Stretch for Health

Stretching before any form of exercise or physical activity is extremely important, as it reduces the risk of injury tremendously. Benson Otwende Mululu, our Health Club Trainer has been kind enough to offer us a few tips on how to stretch. 

The stretches are simple enough to be done in the comfort of your home. If you are recovering from illness; be sure to consult your physician beforehand. The stretches are most effective if done for a minimum of 3 days a week. All set ? 

Great! Lets begin the upper body.

Shoulder Stretch

Step 1:Feet slightly apart, clasp both hands in front of you and stretch

Step 2: Stretch both hands above your head

Hold each pose for a period of

10 - 15 seconds each

Step 3: Stretch from right to left 5 times

Tricep Stretch

Try and touch the left shoulder blade with your raised right arm for a period of 10 - 15 seconds, then switch to the other arm.

Good job! Now lets move to the lower body

Hamstring & Lower Back Stretch

Place you hand on your stretched knee, and with the other touch your toes. Try and go as low as you can, without bending your head. Hold the pose for 10 - 15 seconds, then switch sides.

Quarts & Inner Thigh Stretch

Lift your leg behind you with one hand, and raise the other hand. Use the wall if you need support. Hold the pose for 10 - 15 seconds, then switch sides.

Squat, then stretch out one leg below you, hold this pose for 10 - 15 seconds then switch sides.

Great job! Now you are good to go. Once you are done with your exercise regime, you can proceed to cool down with these same stretches. Happy stretching :)

Front Desk Reception Duty

Welcome, Karibu Sana! How was your journey? May I have your passport or identification card? These are probably the first words you will hear from Charles Kyeva upon checking in at the hotel. Charles has been in the hospitality industry for a period of about 20 years in various capacities, and is now the Head Receptionist here at the hotel.

This accumulated experience makes him more or less an expert on the nature of guests and how best to accommodate their tastes and preference. On one hand, guests on safari for instance, tend to be more laid back then their business traveler’s counterparts. They are more likely to be dressed for comfort and are often looking forward to their holiday here in Kenya. They will spend 1 to 2 nights before and after embarking on their respective safari’s,

Business travelers on the other hand have one thing on their mind: fast efficient internet connectivity. They are sticklers for time, leaving the hotel early and returning in the evening. They tend to stay in the hotel for 3 to 7 nights, often opting for day trips in around Nairobi during the weekend as a way to unwind away from the daily bustling Nairobi traffic.

To all those aspiring to work as a front desk receptionist in a hotel, Charles have some tips for you: Smile at the guest, establish a sense of balance that ensures that you do not under or over serve clients especially when there is more than once guest to attend to; be well groomed, well spoken, maintain good posture that exudes confidence about the hotel and what it offers. The end goal is to leave the guest happy and satisfied with the service provided. “If the guest is happy, then I am happy”, is Charles’ parting shot before resuming to what he does best, welcoming guests.

Watermelon Carving

Watermelon carving is said to have originated from the Asian continent, (more specifically Thailand as popular theory suggests) some 700 years ago during the celebration of the floating lantern festival.

 Rose carving

One of the king’s servants at the time, decided to embellish her floating lantern by placing a watermelon with a carving of a bird drawing nectar from a flower. The king upon seeing this was so impressed that he ordered all women in the kingdom to learn the craft.

Voilà

Since then, the art spread far and wide, becoming a respected and admired form of art, including right here at the Nairobi Safari Club, and as any great chef will tell you, the basis of any delectable meal is not only in how it tastes, but in how it is presented.

Knife set

                                           What is required?

                                      ·         A set of sharp knives

Medium to Large Watermelon

·         Large chopping board

·         A melon ball to scoop out large sections (optional)

·         A clean firm and ripe watermelon

·         Clean hands

·         Tracing Paper (optional)

·         Tracing pen/marker to outline your design on the watermelon

Watermelon carving is an excellent hobby to cultivate. A little dedication and practice will result in you being the star of the family party or barbeque in no time. The design options are limitless, from the most basic, to the most intricate which take years to master. The scooped out portions can be blended to create fresh watermelon juice, or chopped up in cubes to prepare some delicious fruit salad, wastage therefore is minimal.

Butterfly carving

Below are instruction videos of watermelon carving courtesy of www.youtube.com

  How to Carve a Watermelon - 1

  How to Carve a Watermelon - 2

Doorman Duty

Whenever we get into any hotel in the world, the first person who opens the car door and greets us is the doorman. George Ondara, is one such doorman, always ready to welcome you with an ever present smile.

Ondara as he is referred to by his colleagues  has been working in the hospitality industry for 25 years. One of the first things he says is that he loves his job, it is this job has given him the opportunity to meet various world and business leaders over the years.  

This job is not for everyone one he says, has to have a sharp memory to remember guests who are returning to the hotel, as well as those visiting for the first time. One must also have good knowledge of their working environment as often guests a wide variety of questions. 

They will ask you to recommend places where they can shop, try out local cuisine, see our famous wildlife, and the most common; the location of the nearest automated teller machine. One must also be friendly and have a pleasant demeanor and most importantly he says, be tall and handsome.While not at work, George plays an active role in his church and will often share what he learns with others

 

Kwaheri !

Flower Power

The great thing about flowers in their natural symmetry and beauty. It is the appreciation of these qualities that flowers have become an integral part of interior decoration.

  In addition to brightening up a dull room, flowers have the ability to transform any venue into an impressive work of art, and brighten one's day. Their fragility is what people seem to relate to most, more so the fact that true beauty is fleeting, fail to recognize it, and its gone for good, well.. at least until the next blooming season.

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