bananan trip 2
2008/10/06 Mon
Bananan Trip
BB had a date with BG and watched a film in AM in Kawasaki. It was the film “August Rush”, which was good, although the story is really miracle and a bit too much miracle. In the afternoon we dropped in a bookshop where we bought “how to walk on the earth”. There is only a few books about Africa. Maybe Africa is still minor in Japan. Well, Kenya, Tanzania, Kenya…. Yes, there. OK. We firstly arrive at Nairobi and then from Nairobi…….
BG actually really want go out somewhere in the down town in Nairobi in the night on the first day in Africa. OK, of course, BB as well. We read that book together with positive expectation. The book says always like “You cannot go to any park in Nairobi even in day time. Even day time it is dangerous. In the night, of course, more dangerous. Not safe. …..”. Well, that means we cannot go out in Nairobi in the night on the first day. ..
OK, then, anything medical information…. Yellow fever, malaria, polio…..the more we read, the more dangerous things we can find in the book. We were wondering whether this is really a travel guide book or not. This kind of book can only not motivate people. Nobody goes to Africa.
Well, uh, we can prepare ourselves against yellow fever, which is mandatory. Malaria, maybe OK. We can be very careful about it. However going through the book, we found out some column where we can read some real story of some guy who was bit by a mosquito only one time on the first day in Africa. He had to stay in a hospital all the rest of the days in Africa due to Malaria. Oh, we have to really be careful! Mosquito repellent mat, smoke, spray, net…etc…. Oh, maybe we have to arrange tablets, strong ones for this purpose locally. And, water, no good. Also we need to buy something to stop super express in our stomach locally and also in Japan. We need VISA for both of Kenya and Tanzania. I need to have day off one or 2 days. Currency, it is Shilling for both Kenya and Tanzania. But exchange rate is different each other at all. We need to care about tip for all like a driver, a guide, a cook and a porter at hotels.. Can we use dollar? Nnnnnnnn, let’s ask William later. So many things, we have to have a check list now. Well, BB made it. General check list, baggage list, etc… OK, let’s check one by one.
At first, we have to make cash remittance of USD1500, 20% of the total amount, to the bank account of William in Nairobi. BB went to Mizuho bank to explain what BB has to do with background information. The bank could understand what BB told, but they requested of BB a kind of evidence namely documents relevant to the background. It seems that they sometime suffer from troubles like money laundering or remittance of money unclear in its purpose of usage. Besides, money transfer, which William instructed BB is a kind of complication. XX bank in NY -> YY bank in NY->ZZ bank in Nairobi. That is why they need to have some documents which can be evidence of BB’s explanation.
Oh my god, I have to come back here again in this hot summer! I came here scarifying my lunch time and walked up to here with heavy sweat! Well, there is no other way. Will come again in the evening.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, hot and humid. Sweating a lot! Again the same lady came over to me at the counter of the bank. Really? Not enough only with the account no of the bank? You need additionally the address of the company of William? . “very sorryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy~, apologize…”said that lady. “Well, well, then I will come again here but tomorrow. “. So, I came over to the bank again next day at 9:30. Already hot enough. Sweating again a lot as usual. “So, here you get all the documents”.
Bananan Trip
BB had a date with BG and watched a film in AM in Kawasaki. It was the film “August Rush”, which was good, although the story is really miracle and a bit too much miracle. In the afternoon we dropped in a bookshop where we bought “how to walk on the earth”. There is only a few books about Africa. Maybe Africa is still minor in Japan. Well, Kenya, Tanzania, Kenya…. Yes, there. OK. We firstly arrive at Nairobi and then from Nairobi…….
BG actually really want go out somewhere in the down town in Nairobi in the night on the first day in Africa. OK, of course, BB as well. We read that book together with positive expectation. The book says always like “You cannot go to any park in Nairobi even in day time. Even day time it is dangerous. In the night, of course, more dangerous. Not safe. …..”. Well, that means we cannot go out in Nairobi in the night on the first day. ..
OK, then, anything medical information…. Yellow fever, malaria, polio…..the more we read, the more dangerous things we can find in the book. We were wondering whether this is really a travel guide book or not. This kind of book can only not motivate people. Nobody goes to Africa.
Well, uh, we can prepare ourselves against yellow fever, which is mandatory. Malaria, maybe OK. We can be very careful about it. However going through the book, we found out some column where we can read some real story of some guy who was bit by a mosquito only one time on the first day in Africa. He had to stay in a hospital all the rest of the days in Africa due to Malaria. Oh, we have to really be careful! Mosquito repellent mat, smoke, spray, net…etc…. Oh, maybe we have to arrange tablets, strong ones for this purpose locally. And, water, no good. Also we need to buy something to stop super express in our stomach locally and also in Japan. We need VISA for both of Kenya and Tanzania. I need to have day off one or 2 days. Currency, it is Shilling for both Kenya and Tanzania. But exchange rate is different each other at all. We need to care about tip for all like a driver, a guide, a cook and a porter at hotels.. Can we use dollar? Nnnnnnnn, let’s ask William later. So many things, we have to have a check list now. Well, BB made it. General check list, baggage list, etc… OK, let’s check one by one.
At first, we have to make cash remittance of USD1500, 20% of the total amount, to the bank account of William in Nairobi. BB went to Mizuho bank to explain what BB has to do with background information. The bank could understand what BB told, but they requested of BB a kind of evidence namely documents relevant to the background. It seems that they sometime suffer from troubles like money laundering or remittance of money unclear in its purpose of usage. Besides, money transfer, which William instructed BB is a kind of complication. XX bank in NY -> YY bank in NY->ZZ bank in Nairobi. That is why they need to have some documents which can be evidence of BB’s explanation.
Oh my god, I have to come back here again in this hot summer! I came here scarifying my lunch time and walked up to here with heavy sweat! Well, there is no other way. Will come again in the evening.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, hot and humid. Sweating a lot! Again the same lady came over to me at the counter of the bank. Really? Not enough only with the account no of the bank? You need additionally the address of the company of William? . “very sorryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy~, apologize…”said that lady. “Well, well, then I will come again here but tomorrow. “. So, I came over to the bank again next day at 9:30. Already hot enough. Sweating again a lot as usual. “So, here you get all the documents”.
bananan trip 1
2008/10/04(Sat)
Bananan Trip
It took very much effort from this moment. First of all, we have to find out any partner, who can guide us in Safari. BG, in the past, did manage some Japanese restaurant where she employed one guy called Henry Omil, who was African (Kenya). It seemed that Henry was engaged in sightseeing business in Kenya. So, BB started searching for him through internet. People were quite kind enough to give BB feedback mentioning “Your Henry is different from our Henry” etc.. We got several feedbacks from some sightseeing agent in Nairobi, BBC in UK as well. As a result, we could not find out our Henry. However, during this research, we encountered a guy (Kenya), called William, who was engaged in Safari tour business in Nairobi. He responded also to us saying “We do not have your Henry, but we are also conducting safari tour” together with a link to the web site of his office.http://ameblo.jp/banananoki/theme-10008988356.html : http://www.culturelinksafaris.com/photoalbum1.htm
BB is a guy who take this kind of chance as a very precious gift from the god. So, BB made a question to William “What kind of program you can offer us based on the flight schedule we got?” Very immediately William responded to BB. William is using black berry and he can get any information wherever he is. He offered me 2 courses. Having small discussion with BG, we decided our course immediately and very easily.
Day0 Arrival at Nairobi. Move to hotel. Day1 move to Arusha in the morning. Watching masai life. Day2 Game drive in NgoroNgoro (conservation area), which is one of the biggest craters. Day3 move to Serengety national park + game drive Day4 game drive in Serengety national park + move to mosquito river village Day5 Leave in the morning with game drive en route to Lake Manyara. On the way we stop at Olduvai gorge. This is where Leakey’s family discovered Stone Age tools and remains of the early man who helped shaped the evolution of man. Day6 cultural exchange to sample the diverse cultures of Mto Wa Mbu village (river of mosquito). This small town of about 200,000 people have all the representatives of all the 120 tribes of Tanzania. Game drive in national park, lake Manyara. Day7 Leave for Arusha to catch shuttle bus leaving at 2.00 pm for Nairobi to arrive by 18.00 hours in preparation for flight back home at 23.25.
Well, it is good that we decided to do it with that program. However no idea what to do now. OK, maybe firstly let’s buy a travel guide book like a “how to walk on the earth”. Yes, and we have to verify our cost is reasonable by bench marking. So, BB made a comparison list where you can see cost by some very special cheap travel agency in Japan like HIS, and cost mentioned in a booklet available at Kenya and Tanzania embassy in Japan. Reasonable enough to see our cost is cheaper than the others, but just by the cost for flights. Well, that means… OK, no problem anyway.Now we have to buy a travel guide book anyway.
Bananan Trip
It took very much effort from this moment. First of all, we have to find out any partner, who can guide us in Safari. BG, in the past, did manage some Japanese restaurant where she employed one guy called Henry Omil, who was African (Kenya). It seemed that Henry was engaged in sightseeing business in Kenya. So, BB started searching for him through internet. People were quite kind enough to give BB feedback mentioning “Your Henry is different from our Henry” etc.. We got several feedbacks from some sightseeing agent in Nairobi, BBC in UK as well. As a result, we could not find out our Henry. However, during this research, we encountered a guy (Kenya), called William, who was engaged in Safari tour business in Nairobi. He responded also to us saying “We do not have your Henry, but we are also conducting safari tour” together with a link to the web site of his office.http://ameblo.jp/banananoki/theme-10008988356.html : http://www.culturelinksafaris.com/photoalbum1.htm
BB is a guy who take this kind of chance as a very precious gift from the god. So, BB made a question to William “What kind of program you can offer us based on the flight schedule we got?” Very immediately William responded to BB. William is using black berry and he can get any information wherever he is. He offered me 2 courses. Having small discussion with BG, we decided our course immediately and very easily.
Day0 Arrival at Nairobi. Move to hotel. Day1 move to Arusha in the morning. Watching masai life. Day2 Game drive in NgoroNgoro (conservation area), which is one of the biggest craters. Day3 move to Serengety national park + game drive Day4 game drive in Serengety national park + move to mosquito river village Day5 Leave in the morning with game drive en route to Lake Manyara. On the way we stop at Olduvai gorge. This is where Leakey’s family discovered Stone Age tools and remains of the early man who helped shaped the evolution of man. Day6 cultural exchange to sample the diverse cultures of Mto Wa Mbu village (river of mosquito). This small town of about 200,000 people have all the representatives of all the 120 tribes of Tanzania. Game drive in national park, lake Manyara. Day7 Leave for Arusha to catch shuttle bus leaving at 2.00 pm for Nairobi to arrive by 18.00 hours in preparation for flight back home at 23.25.
Well, it is good that we decided to do it with that program. However no idea what to do now. OK, maybe firstly let’s buy a travel guide book like a “how to walk on the earth”. Yes, and we have to verify our cost is reasonable by bench marking. So, BB made a comparison list where you can see cost by some very special cheap travel agency in Japan like HIS, and cost mentioned in a booklet available at Kenya and Tanzania embassy in Japan. Reasonable enough to see our cost is cheaper than the others, but just by the cost for flights. Well, that means… OK, no problem anyway.Now we have to buy a travel guide book anyway.
bananan trip
This is the translation of our blog in Japanese.
2008/10/02 Thu
Today it is quite clear autumn weather
Hi, this is banana girl. It is very my debut in blog writing. ヽ(ﾟ◇ﾟ)ﾉ I will keep writing this blog together with banana boy. Banana girl will go walking in the nature park nearby today. Well, I have done already washing a lot and feel so nice （‐＾▽＾‐）.
I go now!
2008/10/03 Fri
Bananan Trip
http://ameblo.jp/banananoki/theme-10008988356.htmlINTRODUCTION
Only 10 days trip, but this made my image about AFRICA totally different this time. Was very impressive. I would like to write some blog wishing this could help William, who works for people in Africa, even a bit. Later I will translate this blog into English for William. Our trip started with members: the couple of Banana Girl (BG) and Banana Boy (BB) from Japan and the trio of William, Walter and Msuya from Africa.
Very quick, once decided
May, 2008. BB was chatting with BG over some drinks. “Well, I wanna go to NgoroNgoro!” It sounded very unfamiliar for BB with unknown pronunciation and feeling.
“What is that?”
“It is just place like heaven!” BG answered to BB.
This triggered our trip to Kenya and Tanzania this time. For BB, it will be really the first experience, which BB never thought about up to now. It is Africa. Well, actually it was quite easy for BB to have decided to take action quickly enough to reserve flights in one shot, because BB just loved BG. BB used miles of Star Alliance. 100K miles per one person x 2. Narita→Bangkok→Zurich→Nairobi→Zurich→Shanghai→Narita. All in all, it would be 70 Hrs around. Because of limited availability of Star Alliance, there are no other better flights. However those are the flights obtained from some lady of Star Alliance. BB pushed and threatened her to get them with all the efforts. So, BB could have successful feeling with those tickets.
Buuuuuuuuuut, “would you please make cash remittance of JPY 190K by the day after tomorrow?” she said to me. What? Yes, yes, yes, it is the surcharge for fuel of airplanes!! And also taxes!! Huuuuuuuu, we got them by mile-deposit, but actually it did cost a lot. This is the timing in June 2008 and departure of our flight is on 1 of N month and our return flight is on xx of N month arrival at Narita. OK, anyway, these are the flight we got with all the effort! Just do it! Do AFRICA! Decided very easily at once..
Well, a lot of things to do..
Actually, it took pretty much more efforts from this moment. BB has no idea about Africa. Because we got flights by miles, we have to arrange trip program by ourselves.
-to be continued-
2008/10/02 Thu
Today it is quite clear autumn weather
Hi, this is banana girl. It is very my debut in blog writing. ヽ(ﾟ◇ﾟ)ﾉ I will keep writing this blog together with banana boy. Banana girl will go walking in the nature park nearby today. Well, I have done already washing a lot and feel so nice （‐＾▽＾‐）.
I go now!
2008/10/03 Fri
Bananan Trip
http://ameblo.jp/banananoki/theme-10008988356.htmlINTRODUCTION
Only 10 days trip, but this made my image about AFRICA totally different this time. Was very impressive. I would like to write some blog wishing this could help William, who works for people in Africa, even a bit. Later I will translate this blog into English for William. Our trip started with members: the couple of Banana Girl (BG) and Banana Boy (BB) from Japan and the trio of William, Walter and Msuya from Africa.
Very quick, once decided
May, 2008. BB was chatting with BG over some drinks. “Well, I wanna go to NgoroNgoro!” It sounded very unfamiliar for BB with unknown pronunciation and feeling.
“What is that?”
“It is just place like heaven!” BG answered to BB.
This triggered our trip to Kenya and Tanzania this time. For BB, it will be really the first experience, which BB never thought about up to now. It is Africa. Well, actually it was quite easy for BB to have decided to take action quickly enough to reserve flights in one shot, because BB just loved BG. BB used miles of Star Alliance. 100K miles per one person x 2. Narita→Bangkok→Zurich→Nairobi→Zurich→Shanghai→Narita. All in all, it would be 70 Hrs around. Because of limited availability of Star Alliance, there are no other better flights. However those are the flights obtained from some lady of Star Alliance. BB pushed and threatened her to get them with all the efforts. So, BB could have successful feeling with those tickets.
Buuuuuuuuuut, “would you please make cash remittance of JPY 190K by the day after tomorrow?” she said to me. What? Yes, yes, yes, it is the surcharge for fuel of airplanes!! And also taxes!! Huuuuuuuu, we got them by mile-deposit, but actually it did cost a lot. This is the timing in June 2008 and departure of our flight is on 1 of N month and our return flight is on xx of N month arrival at Narita. OK, anyway, these are the flight we got with all the effort! Just do it! Do AFRICA! Decided very easily at once..
Well, a lot of things to do..
Actually, it took pretty much more efforts from this moment. BB has no idea about Africa. Because we got flights by miles, we have to arrange trip program by ourselves.
-to be continued-