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Tag: inspiration

  • Hippie on an adventure: Elementaita and Kakamega

    Hippie on an adventure: Elementaita and Kakamega

    Ever wondered how well you’d get by traveling on public transport to different destinations on your seek for adventure? Well, we tried; not the best but its an experience totally worth it. Also reliant on luck, sometimes, or atleast the few times I’ve resorted to taking this option. You can either get a fair or worst encounter along the way, this one time; we weren’t too lucky, from crazy delays, reckless driving and inconsiderate drivers, we had it all. It was worth it though, especially Kakamega. Our initial plan was to travel all the way from Nairobi to South Rift Valley via Western and end up in North Rift. We however completed only half the circuit which included; Elementaita, & Kakamega (we decided to skip Nakuru).

     

    View from our campsite at Lake Elementaita.

     

    Views

     

    Channeling all the good vibes in the rain-forest.
    Basking in the warm sunlight of Kakamega Forest.

     

    So lush and green.
    Surreal Sunrise
    Atop Lirhanda Hill
    The entrance to bat-infested Lirhanda caves which was once a gold mine.
    Super cows! ? I have no idea how they climbed this high.
    Trees of Kakamega Forest
    Classic shoe-fie. No?
    We hiked up for 2 hours so we could experience this beauty.
    Dawn by Lirhanda hill overlooking Kakamega Forest.

    Points to Note

    • For optimum convenience and accessibility, private transport is ideal.
    • Camping anytime! It’s affordable and fun , I mean, lodges are overrated.
    • Avoid touristy spots for better experiences.
    • Research on the weather of your destination before the trip so you can pack accordingly.
    • Kakamega Forest is divided into the western and eastern side, each managed by a different government parastatal. For wildlife, the Eastern part suffices, under Kenya Wildlife Service.

    Little compares to the feeling in my soul when I embark. The combination of mystery, excitement, and opportunity makes me feel alive. I live for adventures.

     

  • Wildlife in the City’s Backyard

    Wildlife in the City’s Backyard

    I recently had the privilege of visiting the Nairobi National Park. It is one of Kenya’s twenty three National Parks. However, what makes it stand out is the fact that it is regarded as the “World’s Wildlife Capital”. This is because of it’s strategic location that is only a short drive away from the Nairobi Business District. Now how cool is that?

    However, despite it’s proximity, majority of Nairobi’s city residents have not paid a visit to this home of upto 100 mammal species and over 400 bird species.

    Zebra grazing within the Park copyright @RootsofAfrika

    The Nairobi National Park is home to four of the big five animals. Can you guess which among the big five is not found in the park? It’s not the Rhino, nor is it the Lion, Leopard or Buffalo but the Elephant. There are various Park activities and Park attractions to enjoy alongside the spectacular wildlife. You may opt to have a game drive where you get to spot various wildlife busy grazing, browsing or simply napping and walking against the city scrappers as their backdrop. This is a spectacular sight to behold and one that will forever be etched at the corner of valuable memories.

      Giraffes strolling within the park. copyright @RootsofAfrika

     The rhinoceros with its young one. It is among the endangered species at the park. Copyright Ceri_Kanja

    The park also hosts the Nairobi Safari Walk and the animal orphanage. The Nairobi Safari walk offers a relaxed stroll as you gaze upon different types of animal species such as the Hippo, Leopard, Cheetah, Rhino, Ostriches, Water bucks among many more. The facility also offers children’s wildlife classes and this together with the animal orphanage provide a good platform for you as well as the little ones to learn more about the wildlife and interact with them fondly under the supervision of the park’s guides.

    The wooden platform within the Nairobi Safari Walk. Copyright Ceri_Kanja

    A leopard basking within its confines at the Nairobi Safari Walk. Copyright Ceri_Kanja

    One of the Protected White Rhinos within the park. Copyright Ceri_Kanja

    The park equally boasts of spacious picnic sites and camping sites thus making it ideal for group hangouts as well as overnight stays at the park. So why not spend the night there around a cozy bonfire just to get away from the bustles of the City life? And the best part is that you do not have to travel far and wide to do this thus very budget friendly to the city dweller.

    Local Tourists enjoying the park’s view. Copyright @RootsofAfrika

    The Park’s rates as well as full list of attractions and park activities can be easily found here

  • Vivi Karia

    Vivi Karia

    PEOPLE:VIVI KARIA

    If you haven’t gotten the chance to meet  Vivi Karia, no need to worry as I have you covered. She is outright outstanding with her thoughts, vision, design and execution. Vivi Karia is pretty much the closest you will ever get to Rihanna in Nairobi. We discussed how she views fashion in Nairobi, her clothing brand and more.

     

    1. Wild Intro

    I’ll be 23 this year. Though hard to describe my skill, I majorly took interest in drawing stick figures when I was 8, but now I’ve moved on to doodling. My dad inspired me and I became more conscious about fashion and style when I turned 13, this is when I paid more attention to what people wore in music videos & teen shows.
    2. What has inspired your aesthetic as both a curator and designer? 
    Street style inspires me because there are no rules on how to dress, there’s an openness and rawness where you can always play with whatever comes to mind so I like to combine it with high fashion.
    3. Do you view your brand as rebellious considering that it depicts a sensual aspect? 
    Not really, maybe other people do, but I’m very open minded & like to talk about things that are not so polite, especially through images.
    Do you feel the need to be relatable?
    Yes, as a person outside the clothes that I make. I’m always worried that people don’t understand where I’m coming from. Because if you have that sexual vibe people don’t view it as art but box you & sexualize you like “She’d be so good to take to bed”.
    Such things annoy me! Greek goddesses had their bosoms hanging out & were given the utmost respect…
    4. Does consumer reaction pressure you to release more products? 
    No, I like pushing my products beyond boundaries in terms of reach & sales too and generally, I take my time when I release a product because I want to perfect it.
    And what is the downside of production? 
    The fear that you’ll put all your money into an idea & have it not come out as you pictured it or poor reception from consumers.
    5. With the new wave of designers, have you considered being more intricate to define your brand? 
    Yes & No. Yes because I like standing out & also the more intricate I am with my ideas the more it is for guys to copy.
    I know I’m unique and I don’t think anyone would share the same vision.
    What do you consider when choosing an individual to head a new campaign/collection?
    I look for intricate physiques, weird looking people & those that are comfortable with themselves.
    6.What are you currently working on?
    It’s a secret! But I will drop new patches soon & an art book too.
    7. Does the term creative have any significance to you and why? 
    No, I don’t appreciate the terms designer, creative, artist, as there’s a huge saturation in Nairobi. I like to do my thing & if you are feeling it then that’s great.
    I low key call myself a” constructor ” instead because I view myself as someone who makes things.
    8. What is your biggest disappointment in Nairobi fashion and what are you doing about it? 
    First the hype! People wear Supreme t-shirts & ripped jeans & feel like they are entitled or that they are influencers. That’s not what street style is about! Second, it’s the oversaturation of the idea of blogging, if you combine these two, its just bad!
    It’s hard to do something impactful about it, partly because, we are still a young city when it comes to streetwear but I always try to stir such conversations when I’m with my friends.
    9. Thoughts on high fashion and streetwear collaborations. 
    Best one so far
    The Louis Vuitton X Supreme collection hands down! People expected a crazy collabo but these are the biggest brands in both high fashion & street wear & they did what they knew best, showcased simplicity in their vision.
    10. Wild Outro (advice)
    For the collaboration