This morning we had a boat excursion from one of the local fishing villages near our lodge. We had a local guide from the village who told us about Lake Victora and the economy of the village. Lake Victoria is the second largest lake in the world (Lake Superior, USA is largest). It covers 68,800 square kilometers (25,000 square miles!) and is 84 meters at its deepest point. It is 248 miles long x 221 wide. There are also 50 islands in the lake, some of them inhabited. It is located in three countries: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Originally the name of the lake was Nyanza which means "large body of water or lake." When the British came to Africa in 1858, British explorer John Hanning Speke, named the lake after Queen Victoria, thus changing the name to Lake Victoria.
There are about 2000 people in the village, over 400 of them children. They brought the cattle down to the lake to water and people do their laundry there, also.
We had the opportunity to go out in the boats and learned about the fishing and wildlife.
Much of the boat ride went through the shallows where we saw different types of fishing done by the villagers. This was a fishing trap. They use the papyrus and build an enclosure and when the fish swim in, they are unable to get back out.
These men were using nets to do their fishing.
This man was in the trees, setting up nets.
The villagers are able to go out into the deeper part of the lake three weeks out of the month to commercially fish and it does require a license from the government. They can fish close to shore for their own consumption.
Yellow-billed stork
There were monitor lizards along the shore - although we did see some jump into the water and swim.
Hadada Ibis
Yellow weaver
Egrets
We saw lots of cormorants in the trees, also.
On our way back to the village, our boat rowers sang us a welcome song. Here is a video.
https://youtu.be/g-Ad1Em4uZM
Back in the village, our guide took us around to see the houses, people, and told us more about the village. A couple of the little children decided that Tobey and Bill were their new best friends! This little guy went all over the village with us!
The oldest boy was fascinated with my camera and wanted to help take pictures and then see each one!
They told us that they tether the chickens in the village so the chicks stay nearby which helps them protect the chicks from the maribu storks!
This woman makes a local beer that she sells. Gary didn't taste it, but he said it smelled like very strong tequilla! The men like to play cards and drink beer to relax. Sounds like home!
Going through the town, we could see the local women selling vegetables, corn, and fish, as well as charcoal.
Papyrus is used for fences.
They were busy repairing the fishing nets.
They were also repairing boats. The filled the cracks in with fabric that they twisted tightly, then they will put a coating over the entire boat before painting.
As we left the village, the little children said goodbye!
We were back to the lodge to gather our things, then on the road for the long drive to the border crossing back into Kenya and on to Masa Eden Camp.
We all had hugs for Alladin as we said our goodbyes! Our new guide is Anthony for the remainder of our trip in Kenya.
My sister asked me about the food. Most of our lunches are "box lunches" packed by the camps or lodges. This is what we had today - a chicken sandwich, crunchy peanuts, apples, fruit juice, ginger cookies, a piece of chocolate and water. We had a long jouney so we ate in the vehicle as we drove.
We had paved roads for a while as we left the border - and lots of small villages. Yes, he is carrying mattresses on his motorcyle!
After a while we left the paved road behind and were on gravel for over 100 kilometers - about 70 miles.
The area is a nature conservancy which allows people to live there and co-exist with the wildlife.
We started seeing sheep for the first time as we got closer to Masai Mara.
Our first great views of the savannah.
Masaii houses near the park.
As we entered the park and Anthony got our passes, the local Masaii women tried to get Tobey to buy some of their crafts. He was a good sport, but came away empty handed.
We saw two jackals once inside the park.
We then had to find our way to our camp ... which way to go? No road signs and we made a few wrong turns, but finally arrived at Mara Eden Safari Camp where we will spend two nights.
The camp is located along the Mara River so we can hear it from our tent. There are hippos and crocodiles in the river, so we have to be escorted to our tents after dark!
Tomorrow is an all day game drive in Masai Mara National Park.
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