Last day of the work week and on to Leopard Rock

Friday, July 5th

This morning I woke up & literally could not see my hand in front of my face. Everything was pitch black. I was incoherent enough to think my sight was failing me and I'd gone blind! Not good timing as we are going on an overnight safari. I fumbled my way to the bathroom and then climbed back in bed. Our hotel's electricity had gone out in the early morning hours and was off for some time. This is not the first power outage we've had this week. The power was still out when we woke up this morning but thankfully daylight had appeared. By the time we returned from breakfast the power was back on.

We worked half a day at Tendo Valley clearing paths for students to walk from their dormitory to their classrooms. Progress was made on the building hanging doors and windows.

We watched the vent frames for air to flow through be made

This is the end product on another building

Jennifer made us lunch over open fire

Here she is making banana fritters- one of our team members Mackenzie ate them as fast as they came out of the grease.

Boiling potatoes in grease- no wonder the mashed potatoes tasted so delicious!

She had an audience...

Lunch is served!

The green squad- Meredith, Mackenzie & Jill

On to the safari! A few of the animals we saw

African elk

Ostrich

Hey Mr Elephant

Giraffes!

After checking in at the Leopard Rock Hotel, which is a 4 star hotel, compared to our other accommodations, a few of our team members decided to venture out on another quick safari adventure. I am so glad we did!

The first animal we met-Zebras

Then we met a buffalo

We came across a large pack of giraffes and an even larger heard of elephants- at least 40! The sun was going down and making it a difficult photo opt!

We hurried back and met up with the rest of our group to climb Leopard Rock to catch the sunset- it was an amazing site!

As soon as the sun set at 6:30 pm it was pitch black!

Now here's the catch- this hotel - in the middle of nowhere- open safari land only generates power in the evenings from 6:30-10:30! So glad I thought to throw in a flash light! 

We came back from watching the sunset and showered before dinner. Dinner was a 5 course candlelit meal on the veranda. 

After dinner we shared our nightly devotion before moving to the patio & telling stories around the fire pit.

Shortly before 10:30 one of the hotel workers escorted us to our rooms just in time for lights out!