Archaeology Trip To Crescent Island

Day 29
6:30 Breakfast
7:00 Leave for Crescent Island
11:30 Picnic Lunch on Crescent Island
12:30 Weavers and Heidi Lang Batik
2:30 Wildlife Conservation
6:30 Dinner



Crescent Island

   This morning was so cold, I didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag, but the exciting prospect of a visit to Crescent Island made it worthwhile. The sunrise was beautiful. Our Archaeology class had an amazing opportunity to visit Crescent Island; it has tremendous archaeological value. The obsidian rock tools and clay pottery pieces found on the island can be dated to the Neolithic period. It is also a rare location where we can get out of the truck and walk around among wild game! "Kasoi came up to us as we were walking along a ridge on the island and said "We're very lucky today, come over to see" so we walked over. Slowly over the ridge as I walked forward it was like a scene from the Lion King; a herd of zebras were right beneath us - amazing!" 

"Eyes Down!"

   The scenery was beautiful, the island curved and Lake Naivasha and mountains could be seen in the distance. "While walking with Mzalendo, we kept looking around at the herds of game, they were so close, and Mzalendo would say "eyes on the ground!" since we were supposed to be looking for Neolithic tools! Herds of gazelle, impala, wildebeest and waterbuck's were very near to us. Then I started following a family of giraffes, a male, female and a baby. I kept getting closer and taking more photos. It is indescribable how amazing it was to see these huge giraffes and to be able to follow them!" We were also looking for beads made from ostrich eggs and when I asked Mzalendo what size they were, he picked up a piece of poop and said "It's about the same size as this poop" which I found great! 

Getting Close To Giraffes

   On our way back from the island we visited a couple of the local arts and crafts shops. Kasoi hid in the bushes and made his animal sounds which freaked out some of the girls. He couldn't stop laughing, it was a great class trip. 10 years ago today I was walking around trying to get as close as I could to the wildlife on Crescent Island, Kenya.


Kasoi Discovering a Crayfish