Went for a coral reef walk this morning.  I fell down twice and got mucho
cuts on my leg.  My mother's camera was lost in London and my sister
fell on the beach today. They are not going to get/pester my camera.

I'll probably do some diving on Friday, it would be my first time to see a
coral reef under water. Malindi, another coastal town, is on our itinerary.
We bought fresh fish by the sea, that my mom's friend cook for lunch.

Our safari will start on Mon, Jan 24th, when we get to Nairobi. I'm getting
so tanned here. When I get back, I'll probably look "Kenyan".

More stories soon.

Best,  Arlene.

* Yeah, gotta remember to drink my malaria tablets.

Date:  Fri, 21 Jan 2000 10:50:52 EST
From:  "Arlene Calandria" <dax_ny@hotmail.com>
Subject:  Snorkeling in Malindi - Arlene

Hello. Today is Friday 1/21 and we're planning to stay in the hotel and be
a "swimming pool bum" . I'm tired as hell from yesterday - we went
snorkeling at Malindi Marine Park. It was like the National Geographic -
swam with the fishes, saw an octopus, and cut my leg again in the corals. Tonight, we're planning to go dancing/clubbing at Mombasa, the main town by the east coast. Yeah I'm planning to look like a 'diva' with a dress, high heels, make-up and hair. I'm going with my sister, Sarah - the 18 yr old British chick, and Stamili, the resort entertainer.

My luggage is filled with souvenirs.  I wonder who's been nice to me lately? Have to stop buying local knick - knacks because I'll have a hard time carrying my luggage back. A local lady wants to make a "rasta look"
with my hair (ala Bo Derek in the movie "10"). I know my friend Deb would love to have this done. A few of the British Chicks did it, I'll think about it for now.

PS. I'm running out of money real soon.

Best, Arlene.

Date:  Sat, 22 Jan 2000 11:05:39 EST
From:  "Arlene Calandria" <dax_ny@hotmail.com>
Subject:  from Mombasa - the coast

Report from Mombasa, Kenya

Tonight, 1/22, is my last night in Mombasa.  Our tour guide, Hussein, made a fish galore picnic by the beach.  They grilled 3 huge fishes and made a
table and placemats from coconut leaves.  I never ate so much 'fresh fish', caught in the sea, the same day, in my life.

Bartering is the name of the game with the locals.  A guy wanted my $100
dollars sunglasses for a wooden lion bookends, I declined.  I already gave
many things to the locals in the beach because they don't have a lot.

I'm quite excited to start the safari on Monday.  I really want to see some
wild elephants and lions.

Oh, almost forgot, I LOVE VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRLINES !!!  This plane is amazing, we flew from NY to Heathrow, London and were treated like Queens in economy class.  Yes, I finally rode the Underground and saw Big Ben clock in person.  Went to Indian food - London has the best ones.

Best, Arlene

Date:  Tue, 25 Jan 2000 09:05:41 EST
From:  "Arlene Calandria" <dax_ny@hotmail.com>
Subject:  rhinos

Hi folks, I'm on my 2nd day of my safari 1/25.  The elephants at The Ark,
Aberdere Reserve was just awesome.  I'm brushing my teeth and I can see
them from my window - the hotel was located in the middle of the reserve.

The food is excellent - a variety of Kenyan, British, American & Indian
dishes.  I'm getting annoyed with the constant borrowing of my camera due to my sister breaking hers.  I'm really out of money and the locals still want
me to buy more souvenirs.

I bought authentic Kenyan Tea - Yummy.  The next 2 days will be spent at
Masai Mara - famous for lions and black rhinos.