The team is finally taking our biggest challenge yet. The Tsavo Crossing!!
We camped at the Tsavo West Gate last night after a warm reception by the KWS team. We even had the pleasure of a guided tour through their information centre. It's kinda hard to fall asleep in your tent after seeing the preserved puff adder in the information centre, which apparently was captured at the very place you have set up camp.
I finally meet Captain Kenneth Ochieng, a hulk of a man, who is the Senior Warden in charge of Tsavo West Park. I have only spoken to him on phone but today I finally get to shake his hand. He is a wonderful man who makes us feel welcome and flags us off with pomp. He has two of his game rangers accompany us throughout the walk until we reach Tsavo East.
The walk is tough. The pace is high, the heat is searing but thankfully there is some breeze and a few smattering of clouds that keeps away the direct sun. Thankfully the only animals we encounter are dik dik hopping around in the bushes. Thomas's feet are wrapped up in cotton and gauze paddings to minimize pressure on tbe blisters. He is in pain but the stoic look on his face warns me to butt out. He won't dignify my pleas to ride this walk out with an answer. All I can do is keep my mouth closed and fall in step behind him.
Our Kenya Red Cross E-Plus team is with us, and Yusuf the paramedic has decided to walk with the team. We are escorted by the Serena Kilaguni Lodge team too. They turned up to flag us off. Even Dan, our beloved chef is on the road! It's a jolly crowd as we set off amidst friendly banter. But as expected, as the pace picks up and the distance stretches out, the crowd dwindles down. I keep up for 15km before I bow out. One of the rangers makes 20km and Yusuf suprises us all by hitting the 25km mark. Only my brother Barry triumphantly limps into camp with the heroes!
49km and dozens of empty water bottles later, the team arrives at the Tsavo River Gate, popularly known as Man Eaters Gate. It is still part of Tsavo West, the halfway point. The rangers welcome us and help us settle in. Yusuf is doing his rounds, checking the team's feet. Thomas and Barry are sitting with their feet soaked in cold water. He dispenses pain medication and massages legs as he goes.
We hurriedly prepare dinner as the walk ended late, and by 8.00 o'clock, everyone is filling their tummies with goodies from Dan's kitchen. It is interesting to observe how the body handles physical stress. Despite all the energy expended in the walk today, these gentlemen are eating less and less every day. They are generally slender well toned people, but weeks on the road have made them leaner and now they drink more and eat less. I can't wait for the finish line. These heroes need a spa moment in Mombasa. They deserve it!
A hot shower and place to lay my head is all I need. As I lie in my tent listening to Lydia's soft breathing on the next mattress, I say a prayer of thanks for a safe crossing.
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