Since Sept 2007, Kenya fuel prices per litre have averaged KSh 85.45  (~ 1.13 US$) with a maximum of KSh 108.9  (~ 1.436 US$) and a minimum of KSh 71.9  (~ 0.95 US$). Looks like prices are headed back up, and that means essential commodities will get affected.

There’s several mobile utilities one can use to monitor fuel consumption, but I like Mileage on android.

I have just noted that I spent KSh 144418.12 (~1904 US$) on fuel in 2009…

How much did it cost you to travel last year?

Later, I am thinking of including the fuel stations I fuel at, and then mash this up with google maps to give a good idea of where to fuel in Nairobi (or not to fuel)..

The roads are good, but the drivers…. I actually saw traffic lights that were working – but only on my last day. Most places don’t have any.

I enjoyed visiting the Giza Pyramids (being a Stargate fan) though there’s a lot of littering within there.

For Kenya, I think with modern roads, and good local and international internet connectivity, there’s loads of business opportunities out there – and not just the usual BPO business.

Yesterday we nearly hit some dude standing in the middle of a THREE WAY highway with vehicles whizzing past at 100+ Kph. I have not seen traffic lights (I wonder if they would be followed anyway) anywhere yet.

The weather – hot as expected.

What interests me is even with mostly desert, there’s lots of modern buildings, industry all over. Makes me wonder why we shouldn’t be having these in Kenya, with all the natural beauty and great weather we have.

But for now, a bit of a rant:

My bro came in on a short holiday via KLM (in partnership with KQ and Continental Airlines).

Gets to the airport in Nairobi. Waits for 2 hours for his luggage.

He gets 1 piece only. The other they say has been ‘left behind’. He is not the only one missing luggage. Anyway, since its already close to midnight, we decide to go home and come the following day for the remaining luggage.

He gets home and finds that his luggage has been rifled through and a gift box that a friend had asked him to deliver for Christmas is missing (there was an custom iPod inside ).

Next day, he calls to find out if the luggage has arrived. They say it has. We are at the airport early afternoon. He goes in to check his luggage. Finds the ‘remains’ of his luggage wrapped in plastic bags. Inside this bag were his books (he has a project due early Jan as well as exams) and most of his clothes. The books (being specialised books) cost more than the missing ipod.

Needless to say we were rather mad (and we were not the only ones). Apparently when he went to collect his ‘luggage’, there were several people who were on the same flight with a similar story.

I suspect that if this is not handled well by KLM, they shall lose at least 2 customers for life.

Funny though that the thieves that did this left his cashflow 101 game intact (electronic version). It might have been more useful to them… getting out of the rat race etc….

My bro has decided he’s getting a proper suitcase set complete with biometric scanning, running SELinux and with 1024 bit encryption software. And when checking in, it will be wrapped with reinforced plastic paper (where available).

Some travel tips:

• Never check in small electronics stuff (e.g. an iPOD – he was in a big hurry and probably forgot)
• Have a solid, not easily breakable suitcase
• Travel light where possible
• Do the secure plastic wrap. At least that way it makes it harder to steal from. (in Johannesburg’s Oliver Tambo Airport, they actually ensure that you do that – whether u want it or not.)
• Keep your important docs and stuff in your carryon
• Don’t overshop – I learnt that a few years ago from a friend of mine whose bag literally disintegrated under the weight of his china shopping.

More updates to follow…

Now I think I’ve calmed down.

Mungu ni Mwema lakini.
]]> http://blog.josiahmugambi.com/2007/12/18/flying-blues-and-woes/feed/ 1 J http://blog.josiahmugambi.com/2007/09/01/italy-milan-and-rome/ http://blog.josiahmugambi.com/2007/09/01/italy-milan-and-rome/#comments Sat, 01 Sep 2007 18:08:00 +0000 J http://josiahmugambi.wordpress.com/2007/09/01/italy-milan-and-rome ]]> Milan – fashion capital of the world. I got to see an alligator skin handbag (handapaga for some people ) from Dolce and Gabbana, for 36 500 euros (yes even KSHS would be rather pricey)

Rome – lots of history here. The Pantheon, the Colosseum and the St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City – I wonder how the Swiss guard at the Vatican manage to survive in summer with their rather heavy and elaborate costume.
I thought Kenya had bad driving. Italians have this craze for speed; taking a ride on a taxi can be a scary/thrilling experience especially if the road is somewhat clear. Powerful motorbikes and scooters that seem to be turbo charged seem the order of the day. Not many people ride bikes like in other cities in Europe.

The pizza is great after all this is the home of pizza. And the ice cream is top notch. (especially from Blue Ice)

one needs a passport to change money in Johannesburg. (not like in Nairobi where you just show up with the foreign currency and get it changed chap chap without commission and sijui nini)

Barbecue in Afrikaans means braai

Roads in Kenya have a lot of catching up to do.

Found the Oliver Tambo International Airport not busy for its size. Most duty free shops close at night – i thought these are meant to operate for 24 hours.

Hopefully I shall be found in J’burg in June-July 2010