This is just a quick notice about my relocation back to Kenya next week or I may not get it sent before I am already settled in! One of many announcements marking the celebration of 10 years leading safaris throughout Africa.
DOWNSIZING AGAIN
It has been a very crazy 3.5 months since I returned from Kenya; the list has been much longer than normal! Just over 10 years ago I downsized from a big (for a single person) two-story house of 2,200 sq feet to a loft half the size at about 1,050 sq feet. It is time to do that again; simplify my life inside to have more time outside with friends and adventures in the bush. I am looking forward to sundowners on the small deck of this treehouse.I am bringing only my computers, screens, image storage, a few duffels of clothes and my camera’s. In a normal year, I am on the road about 7-8 months, with less than what I am taking and I never feel I am missing anything other than easy access to my main image library and my big screens for editing.
CLOSER TO NATURE WILDLIFE AND TRIBES
At the end of 2020 I had intended to go to Kenya for a month, but life was so wonderful there I extended my stay for three months. The last month there I found a treehouse for rent on Airbnb in the beautiful area of Karen. It was like being on safari in the bush, but right in the middle of Nairobi. I loved it so much I decided to rent one and return to Kenya full time. I am a quick 10-minute walk to the giraffe center and a 10-minute drive to the elephant orphanage.
YOU CAN JOIN ME FOR A FEW NIGHTS OR DRINKS
Here is the great news! You can join me there. This is a beautiful property, Ngong House, that was once a luxury destination for safari goers. On the property are 6 treehouses, a few cottages, and a fantastic popular restaurant called BOHO Eatery. Three of the treehouses are long term rentals, but three are available on Airbnb. Next time you pass through Kenya stay a night or two here or just drop in for a drink and/or a meal. I loved meeting up with everyone who stopped in while I was there in Feb. Hopefully, I will be on the road again soon, so if you want to meet up, check to make sure I am in town first.
MORE THAN ONE REASON
People often say that I appear much happier when I am in Kenya/Africa. I feel much happier when I am there. Although that is a one of the big reasons for moving back there is more to the story, but as I mentioned at the beginning this is only a brief announcement. More to come shortly because there is so much to do in the next week.
Hi Piper
It looks just beautiful! Such a good decision to rent this house. You may not have too much luggage or too heavy gear anyway, the stairs and the door is quite a challenge :-). I wish you a good and safe flight and a wonderful re-start in Nairobi. See you soon! Hugs, Reni
It is so beautiful there and I can’t wait to be there, open my eyes in the morning, look across at nature, and hear the African king Fishers in the background. In the evening it will be a glass of wine on the deck and watching the sunset! One of the best parts is I will have a chance to see so many people when they come through Nairobi on safari!!! Something that would not happen if I remained in the states.
See you soon!!!
Big hugs back!
How awesome!!! Very happy for you!
Thank you! I am ready for the next chapter and decade living in a treehouse in Kenya
Piper, wonderful news! Garth and I have happy memories of our safari with you. Keep up the good work!
What an honor that you have followed this journey almost from the beginning! Steve, Don, and Vaughn all still travel with me since that first safari! I think about you both often and hope you are both doing well and still traveling to exotic places around the world! With warmest regards, Piper
It’s perfect on many levels. Keep your counsel with all the CrAzY personalities around you-White Kenyans!
I always look forward to your post and adventures, it’s a blessed life you are living.
All my love
Thank you so much lovely!!! It is exactly how I feel. I am getting very excited!!
I am happy for you. I am trying to relocate to Peru for the same reasons you cited. Why not go where you are happy?
Just great1
Thank you. Absolutely!! Go to where you are happiest!!!. I am usually only in the US for 6-8 weeks max, but being confined here……. NO CHANCE! I chose my happy place instead!! You must come to kenya. You will love my place and the cold Tuskers. I miss traveling with you TONS!!!! but I will see you at the end of the year!!!
Oh my God !
What a wonderful looking place … been to Kenya and Rwanda a number of times but I’ve never seen anything like this.
Enjoy!
Yes, I really got lucky. I guess 17 years of passion that got me through every hurdle is rewarding me with this beautiful dream! If you make it to Nairobi, get in touch!!!
Looks like a bit of heaven just for you!
Yes! It is an awesome reminder to never give up!!! You could be moments away from the reward of years of hard work!
Congratulations on your decision, I look forward to having drinks with you at that location one day.
Thank you so much!!! I will be looking forward to it, perhaps sooner than you think after the next big announcement!!!
That treehouse looks absolutely wonderful!!! Enjoy your adventures!
I am getting really excited!! Thank you!
Oh, Piper, what great news! Your treehouse looks like the perfect retreat. Hope to get back to Kenya soon and reconnect with you.
Thank you!. Yes I feel so lucky and blessed!!! I am going to pretend I am on safari everyday!!! Yes, make sure to come back to Kenya very soon and we will definitely reconnect.
Hi Piper
Wow I just read your email…how wonderful I bet you can’t wait!
This is something I would love to do…so you are living my dream!
We are so looking forward to coming back to Kenya but at present our boarders
In Australia are closed and many of us are not vaccinated yet!
Anyhow, mustn’t grumble,
Have a fabulous time Christa
It has been a really rough 3.5 months, but now I am getting so excited. Even more so once I finish packing and I am out of my place in the next 5 days!! Living the dreams takes a ton of work and never quitting during all the difficult challenges. One needs to always think about the end game and reward. Wow, Australia has had really tough restrictions so I hope you will be able to travel back soon….. I think I would have to break out and return once it was all over.. .HAHA!!!
Wow! Beautiful lodge. Wonderful to read about your relocation, Piper. I know exactly those feelings of nomadic minimalism and I’m stirred by your words. Can’t wait to travel again and your offer to drop in looks very tempting! Exciting times for you. New adventure!
I really got lucky!!! Yes, I am so excited about shedding my stuff once again. In the five years I have been back in the US, even in my smaller place , vowing never again, but yet I seemed to have accumulated A LOT OF STUFF!!! Hope you are doing well. I would have went crazy had I not traveled to Kenya for three months over Dec,Jan,Feb. Reach out if you make it to Kenya!!! Would love to meet up and catch up.
We stayed there in 2006 for a couple nights. In Fact our friends stayed in your treehouse. We have photos. It is lovely. We had a wonderful lunch with Phillip Leakey and his wife and our whole safari group before we headed off to Rwanda. You will be so happy there. Can’t wait to be there in August!
Aloha. Paula