Day 61 - Northern Frontier District, Kenya

Point of departure : Nairobi

Point of arrival : Isiolo

Accommodation: the rooftop tent @Gaddisa Hotel, Isiolo

Km travelled today: 301 km Cum: 10 292 km (gravel 25 km cum 2 381km)

Countries so far: 6/16

Where to next? Marsabit, Northern Frontier District

An early start for packing the car, closing the tent and breakfast but by the time we said our farewells to all at JJ's, it was just after 10h00 before we really were on our way.

A fairly uneventful drive north to Isiolo, except for our stopover at the Mount Kenya Safari Club for drinks and lunch.The Club is built directly on the equator and has been a Kenyan tradition since 1959.The hotel was bought by the late American actor William Holden and run as a club for members and guests.Some of the members were Lyndon B Johnson and others.The tv room has black and white photographs of William Holden, John Wayne, Marlon Brandon and the list goes on.It boasts a magnificent view of Mt Kenya (Africa's second highest mountain).The grandeur of the 1950's is evident with superb modernisation and finishes by the Fairmont Hotel group… beautiful lawns, a maze, swimming pool, chipping range and a delightful outdoor area.This hotel is listed in the international "1000 Places to See before you die" and, although we did not stay over, we did walk in the garden, took photographs, had lunch in the Zebar (decorated in Zebra patterns) and even used the loo … therefore we feel justified that we can tick it off.

Have a look at the photo of Santa "John" Claus - there are three stages in a man's life regarding Santa Claus - first stage - he believes in Santa, second stage - he doesn't believe in Santa and third stage - HE IS SANTA!John makes a good Santa with a real white beard.

The northern territory is sparsely populated, wild and desolate.As the Lonely Planet guide describes it " Setting foot in these parts is, often as not, like leaving the 21st century entirely; it's an explorer's paradise, and the tribes (Samburu, Turkana, Boran and others) that live here are some of the most fascinating people in the world".

Isiolo, the first town we stayed at, is a little dusty northern frontier town and the name means "where the wind never ceases".Although we did come through some rain, we missed the main storm which had struck Isiolo an hour or two before… the roads were running with water and everything was extremely sodden.If we were hoping for dry roads in the Northern Frontier District, this did not bode well.

We came across beautiful veiled women and the warrior-like Samburu and Somali men.

Camping at the Gaddisa Hotel, in their parking lot and using one of their rooms as ablutions.Quite satisfactory from our point of view and we are looking forward to a quiet evening (should not be a problem as we are the only ones there as the hotel is closed for the festive season).We may even resume the rummy championship (currently we are tied).