One Perfect Day: On an African safari

Oakland Tribune, Aug 3, 2008 by Jackie Burrell

Our second finalist in the One Perfect Day contest.

-- The travelers: Nurse practitioner Mary Kastner and her husband, Rick, a systems security consultant, Walnut Creek.

-- The trek: We went to Africa for our 35th anniversary. On our perfect day, we got up and left our lovely British colonial hotel in Nairobi and boarded a propeller plane to the Mara reserve. We were given a pre-safari briefing the night before, with carved wooden animals -- the big five we were to see: elephant, lion, giraffe, rhino, zebra -- and safari hats.

-- Out and about: After landing on the savanna, we were met by our Jeep drivers, who escorted us over to linen-clad tables with china cups of tea, and then we were off on safari. We saw all "big five" within an hour's time and a stampede of wildebeests over the Mara River to boot! We also saw gazelle and wonderful birds.

-- Best beds and eats: Then we were taken to our tented resort -- Kichwa Tembo Tented Camps in the Masai Mara, Kenya (www.kichwatembo.com) -- for a large luncheon buffet and escorted down the path to our slate-floored tent, with toilet and shower. Then off on another game drive, which ended in a lovely spot on the escarpment, looking over the savanna for sunset, and a huge bonfire, full-open bar, and fresh hot shish kabob hors d'oeuvres. When we came back to our tent, my husband popped in bed; I had to remind him they still expected us in the dining room for a lovely dinner where the dessert was macadamia nut (from local trees) tart drizzled with caramel sauce. What a lovely day. And we had five more with nice endings just like this. Contest details

For contest guidelines and a list of prizes, see Page 4

The PRIZES

Thirty finalists will be entered into a drawing for some great travel prizes. These include:-- A one-night's stay in a suite at Pelican Cove Inn (6316 Moonstone Beach Drive, 800-222-9160) directly across from Moonstone Beach in Cambria. This prize package also includes two tickets to tour Hearst Castle in San Simeon.-- A gift certificate to Monterey's exceptional fine dining restaurant the Sardine Factory (701 Wave St., 831-373-3775).-- The Win TV-HVR 950 device for watching and recording TV shows on a computer or laptop.- - iMainGo2's portable titanium stereo speakers for iPods, iPhones and MP3 players.-- Magellan's ergonomic digital luggage scale.-- Dakine's Beijing podium zip jacket.

The contest

Want to see your "One Perfect Day" in print, score a Backseat Survival Kit and earn a shot at the grand prizes? Send your entry and photos before 5 p.m. Aug. 21.-- ENTRY: Just pick your favorite vacation destination and send us brief descriptions for the following: the travelers (names, occupations, hometowns and ages for any kids), the trek (where you went and why), best beds (your favorite lodging), best eats (favorite restaurant or eatery), out and about (cool sightseeing excursions, limit to two), and another thing (best memory, cool souvenir or travel tip). E-mail information to jburrell@bayareanewsgroup.com (put "One Perfect Day" in the subject line), or fill out this information in our online form at Inside

BayArea.com/Travel.-- PHOTOS: Also include three of your best pictures (JPEG format) from the vacation you detailed. One must be the travelers posed near an iconic landmark. The other two may be the travelers posed by a building that looks like something else, a unique or funny sign, local celebrities (or celebrity look-alikes), unusual vehicle, close-up with an undomesticated animal, water and fire pictured together, or travelers/locals dressed in costume. E- mail photos to jburrell@bayareanewsgroup.com or upload them as part of the online form.-- WHO WINS: We will continue publishing some of our favorites throughout August. All published entries will earn a Backseat Survival Kit -- an assortment of books, DVDs and craft activities that could include, for example, travel books; just- published novels; a "Trip Flix" DVD; the "Complete Idiot's Guide" to trivia; and, if you're traveling with children, age-appropriate picture books and back-seat craft kits. Published contributors also automatically earn spots as finalists.

Our judges will select the remaining finalists -- 30 total -- for a random drawing of prizes (see prize list) in late August. Winners will be announced Sept. 7.

The prizes

Thirty finalists will be entered into a drawing for some great travel prizes. These include:-- A one-night's stay in a suite at Pelican Cove Inn (6316 Moonstone Beach Drive, 800-222-9160) directly across from Moonstone Beach in Cambria. This prize package also includes two tickets to tour Hearst Castle in San Simeon.-- A gift certificate to Monterey's exceptional fine dining restaurant the Sardine Factory (701 Wave St., 831-373-3775).-- The Win TV-HVR 950 device for watching and recording TV shows on a computer or laptop.- - iMainGo2's portable titanium stereo speakers for iPods, iPhones and MP3 players.-- Magellan's ergonomic digital luggage scale.-- Dakine's Beijing podium zip jacket.