The FIFA World Cup matches were already in the second round, and on realising that there was no need for my non-sporty girlfriends to sulk as their husbands and boyfriends got engrossed in the games, we decided to get a life and have some fun by going out with the girls.

Kenyans need to get out of their cocoons and tour this beloved country, there is so much to see. Back to our girls’ night out, we packed and headed towards the mountains to boost domestic tourism. Destination was the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki.

After a three-and-a-half-hour drive, we arrived to crisp fresh air and clear blue skies — and a welcome drink served in true Kenyan hospitality.

After lunch it was time for pampering so we headed to the sophisticated William Holden cottage where we wiggled our toes and nails with pedicures and manicure.

This was followed by a head, back and shoulder massage in the tranquil spa rooms — a wonderful way of easing muscle soreness, and calming the mind from fast-paced frustrations and anxieties of the city.

Pampered with drinks of choice and soothing music, the girls relaxed and re-connected with endless chats and giggles about everything feminine from fashion, babies, shopping, health, men and of course relationships.

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Conversations clearly steered away from the victories and losses of the FIFA World Cup and the attendant heartbreaks that were brought about by Cote d’Ivoire’s loss to Greece in the dying minutes of the game  losing the game...Life’s lesson lesson learned however was that a game is never over till it’s over.

After enjoying an afternoon cup of Kenyan tea, served with snacks so pretty that they should not be eaten but just looked at, on the patio of the cottage, I took a stroll to my room and paused to absorb the breathtaking view of Mt Kenya.

Suddenly, I felt a presence then heard some movement near my feet. For a person who hates creepy things, my mind raced with panic as I was sure that I had stepped on a snake given that I was in a bushland near a mountain.

With fear and trembling, I plucked the courage to look at my feet, and to my amazement I found a blue necked peacock in all its splendour, trying to catch my attention.

The ruffling sound was in fact a spreading of its magnificent plumage to show off. I observed in wonder at how proud and confident the bird was, it preened, turned around slowly so that I could get a chance to see all its beauty.

From the show, I concluded that girls should borrow a leaf from this bird and be confident with their bodies and their skills.

My observations is that a man with unattractive hairy and skinny legs can confidently strut around in shorts as though he is God’s perfect gift for all to observe, while ladies will do everything to conceal any so called flaws. We need to borrow a leaf from peacocks and walk tall. Confidence will open doors for you.

After all the chatting with the girls I slumbered in an elegant and luxurious room, soothed by the background sound of crackling logs in the fireplace.

The morning surprise when I woke up was a clear view, through my window, of Mount Kenya! I grabbed my camera to capture a shot of mountain.

A bush breakfast at the slopes of the mountain was already laid out for us, and thje girls and i would have to ride on horse backs to have our hearty breakfast.

Most of us had never ridden a horse before so we faced our fears to try sitting on the horses as we keenly followed the leader’s instructions.

“Never let the horse control you. You are the master so take charge,” the guide said. “Pull the reins on the right to steer the horse to the right and tag the reins on the left to steer it to the left.”

Halfway through ride,  I started wondering why I had embarked on the journey as my horse decided to take a break and munch some grass while I was on its back! The strap of my camera was slipping off my shoulder and I was holding onto it like a mother holds onto her infant during an inferno.

Once we had gone through the learning curve, we relaxed and the ride got easier and we even began to enjoy the fragrance of the flowers as we listened to the trickling of the clear, bubbling waters...

This was a reminder that we should not be afraid of trying out new ventures in life. A lesson that we might be wobbly at the beginning of every endeavour, but as we persevere, and learn, we will enjoy the journey.