WED., OCT. 11, 2017 - DAY #2 OF SAFARI - ZURICH, SWITZERLAND TO NAIROBI, KENYA -  We landed in Zurich, Switzerland at 8 a.m. (local time) on Wed. morning.  After an almost 2 hour layover, we then departed on another Swiss 8-hour flight to Nairobi, Kenya, scheduled to land at 6:40 p.m. (local time). An hour or so before our scheduled landing time in Nairobi we were told that we might be encountering thunderstorms soon.  And, we did.  On the final approach to the Nairobi airport, rain was obviously coming down and there was lots of wind. The pilot continued toward landing and at about 5 seconds before the wheels would have touched down, he aborted the effort and pulled the plane almost straight up.  It was not a reassuring feeling.  We discussed if it was because of the weather or a bomb.  Everyone seemed rather shaken and disturbed.  After a few minutes passed an announcement was made that the weather was the reason for aborting the landing attempt and we would regain altitude and wait perhaps 30 minutes or so before making another approach. And, the rain continued to come down.  Finally, the plane was landed safely on what appeared to be a runway away from all buildings. We were told that those passengers who were flying "economy" should deplane through a back exit.  In the rear of our plane, the stairs were extended and with no umbrellas of any other protection offered we began to leave the vessel.  (It was still raining).  

Once on the pavement, we had to walk about 50 feet and board a bus that would take us to a building where we would pass through immigration control (Visa).  When we arrived outside the said building we found it was under construction.  To get inside we had to crawl under a wire barrier while water that had collected on the roof of a nearby building was pouring off the roof and hitting us.  It was not a very 'welcome to Kenya' moment!  Inside, we dried off as best we could and stood in line to pass through the Visa examination area.  The entire area seemed to be in a very chaotic situation.  People were being photographed and finger-printed prior to being "approved" for entrance through the gate.  Sylvia and I had applied online and obtained our "e-visa"  and waited with a printed copy in hand. Once it was our turn the process was very smooth, just present the form and almost immediately we were directed to walk through the gate.  Next, we took possession of our luggage and then continued to an area where obviously local residents were waiting with signs indicating they were meeting certain arriving passengers.  We located a man holding a sign for "Friendly Planet" (the group we had booked the trip with) and joined him to wait for others who might be arriving.  Soon it was determined that those of our tour group on this flight were present and we were told to follow the representative of the local contracted company, Pollman's, to a vehicle for transportation to the hotel.  

Stepping outside we found it was still raining and initially, pulling our rolling suitcases and carrying our other luggage, we had to walk down a long, steep, wet ramp to get from the building to the ground.  In the process, Sylvia lost control of her rolling suitcase and once we got it under control, we were now a substantial distance behind the Pollman representative and the other two passengers.  In fact, we almost lost sight of them in the darkness of the night and all the confusion of vehicles and people moving about. Finally, we spotted the properly marked vehicle and after leaving the luggage with the driver for loading we proceeded to climb into the van for the ride to the reserved Nairobi hotel.  

Arriving at the hotel our vehicle turned into a long driveway that ended at a locked gate.  After a verification of the driver & vehicle the locked gate was opened and we proceeded through it where we stopped in front of another locked gate.  Then, all the luggage was removed from the van and taken into an area for "scanning" before we were able to proceed.  Once the "all clear" signal was given we proceeded through the second gate to the front door of the EKA Hotel Nairobi.  After the check-in procedures were completed and verbal instructions were given for the following morning, we were taken to our room by a bellman. It was now after 9 p.m. (local time).   Inside the room, we really realized how tired we were, and decided to forgo the suggested dinner in the dining room instead snacking on some items we had with us.  We soon fell asleep.