Turkana Expedition Complete!
Thank you all for following and supporting Nick and I! We completed our expedition, crossing into the Ethiopian delta region and meandering through marsh and flooded debris until we could go no further. Local fishermen in the dense channels literally ran across water as they fled the two approaching lake monsters - I don't blame them! We returned south until we found the mainland again and were collected from a local Daasanach fishing village.
That night we invited our accommodating Ethiopian border policeman, the Kenyan Police OC, the Chief of the Daasanach tribe, the Missionary Priest, the TBI staff and any one else in arms reach, to join us in a huge goat feast celebration. A rare mix of cultures, religions and countries in this suspicious and often hostile area; our bizarre expedition creating a moment of distraction and unity.
The three day journey back to Nairobi proved tough but once again spectacular; volcanic craters and lava rock, giving way to desert sand, palm lined wadis and into vast savanna plains with occasional flat top acacias. We had a further 7 punctures on the return, but each puncture giving us reason to put another pot of tea on the gas cooker and soak in the environment. We passed nomadic warriors who walked alongside their herds of camels, cows and goats, guarding them with spears and AK47s. We passed a herd of elephant, many zebras and gazelles and on one occasion weaved through a tribal skirmish; Kenyan police had killed three Rendille tribesmen in a shootout and in a gap in the fighting we were urged through by Rendelle warriors who now had control of the area having gained the upper hand.
By nightfall on the second day we finally made contact with our first stretch of tarred road. On the third day we drove past Mount Kenya and by late afternoon we were negotiating Nairobi traffic.
Our expedition through this remote and rugged land was ultimately made possible by the generosity of those we met along the way, abiding by the travelers code of helping others as your turn will be next. A special shout goes out to Bondiya, our Samburu driver and vehicle magician, Louise Leakey and Mutuku for support and the use of your camp, Stephen and Angelina Cowan for the use of your guest house and tire levers, Fr. Anthony for the loan of some spare tires, Gerald and the rest of the KWS staff of Sibiloi Park, Michael the Illiret police OC for smoothing our border crossing, the Ethiopian border police, the Rendille tribe for leaving us out of their skirmish and numerous other small and large miracle workers. Asanteni sana!
More pictures have been uploaded to the Turkana page for those interested. Until the next kayak tour, thanks for following.
Brent
