Yes, Peaches I said what I said. 😁 Welcome back to my blog! I’d like to thank everyone for the support, comments, views and likes so far. I’m really humbled that my blog is well rated which is motivating.
Okay, back to business. Are you looking for a fun/new activity to do this December holiday with your family, friends, lover or colleagues? I got you! Indoor rock climbing it is. It’s very safe and within Nairobi city hence less of a hustle.
Ever just sat down by yourself yearning for something new, novelty-seeking like taking risks and chances, basically anything that will lure that adrenaline rush?; confessions of an adrenaline junkie. Admittedly, I’ve been into exploring with a great impetus for discovery. I loathe monotony because lately, I get bored too fast. You feel me right?
Alright! So my friend Farhana and I decided to do something new, spontaneous and exciting that none of us has ever done before. I mean, I’m totally fine with anything exciting even if it means trying to get ourselves swallowed by an anaconda just to see if it’ll spit us back out alive. I kid, but yes, I’m extremely spontaneous. Finally, we decided to go for BlueSky’s indoor rock climbing at Diamond Plaza. I dressed up a little sporty in tights, green & black checked shirt and tied my scarf in a turban (basic af) because I had a bad hair day which wasn’t going to stop me from going out. I was hyped for Bluesky rock gym that Thursday evening at Diamond Plaza on 6th floor. The rock climbing gym is open from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm Monday -Friday, Saturday 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm and Sunday 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Entering the BlueSky indoor rock climbing and bouldering gym, I was amazed to see the vertical tall walls 6.5m high attached with multi-sized colorful boulders which looked like colorful plasticine thrown on walls sorta like a kid’s playground but it’s more of an adult play ground with warning signs everywhere. Looks can be deceiving because those rocks are cute to look at but actually coarse and intact. Thankfully, the floors are padded which gave me security and full confidence in trying it. I surveyed the area to see if it’s safe while I waited for my rock climbing squad for us to get started.
Some walls however, were inclined in an obtuse angle which made me wonder how one is able to climb it. Interestingly, there were many white folks climbing their way up that wall on extremely small and big boulders without any harness. It looked so easy until I tried it!
A few minutes later, Farhana arrived with her pal. We did a quick introduction; her name is Jackie. Usually, I’m not really good with names (bad habit) but her amiable and captivating personality made it stick in my memory. We kept our bags on the gym shelves. The paying counter had so many harnesses hanged on top and sneakers placed on shelves which are for rental at a cost of Kshs. 400. We paid Kshs. 800 except for Jackie who had to pay Kshs. 1200 because she needed the sneakers.
Since it was our first time, we were all hyping each other, “We can do this, let’s do this!” One of the instructors assisted us with wearing the harnesses tight on our waists as for newbies, we needed the rope clipped on our harnesses for her to be able to belay us. The rope is attached to an anchor at the top of the wall which elongates all the way to the instructor’s harness firmly clipped to belay the climbers.
Immediately, we started with the warm up rock wall which is for total newbies just to give basic beginner instructions on how to climb. We all did well; that was as easy as ABC. Basically, you clip the rope to your harness, start climbing with your strongest foot (mine is right) so right foot on the rock, choose a rock color as a guideline to follow while climbing and pushing yourself up to hold the next rock of the same color with your hand as you climb working with your legs and hands as long as you stick to one right rock color. When you reach at the top, you abseil by holding the rope with your feet against the wall slightly stretching out your back as the instructor belays you slowly to make it dynamic while you rappel down to the padded floor. ‘What a piece of cake!’ I thought.
We felt overly confident after that warm up like Mc Gregor on the boxing ring deceiving his loyal fans for a definite win. That wall was 6.5m tall fam! It looked scary as hell looking up but I talked myself out from succumbing to the little fear that it was irrational. Everyone else was doing it therefore it was motivating. Actually, I was avoiding going first just incase I’d chicken out plus that way, I gathered my confidence seeing my fellow first timers doing it so confidently.
The boulders are ranked with their own numbers and sizes other than colors. It’s more like levels. I felt as if we were in a virtual live video game and the instructor belaying us was controlling us; three game players on level one! We started with the lowest blue rock rated 5.7 – 5.9. Following the blue rock colors made it feel so intense when pushing myself and stretching to hold the boulders climbing all the way up.
Surprisingly, I climbed smoothly and faster that I was questioning my stamina. On finally reaching the top, I looked down to see my friends cheering me, a feeling of gratification like Sir George Everest as though I had climbed Mount Everest, rappelling down with so much confidence.
We alternated in climbing as we encouraged each other when stuck and helping each other find the colors shouting, “On your right, yes, you’re almost there, don’t lose hope, you can do it! Not that foot it’s on your other foot, Go! Go! Go! Yassss!!!” I have to agree that it was lit! Farhana and Jackie were very zestful and cheerful which makes them the ultimate squad to climb with!
Moving onto the next level! The work out was getting more intense. We started running out of energy pushing each other to go next, “No, you go first I’ll climb the next round!” I used my evidently sore hands as a legit excuse to take a break. That’s not easy at all! You’d think we had a prize after that intense work out session because of how determined we were to climb ‘all’ rock levels.
As we continued climbing, we started cheating. None of us was really following the rock color pattern while climbing. “I’m color blind! It’s not my fault,” Jackie pulled our legs when she was called out for not following the instructions. That was hilarious though that we all became color blind henceforth. Our pace was getting slower, we were low on energy wishing that we had carried glucose to give us a healthy sugar rush or any sort of energy booster – bummer! At that point we were all extremely exhausted! I could not feel my legs! My hands were sore!
Just to try out a higher tougher level 5.11 b, I didn’t believe that I could not even bring my right foot to step on the first boulder. It was impossible! That’s when I knew that my body had surrendered and was sending signals to my brain to completely shut down to sleep or rest. I did the latter of course. Farhana was GONE! Jackie’s strength was commendable. She tried climbing two steps on the bigger one although she got stuck and eventually had to surrender too!
It’s a wrap! We gave each other a tap on the back for the job well done, thanked the instructor, collected our bags and left for the cafetaria. At that point we just wanted to eat, drink and sleep!
Wishing you a happy holidays with family and friends. If you ever decide to go to Bluesky rock & boulder climbing, do have a fun and safe climbing! Cheers peaches!
Have you been to rock climbing before? How was your experience? Do you plan on doing it? What are your fears?
Marvelous visual art pieces exhibitions at the entrance walkway of the mall got me mesmerized. Actually, I do enjoy casual art viewing, appreciating people’s creativity efforts and handicraft. I perceive visual Art to be deeper than just a picture; a display of someone’s infinite imagination and emotions on canvas which in my opinion, make artists alchemists. ‘A picture is a poem without words,’ – Horace. Although I’m not an Art expert, I enjoy connecting with artists through gazing at their artworks using my ‘third eye’; it’s a magical feeling!
Live art was also happening as one of the artists present showcased his art by drawing live face portraits on paper in 15 minutes at a cost of kshs. 500. This cute Chinese lady was seated facing him as he scrutinized her facial features copying them with his hand and pencil on plain paper. He really tried as the lady looked well pleased, but in my opinion, it wouldn’t pass for her clone. However, that was a job well done.
Moreover, there was entertainment of acrobatics and African traditional drummers. The drums thudded louder in the mall at the rhythm of the beats created by the drummers who were in sync while singing at the top of their lungs in some vernacular language only they could understand. Kids were given the chance to play too which was cute to watch.
Entrance to the event on the same first floor, we were welcomed by a fun photo booth accessorized with masks, emojis, funky glasses, and funny word props. The lovely couple behind the Nairobiphotoboothco. was still testing the lights and all so I got a little time to converse with them. They are a new funky photo booth business owners in Nairobi up for hire in events at a cost of kshs. 45,000 @ 2hours. Oh and you can post your pictures directly to your social media platforms with an extra Kshs. 10,000. Pretty cool huh? I captured a few picture shots for the fun of it and joined the guests for the event which had an outstanding set up. From the Djs to the perfectly positioned runway stage.
Kids were the first to bless the runway modeling cute designers’ outfits. They were so adorable and brave strutting down the runway as boys walked with a bounce while the little girls did a cat walk swaying their tiny waists on stage.
This little boy stole the show with his somersaults tricks. Yes, literally, he was rolling on stage in somersaults which amused everyone in the audience. Well done boy!
Next performance was the fun display of acrobatics followed by yoga that was showcased by 3 flexible ladies in their yoga outfits, lying on their yoga mats stretching their bodies in specific postures which had specific health and fitness benefits. One of my favorite body workouts that I paid closer attention to was of the tummy, as I prefer mine flat and toned (wishful thinking 😫).
The MCs of the event: media fashion maven, former Miss India Kenya & radio host Pinky Ghelani and Aisha Wanjiku, entertained their audience making us more engaged. We were all requested to join the enthusiastic traditional drummers who had so much energy in teaching us drumming basics. I joined the fun too of course. The traditional drummers got into their positions and so did we, with drums and sticks following beginner-steps-instructions which made it look so easy but tiring doing it faster. At some point though, it almost felt like a juju magic ritual like those in Nigerian movies, however, it was an exuberant euphoric moment for everyone drumming and watching too. Most importantly, I’m glad that I did something new that Saturday as it was such an exciting & exhilarating experience.
There was a professional graffiti artist too, who did the graffiti paint live with his multi-colorful spray paints on canvas, unlike the murals painted illicitly on the wall streets of Nairobi. His dedication and focus inspired us since he started at 1600 hours nonstop for four good hours. It was remarkable to see how well he painted a hot woman’s face graffiti perfectly with just spray paint on a huge canvas (those luscious lips are goals!).
Later on, the adult models came on stage. Mr. Dj entertained us with some nice jams as they strutted down the runway. The diversity of the models was quite attractive. Also, seeing melanin Kenyan models modeling for Indian designers in Indian outfits was pretty interesting to watch. All the models (both male and female) were stunning, facing the audience in opposite sides while posing with so much elegance as they showcased different designers’ outfits: sport wear from Sports Planet, party & dinner dresses from, Couture, make up from Madora & Lintons Beauty, and casual outfits among others. Some of the gorgeous pieces modeled were showcasing African’s diverse culture’s creativity and heritage with their customized Lesos and Ankaras from Maisha Kenya, and local brands such as Sandstorm and Bata.
For the record, the MCs, Pinky Ghelani and Aisha Wanjiku were good at entertaining their audience, cheering us by selecting randomly a few ladies and gents from the audience to model on stage. Some of us shied away while a bold few took the dare. It was so hilarious, in a good way of course.
What I gathered from the Art & Fashion event is that all these stalls of designer clothes, bags, accessories and shoes are a product of hard work through years of tears and sweat, in that, it takes balls to decide venturing into any business as it requires a lot of upfront thinking, capital, consistency, and persistence because trends die so fast due to our fast fashion era. Supposedly, it takes hard work from design and development, to production, supply and logistics (which need a lot of quality control by the way), to Marketing & PR, and sales & distribution which you’d need some e-commerce & IT skills with a background research of the best brand outreach methods like choosing the right social media platforms to use. Simply because we – the tech-savvy millennials being the most influential consumer group in the fashion industry – have officially gone digital fully adapting to the online world. Also, it’s a challenging commitment and a full time job to sustain a fashion business as you would need to constantly keep your creativity ball rolling due to the fast fashion growth of millenials in the competitive fashion industry. Despite the Kenyan fashion industry seeming a little too saturated, the barriers of entry happen to be quite low because of the elusive trend-savvy millenials hence exposed to threat of new entrants – Michael Porter’s five forces – since all new fashionistas’ designers strive to be unique and innovative. However, that’s my observation as there was a point in my life just recently when I wanted to venture into the fashion business myself that I did a lot of extensive research but wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment (yet!).
Scarf: Gifted
Hello Peaches, I hope you are all kicking it well this festive December. Let’s get started on the foodie shenanigans with Nyama Mama Xpress; an African diner with an urban eclectic twist of the local dishes. I’d recommend everyone who has curious taste buds like myself to give it a try.
The mint and white chocolate shake was so delicious and simply orgasmic. You will not want to finish it because of the perfectly blended mint mix. Just let it drink you, nice and slow. I was so pleased and satisfied with the shake that I could eerily be a junkie from it; I rebuke the temptations of the diabetes devil!
Their bill folder is artfully folded with colorful African print ankara material which gives it that proper African vibe.
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Waterskiing was hard but I managed to at least stand after so many failed attempts. Nonetheless, learning is so much fun.
These are the real deal!
I’d advice you to get a waterproof camera for some nice underwater shots with the beautiful fish swimming in and out of coral reefs.
However, ensure that you have with you your sunglasses, hats and beach sandals in that beaming sun. Sunscreen though, is the most essential of all; Keep your skin hydrated and protected from the UV rays of the sun. Do not damage your skin at the expense of enjoyment – yep! Lesson learnt the hard way.
Conversely, the sun sets around 6:00 pm so make sure you don’t miss it. Best believe, the best sunset view is from the Majlis resort.
LIVE| LOVE| LAUGH
I took a speed boat to my guest house in Shela so that I could freshen up. The White Castle-like line up of hotels view at my destination was stunning to watch; almost like a mini Greece. Conveniently, my guest house was a 2-minute walk from the beach. I checked into the quirky decored White house and freshened up in my room so I could leave for the cultural Jahazi dhow race as I couldn’t wait.
