Wedding Day 3 - Rahul's Sangeet

Round 2, umm or 3... whatever, lets party! Invite states:


"Rock to the Beat...
Jockey Club of Kenya, Nairobi 8pm onwards
Music is an out burt of the soul, Frederick Delius 
Join us at the jockey club to once again fill the night with music, dancing and fun! Lets show them how we party ;o) "


Once again, off in our dressies to another epic tent at the horse track this time. We arrived to a dark red glow and giant golden flowers. The contrast between Rahul and Neha's sangeet decor was spot on! Tonight had a more masculine yet still romantic feel. With deep shades of red and black, there was a more kingly feel as we entered into wonderland again to see what was in store for this night. 

The entrance to the party where the grooms side greeted the bride side as we all entered in a procession. 

Akash, Neha and Kush (her brother's) walked the bride in into the event followed by all the brides side in a giant procession.

Neha's cousins carrying gifts in the procession.

The procession continues. 

Inside the red tent.

The stage with a nice giant banner of Rahul playing the sax and Neha singing. ;)

 At the table, even the menus were personalized and monogramed. Notice this time its R&N rather than N&R at Neha's events... Got to let them know who's boss at these things.

The belly dancing performances were phenominal! 

So was the American (Indian) Idol contestant along side the foreigners :)

My Roedean ladies all in Indian wear.

Shisha lovin.... puff puff

Heading home... 

FYI: On this night I wore a Sari and spent 2 hours watching youtube videos on how to tie it... Thankfully one of Neha's aunts staying at Heri Heights helped me get it right at the last minute. Although to be fare, I don't think I did too shabby of a job for a first try!

Baby Elephants & Giraffes

There is no better cure for a hangover than petting baby orphan elephants and giving giraffe's kisses. Our first stop was to the elephant orphanage where we got to see the elephants have their breakfast, play and socialize. It was a very unique and amazing experience. The center raises over 20 baby elephants that have been orphaned by poachers or other reasons. But mostly these babies have lost their mothers due to illegal ivory poaching. The youngest is the little guy with the red and blue checkered jacket, only 3 months old and the newest arrival, he had only been there one week. 

 The elephant orphanage also is home to a few baby Rhino's. Unlike the elephants who must be kept social and in herds, the Rhino's are lone wolfs and are kept alone in their own pens with enough space to run laps. 

The next stop was the Giraffe center where we were able to see 3 'baby' giraffe's who stilled towered over all of us. We got the opportunity to feed them some treats. And I even got to kiss one... I hope he calls ;)

Wedding Day 2 - Neha's Sangeet

After a day on Safari and some well needed afternoon naps, we all got ready for the Wedding night Round 2! The itinerary invite stated... 

"Shake What Your Mama Gave Ya...

July 4th at the Simba Union Sikh Club in Nairobi - 8pm-onwards...   

(And onwards did it go!!!!)

Music is the soul of any wedding ceremony, regardless o faith or origin. Back in the day, wedding folk songs were sung and all the relative and friends used to dance to the tunes of the music. This ceremony is considered auspicious as the wedding songs are said to be full of blessings for the prospective couple."

What a night this was! We arrived at the Simba club to what looked like a giant glowing bubble sprinkled in fairy lights. Very delicate, very beautiful and utterly perfect for the nights festivities for the bride. Even down to the smallest detail, the crystalline theme did not fail to awe the audience and guests. We walked down a twinkling tunnel into the tent area that easily seated 500+ people and then some. The tables were clothed in black fabric, the chairs where transparent, the chandeliers fell gracefully from the ceilings as if everything was a frozen over dew morning, everything sparkled. 

The Epic tent saga continues...

Deanna at the entrance to fairy tale land. 

Looking ethnic in our Indian outfits! 

The Roedean Clan (minus 1) Abby, Caz and myself.

Wendy and Deanna at our table, gorgeous ladies with gorgeous chandeliers in the background!! 

Brendan, Katie and Lauren at our table.

Jane and Tina at our table. 

Monogram's galore!!!

I went inside trying not to let me jaw drop to the floor, and greeted the bride and her family and prepared to welcome the grooms entourage. The servers were supped up in brightly colored jackson type jackets in pink blue and yellow. The watermelon martini's were flowing and even the napkins were monogrammed. 

I was extremely honored that Neha asked me to sing at her sangeet. After his family were greeted and seated, I opened the night with an original vocal track about love. 

The Master of Ceremonies kicking off the night. 

 Performing for the bride and groom as they entered the tent was thrilling. Afterwards Rahul gave his official proposal to Neha and they exchanged rings. <3

Download the song here!



The official ring ceremony.

Renee and Neha both gave very touching beautiful speeches that made me well up a little!

- on the hunt for the videos... anyone?

 The bride and her ladies performing an indian dance. 

After the ladies awed us with their dancing, the Punjabi drum boys called Ecstasy performed a rather epic drum performance leading to an entire night of dancing. 

 And again.... Rahul has a cheeky smile! 

The night was filled with laughter, drinking, dancing and amazing performances. 
After the we finished all the Jaeger it was time to join the indian conga line!

Myself with Gurpreet (to the left) and Prianka (on the right) 

FYI: On this night I wore an Indian outfit called a Chaniya Choli. A Heavily embroidered skirt with tight fighting tummy revealing top and scarf which can be worn simply draped over the right shoulder as in in the picture on the right or draped over and tucked in like in the picture on the left. 

I would like to thank Wendy Yang for a lot of the photos from this night as I was incapacitated most of the time... And that Chaniya Choli has no pockets!

Nairobi National Park

Nairobi has become one of Africa's largest, and most interesting cities, offering much to see and do. About 10km south west of Nairobi city center lies the Nairobi National Park. Nairobi prides itself as being the only city in the world with a National Park within its city limits. Established in 1946, it offers a variety of activities such as a walk through the Nairobi Safari Walk the animal orphanage which are sanctuaries for animals in recovery, or you can drive through the National Park on a mini safari and see the animals in their natural habitat. 

Kifaru, Nairobi National Park

The local Massai tribe singing with Jane, Renee and Alex.

BU / ROEDEAN CREW

We did the Safari Drive through the National Park, caught a few glimpses of Giraffe's, Buffalo, Gazelle and a few Zebra. Although we started our safari trek rather late in the day.

Buffalo

Some sort of deer.

Giraffe's 

Zebra's

What's up Pumba!

Osterich