If I were practical, I would not be a photographer living in Kenya. I have always been a dreamer and a dream chaser. For weeks, I went through the grief between practical and heart racing as I traveled through Kenya and came in and out of Nairobi. Those of you that have traveled with me over the last five years know about my crazy infatuation for Land Rovers. I sat behind the wheel of a Land Cruiser, driving the rough roads of Northern Kenya, but at the end of the day, I was sitting behind a Toyota truck. It was just not the same; no matter what my head told me, my heart never fully agreed. It only took a decade of hard work, adversity, wanting to quit, and a huge investment for me to make my dream of living in Africa happen, so why would I suddenly stop taking risks and start being practical?
Really, I kept an open mind until the end. I said, “Whichever one comes my way is the right one.” Well, on my way back through Nairobi from my first trip to Turkana, I rolled past this Landy. It only took about 30 hours and I had the keys. I guess it was love at first sight, as I had test drove several Landy’s on this lot since mid-December. It only took another four days to get stuck in the black cotton soil, or rather high centered and temporarily delayed, proper. The next day I broke it. These things have now been checked off the list, stuck and broken, and I continue to look for a place to make me a bumper sticker that says, “I would rather be pushing my Landy.”
I am now in the process of preparing for my photographer in residence in the Maasai Mara, from July 1-21! She has been thoroughly checked by two top mechanics, with great results. I needed new brake pads, a few belts replaced, a small short fixed, and a few bolts tightened. She is now at the famous Schuhmacher’s, Land Rover conversion specialist, to have a hatch put in the roof over the front seats.
I know those of you who are practical, will be thinking, “You should have gotten a Land Cruiser”, but my philosophy of “One Life, Live It”, has allowed me to live my dream completely. At the end of the day, if it all goes south, I could just simplify my life by breathing deeply, throwing my stuff in the back, opening my eyes, and hitting the road for another long adventure down a bumpy dirt road.
The vision of my African Dream was always in a Land Rover. Dreams don’t chase themselves. I could not justify letting fear and practicality stand between me and the dream; I had to go all the way.
Well done on getting the “Right” vehicle. My Defender 90 has taken me over 160,000km through Southern & East Africa during the last 5 years. It has never let me down. After working for Land Rover for 26 years, I couldn’t drive anything else when I decided to follow my dream… Enjoy the Mara. Jon.
Thanks Jon!! Awesome to hear. Hopefully I will have the same luck with mine since I did not buy her to sit in Nairobi!!
Congratulations! Be safe and enjoy!
Piper – Having been an automotive service manager for almost thirty years, I have to agree with your choice. Sure Toyota Land Cruisers are perhaps more popular in Some parts of the world, yet Landy Parts are more available most parts of the world, except Japan and USA. When, and if, your Landy breaks, parts and repairs are more available in most other parts of the world, and especially in Africa, As you as you do not choose to try and climb trees with it or take to virtually impossible places, your Landy will last for a long time. There are two areas that I will advise you to keep well maintained. The cooling system and the brakes. About every two or three years have the cooling system flushed and fresh coolant filled. at the same time have the brake system flushed and fresh break fluid installed. The rest, just keep maintained with oil changes and lubrication of the the steering system. It’s not a hot rod so 100 kmh should be a rarity. Do keep the interior clean and hosing the floorboards, both interior and exterior are mandatory as the red earth contains iron, hence the red color. So that will make the interior last a very long time. Have fun with it. Enjoy it. It will pay you back by running almost forever. See in November. Rick & Lynette
Hi Piper –
You are the girl who follows her dreams, and makes them come true. Never change. Enjoy your Landy, and hopefully, I will get to ride with you someday soon! Heading off to Botswana in Sept, but perhaps next year…Lori
I concur, Piper. As a former owner of a Land Rover, I would have advised you the same. They do have a few eccentricities (don’t we all), but for your use and where you are, I’d have made the same decision. And your willingness to pack a bag and walk if it all goes south is what makes you a successful dreamer! I hope we get to break bread together again!
Thanks Doug!! Since I have purchased it, many people say, as a privately owned vehicle (not being used for regular safaris) it is the best to have. I am excited to pick it up tomorrow and head to the Mara next week! I will be back in California in November for the Spirit-N-Light workshop and for some speaking events. Perhaps we can break bread again then!
Your life, you live it perfect!
❤️
Hey girl!!! Congrats on the vehicle but I hat I really want to tell your u how happy I am for you and how much I miss you!! You are an Inspiration xoxo
Love your attitude Piper, it’s inspiring to me as I also get caught up in fear and practicality, but the dream never goes away! Hope the Mara residency is amazing for you!
Thanks Liz, you know the fear never goes away, it is about learning to manage it. A skill I will wrestle with as long as I am breathing. The easiest way to magnate fear is to really picture yourself on your final days of this journey and realizing you will never have a chance to do the things your really wanted…..now that is FEAR!!!!! One that always wins over jumping out and chasing the dream! Would love to have you on a safari some day!
inspirational – as always — safe and happy trails — God bless you and your Landy —
Inspirational as always — Safe and happy travels — God bless you, your Landy, and all who venture forth with you — may one day it be, also with me 😉
Congrats and best of luck w/ your new Land Rover…
Looks great ! I like the color – white is the new black!
Thanks John!! I agree – white is the new black!! But I think I have been on this trend for awhile. My jeep in the US is white with a black top. I shoot canon and my beach cruiser is also white…….
You came 🙂
I did the same back in the ’70s…, sold all what I had in EU and moved to the bush in Kenya, my LR KVK 080 has been my friend and dream for years and thousands of Kilometers, stuck in riverbeds, sand and stones….I had many nice cars in my life , but that one will be for ever my favorite ! Good luck to you wonderful girl !