We Had Her Eating Right Out Of Our Hands

There was no game drive our last morning (and, as it turned out, early afternoon) at Sirikoi.  From a scheduling standpoint, it made sense, because we had to get to the Lewa airstrip (note: dirt airstrip, not airport -- it's part of the romance of safaris).  It was a little weird not to have a morning drive after doing it two days in row.

But Tito and Francis had something very special planned for us.  Tito the giraffe saw Francis was on our porch, so Tito came over.  Francis started breaking up the leftover cookies from our coffee, tea, and cookies.  

Tito started eating right out of his hand.  Francis showed us how to hold it just far enough so she had to stick out her incredible, beautiful blue tongue out to get the food.

Whoa.  Look at the length

and color of that tongue!

It was a fun way to pass the time until we had to be driven to the airport.  We all took turns feeding the giraffe (except Meena, she was content to watch the rest of us).

The rest of these photos were taken that morning on the back deck, with the exception of one at the dining boma.

Breakfast shot -- elephants behind us.

Some impalas came to say goodbye.

Tito makes her way

over to our deck.

Carol feeds the giraffe.

A zebra says good-bye.  And then

we said good-bye to Sirikoi

But, not so fast.  James drives us out to the Lewa airstrip.  On the way, he's notified of an hour delay.  So he takes us on one last morning game drive (obviously an abbreviated one).  

James is hanging out with other guide friends waiting for the plane to show so he can take some well-earned time off to be with his family.  We're languidly hanging out in the Land Rover so the sun doesn't beat down on us.  

Not much happens.  A couple of eight seater planes show up, but they aren't our plane. 

After a bit, James walks over to the small building that is the airstrip headquarters.  He comes back with bad news -- the flight is delayed till 1 pm.  So he drove us back to Sirikoi Lodge so we could hangout under the shade at the dining boma.  

I told Matt, who was kind enough to allow us to come back and hangout, that I hoped not to see him again today!  Now that the trip is over, I can truthfully say that Matt, in my opinion, was the best manager of the three places we stayed.

Windsock and part of the 

runway at the Lewa

airstrip.

Good to know.

The airport structure.  It may be far

away from anything, but remember

that was the criticism when both

Dulles and Denver airports were

built, and look at them now!

Our faithful Land Rover.  And my

faithful wife.  Carol is always more

important to me than a car, unless

we were viewing lions, than I really

placed a higher priority on the 

vehicle.

Termite mound.  They are everywhere.

A young zebra hanging with mom.

Look at the cool mane on the zebra.

And the final giraffe of Lewa.