Paradise lost, then regained

By Ferdinand Mwongela

Last week on Friday my colleague Tony Mochama took the Home and Away team, way back to 1667 and reminded me of my literature classes a few years ago with a rendition of John Milton’s Paradise Lost.

But when Milton several years later in 1971 wrote Paradise Regained he must have known paradise could never truly be lost. To be frank, European Poetry was one of the toughest courses I had to take but on this day we were having it easy at the most apt of places I am sure Milton would have approved, but without Tony butchering his epic poem, Paradise Lost in Kiambu for the Home and Away second anniversary party.

When many in Nairobi think of a weekend out of town they cast their eyes afar, not realising that we have a gem just right under our noses. Situated off Kiambu Road, Paradise Lost was the venue for the get-away venue.

Snaking our way here was no problem, with carloads of happy staff glad for a day off to bond and have fun. Thinking that it was too hidden in the middle of coffee farms, I was surprised to find busloads of school kids and other people kicking off their weekend.

Blessed with an eye for detail, I quickly noticed a dam right next to our chosen site. The inlet is from a stream that goes over cliffs to form a dazzling waterfall; the best part was going around the waterfall and standing behind the cascading clear water with a cool fine spray hitting your face. Such feelings are the ones that inspire award-winning songs. But I get ahead of myself.

The drive from the gate to our site is quite a distance due to the meandering path but after a few starts, stops and enquiries we got to the banks of the dam. Luckily for us save for the school children and few grown ups, the place was not crowded. We had all the time to be adventurous.

Boat rides

While the weak-hearted were contented with remaining by the banks, I mustered enough courage to try out a boat ride.

Though I’m not a good swimmer, I easily convinced colleagues, Jane Kenda, Brenda Kageni, Alan Olingo and Clare Kimutai to join my ride. But their misgivings on my ability to row the boat were palpable even as they put on their bright orange life vests.

It was evident that none of us was an expert given the boat was spinning in circles despite our best efforts. I also realised that actual rowing was different from what people see from the banks. Within a few minutes my arms were aching.

Slowly others got into the rowing mood and took the little boats out into the ten metre deep waters as we waited for everybody to arrive, but more specifically for food with Jennifer Oganga, formerly the Home and Away recipes professional and now with our sister publication Eve Weekly.

When finally she did arrive in the company of Editor Nicholas Asego we swarmed the food. As this was going on columnist Harold Ayodo and Mochama were busy setting up the bar as we awaited the arrival of Senior Business Manager Robert Nderitu and Associate Editor Magazines, Njoki Karuoya.

On full stomachs watered down by different types of beverages, the cool evening breeze presented a perfect time for recollection, bonding and forecasting. With Mochama in the fold it is never quite complete without a poem whether original or borrowed.

As we huddled near the dam and tales freely flowed, we did not realise how late it was. I have never understood how time flies when one is having a good time. Some of us decided to stretch our limbs by taking a walk to the caves that were used as Mau Mau hideouts. It was also a perfect excuse to find out how steadily some of us could walk. On hand to show us around was Paradise Lost’s Manager Tobath Mugiira.

The path to the caves is scenic cutting behind the cascading water to the mouth of the caves hidden behind the falls. Thankfully, the caves are lit but for the more adventurous, Mugiira informed us that the lights could be switched off leaving trekkers to use their flashlights. This added to the sense of adventure. Getting lost or running into dead ends is all part of the fun.

The caves

Soon we doubled over as we ventured into the smaller inner caves. That we could do this proved that we were still in control. The roofs of the caves are darkened by what looks like soot.

Mugiira informed us that the Mau Mau used these caves in what was a predominantly white highland area as a hideout and the soot was as a result of the fires they lit deep in the belly of the earth to keep themselves warm and cook. The caves, however, date back further than the Mau Mau era, probably the Stone Age.

Recognised by the Museums of Kenya, evidence of human existence as old a 10,000 years have been found in the caves when they were first excavated leading to the conclusion that they had served our Stone Age ancestors.

Inside the cave is actually warm and dry; it is not difficult to see why our ancestors and later freedom fighters found them an ideal hideout.

Our guide informed us that if all the lights were switched off the temperatures in the caves would remain constant at about 14 degrees irrespective of the situation outside. We found our way out of the caves and took a narrow trail upward and then down to emerge on the other side of the dam.

This place was cool and a preferred camping site for many and for the adventurous camper keen on fishing. However, these are not the only activities out here, there is camel and horse riding for the willing but at a fee.

For an outdoors lover, the peace is good enough and if you are a bird watcher, this is ideal. Lost in the trance of the place, we do not see the sun go down and only the calls of our colleagues on the other end of the dam brought us back to reality.

And as we wound up, we could only look back at the last two years with pride and appreciate the opportunity of exploring and sharing Kenya’s magical attractions.

And Paradise Lost was just one of them.