Busia Town

One of the elements that brought Busia town to prominence is fact it is a border crossing. It has one of the official points that people cross to Uganda from Kenya, and the vice versa. Plenty of trade and people ply this route. Both side of the divide the town shares the same name in both countries.

 

For a town of is nature it is a pretty laid back place. The general expectation is the towns would have some very serious vested investments, surprisingly not. The place has plenty prime potential in many aspects that has not been tapped. All is out there, basically waiting to happen. Neither government has seen the need to make the plunge; save for the immigrations and customs points that are being upgraded to more modern facilities to handle future crossings and trade.

 

For a border crossing and transport hub of its magnitude receiving all manner of traffic; human, trade and otherwise, Busia is a mellow place. Traffic comes from a variety of places; Kisumu, Nairobi, Eldorate and as far as Mombasa, naming a few, it is a quiet place.

 

The town goes to sleep fairly early and not even the 24 hour open boarders can tempt them to stay awake through the night. Other than up and close to the Immigration entry/exit clearing point are a few huddled businesses. A tea and food shack, and a kiosk or two attending to the crossing travelers where they can grab a bite.

 

The town is like a cold blooded creature that warms withe the sun. The town does not bustle with life well in to 9 am as the taxis are still waiting to fill up and make their first trip of the day to wherever. It feels like a timeless zone, where happen ate their own pace.

 

The people there are generally sociable and polite, as well as easy to talk to; quite accustomed to having and seeing strange persons, probably because of its trade route and crossing. There are cases though that you may get asked for a token towards any generosity offered for a service as simple as borrowing a pen.

 

Do not get offended, they are only being the capitalists they are, they also have mouths to feed and filling the gap for financial reward. This generally happens the closer you are to the crossing. At the immigrations outposts however, it is more often than not, act of kindness being extended is a business service you have to eventually pay for. This is the doing of some thrifty individuals making a living off your limitations by meeting you with custom solutions.

 

One of the ways I am able to appreciate a town’s worth is by looking at the footing of the banking industry’s services therein. Eco Bank, Barclays, KCB, namely some of Kenya’s banking giants with a strong presence in the town.

 

Further away from the crossing, the town is up and rising; like a giant coming out of deep slumber waking up to a new dawn.

photo courtesy of mkahawa.com    Article written by Amailuk Joseph

The people of Meru

photo courtesy of http://www.rotarymeru.com

Mount Kenya is one of the ideal places one should visit. In the next few posts I will take you through some of the communities and places to visit. I will start with the Meru community. Meru County is found in Mount Kenya region. It is one of the fertile areas in that region. When I say this I just don’t mean the land but also the culture and traditions.

Meru as a tribe is divided into 9 sub-tribes. These include the Imenti, Tigania, Tharaka, Igembe, Chuka, Igoji, Mwimbi, Muitini and Muthambi. Meru covers the North and North Eastern part of Mount Kenya. The Meru people are mainly farmers. In the past they used to farm most of the cash crops found in Kenya but as the days are passing some of the crops are no longer available. Some of these crops include tea, coffee, Miraa, Macadamia etc. However, most people associate the Merus with the Miraa. This crop is the main income source for most farmers especially those from the Northern section of Meru. Meru is also known as the home of bananas though the people used to farm it as food now it has become like a cash crop in some places. Mangoes and Strawberries are also available. For someone who is interested in Agriculture tourism this is the community to visit.

Meru community have their traditional leaders known as the Njuri Ncheke. Upto date the Njuri Ncheke is recognized by the state and they play a great part in influencing the political decisions in the area.

Eco-Oasis Camp— Nakuru: The Nature Travellers Dream part 2

Article and photos by guest writer: Amailuk Joseph

Catering facilities

Holidays are an excuse to break away from all the routine that has settled for our normal. Well, at least that is what some may argue. In that case, you may wish to try out the Oasis cosine. Meals are on order. It is a life away from the hullabaloo of modern lives. Inform them early and you can agree on what you desire.

However, they have a self-catering service. This is a fun-tastic setup, if you ask me. Knowing how long you will be there, purchase all you need upfront. They have gas. You do not have to pay separately for it, bless the Oasis setting. It might be a good idea to carry your own cutlery, assuming you are a sizable group. Otherwise, they have a few handy pans you can use. Disposable where possible would be supper. Just remember not to litter the place. Leave it as clean, better still, even cleaner than you found it.

This why you can have the fun of pouring your heart into your meals. You control what you wish to eat. You are not time bound as in keeping with others eating hours. You are practically a free bird. Is that not the reason you came or want to go to the Oasis in the first place? If you haven’t thought of it, you may want to give it a try. Remember it is rated family…

Picnic

You could easily pull off hanging out in your cottage/tent the whole day and still feel no loss. Challenge is I am an advocate of “if you have it, then make use of it. Do it! If you find you don’t like it, then so be it. It shall not remain unfulfilled dream. At least this way you are sure you know what you are coming back for.

Now that brings us to the picnic grounds. Another of the wondrous delights that Oasis hosts. It is a wide spacious area that boarders a lake. Sorry, you cannot swim here. Not that kind of waters. The picnic place has some table you could make good off. You may choose to sit on the ground and make the most of change from normal. If you have enough firewood, you are welcome to setting up a bonfire; yeah … Do you still need further poking? Nah, I don’t think so.

There is such grand space the kids would love the place. You can play all sorts of ball games or any other that may call for some space. If that ain’t enough, well, back at the main grounds there is still some extra space. Like I told you, the Oasis, was built a gateway. You are free from the pollution.

Some of us still can’t truly be free of civilizations. Always want to keep a link with the outside world. Hmm. They did think about you. In the dining hall, cum common room, is a television. You can get all the news you need. Its furnishings are all timber furnishings, in line with keeping with nature.

Nature lovers

Talking of nature lovers, at the Oasis (of life), you get to live in the wild. You have the benefits of the wild free from its creatures. Who says it is only the game parks the wild is experienced. The only wild animals you shall come across (if you are lucky) are the Velvet monkeys! Frankly, these creatures keep their distance. They prefer to watch the creeps from planet Zee from the safety of their tree hangings.

There is a hot water spring in the neighbourhood. Should you wish to go view it, remember to hire a guide? A hike to the springs is more like the deal. It is a challenge to find if you are unfamiliar with the territory. Chances are high you may come back disappointed. At least you have been warned. And like I said, see all there is to see. Experience all you can while you are there.

The entire place was set up on an eco-tourist model. Tourism integrated with nature to avoid destabilizing the place with modernity. There are well laid walkways. These were so well developed to allow for orderly people traffic. It is so in tandem with nature you would in a short while imagine them as natural setting of the environments.

You can take a walk in the woods. If you like you may enjoy a jog. If you plan to, don’t forget your running shoes. It is a place where you go to have your privacy and leave with it intact. The staffs are very helpful. All you need to do is ask. If they can help they definitely will. There are a couple of swings, and a slide, to spice up your stay.

Oasis Activities

• Bike rides are fun. You could talk to management about hiring bikes, or carry your own bicycles.
• Bonfires
• Bird watching
• Hiking (to hot water springs or elsewhere)
• Nyama choma (roast meat) venture to the main road
• Camping
• Try the self-catering

About the author

Amailuk Joseph (aka AJ), is a Life-Coach and freelance writer and happens to be an avid fun loving tourist and travel writer. Never weary of an excuse to travel and go see the world. Seeing is believing, and sharing is the half the fun.You’re presently invited to share in the fun.

Eco Oasis Pictures by Amailuk J and are courtesyof Laetitia, Irene, and Simon-Templar.

Twitter: @amailuk

Skype: amailuk