At around 7:45 AM Nairobi time, outside Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

“Why are there so many dark brown people here?”, a dozy Luna looked perplexed. After flying from Singapore to India (with a thirteen-hour layover in Mumbai) then to Kenya, she was unbelievably hawk-eyed. She had an inkling that we landed somewhere entirely unfamiliar.

This was five Saturdays ago. Been awfully quiet on the blog since then. You see, that time we arrived at the airport, the ol’ giddiness of being in some place new came rushing back. East Africa felt unwonted. It felt untold. And I was there to listen. Intently.

Did myself a favor and abandoned web tasks for the entirety of the trip.

So now, for the first time, will unwrap some of me fave moments thru a quick visual rundown.

Here we go.

1. Universal Studios (Singapore)

After several layovers in Singapore, we finally visited Universal Studios for the first time. Because I assumed that, at four years of age, Luna will fully appreciate such theme park. She did. After dragging our entire group to the Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase ride. To the annoyance of Ron of FlipTravels.com.

2. That 13-hour layover in Mumbai (India).

It was costly (US $60 tourist visa-on-arrival), but we just had to step out of the airport. For our sanity, for authentic paneer tikka masala, and for new harem pants.

3. The hunt for lions in Nairobi National Park (Kenya).

When you finally meet a soul you are in awe of then you guys hit it off and do vasisthasana together… Such a wonderful feeling. She’s Reiza. A fellow Pinay travel blogger (see Wander If You Must). An aid worker who’s currently assigned in Kenya. She’s badass.

And oh, we didn’t see lions.

4. Spotting the critically endangered black rhino (Tanzania).

Four of them, actually, in UNESCO World Heritage Site Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Yah see, some people go on a safari for days but can’t find even one. Thank you, universe.

5. Waking up to the sunrise over Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania).

Witnessed this from Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, a hotel chosen by our safari tour organizer. Not only did we have a view of the crater from the restaurant’s balcony, but also from our room.

6. Glamping in Serengeti (Tanzania).

Slept amongst wild animals, with only a tent separating us from them. The staff, who’d escort us every time we go out at night to the communal tent, are Maasai people.

7. Almost attacked by a grumpy, bull elephant in Serengeti (Tanzania).

And when I say “almost” I mean, his trunk didn’t hit our jeep.

8. Valentine’s Day

Which, after a three-day safari, we initially wanted to spend at our local host’s home. But our safari tour operator, Richard, invited us for lunch and introduced us to his family and friends. Luna was whisked away to Richard’s home to play with his kids on a trampoline. Us adults drank for fours hours.

9. Explored sleepy Bagamoyo (Tanzania).

An old trading port for ivory and slaves. Though historically important, the town does not see as many visitors as Zanzibar’s Stone Town (another slave trade center).

10. Sun-basked (and eventually got sunburnt) in Jambiani, Zanzibar (Tanzania).

A village where we slept in a seaside villa (owned by a guy who totes looks like Danny Glover) for four nights. Its uncrowded beach is blinding white, and the water is turquoise.

11. Hugged tortoises on Prison Island (Zanzibar).

This isolated population of Aldabra tortoises ain’t endemic to the island. They were given as gifts to British resident Major Pearce in 1919.

12. Wandered in and around Stone Town (Zanzibar).

This UNESCO World Heritage Site used to be a center of spice and slave trade. The architecture of its old buildings are a mix of Indian, Arab, Persian and European influences. It was always a delight to get lost in its meandering alleys.

13. Eat, sleep, beach, repeat in Kwale County (Kenya).

We had too much fun in Jambiani that the hubby and I agreed on booking a flight to Mombasa from Nairobi (yes, after Tanzania, we flew back to Kenya) to see Kenya’s coastal towns. Diani Beach, where we stayed, is raw and stunning.

14. Marveled at Fort Jesus, Mombasa (Kenya).

This UNESCO World Heritage site is a fine example of 16th century Portuguese military fort. Luna saw a replica of a skeleton that’s buried here, and still talks about it ’til this very day.

15. The hubby’s birthday hike at Hell’s Gate Gorge (Kenya).

This pretty much capped off our trip (that and a dinner at some Ethiopian restaurant in Nairobi with our local hosts).

Where we are now… Am currently writing this in one of the oldest buildings in Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia. The ridiculously cheap(ish) cave we’re renting will be our home for some weeks. It’s well-sized and overlooks hot half-naked Aussies the beach. We get plenty of sunshine (prolly too much as I have to put sunscreen on whenever I cook breakie at the kitchen), and the sound of waves as our white noise. It’s an ideal place to settle for a while. For Luna to meet friends. For me to recollect how it feels like to own a salad bowl or a cast iron skillet — wait, I never owned a cast iron skillet.

… Until the travel bug gnaws us again.