Day: November 25, 2013
Hemisphere Hopping to Nyeri
Lucy joined us briefly as we ate breakfast to say farewell, then rushed off to class. We were soon on the road, heading south east, descending into the Rift Valley to Nakuru, crossing into the souhern hemisphere near Mogotio. The highway was reasonably clear and we had a good run. At Nakuru we stopped to buy food for lunch, then headed up the road north east towards Nyahururu.
The road was awful, but the views were good as we climbed.
This is a tea-growing area, and we stopped by Lasit Tea Farm to view the crop.
Tea picking
The rolling hills.
Opposite the tea factory
An interesting flowering plant (a.k.a. weed)
We were soon crossing into the northern hemisphere again at Subukia.
Either side of the sign
We climbed up the Laikipia Escarpment to a viewpoint above Subukia. The signs suggested we had another brief visit to the southern hemisphere, but I’m not sure (and haven’t checked the GPS logs yet). Anyway, the view back over the rift valley were spectacular, and the hawkers not too troublesome!
From here the road took us to Nyahururu. Soon afterwards, the road quality improved dramatically and we had a smooth drive almost to Nyeri, crossing back into the southern hemisphere on the way. We diverted from the Highway to climb to Christ the King Major Seminary to visit Gabriel, from Mivumoni, who is in his second year here. But this is not Gabriel, just a toad sheltering from the rain.
The refectory, where we took chai and lunch.
One of 3 chapels, this is Theology’s chapel I think.
View from the top of the seminary’s farm – they produce most of their own food.
Gabriel’s school, Philosophy.
Philosophy school’s Chapel
Cabbages – we’d seen huge cabbages being loaded into trucks and for sale by the roadside.
The staff building (common room and refectory)
And then, via a rather mucky murram road, we reached the highway and Nyeri town, and located Outspan Hotel, where we are checked in and relaxing ahead of dinner. It’s cool but pleasant (pwani people, read that as BARIDI SANA).