
Sep
Seva Wk 27: More Seva Projects at CGH
Seva Wk 28: Self-drive Safari to Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate
Seva Wk 29: Short Break to Arusha, Tanzania
Seva Wk 30: Safari at Nairobi National Park & Children's Day Celebration
Oct
Seva Wk 31: Launching BEADwear for Christmas
Seva Wk 32: Robyn turns 13 in Kampala, Uganda
Seva Wk 33: Rafting the White Nile, Jinja, Uganda
Seva Wk 34: Sipi Falls, Uganda & African Child Mega Dance in Kenya
Nov
Seva Wk 35: Nairobi to Mombasa, Malindi & Lamu
Seva Wk 36: Seva@Lamu - Donkey necklace + Kaya
Seva Wk 37: Seva@Lamu - Hands Up 4 Kids
Seva Wk 38: Bye Africa, Hello Istanbul, Homeward-bound Singapore
Dec
- Home Sweet Home in Singapore
 
   

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SEVA WEEK 28 (12 - 18 Sep 2011)

13-15 Sep 2011: Self-Drive Safari to Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya

Self-Drive Safari to Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya

The idea to do a self-drive safari was born about 2 weeks ago. Thought led to Words and Action followed - the 3 stages of manifestation! We rented a Honda CRV 4WD from Jacob, who donated part of the rent to Children's Garden Home and off we drove into the great African savanna plain, into freedom!

The CRV came with a sunroof that was just nice for Robyn to stick her torso out and she became the youngest wildlife photographer to 'shoot' the animals to her heart's delight.

The Loita Plain viewed from Maji Moto Eco-Camp

Our first stop was to Maji Moto (meaning hot water) and we spent a beautiful night with the Masai tribe at the Maji Moto Eco-Camp. This is certainly a destination that we highly recommend to all our friends. The view is breathtaking, the tent accommodation is 5 stars, food is rated top by Robyn, the camp is eco-friendly, and best of all is the Masai's touch of friendship and their sharing of their stories and culture.

Alvin and Jin at the Maji Moto Eco-Camp's dining shed.
We love the dining place. It's simple, eco and tasteful.
We love the dining place. It's simple, eco and tasteful.
The tent is spacious with thick, comfy mattresses.
The tent is spacious with thick, comfy mattresses.
We gotta mention this one-of-a-kind loo that offers the best view out into the vast Loita Plain...
We gotta mention this one-of-a-kind loo that offers the best view out into the vast Loita Plain...
The toilet seat is a handcarved wooden chair with a hole... and what a view while you do your business!
The toilet seat is a hand carved wooden chair with a hole... and what a view while you do your business!
We were warmly welcome back as the "Lost Masai" by Kiseya (R), the son of the Chief, Sankale
We were warmly welcomed back as the "Lost Masai" by Kiseya (R), the son of Masai Chief, Sankale.
The Real Masai gave the Lost Masai a walking tour of the Real Masai village (manyatta)
The Real Masai gave the Lost Masai a walking tour of the Real Masai village (manyatta).

A Masai home constructed of mud, dung and branches at the manyatta situated in the Loita Plain.
A Masai home constructed of mud, dung and branches at the manyatta situated in the Loita Plain.

Robyn with the lady hut owner. The interior of the mud hut was small, darg and smokey.
Robyn with the lady hut owner. The interior of the mud hut was small, dim and smoky.
Masai kid
Masai man
Masai child

It was a magical experience doing our kriya within the embrace of Mother Nature, with the vast expanse of Loita Plain stretching hundreds of miles ahead.
It was a magical experience doing our kriya within the embrace of Mother Nature, with the vast expanse of Loita Plain stretching hundreds of miles ahead.

After lunch, it was time to bid farewell to our Masai family.
After lunch, it was time to bid farewell to our Masai family. Thank you, Kiseya (2nd from L) and Chief Sankale (3rd from L) of Maji Moto Eco-Camp.

 

The long drive over undulating and unpaved roads was stomach churning but it served as a warm-up for what was to come in the Masai Mara terrain.

Along the way, we saw free roaming zebras, wildebeests and Thomson gazelles grazing peacefully all over the savanna plain.

The park fees were hefty: US$80/adult and US$40/child and Ksh400/vehicle.

There were 2 millions Wildebeests grazing in Masai Mara now. They migrate from Serengetti in Tanzania every August and return in November.
There were 2 millions Wildebeests grazing in Masai Mara now. They migrate from Serengetti in Tanzania every July and return in October.

This wildebeest dashed across the road as we approached and its leap was frozen by Robyn's photography powress!
This wildebeest dashed across the road as we approached and its leap was frozen by Robyn's photography magic!

Ostrich has an amazingly flexible neck that moves about like a garden hose.
Ostrich has an amazingly flexible neck that moves about like a garden hose.
What's the colour of a Zebra? Black with white stripes or white with black stripes?
What's the colour of a Zebra? Black with white stripes or white with black stripes?
The sighting of the first of the Big Five - Elephant. The other 4 are: Lion, Leopard, Rhino and Buffalo.
The sighting of the first of the Big Five - Elephant. The other 4 are: Lion, Leopard, Rhino and Buffalo.
From the biggest, we spotted the tiny ones - a family of Mongoose foraging for food in the bushes.
From the biggest, we spotted the tiny ones - a family of Mongoose foraging for food in the bushes.
A staring match with a Topi...
A staring match with a Topi...
Remain of a meal...
Remain of a meal...

Suddenly we came upon our next Big Five - Lion!

Suddenly we came upon our next Big Five - Lions!
It was a pride of a majestic Lion with his 6 Lioness. They were lazing around under the blue sky, seemingly posing vainly for the human onlookers seated in numerous safari vehicles, us included.

It was a pride of one majestic Lion and 6 Lioness. They were lazing around under the blue sky, seemingly posing vainly for the human onlookers seated in numerous safari vehicles, us included.
Yawn of the wild.
Yawn of the wild.
"I use Colgate!"
"I use Colgate!"

We designed and launched a Customer Loyalty and Referral Program to kickstart this sustainability project.
"Lunch, here I come." - the majestic stroll of the Lion, king of the wild.

"Stay clear, can't you see I'm working?""Stay clear, can't you see I'm working?"

We were the only vehicle around when we spotted this lone lion strolling towards a zeal of zebras and wildebeests. Alvin pulled up slowly and managed to catch a close-up view of this majestic creature. Awesome!

We were the only vehicle around when we spotted this lone lion strolling towards a crowd of zebras and wildebeests. Alvin pulled up slowly and managed to catch a close-up view of this majestic creature. Awesome!

Soon, we encountered another lion resting majestically on its own.

Soon, we encountered another lion resting majestically on its own. Appreciating it from a distance, we realized a lion has an air of might and power even when it is lying in silence.

Appreciating it from a distance, we realize lion has an air of might and power even when it is lying around in silence.

At the Talek River, a few Hippos greeted us
At the Talek River, a few Hippos greeted us.
Vultures and Marebou Stork are scavengers.
Vultures and Marebou Stork are scavengers.
Giraffe walks and eats so gracefully. Its every movement is so artful and elegant.

Giraffe walks and eats so gracefully. Its every movement is so artful and elegant.

A hunter and scavenger, Hyena is a dangerous animal with so strong a jaw that it is able to easily crush a skull to get at the juicy stuff within.
A hunter and scavenger, Hyena is a dangerous animal with so strong a jaw that it is able to easily crush a skull to get at the juicy stuff within.

A beautiful rainbow that stretched across the entire savanna from horizon to horizon.
A beautiful rainbow that stretched across the entire savanna from horizon to horizon.
A manificent shot of wildebeest herd by Robyn.
A magnificent shot of wildebeests silhouetted against the setting sun by Robyn.
The chicken coop was previously used to rear rabbits.

It was a fantastic 4WD driving experience for Alvin. Thanks to the hardy CRV that took us across the Masai Mara terrain. Only at one point did we almost get stuck in the soft mud and it was an exciting moment then.
Getting the coop ready to welcome the chicken...

> We took nothing but photos. We left nothing behind except tyre marks. Had we attempted to leave behind footprints, that skull could have been ours... : )

   

From Masai Mara, we headed straight to Lake Naivasha and stayed the night (15 Sep) at the YMCA that offers simple but comfortable cabin accommodation (R).

We visited Elsamere, a conservation centre for lions. It's a beautiful place by the Lake Naivasha that exudes a fragrance of peace and serenity.

From Masai Mara, we headed straight to Lake Naivasha and stayed the night (15 Sep) at the YMCA, a simple but comfortable lodge.
Alvin, Jin and Robyn at Elsamere, Lake Naivasha
Wild animal by day too!

Jin and Robyn at Elsamere, Lake Naivasha

Jin and Robyn at Elsamere, Lake Naivasha

Jin and Robyn at Elsamere, Lake Naivasha

Alvin at Lake Naivasha

Alvin and Robyn at Elsamere, Lake Naivasha

Alvin and Robyn at Elsamere, Lake Naivasha

A flower.
A flower...
Bird nest with entrance at the bottom
Bird nest with a bottom entrance.
Another flower...
Another flower...

Robyn-in-the-cloud
Robyn-in-the-cloud

Robyn-in-awe
Robyn-in-awe

Robyn-in-cheek
Robyn-in-cheek

   
Hell's Gate National Park - there is a beautiful gorge in the Hell's Gate National Park but due to limited time, we managed only to catch a distant glimpse of it, and drive through the park in our CRV. We headed back to the Children's Garden Home by night.
Impressive view of the gorge in the Hell's Gate National Park Hell's Gate National Park
   

Crown Paints sponsored the paints used for the re-painting of the classrooms. They organized a staff visit to Children's Garden Home today to get to see the newly painted classrooms and to know our children better. They also kindly donated maize flour, sugar and a bicycle.

We hope more companies will do Corporate Social Responsibility projects like Crown Paints.

Crown Paints sponsored the paints used for the re-painting of the classrooms. They organized a staff visit to Children's Garden Home to get to see the newly painted classrooms and to know our children better.
The visitors were shown around the home and school compound accompanied by our children.
The visitors were shown around the home and school compound accompanied by our children.
Our children put up a series of songs and dance performances for the visitors' entertainment.
Our children put up a series of songs and dance performances for the visitors' entertainment.
Visitor and child becoming connected...
Visitor and child becoming connected...
We wish Crown Paints will come again soon.
We wish Crown Paints will come again soon.
   


L-R: United Nation gathering - Lazarus (Kenya), Alessandra (Italy), Fiona (UK), Alessandra's in-laws - Mr & Mrs Bozza (Italy), Alvin & Jin (Singapore). Mr Bozza may be 80+ but, as a retired doctor, he provided medical checkup for the children while on holiday here.


We are naturally elated to return from Masai Mara to find the Kuku (chicken) Farm up and running! Here we stood in front of the newly erected kuku coop, complete with a makeshift door taken from one of the bathrooms!

 

> Week 29: Short break at Arusha, Tanzania...

 

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