June 14th,15th - Peace Boat in Kenya During Peace Boat's stay in Kenya, almost two hundred participants took off on an overnight safari in Tasvo East National Park, during which they were treated to two days of stunning scenery, Kenyan hospitality and a close-up look at the wild side of nature in Africa. The participants spent the night at a camp ground in the middle of the park around a campfire and under a beautiful starry sky. On the morning of arrival into the port town of Mombassa, the caravan of campers set out early on their adventure. Arriving in the park around mid-day, the land was a vast, dry and sleepy terrain which quickly gave one the impression of a lonely and silent badlands. On the way to the camp ground, only a few elephants, giraffes, zebras and various kinds of antelope could be seen in the distance braving the mid-day sun. Still, this was enough to excite many of us, who were only seeing these majestic animals for the first time. The drivers and guides gave information about the park, and, eagle-eyed, spotted animals in the distance which participants otherwise would have missed, and prepared us for the afternoon safari with the promise of more animals coming out as the temperature cooled. After lunch and settling into the camp about 60km into the park, off we went on the second leg of the safari. As promised, more beautiful animals were out and could be seen much closer to the red dirt roads than before. Soon, we found ourselves driving at high speed and hearing that the elusive lions had not only been found by another van, but making a kill as well! Upon arrival, we found about twenty meters in front of us a sight which some drivers said might be seen once in four or five years. Five lions were killing a three-year old elephant next to a watering hole. We assumed that the elephant had already been killed, and were quite surprised when it suddenly began to struggle to its feet after not moving for a long while under the weight of the lions. Eventually after nearly an hour of struggle and repeatedly being brought down by the lions the baby elephant managed to escape, to the delight, amazement and disbelief of all. The night found us all enjoying an open cooked dinner of steak and potatoes, after which we enjoyed a campfire, with song and dance, star gazing at the night sky, and most of all enjoying the hospitality of our many Kenyan hosts. After a short night of rest, we arose early to watch the sun rise and catch the animals in the morning before retreating under the mid-day sun, and return to a delicious eggs, sausage, toast and fruit and Kenyan tea breakfast. With new friends made, cameras overloaded and memories to be treasured we caught our last glimpses of Kenya as we returned to the ship and set sail for Eritrea. Written by Duncan Trevan Back