Monday 27 June 2011

Day 237 Kenya 27/06/2011, Wildebeest camp Nairobi. Reunited with the bikes and an afternoon stroll to the Virgin Atlantic office.

Having slept well, despite the rain and stresses of the day before, we set about tracking down our bikes. After making several unanswered phone calls we were getting nowhere. Even getting in touch with Virgin Atlantic for a refund was proving difficult.

Eventually I got through to the Emirates baggage desk where I was informed that the bikes were there and would be soon on their way to us. Things were looking up, although we didn't want to celebrate too much until they were actually with us and in one piece.

True to Emirates' word the bikes arrived within an hour or so and I set about unpacking and getting them reassembled. Despite their extended journey they appear to have arrived unscathed so a sigh of relief was breathed all round.

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All we needed to do now was claim our costs back and we would be back on track. A bit of internet research later and we discovered that the Virgin Atlantic city office was not far from the camp-site.

Leaving the confines of the camp-site we ventured out for our first wander through the streets of Nairobi. We easily got to the location given to us by google maps, only to find out that the directions were wrong. We were on the right road just not at the correct end. With the assistance of some taxi drivers, who were a bit disappointed that we didn't go with them, we set off in the right direction. After a quick stop at a small supermarket where we once again checked our directions, we soon found ourselves outside the Landmark plaza.

The staff at the Virgin offices were very helpful and fingers crossed our money will be refunded shortly. It looks like we will definitely get the money back, we just don't know how long it will take. The main thing is that we are now logged on the system, which is all we can really do.

The walk back to the camp-site was slightly shorter than on the way out, although walking along the main Ngong road was less pleasant. Reaching the camp-site it was time for a beer, which was followed by several more. We spent the evening in the company of Chris and Dave, two medical students who were anxiously awaiting the results of their third year exams. We are glad to say that they both passed as we got caught up in the worried search for their results. It was two very relieved people that we shared another beer with, congratulations guys!

After all the worries, it is great to have everything pretty much sorted. We can now settle down and enjoy our few days in Nairobi before we head off towards the Tanzanian border.

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