My Thompsons Falls Adventure

Well, most of us believe clubbing is the best fun, but I choose to differ. Nature to me is the best fun! In clubs, people get wasted. They lose valuables and most of all; they wake up the next day confused and with terrible hangovers.  With nature on the other hand, there is usually fulfillment. Touring the country and getting to see the great sights that we only got to read about during our Geography classes is just awesome! That a side.

We left Nairobi for a friendly Handball match at Laikipia University and visiting Thompsons Falls was just news to us when that evening Mr Ochieng told us about it. It was the best surprise though and we were super excited. On my part, it was going to be an awesome experience. In fact, my carrier ticked in. I wished I had a camera so that I could document what I was going to see.

We arrived at the Thompsons Falls the next day and the curiosity and excitement that filled the air was tremendous! Of course we are big boys and girls but not too big to be directed. At the gate, we met the receptionist who gave us instructions. She mentioned that those who are asthmatic or have breathing problems shouldn’t climb down the falls for it was so cold down there. It was so scary watching the falls from the top and I almost thought twice about going down. 

As we were watching the falls from the top, I saw cute traditional sculptures standing by. I whispered to my friend that I wanted to take a photo with one of them and just in time one started walking towards me and oh boy! It was a human being! Snap! Snap! Went the camera. Wow! That was a beautiful photo! I almost started walking away after the snap only to be told by the sculptured man that I owed him fifty shillings! My goodness! Enyewe kazi ni kazi! I had money to pay the camera person. Not the sculptured guy for just posing with me!

The snap session ended and it was now time to climb down the falls. The excitement that had filled the air started diminishing. People value life and climbing down there if not signing an early death warrant, what is! I saw three men among our group lead the way to climbing down the falls, and I with the curiosity of a journalist followed them. The climb down the falls wasn’t easy but I made it to the falls the only lady amongst three gentlemen. I felt so proud of myself. A woman of steel!

Awoooooooh! Went the screams. It was a beautiful panorama! The snap session started again though this time we were to fight between the safety of our phones and getting clear photos because of the water that was splashing from the falls. Remember I was the only lady amongst three gentlemen. By the time the rest caught up with us, we were already wet and we had had too much fun already.

Though dripping wet, I was not willing to abandon that beautiful scenery! I was the first to make my way to the falls and I wanted to make sure that I leave the last. My friends started making their way up the falls and that meant I had no choice but to follow suit. The fun had to be cut short. I caught up with my friends and left them behind panting for just doing a little exercise. Hell was awaiting them for we had been warned prior that the climb up would take close to one hour but I was up to the task.

The climb up just made me realize how fit I am! I climbed the stairs virtually running with everyone behind me screaming “Mical utaanguka.” That cheered me on and even increased the strength in my legs. Within no time, I was out of there laying on the grass, panting like a fat cow! The rest joined me 10 minutes later when I had already relaxed. My clothes had also dried up already.  That was an exercise and a half. Guess I lost five pounds!

I learned this though. The next time I go visiting the falls, I will carry a rain coat or I will carry a change of clothes. Plus, I will carry soap because, hapo kuna kuoga! I will also carry more money to pay the sculptured men. Lol!

After all is said and done, Kenya remains the best country and the best tourist destination. Long live Kenya! Long live my mama land!