Thank you Saskia for your note...

Yes, those of un in front-line pax service should be up for both the Victoria Cross for bravery and the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiation skills at times! :-)

I encourage you to think again about visiting Africa. It is a stunning continent which has the ability to change your view on life! Also, it's really not so far away. Fly via London or Amsterdam and the connections are pretty well worked out for stress-free travel. As for it being dangerous... please do not be overly influenced by negative media. Kenya is no more dangerous than any other country. There are no-go areas but which country does not have them. When you have the correct info of where to and not to go, you will be fine. When out of the cities you are in the safe hands of a rural pople who are incredibly appreciative of the tourist and the income they introduce to the economy (the government changed the way tourism money is utilised about 5 years ago... this forced money from tourism back into the local communities to fund schools, hostpitals, water-pumps etc.) Hope that balances the arguments a little.

I will certainly be back in touch when coming to WAS!

Happy travels!