Stop and smell the roses

When you think of Kenya, what comes to mind?  Coffee, tea, safari, lions, marathon runners - definitely. The equator?  Sure. 

But roses?

 Kenya is the top flower supplier to the European Union, and cut flowers are one of the country's top exported goods.

 This past weekend I had a chance to visit a rose farm located in the countryside (or "upcountry" as Africans refer to any place outside of the city) near Lake Nakuru.  What a beautiful place!

I was with a group of runners, so of course we ran through the greenhouses!

  Lake Nakuru is also home to one of the most popular national parks in the country.  A trip to Lake Nakuru is not complete without a game drive through the park. 

View from Lion Hill looking down on Lake Nakuru. 

Unfortunately, we didn't see any lions.  But on Baboon Cliff... 

...they tried to get in the car!

The park's most famous residents are the flamingos and ... 

 ...the white rhinos!

An impressive view from Baboon Cliff of the buffalo, pelicans and flamingos.  

Not to fear, zebras and impala were also in abundance.

If you find yourself in the area, I highly recommend a visit to beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park!