Pour Decisions: The Recap

I've been back for almost two weeks now, so I can finally drop the itinerary. First, let me say Nairobi was BEAUTIFUL. Would I go back? Yes, our Airbnb host already invited us back, and next time we are hitting the coast. But enough about that, here are the details of my "Pour Decisions in Kenya - 30th Birthday Trip."

Housing:

The Palace Inn, Karen- @ThePalaceInnKaren)

When I initially planned my birthday, the premise was "I have housing covered, you just get flights and whatever else you require." I went into it with the mindset of "I just want my friends to show up," which means I had full control over housing. Also I just don't like too much input when it comes to my birthday plans and to know me is to trust MY process because I don't steer myself wrong intentionally. I sent out the questionnaire, and based on the feedback from that, I set off to plan a trip for no more than 8.

After searching Airbnb for a place that had enough beds for 8 people, that allowed for each room to have its own bath, and for it to be in a location that was easily accessible but also safe, I came across the Palace Inn on Airbnb. I had a few questions about the property, so I looked up the owner details on Airbnb, discovered they had an Instagram, and reached out directly. HONESTLY, let me say, this was probably the BEST thing I could have done. I reached out, coordinated the dates to confirm availability with Natasha, the marketing agent, and we got the ball rolling. The Palace Inn Karen, on a regular day, is a quaint boutique hotel allowing guests to rent individual rooms with private bathrooms. The property has an onsite restaurant and bar that is available 24/7 - you just have to let the house staff know. After getting an invoice set up with Natasha (this was all done via Instagram DMs), she gave me the contact information for Janet (if you see this, I LOVE YOU GIRL - I can't wait to come back for the wedding or a trip; I will be back), and the booking was confirmed. All together, I paid $1800 for housing from the 21st-25th. They even let us stay and drink at the bar with them after checkout on the 25th because our flights were not leaving until after 10 pm.

Janet even went out of her way to help set up a driver for us ($300 for the entire trip) who was on standby 24/7. When I say everything from airport pickup to airport drop was handled, we just had to say what time we wanted to leave. Shoutout to David, our driver turned Bodyguard for the trip. He made sure to look out for his girls. When I died the first night AFTER the club, he made sure to hold my hair while I exorcised some demons. He even let me ride shotgun, which is technically the driver side if we were in an American vehicle.

Upon entrance to the house, you are greeted by iron green gates manned by a Maasai guard and his 5 adorable Pomeranians who will follow you into your room if you don't stop them. When we walked in, we were greeted by Grace, the head housekeeper, and she showed us our rooms. And by that time, it was officially my 30th Birthday.

Visa:

Simplest Visa Process ever: All you need (the basics which you should already have, how would you be planning to go to Kenya without these)

• Valid passport for at least six (6) months after your planned date of arrival into Kenya, with at least one blank page

• Selfie or passport-type photo

• Contact information, email address, and phone number

• Details of your arrival and departure itinerary

• Accommodation booking confirmation(s)

• Credit card, debit card, or other means of payment.

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Visa application can be submitted at : How to Apply | Kenya Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (eTA) (etakenya.go.ke)

Processing time is three (3) working days but in some cases, it may take longer.

Things To Do:

Tour- Nairobi National Park, Baby Elephant Orphanage, and Giraffe Center.

Booked through Viator (which you can do

<------------------). This tour has its own feature on BreeLeaves so swing past the IG to see photos and clips of all the animals I saw.

This was also the day that my best friend coordinated with my other friends to Adopt me an African Elephant at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage. My Elephant baby Mushuru is 3! If you want to learn more about the elephant orphanage, and even adopt your elephant stop by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Haven for Elephants & Rhinos.

At the Giraffe Center, we got to feed the giraffes. Giraffe tongues feel like damp sandpaper.

Tour- Bomas of Kenya- Also booked through Viator. This tour ALSO has its feature on BreeLeaves so swing past the IG to see photos and clips of me dancing during the crowd participation section of the dance performances.

Tour- Kobe Tough, as a direct response to the devastating effects of climate change among the Maasai, a pastoralist community in Kenya, this ceramic jewelry factory was born.

Through their work with twenty-nine (29) Maasai women in four groups, have been able to provide a much-needed livelihood through preserving the traditional beading skills of the Maasai. Allowing them to make products that are of higher standards and are both relevant and acceptable to a wider audience. Sellers of the FIRST Maasai beaded Apple Watch bands ethically made following fair-trade principles. They also make belts, bracelets, collars, and other beaded products, and our work is to provide the support and the platform for these amazing women to amplify their work. If you want cute souvenirs, this is one place to go. They even have a website and an amazon storefront. Swing past https://kobetough.com to check them out.

Get your hair braided- @Brushbox_ke.

I paid 9,900 Kenyan Shilling ($70 USD) for XTRA Small Waist Length Bohemian Knotless. And that included Wash, BlowDry, Style and TIP for the 3 ladies that braided my hair. I don't need to say much more besides- let me catch a RT deal for under $600 I will make 3weekend trip so quick to get some more braids and to eat more food.

Night Life:

So lemme tell you, BOTTLE WARS in Kenya would have everybody suffering from Alcohol poisoning lol. Don Julio- Reposado was $60, to put that into perspective.

We went to:

• Gemini

• The Alchemist

• Milan

• Ibiza

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Key to Surviving- don't leave your spot until midnight because the club is just now getting lit. 9 pm to us and 12 am to Kenyans are the same thing when it comes to nightlife. Do what you wish with that information. ALSO- If you don't listen to Afrobeats, do not go to a club in Africa. Like please don't piss me off being that person. Idk what to tell you besides that lol Yes, they play a few hip-hop songs, but if you wanted to hear music from Atlanta artists, go to

Atlanta. As for me, I was getting my LIFE.

Where to eat:

• Oyster Bay

• Karen Blixen Coffee Garden & Cottages

• Talisman

• Nab A' Burger- Can't even lie, William (the owner) said this was the best burger in Kenya, and I have to test the rest, but that burger was GOOD. I am going to need me another "Baby Got Bac."

Overall, Nairobi was a great time. Everyone loves West Africa, but I must say, don't sleep on the East. But I will be back, so when y'all see Bree Leave for Kenya again, you know why.