I have arrived..

Thursday 5th August 2010



7.30am (5.30am UK): at Nairobi airport waiting for connecting flight to Seychelles

I’m on African soil – forgot how much the hustle and bustle of Africa makes me smile. It’s cold though (no sympathy expected). As predicted I was so exhausted that I slept through take off - that was after an hour delay sitting on the plane because there was no water – thankfully there was a plumber on board.

Decided I am far too nice and accommodating – I was asked twice to move seats on the plane to accommodate people that were split from each other (this is the curse of the single traveller). Then, ended up in a seat that had no light, or controls to use TV, so I then asked to be moved…. Firstly faced with a ‘we have no spare seats’ and a mini tirade from me about 'OK then, get me back to my original seat I booked', once the music had stopped I ended up between two Americans in the ‘I’ve got extra long legs’ or ‘I’m very important’ seats which was a bonus. Woke up for standard issue supper on a tray, tried to watch a film to make a point to hostess who kept glaring at me the whole time, but fell asleep and had to be shaken awake by hostess once we’d landed as had slept through that as well. Sadly missed breakfast….I wonder what it was.

However my first mistake made already, I’ve left my Seychelles guide book somewhere on the plane in the seat merry-go-round, and also, probably more tragically my killer sudoko book (there's no doubt that Jono takes after me!). So, all I had to read was my joining instructions for the Seychelles, and gutted that the kit list that I have in my master file (anyone that knows me well, will know that everything is beautifully filed and catalogued), includes as essential equipment a dive compass……which wasn’t on my original list (which was all ticked off and complete) and I don’t have one. Mind you, not that I ever mastered how to use one and mildly worrying that I might have to depend on one now. So first job when I get to Seychelles is to find a dive shop and try not to get too ripped off when buying a compass…. and then learn how to use it!


4.30pm Beau Vallon, Seychelles


You can all stop worrying now…. Have arrived safely, no musical chairs on the plane, all remaining possessions still with me, and tucked away in a lovely bungalow just for one night before I start the conservation project. Managed to sleep the whole time on the Seychelles flight so think I may at last have caught up with many days of little sleep. Very pleased with myself that I have found an internet café (yes that’s a first for me) and hopefully all the uploading from my netbook will work….

No chance of buying a dive compass here, or a travel book so all that’s in order now once I’ve done this is to find myself a spot overlooking the Indian ocean (which I have already paddled in) and have a beer and something to eat. xx