Glimpse of Kenya Part 5:Thomson Water Fall And Equator

Thomson waterfall is 2370 Mt above the sea, in Nahururu County of Kenya. Being almost next to equator line the fall is also famous by the name of equator watetfall. We had planned to reach Nairobi by afternoon so that we can lave relaxed lunch, go to masai market, Indian market, do shopping, pack for fight back and have sumptuous Indian meal before flight, because in Ethiopia getting many Indian food items, sweets, namkin was next to impossible specially in debrezeyit we were staying. That was ofcourse in 2011—13, now things may be different.

Early breakfast done with elephant on the other side of glass partition, wet headed for Thomson waterfall. It was drizzling and slight chill was in air, but most enjoyable road trip till now in Kenya. All around were tea gardens, clouds were kissing the peaks of hills, some inquisitively entering into our van through open windows as if telling us "see what nature has gifted Kenya. Hope human do not spoil it in the name of development ". 

Lush green Tea gardens

Misty cloudy Vista of country side Nahururu

Since there was no hurry so we got down to enjoy the drizzle by the tea gardens, absorb into mind through eyes what ever we could. Thus enjoying the vistas we reached Thomson fall. 

Thompson waterfall as viewed from far 

This fall was discovered by a British wildlife enthusiast after whom the waterfall is named. 

I had seen many waterfalls in India, Ethiopia, what I found special about this waterfall was that it has lush green surroundings, undisturbed, unspoilt forest around it. I just hope for the sake of commercial benifits this place has not been encroached by human. 

The origin of the fall is a huge lake and from far it may look calm and serene but the river gushing out and ultimately culminating into waterfall from between the rocks and trees is roaring high speed water body. 

Lake from where river originates thus waterfall 

The vibrations of the waterfall could be felt on the barricaded platform where we stood. The white frothy river from the fall then flows making thundering sound as if saying "I am beautiful watch from distance, try troubling me I will show you my might". 

With water splashing from the fall, slightly drizzle from sky it was most enjoyable. Local tribes dressed in their attire, face a painted, were roaming around and were ready to pose for a picture but their price was too much, so I prefer zooming my lens and taking their picture with waterfall in background. What a colorful photo it is! Stunning. 

The hotel and guest house are built keeping preserving nature, flora and fauna in mind. Myraid of local flowers, shrubs, herbaceous plants and big birch, silver oak and many other trees were adding to the beauty of the whole place. 

We went for a quick visit to the river which ultimately culminates into water fall. The bridge we were standing on was literally shaking due to huge water massy flowing under it with high speed and roaring sound. Due to heavy rains in few days the whole area was flooded with dam water thus were advised not to cross the bridge. 

Mighty river flowing from the dam mouth 

Water flows under the bridge 

There is a spread of curios shop in the open field of the village near by. Beautifully carved, painted articles were by and large made of stone queried from the hill. 

From Thomson waterfall we went to place called equator line. This is the equator line of earth. We enjoyed the demonstration of magnetic field of equator line, how the match stick when placed in a water tub moves, when the water tub is kept on N-W line and on E-W line, and how it simply does not move when the water full of tub is kept on the intersection of N-W and E-W line.  I found this simple experiment to be very interesting way to teach the magnetic field of earth. 

We did visit the curios shop but by and large things same like all over Kenya. Since we were going to visit Masai market in Nairobi so we did not purchase anything from there. 

All items in shop were made of heavy stone or wood. Very intricate and beautiful. 

Nahururu Tribal art and curios 

Inspired by wild life 

Mostly black stone and wooden craft 

Cases for Bible made of stone 

A cup of hot coffee was welcome, which we enjoyed with the snacks we had carried with us. Mind, heart and stomach satiated we started with the last leg of our Kenya trip. We were going back to Nairobi. 

Once in Nairobi our tour operator played trick with us. We were promised lunch in hotel serving best sea food but were taken to a third grade hotel where we did not deem fit to have a glass of water, thus we huffed and puffed in anger but had to be satisfied with our packed snacks and coffee in near by shop. 

After shopping in Masai market we had ample time on hand thus went to the mall, watched a hindi movie, went to Indian market to get things we struggle to get in Ethiopia. With a bachelor, two ladies busy in shopping it soon became dinner time. So we had delicious Indian meal and went to airport to catch flight back to Ethiopia. 

The whole trip was awesome not only because it was planned nicely or we saw wild life, masai tribes, forest national park, waterfall and equator, but also because of the exceptionally great company we had and Daniel as a knowledgeable, humorous safe driver and guide. 

The nostalgia remains. Memories are revived when I go through the photos again and again.