[bc-gnso] Conference call for those interested with seasoned travelers/visitors to Kenya -- re upcoming ICANN meeting

[Marilyn Cade <marilynscade@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

In late December, I offered to organize a conference call for those interested 
in hearing about travel to Kenya, given our upcoming ICANN meeting in early 
March, 2010.  Andrew Mack, AMGlobal principal, has traveled to Kenya numerous 
times, and has accepted my invitation to participate in a call with interested 
BC [and other contstituency members] regarding his experiences.  My 
conversations with Andrew who is a regular attendee at ICANN meetings, and with 
other colleagues from Kenya, are all very positive about the options for 
travel.  
This takes into account that, like all countries [including the US inner city 
locations'], there are cautions to be taken. In fact, India, which ICANN 
traveled to without incident, later experienced a shocking experience just 
before the IGF 2008' yet many of us who also attend ICANN meetings, traveled to 
Hyderabad, even though the Mumbai incidents had just occurred. 
My point is that we can learn from our experienced colleagues, and that may 
help in informing your decisions about travel, and about attendance. 
I propose a call on Wednesday, January 6, at 10 a.m./EST, which will be mid 
afternoon Europe, and 6 p.m.in Nairobi, and 8 pm in Karachi, Pakistan. 
To simply this, I can provide a bridge but it isn't toll free in other 
countries. This isn't intended to complicate the BC list, or to compete with 
any organized BC activities. I am merely responding to interest from others who 
are planning to travel to Kenya, or who have concerns, and would like to hear 
from seasoned Kenyan travelers. 
If you want to participate in the call, RSVP to me at marilynscade@hotmail.  
I'll then post a bridge. 

On Dec 20, 2009, at 4:12 PM, Marilyn Cade wrote:
I have been doing more research on the options for travel and hotels in 
Nairobi, Kenya,for the upcoming ICANN meeting and wanted to share my 
experiences, for what they are worth, with other BC members. 
I also looked into the security issues; talked to a couple of folks who travel 
to Kenya regularly, and got some helpful information and advice. If anyone is 
interested, I'll volunteer to set up a call with those 'regulars' who travel or 
who are in country, before we travel. In the meantime, of course, I closely 
watch the various 'alerts' from US State, Canadian, UK government, and a couple 
of other sources, since I travel rather frequently to a wide number of 
countries around the world as part of my business. 
If there are business constituency members who want to 'get the scoop' and hear 
about what the advice is from an experienced group of travelers, we can do a 
small and low profile 'discussion' call. No need to make this a big deal, since 
only those who are thinking of attending would be interested. 
Several of you will be booked at the venue hotel, or may be booked by the ICANN 
staff [e.g. Councilors]  so you may not be interested in these additional 
options, but for some members, who may be considering but haven't finalized 
travel, this might be useful. 
Let me know, off list, if you would like to have such a call and I'll 
coordinate with those friendly advisors I have beneffitted from. . 
Hotels: for what it is worth: 

Through various sources, I've learned: 
There are several 4 star and 5 star hotels within walking distance. 
The Nairobi Safari Club may not actually be walking distance. It was difficult 
to get a clear answer on that.  
Hotels that are within walking distance are the Intercontinental, Hilton, and 
Stanley. 
Hilton: I booked at the Hilton, after some review and discussion. It isn't as 
fancy as some Hilton's in US or Europe, but is a 4 star. 
I got a rate of $184/plus taxes /USD per night by pre paying at the Hilton.
The Intercont. which is always a preferred hotel, was a little more pricey at 
$295 plus taxes/USD. Pre pay at the Intercont. didn't reduce the price per day. 
the Stanley, which seems to be lovely, was a bit higher at around $325 USD/+ 
taxes. 
Other hotels that are recommended by a number of sources include the NAIROBI 
SERENA @ ABOUT $250-300 USD. Taxi to venue.
Fairmont the Norfolk at around $430 USD. Taxi to venue.
I'm not a qualified tour guide, so take all this into account, and assume you 
should do your own due diligence, but if you want to join a call with me and a 
few other experts on Kenya travel/because they live there or travel there, let 
me know atmarilynscade@xxxxxxxxxxx. 
We might benefit from sharing information informally. 
Marilyn Cade 






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