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 Kenya
Grand Tour- Part Three The longer we stayed, the more at home we felt. We discovered many great places to shop, from downtown and suburban malls to a variety of local craft markets in a park setting. One location we visited often and recommended to delegates was The Village Market (more on this exceptional complex later), Photos: Above- Windsor Hotel and Country Club with Nairobi skyline on the horizon. Right - the Nairobi Safari Club Hotel, our hosts on both visits to Kenya during this program.
The Orphans' Project:
The
rearing of the orphaned elephants, even though we have been
at it for a very long time, for us remains an ongoing
learning experience and a source of wonder, filled with
moments of joy and sadness, plus surprises on an almost
daily basis. This animal duplication of a Big Brother series
is recorded in the Keepers' Diary which is posted on the
Trust's website monthly and keeps the elephants many
foster-parents involved. Following the daily life of a
newborn baby as it passes through its fully milk dependent
infancy, watching it gradually grow through childhood, one
gets to know each one intimately as one follows its daily
activities and adventures. Friendships blossom and hit
glitches, just as in human society, joy and happiness as
well as sadness and grief at the loss of a loved one is
evident, and one its amazed by the outpouring of compassion
and caring for those younger or the less fortunate. Famous Doors of Hospitality
InterContinental Hotel
Mr. Roger Kacou, an ATA Director, is General Manager and Regional Vice President for Eastern Africa, responsible for Nairobi, Lusaka and Asmara InterContinental Hotels in his regional position. Mr. Roger Kacou is a holder of a Masters Degrees in Hotel Administration from Cornell University and Economics Science from Abidjan University. Mr. Kacou is a multi-lingual and speaks English, French and Spanish. He has been a keen participant in the Africa Travel Association and has worked very closely with ATA to assist in promoting tourism in Africa. (continued)] The following page feature more photos taken by our editors and/or provided by the hotel operators we interviewed. Nairobi Hotels and Resorts
Visiting Nairobi's Tudor style Norfolk Hotel is like taking a journey into British colonial history. Stopping for a Ken ya Tourist Board prearranged luncheon at this elegant hotel, we were greeted like royalty and seated at a pleasant, garden side table next to the main dining room, where we later shared a few pleasant moments with several of the staff who filled us in on the hotel's amazing story. Among the many offerings on the noon buffet menu, was a highly polished silver steamer, brimful with king-size prawns. Only on rare occasions do I take the time to photograph a meal in progress, but this was for the record. Another feast was presented on the dining room walls, where a gallery of black and white photographs portrays life in Kenya from the 1800s through to the 1950s. We could have stayed the entire day gazing at these unique images - and vow to return.Continued on the Kenya Coast -> -> ->
Much more to come as we add new installments weekly Read about Kenya's famous Olympic Athletes of the Century from our interview with Dr. Kipchoge Keino, head of Kenya's National Olympic Committee of Kenya (left). In addition to Hon. Morris Dzoro, Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, our interviews and visits included Kenya Tourist Board, Kenya Tour Operators Association, Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association, African Airlines Association, Kenya Airways, Kenya Ministry of Transport, Kenya Travel Agents Association, Kenya Chamber of Commerce, Kenya Wildlife Service, East Africa Wildlife Society, Mombasa Air Safaris, East African Auto Rally Village Market, The Standard Group and Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. We interviewed hoteliers, such as the Serena and Alliance group, New Stanley, Norfolk, Nyali Beach, Windsor, Kenya Comfort Hotel, InterContinental, Travellers, Holiday Inn, Sarova, Governors Camp and Nairobi Hilton. We experienced the magic of Utalli College in turning African students into ambassadors of hospitality around the world. These people and many others we met at the ATA 30th World Congress in Nairobi will be heard from in our Africa Travel Yearbook and future editions of Africa Travel Magazine.
The Norfolk was the base from which many great adventurers began their exploration of the region, making the hotel the place where the "safari" was born. This was where US President Roosevelt began his world famous safari in 1909 setting out from the front steps of the hotel into the wilderness. Throughout the 20th century adventurers, the safari set, royalty, world leaders, statesmen and movie stars have all enjoyed the Norfolk's stylish ambiance and relaxed charm. Writers ranging from Hemingway and Elspeth Huxley to Kenya's most famous author, Karen Blixen, have all immortalized the hotel. The town and later the modern city of Nairobi grew up around The Norfolk, which still has its own private tropical gardens. The hotel is still the traditional starting point for safaris and the Lord Delamere Terrace is modern Nairobi's most famous meeting place, where drinks and light meals are served continuously from morning until midnight. The Norfolk offers accommodations in 168 ensuite rooms and suites, has three conference rooms, the largest seating 175 delegates, a heated outdoor swimming pool, health club with gym, sauna and steam room, beauty salon, book shop and gift shops. Room rates start at US$250 per room per night.
Read about
Kenya's famous Olympic Athletes of the Century from our
meeting with Dr. Kipchoge Keino, head of the National
Olympic Committee of Kenya. Other interviews included
Tourism Ministry and KTB officials, of Kenya Airways CEO ,
African Airlines Assn, Kenya Chamber of Commerce, Kenya Tour
Operators Assn, Utalii College, East Africa Wildlife
Society, Kenya Travel Agents Assn, Great East Africa Auto
Rally, Mombasa and Coast Tourist Asson, plus many hoteliers,
travel agents, embassies and tour operators.
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We
have 1
Nairobi
in Bloom Our
two extended visits to Kenya were exactly one year apart.
The first flight was across the continent from Cameroon with
Kenya Airways, the second was from Seattle, via Los Angeles
and London. One of our main impressions was the remarkable
changes we saw in Nairobi in 12 months. First of all, the
city streets, parks and boulevards had a more spruced up
look, thanks to the new landscaping and creative street
lighting program that is now fully underway, and an anti
litter program in progress. Flower gardens were in bloom in
the traffic circles, new lamp standards were sponsored by
community conscious companies and life seemed brighter in
many ways. 
Nairobi
is indeed fortunate to have a National Park on its very
doorstep. We visited the area often and took several hour
one afternoon to visit an Elephant Orphanage inside the park
and a Giraffe sanctuary nearby. Naturally, we had a camera
handy, and the following page is an example.
"During
the Africa Travel Association's 30th World Congress in
Nairobi, Kenya our delegates and guests from North America,
Africa and beyond had a unique opportunity to experience the
high standards of quality and hospitality at
In
addition to the headquarters hotel,events were held at some
of Nairobi's other famous doors of hospitality, such as the
Safari Park Hotel, and the Grand Regency Hotel, plus popular
dining spots such as the Carnivore Restaurant and the
Casablanca Later we revisited the Norfolk Hotel, now under
new management, the New Stanley and the Nairobi Safari Club
Hotel, where we stayed several evenings, the Nairobi Serena
(right), where we enjoyed a superb luncheon with the
Corporate Sales and Marketing Manager Peter Mbogua, the
Nairobi Hilton, the Holiday Inn in Westlands, Alliance
Hotels group and the beautiful Windsor Hotel and Country
Club, a few miles out of the city. 
For
a full month, during and following the ATA World Congress,
the InterContinental was home. In fact, many
observers were starting to think we were part of the staff.
We are anxious to share some personal impressions- f and
will do so soon. For now, here are some comments from the
hotel web site. "Standing at the top of the upscale market,
on the verge of the luxury segment, InterContinental is the
leading international hotel brand serving the needs of the
frequent business traveler. Nairobi. The city than shimmers
in the heart of Kenya's Savannah. Just a few hours' drive
from the very cradle of mankind, it is a modern,
cosmopolitan home to people from every
continent."
Norfolk
Hotel, Nairobi
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