TRAVEL

 

 

Treetops

 

 

“It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care

into the hard progress of humankind” – Queen Elizabeth II

 

On 5 feb 1952, a young newly wed princess, ascended at Treetops camp in Kenya on her honeymoon. The following day she received the news that her father, King George of England had died. She came down from Treetops, as Queen Elizabeth II. She was crowned, aged 27, on June 2nd, 1953.

My mother still talks about the Coronation like was yesterday. She remembers vividly camping out on the curb, to get a good observation spot. This is her account:

“I was working as a nurse at the Prince of Wales Hospital in London. Two Australian girls had gone ahead to keep a place for Ingrid and myself, both working late. After our shifts we made our way to the underground. We entered Oxford street and the crowds were massive. We both walked along among all the crowds, looking all over to see our friends. It was dark, and there was so much noise and shouting , so much excitement. It was a bit confusing. Suddenly we heard our names shouted out and we were so relieved. We were so tired after work but excited. It was really great that they kept us a place. We tucked into our sandwiches etc and shared some fruit and drinks. Of course we could not sleep for the excitement and noise. We passed our time singing, and watched as more and more people joined the crowd. It was raining too. Ingrid had a large umbrella, so we had some shelter. She was having fun opening and closing the umbrella, causing it to splash on the crowd! And the toilet. Imagine. We had to queue for an hour! Hilarious! I laugh now!

The morning of the procession was exciting. The roads were being cleared in anticipation for the golden coach. There were policeman all over and they were chatty at times. The atmosphere was electric, as the future queen entered. There was a big procession behind the coach, something I will always remember. After that, all of the crowds made their way to Buckingham Palace to see the Royal Family on the balcony. And there were planes flying overhead. Everyone was waving. It was wonderful. Then to get out of the crowds was near impossible. So we laughed our way through, and tried to stick together. Someone held my hand. I thought it was Ingrid but was some bloke! Anyway we had a laugh! Getting back on the train was crazy. Talk about being packed in like sardines! But we all had a lot to talk about. It was worth all the inconvenience. And I would do it again if I was young! Ha ha!

Fast forward to 1977 – a street party in S.W.19. My mother dressed me up as a Jubilee teapot. She got the idea in her head, took herself off to Woolworths to buy crepe paper, created the costume and attached it to me. There was a Jubilee street party and a group of us were asked to parade up and down, kids dressed up by their mums in ridiculous Union Jack attire. I played along.

I’m not a royalist. I see both sides to the argument that they cost the UK taxpayer money and they also bring in revenue. But I do respect the queen. She conducts herself with such good grace. And she has devoted herself to her role, which she sees as service to her nation. Can you imagine doing the same job for over sixty years?

In 2013 we hosted a party in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. It was one of those expat occasions, where you probably went to a lot more effort than you would have done, if you were in your home country. We prepared a traditional high tea and ate Hula Hoops off all ten fingers, as you did as a child. A neighbour baked Coronation Chicken pies. And we played a game of ‘pin the tale on the corgi’.

Later that year we moved to Kenya. We wanted to visit this country lodge with its unique history. So we made a booking. And we set off on our journey, straight after work on a Friday afternoon.

It took some time to get out of Nairobi and reach the Aberdares National Park. Treetops Lodge is located in the national park. We took a wrong turn, and ended up on a track where the road stopped and became a pile of rocks. The vehicle could not pass. We turned around.

By the time we reached the gate of the national park, the park gates were closed. Kenya Wildlife Service would not let us pass, as it was after 6 pm.

Our driver tried to appeal to the guys on the gate to help us, but it fell on deaf ears. I got out of the vehicle. The light was fading fast. A long discussion ensued. I smiled, pulled out my best Swahili and used a little persuasion. Eventually the KWS relented and allowed us in. It was dark now. We checked in, tired and underwhelmed.

The next day, we woke to bright sunshine, breakfast and an apology. The hotel manager explained that we should have checked in at another place called ‘Outspan’, where we would have been given further instructions. No-one had told us that!

He said “let me make it up to you”. That evening, at dusk, we were bumped around in a 4 x 4 and driven to a so called bush bar, about five minutes away. The driver probably took us in a big circle. It didn’t matter. The gesture was there. We sipped on sundowners, listening to the sounds of the bush and all was well again.

After that they took us back to the lodge and we continued with cocktails on the balcony, while watching burly buffalo frolicking and hyenas cheekily circling, wondering if they had a chance to attack.

Treetops hotel has changed considerably since HR’s visit in 1952. Back then Treetops had just three  bedrooms. Now we there many rooms and suites and buffet style dining. The resort has morphed into place for mass tourism. As we arrived, a large coach party of tourists were leaving.

But it’s a unique place with a unique history about a special queen. And she is the U.K’s longest serving monarch. 67 years today.

Have you retraced any royal history, somewhere in the world?

© Dulcie M and Maggie M / Mother City Time

 

 

 

 

First published in June, 2020

The Queen went on to reign for over 70 years

RIP Elizabeth II – April 21, 1926 – September 8, 2022