EXPERIENCING NATURE'S TRUEST ESSENCE AT ZAINA FALLS.

In every walk with nature, one receives more than he seeks
~John Muir~

Hello beautiful people!

Welcome to yet another episode of my travel memoirs. I’m so excited to share with you this beautiful hidden gem we discovered at the heart of Nyeri town in a small idyllic village called Kinunga. I love places which create extra ordinary experiences and this is one of the reasons Zaina Falls captivated me.

I loved Zaina Falls for so many reasons, most which I lack the best words to explain but what stood out for me is the opportunity to experience nature’s truest essence which I will sum up in the preceding pointers below:

Forest Bathing

Forest Bathing also known as ‘tree therapy’ or ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’ is the practice of simply being in the forest. This practice developed in Japan and has become a cornerstone of preventive health and healing in Japanese Medicine. Zaina Falls is beautifully endowed with huge tracts of land covered in flora and fauna. This is an deal environment for you to take some time to consciously breathe in the forest air-fill your lungs with pure fresh air as you let out the polluted air.

Research shows that forest air is medicinal in that it boosts our immune system functioning and reduces blood pressure- A double win for you!

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
~Anonymous~

  Waterfall Chasing

You just have to be there to experience the magic and the magnificent beauty as the falls thunder in continuous rhythm. Sit on the huge rocks and stare at the breathtaking waterfalls as you take it all in surrounded by the beautiful landscape calming your mind, body and soul.

The free-spirited and adventurous souls get a chance to swim and play in the freezing cold water cascading from the falls. Don’t even get me started on the benefits of cold water to your skin - You know them!

"There is a waterfall in every dream. Cool and crystal clear, it falls gently on the sleeper, cleansing the mind and soothing the soul"
~Virginia Alison~

 Magnificent Scenery

Stop and savor in nature’s beauty and let the environment transfigure your mind. Delight in the beautiful landscape: the backdrop of the mountains stretching far in the horizon, and the lush green grassland. This place Is ideal for  picnicking with friends, photo-shoots, family day-trip, proposals, countryside destination wedding, romantic gateway etc..the list is endless.

Stop and smell the flowers.

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into the trees.

 The sounds of Nature

Listening to the sounds of nature is one of the easiest ways to let off steam; Steal a chance to sit on the lush green grass and tune in to the sounds of nature . Notice the swashing of the trees, the whistle of the wind, the bubbling of the streams  and the chirping of the birds.

Getting in tune with nature opens your senses, increases the flow of eros (life force) and helps you hone your intuition by cultivating a deeper and clearer intuition.

  

The earth has music for those who listen
~William Shakespear~

Leisurely Walks

Zaina Falls trail offers for a manageable terrain ideal for leisurely walks. I think of walking in nature as a life-enhancing and enjoyable past time that it is; it not only  nurtures our body, but our minds and spirits too. This creative form of movement will enable you to appreciate nature in its truest essence.

 Adventure!

Talk of Crossing the stream through make-shift bridges, climbing rocks, taking a million selfies, getting lost in the woods and playing in the waterfall. This and more, makes this nature trip extraordinary!

Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free.
~Christy Ann Martine~

Worth every Moment!

Zaina Falls through our eyes was worth every moment. The restorative aspect of nature couldn't be undermined.  Nature restores a sense of serenity in our lives by increasing our bodies’ production of feel good hormones, improving our mood, increasing our energy levels, improving sleep, deepening friendships and overall increase in the sense of happiness.

Constant exposure to natural environment with a deliberate goal of indulgence will eventually transform you to a more positive and optimistic individual. 

Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.
~Gury Snyder~

 Stay Positive, Optimistic and Renewed. 

Won't you?

LAKE ELEMENTAITA 'TABLE MOUNTAIN' EXPLORE..

 I’m not a skilled climber by any means though I’ve been to a couple of manageable hikes that initiated me to the trail. However, it’s important to point out my love for nature. Travelling coupled with sight-seeing and adventure happens to be one of my fave past-time activities. My love for  adventure took me to the Table mountain explore in L.Elementaita through a hiking excursion powered by Hikemaniak. The 'Table mountain' as the locals call it, is a stand-alone hill located along the scarps of the Great Rift Valley in a small portion of a forest called Majimoto.

The trek started from the main Nairobi/Nakuru highway at the L.Elementaita main gate. Truth is, I’ve not been actively exercising save for my morning and evening walks and for the take-the-stairs-instead-of-the-lift advice. I have to admit that I was a bit anxious given the fact that I didn’t know the level of difficulty of the trail. To add salt to injury, I had a bad flu and my chest was weak because of the constant coughs.

Thirty minutes down the trail and I’m panting heavily. I’m not impressed by my stamina at this point. My buddies who happen to be extremely fit are well ahead of me by now. Guy A effortlessly walks past me while acting concerned. “Everything’s okay? Hope you’re coping with the trail". He beams. ”Good, Good," I quickly respond , but my panting betrays me. I trudge on, acting okay to save face. I manage to cover some few kilometres in an effort to keep pace. At this point, I feel my backpack getting heavier. It's not funny carrying some three litres of water plus some other luggage uphill. I trudge on faithfully. This is the point that I was  literally giving myself a  pep talk like "Becky, don't let me down!"

After some few meters walk uphill, I find some two other ladies resting. I join them and accompany them for the better part of the walk up hill having realised that we have similar stamina and pace. Lady A offers me some energy bar and Lady B offer me some glucose powder which she advised should be mixed with water and taken constantly in small portions as we walk. I follow her advice. Surprisingly, it works wonders!(Thanks ladies for helping a girl out).

Within no time, my energy is fully renewed and I eventually catch up with my other friends at the next stop. I'm with these fit ladies. I'll call them Subaru team B- Nesh, Wangui and Mary. Despite munching on the energy bars, I'm still struggling to maintain their pace. Nesh thinks the trail is manageable. Wangui asserts that Mutarakwa was way challenging than this. Mary remains silent but looking at her body language, she seems okay.

The trail proceeds to make a gentle slope which leads us to an expansive field and we push onward as we head towards the table mountain. I take advantage of the flat expansive grassy terrain walk to catch my breath. By the time we've approached the steep sledge up the 'Table mountain', I feel rejuvenated. We give it a go. The sledge up is a steep ascent  scattered with huge boulders of rocks. The sharp ascent is so dangerous and one miscalculation could cost you your life. I can still feel the nervousness climbing up the hill.

We conquer the trail and we're awarded with a breath taking view of the beautiful landscape of the Great Rift Valley including, the Lake Elementaita, Sleeping warrior, and the Aberdares among other stunning features.

To celebrate our triumph, we feast on our packed lunch. Satisfied, full and happy, I fall asleep high up in the blue skies.

For those who made it to the Table Hill, there is only one entry point which also serves as the exit, if you miss the exit you are trapped on top just like the maze game.Surprisingly, we were not aware of this crucial fact on our way up. This new revelation is unexpected considering we were not mentally prepared to tackle the steep sledge downhill. The way down is extremely precarious - we're literally crawling down the huge boulders of rocks while supporting ourselves with our hands and feet. We conquer the steep sledge and we're down at the foot of the table- safe, sound and pumped up!

Done with the hill, the  trek then  takes us through a gentle drop through Maji moto forest beat to a splendid hot springs that supplies water to the neighbouring communities. At this point, we get an opportunity to soak our feet in the  hot stream that has a healing effect on the skin. The soak is well-needed at this juncture given our weary feet. 

From the Maji moto springs, we trek down the village path. We can spot residential houses and small shopping centres as we trek towards the exit.  The afternoon sun is slowly setting. The walkways at the heart of the village look epic. The air is fresh and clean, birds are chirping and we can spot donkeys walking towards the stream. Children are playing in far off fields while some are herding cattle. The villagers stop to wave at us as we pass by.The ambience and idyllic scenery of the countryside is beyond breathtaking. How I wish I could be able to bottle up the aura of the countryside and bring it home with me.

Eight hrs, Thirty nine minutes, and two seconds later, we finish our adrenaline-filled trek.

If I could describe this trek in three words, it would be Fun. Connection and Adventure!

We take a couple of  celebratory pics and selfies  before we stretch out and  board our tour bus back to Nairobi.

I can't end this write up without appreciating everyone who made this  hike successful.

Special thanks to:

Gitonga Wandai, Team leader of Hikemaniak

Lewis Maina, the photographer.

Team F6  and the whole hikemaniak family!

You rock people!

Let's do this again because, Once is not enough!