ᵗʰⁱˢ ᶜʰᵃᵖᵗᵉʳ ⁱˢ ᵈᵉᵈⁱᶜᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ D_Peace_
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WE TOOK THE TWENTY five minutes flight on Air Kenya from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Maasai Mara Airport. Once there, we met Mutua, our driver, completely kind and energetic, then we got on our merry way to the hotel on the foot of Aitong Hills.

"Welcome to Fairmont Mara Safari Club," Mutua announces in a comforting accent that is significantly East African. 

I look ahead through the windscreen. It's already quite the sight, judging from the lush greenery that lies behind the small gate decorated with two carved hippos. Not to mention the way the clean blue afternoon sky envelops the distance. 

I glance at Boma, her eyes are set in a wide electronic gaze. "Fairmont Mara Safari Club." She reads at the entrance, before glancing back at me, with a smile glinting in her eyes.

"Behind this gate," Mutua drives in when it opens. "You will have an amazing experience, a paradise!" he exclaims joyfully.

"I'm sure we will," I say, as the vehicle comes to a stop.

We get down and Mutua helps us with our luggage. I smile at him, slipping a twenty dollar note into his hand.

"Asante sana!" he says, shaking my hand with both his hands. "That means thank you very much."

"Oh!" I chuckle, shaking his hand back enthusiastically. "Asante." I say smiling.

"You say Karibu, slowly, it means 'you are welcome'" he says.

"Karibu, Mutua." I say.

"Karibu, Mutua," Boma smiles. Mutua prostrates before walking around and back into the vehicle.

"Kwaheri!" He waves.

We repeat the words, waving at him as he drives out of the gate. If good manners were a person, it would be Mutua. We'll see him in three days.

"We're here," I say.

"We are! We really are!" Her whole body seems to be giggling.

The first thing that screams out about this place is colour, then textures and sounds. I feel like I'm standing right in the spot where the early men stood when they were hunter-gatherers.

"Miss Lawson, Mr. Adebayo?" 

We turn around to a beautiful bronzed lady smiling. She has one of the brightest brown eyes I have seen, not to mention how welcoming her smile is.

"Yes," Boma and I answer chorusly.

"I am Anisa Mwangi, and I'll be your Mara tour guide. I believe you requested for my assistance while booking?"

"I did," I say.

"Alright," she smiles. "I have taken care of everything to make your time here memorable."

"That's great," I smile.

"Asante, Anisa," Boma says.

"Karibu." Anisa smiles back. "This way please." She starts walking and we follow beside her. "You made reservations for separate tents I believe?"

"Yes we did," I say, glancing at Boma who has her hand wrapped tightly around my biceps.

"Okay," Anisa says, "we got adjacent tents, with a beautiful view of The Mara River. You can see the hippos and crocodiles from your balcony. Also it's only a little distance between your tents and the restaurant."

"That's amazing," Boma says.

"But I do have to give you a head start," Anisa chuckles. "The hippos tend to grunt and splash at night, it can be worrisome if you sleep light, but it shouldn't be that much of a problem though." Anisa says.

"Oh, that's totally fine," I say. "I love this place."

   The vibes here are untainted, ageless. Entire walls decorated with abstract historical art, fascinating images of galloping Buffaloes, Lions and Impala's, pottery designed by hands that know what it means to command the earth.

The reception is a display of bamboo and animal print, from furnishings to staff uniforms. We stop briefly at the front desk to check in, not forgetting to greet "Jambo!" which is a kind of 'hello' to everyone.

After check-in, we walk out through a stony path into open air, again being greeted by the Kenyan sun. So far, we have learned so much about The Mara, including how the name basically means dotted, due to the abundance of wildlife and vegetation that dot the grassland when viewed from the hill. It was named so, by the local Maasai tribesmen. We've also learned how important the Mara River is, for sustenance of the Mara-Serengetti ecosystem which is vital to both the survival of African Elephants and The Great Migration. 

"Anisa," I say. "We should visit Miss Lawson's tent first. I would make my way to mine after she's settled." Boma squeezes my biceps, smiling again, almost as if her eyes are brimmed by her cheeks.

We stop in front of a small stone walkway, leading into a small wooden verandah painted black, and a slightly big beige and grey tent. "Amazing," Boma says.

"So, all you have to do is zip it up when you're in and when you leave." Anisa instructs.

"Just zip, is that safe?" I ask.

Anisa smiles. "Trust me, it might seem a bit strange, but you'll enjoy the peace pretty soon. Plus, I'll teach you a trick on how to lock it when you're out, for extra safety." 

We both smile as Anisa zips the tent down before we walk in. Boma strides across the wooden floor to the queens size bed, feeling the bright red checkered quilt. "The tent is huge," she says.

I'm amazed too, looking at it from outside, it looks quite small, but inside is a different story.

"It is crafted in a technology that mirrors the ingenuity of The Mara."

"This is awesome," Boma says looking at the picture of a leopard hung on the wall. Before picking up an elephant sculpture and walking up to me. "Ivan, this is amazing, and we haven't even begun. "

I laugh. "Wait till tomorrow." Her eyes sparkle.

"So Mr. Adebayo, your tent is right next door. I have arranged for lunch at the deck, underneath the open sky, also overlooking the river. But before then, you have a couple of hours to relax and refresh," Anisa says, smiling. 

"Thank you." I say.

"Very welcome," she smiles.

"We'll rest for a few hours and then we'll meet you at the deck," I say.

"Thank you, Anisa," Boma says.

"You are welcome, I'll leave you to it now." Anisa says before exiting the tent.

Boma squeals, throwing herself into the bed. "Home for the next three days." She chuckles, "my life just became a life." She says. 

I laugh. "It's only the beginning. Alright. I'll see you for lunch in a few hours. Try to get some sleep." I tell her.

She stands up, then hugs me, "I'd kiss you but it's not on my list." 

I laugh hard, clutching my stomach. "Bomate Lawson, I'll see you soon." I blow her a kiss before walking out.

"Zip up!" I call out. I hear her chuckle then I hear the zipper.

I feel like I'm erupting with happiness. 

We made it to The Mara.