JIjI Poa Studios: Ruaka's BEST Photography & Videography!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the whirlwind that is JIjI Poa Studios: Ruaka's BEST Photography & Videography! … or at least, try to. Honestly, reviewing can be a minefield, right? So, let's see if we can make some sense of this whole shebang, and maybe even convince you to book… or run screaming.
First off, the name. "JIjI Poa"? Intriguing, cryptic, doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. But hey, maybe that's part of the charm. And the "BEST Photography & Videography!" bit? Bold. Let's see if they back it up.
The Basics - Where to Begin (and Will My Wheelchair Fit?)
Okay, let's wrestle the accessibility beast first. This is HUGE, people. Not just a "nice-to-have." Accessibility. It's the law, it's common decency, and it matters. Unfortunately, the information available is…fuzzy.
- Accessibility: The details are frustratingly vague here. "Facilities for disabled guests" is mentioned, but…what facilities? Ramp? Specific room adaptations? Clear, detailed accessibility information is a must. If you need specific accommodations, CALL THEM. Don't rely on this review; call and ask specifics. This is a real bummer if it's not fully accessible. I'm really hoping they have the right amenities.
- Wheelchair Accessible: See above. Need SPECIFIC answers and preferably pictures before booking if this is a necessity!
- Elevator: Okay good, a bit of a positive sign!
- Exterior corridor: Good to know. You might want to be in a room where a door opens up in the hallway for a quick escape.
Internet, Internet, Everywhere…and Hopefully, It Works!
Let's be real. In this day and age, internet is practically oxygen.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Excellent! No fumbling with expensive codes or slow connection speeds. (Fingers crossed it actually works.)
- Internet access – wireless: Good, a redundant confirmation.
- Internet: Listed multiple times. Alright, we get it. They're serious about connectivity.
- Internet [LAN]: For the old-school folks who like to hardwire their connections, cool.
The Good Life? (Spa, Pool, and Relaxation Station)
Alright, now we're getting to the juicy bits! The idea of relaxing sounds good.
- Pool with view: Sounds fantastic! Soaking up the sun with a beautiful view is a winner in my book.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Great for soaking up the sun and having a swim.
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna: The dream. I'm a huge fan of saunas. The idea of sweating out all my worries and then plunging into a cool pool…sign me up!
- Gym/fitness, Fitness center: If you're the type who actually works out on vacation, this is a bonus. I usually just intend to use them.
- Massage: Yes, please. Everyone loves a good massage.
- Body scrub, Body wrap: Okay, now we're talking full-blown pampering.
Cleanliness and Safety: Are We Germ-Free?
This is the "post-pandemic" section. And frankly, it's crucial.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast takeaway service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Okay, that’s what I like to hear. This is a great sign. They are clearly taking the safety protocols seriously.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: This is great.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Great, they have followed the guidelines.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: It's nice to have the option, but maybe just… don't. Let them disinfect.
- Safe dining setup: Good. Dining out can still make me nervous.
- Shared stationery removed: Good. Nobody wants to share pens.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms: Good!
- Smoke detector: Good.
Food, Glorious Food! (Will There Be Enough Coffee?)
Okay, here comes the real test. Can they feed me? And more importantly, can they feed me well?
- Restaurants, Coffee shop, Bar, Poolside bar, Snack bar: Variety is the spice of life! Sounds like you won't starve or get bored.
- Room service [24-hour]: HELL YES. Seriously, that's a major win. Pajama-clad feasting is a vacation staple.
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Western breakfast, Asian breakfast, Coffee/tea in restaurant: Buffet? That can be a blessing and a curse. I love the idea of a buffet, but I'm also a germaphobe. The variety is a plus, I have to say.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Buffet in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: Okay, they seem to have it all. Variety and selection are key.
- Bottle of water, Essential condiments, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: I am happy they include these.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier (Or Trying To)
The little things… that can make or break a trip.
- Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens, Additional toilet: These are all great.
- Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests: Solid collection of services.
- Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery: Nice to have.
- Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars: Great, but I'd want to know how clean everything is.
- Smoking area, Terrace: Great, they have a smoking area.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Facilities for disabled guests, Facilities for disabled guests, Ironing service, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, On-site event hosting, Seminars, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: This place is prepared for business.
For the Kids! (Or, Can I Actually Relax?)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Okay, important for families. If you need a break, the babysitting service is a lifesaver!
Getting Around: How to Escape
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: This is a great selection. The free parking is a bonus, and the airport transfer makes things easy.
Now, the Big Question: Would I Book?
Okay, here’s the honest truth. This place sounds promising, but the devil is in the details.
- The Good: The pool, spa, and the 24-hour room service (did I mention that?!) are HUGE draws. The laundry facilities and the range of service options are also great. The range of food options also make me salivate.
- The Not-So-Good: The lack of clarity on accessibility is a major red flag. I would contact the hotel, and be absolutely SURE they can meet my needs. Also, it sounds like there isn't a lot to do in terms of activities.
- The Verdict: If accessibility is not a concern, and you can confirm the cleanliness and the quality of the food, then I'd say, take the chance! If you're seeking an immersive resort experience, this might not be
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your dry, corporate travel itinerary. This is JIjI Poa Studios in Ruaka, Kenya, seen through my bleary, caffeine-fueled eyes. And believe me, it's going to be a ride.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Ruaka Reality Check (a.k.a. Where's the coffee?)
- 8:00 AM: Touchdown at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi. The humidity hits you like a warm, damp hug. Or maybe it's just my personal humidity, I'm always a sweaty catastrophe.
- 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Immigration. Pray to the passport gods. Mine? Always suspect. I swear, I look like a wanted criminal in my passport photo.
- 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Taxi to JIjI Poa Studios in Ruaka. Traffic. Oh, the traffic. Nairobi traffic is a living, breathing organism of frustration. Embrace it! Learn to love the matatus (the colourful minibuses) and their blaring gospel music. This is the true baptism.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Check-in. My expectations are low, but I'm still hoping for a clean bed. And maybe, just maybe, a functioning shower. Fingers crossed.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: The Great Coffee Hunt. This is a crucial mission. I haven't functioned without caffeine in decades. Ruaka, please don’t let me down on this one! A quick Google search for "good coffee near me" yields… nothing. Panic sets in. I see a small shop. Let's hope they know how to make a decent cup of joe.
- Anecdote: The first coffee I had, it was horrible. I mean, shockingly bad. It tasted like burnt tires and despair. I considered going back to bed and calling it a day.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. Hopefully, something that involves not eating burnt tires again. A local restaurant is on the cards. Let's venture and see what happens.
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Settling in and exploring the studios. Peeking at the studio, getting to know the space. This is where the magic happens? I hope so. I’m hoping to be inspired, or at least find a comfy chair to sit in.
- Quirky Observation:The studio space is buzzing with that creative energy, a blend of focus and controlled chaos, right?
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Unpack. Realize I've overpacked. As always.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. More local food, please. I'm here to experience everything!
- 7:00 PM Onwards: Crash. Jet lag is real. And I'm pretty sure I'm already smelling of burnt tires from that coffee. Sleep, sweet, sweet non-tire-flavored sleep.
Day 2: The Sound of Ruaka (and My Inner Critic)
- 8:00 AM: Another day, another coffee quest. Praying for redemption.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Studio work. Finally, time to jump in. This is the reason I'm here. The whole point. Recording music, writing or something like that. Hopefully, I don't turn into a mumbling mess. My goals are, well, I don’t know if I will actually achieve them.
- Emotional Reaction: The pressure is on. I want this work to be good, even fantastic. But oh man, my inner critic is a real jerk. Always whispering doubts and insecurities.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. More local cuisine. Trying to be adventurous.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Back to the studio. Work, work, work. It's a slog, an exhilarating slog.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Break. A walk around Ruaka. Observe the daily life, the hustle, the smiles. Maybe find a juice shop.
- Messier Structure & Occasional Rambles: The streets are alive. The colours. The people. It's easy to wander off course, just lose myself in the rhythm of the place.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner and relaxation. Let the day’s pressure melt away.
- 7:00 PM Onwards: Reading, writing, or just staring at the ceiling and pondering the meaning of life. Depending on how emotionally fragile I am.
Day 3: Ruaka's Rhythm and a Potential Disaster (The Laundry Edition)
- 8:00 AM: Coffee, hopefully better this time.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Studio work. Trying a new approach, a different style?
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: More studio work. The creative process is up and down.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: Today is good. I love what I’m doing, which helps the pressure. Feeling more like myself.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: The Laundry Disaster. I decide to wash a load of clothes. Disaster. The washing machine is a beast of a machine. Clothes everywhere. Wet, soapy doom. I try to figure it out and then… I have to give up and call for help.
- Opinionated Language: Well, this is just great. Typical me. Can’t even handle laundry.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Rescuing the clothes! (Hopefully.)
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner.
- 7:00 PM - Onwards: Trying to recover my lost clothes and my sanity.
Day 4: The Great Escape?
- 8:00 AM: Coffee. The quest continues.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Studio work.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Studio work.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Visiting a park.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Dinner.
- 6:00 PM - Onwards: Going to the bar.
Day 5: Farewell (For Now) Ruaka
- 8:00 AM: Last chance for coffee.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Last studio session. A final surge of creative energy.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Packing.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Taxi to JKIA.
- 4:00 PM Onwards: Fly home.
Final Thoughts:
This itinerary has been messy, honest, and full of coffee-fueled rambles. But it's real. It's about the adventure, the highs, the lows, the burnt tires, the unexpected laundry dramas, and finding those moments of genuine connection.
Ruaka, you’ve been good. Even the coffee. Mostly.
**Unbelievable Jonker Street Gem! Ong Kim Wee Residence Awaits!**
JijI Poa Studios: Ruaka's... Well, Let's Be Honest... BEST Photography & Videography? (FAQ...ish)
So, JijI Poa Studios... What *Exactly* Do You Do?
Okay, so the elevator pitch? We're your one-stop shop for making you (or your brand, or your cat... look, we're flexible) look ridiculously good. Think photos that'll make you *actually* want to use them on Instagram, not just because you *have* to. Think videos that tell a story, not just... well, not just *videos* y'know? We shoot everything from weddings (yes, the whole crying-during-the-vows thing gets us every time) to corporate gigs (trying to make those *less* soul-crushing, one professional headshot at a time), to family portraits where the kids *don't* look like they're plotting world domination. Pretty standard, right? But what makes *us* us... hmm... we'll get to that. Let's just say, we are *passionate* about putting soul into every frame. Even if that soul is slightly caffeine-fueled and maybe a little chaotic.
Ruaka specifically? What's the deal with that? Is it like, a "Ruaka Only" kind of deal?
Ruaka! Yeah, that's where we're planted. Think of us as the cool kids down the street... well, except we don't have the cool cars. Ruaka's home, our base of operations, the place we drink way too much coffee and brainstorm until the sun comes up. But "Ruaka only?" Absolutely not! We're like, the Kenyan version of a traveling circus… only with cameras. We’ve shot everywhere, from the dusty roads of... let's just say, *quite* a few dusty roads... to fancy hotels. We'll follow your vision, wherever it leads! Don't worry, we have transport.
Side note: Had a client once who wanted a photoshoot on a giraffe farm. The logistics were... interesting. Let's just say I still have giraffe-related dreams. And the photos? Absolutely worth the logistical nightmare.
Okay, weddings. Everyone does weddings. What makes *your* wedding photography… well, *good*?
Weddings. Ugh, the *pressure*. Look, we're not going to tell you we're the *only* photographers who know how to use a camera. There are tons of talented people out there. But the thing about *us*? We *get* weddings. We get the chaos. We get the family drama (seriously, the Aunties...). We get the *love*. We're not just there to take pictures; We're there to catch the *moments*. The raw, unfiltered joy, the awkward dances (we love those!), the tears (both happy and, sometimes, from the cake being *slightly* burnt). And because we've seen a *lot* of weddings, we bring a calming presence to the day. We are experts at "wrangling the cats", aka herding relatives for that all-important group shot. Trust us, it's an art.
Anecdote Alert! I remember one wedding… the groom was *terrified* of public speaking. Like, physically shaking. We worked with him beforehand, practiced some poses and prompts to make it less scary. Cut to the ceremony, and he absolutely *killed* his vows. The raw emotion on his face, capturing that moment was a thrill! It's those moments that *make* it worth it. Also, afterwards everyone was so relieved and happy. Seriously, the best part of the job.
And how do you handle the "corporate world"? Headshots, promotional videos… isn't that… boring?
Boring? Look, we'll be honest. Sometimes, yeah, it can be a *little*… less exciting than a wedding. But our goal is to make it not boring. The key? Finding the story. Every brand, every business, has a story to tell. It's just a matter of *finding* it and bringing it to life. We're not about boring, staged shots. We want you to look genuine... like you're actually *enjoying* what you do (even if you're secretly calculating quarterly profits). Whether it's a slick promotional video or a killer headshot that makes you look like the rockstar CEO you truly are, we're on it! We'll make you look *good*.
Confession. Let's be real. We've all worked with a client that was... difficult. The ones who want, like, *five* different versions of the same headshot. Who nitpick every. single. pore. Let's just say, patience is a skill we've honed over the years. But even then, we strive to make it fun and memorable!
What does a typical project with you look like? From start to finish, the whole shebang?
Okay, buckle up. First, we chat. We need to know what you want, what your vision is, and what your budget (because let's face it, everyone has one). Then, we'll refine all this, get you an estimate. If you like what you hear, then… well, the *fun* begins! We brainstorm, scout locations, and plan the shoot down to the last tiny detail. On the day of the shoot, (brace yourself) it's all about making magic happen. We guide, pose, and cajole, and laugh, and sometimes get a little bit lost in the creative process, but it all works, eventually! It is important to remember we are the face and vision for your needs! After the shoot, we spend *hours* (and sometimes days!) culling photos, editing, and perfecting everything. We'll share a sneak peek, and then you get to review and pick your favourites. We send you your final images/videos. And the best part? You get to show them off to the world!
Real Talk: We're not perfect. Sometimes, things go wrong. Weather turns, equipment fails (knock on wood!), or a client has a last-minute freakout. But we roll with the punches and we always have a plan B (and sometimes a plan C, D, and E). Because what's life without a little (okay, a *lot*) of chaos?
What about pricing?
Pricing. Ah, the age-old question. It depends! It really does. How many hours, how much equipment, how much editing... the works! The better idea is to contact us now, and let us get detailed and specific! We can tailor packages, and it'll be amazing and all the things you want!
What about the gear? Are you using like, a potato and a dream?
No potato, I promise! High-quality cameras, lenses, lighting equipment. The works! WeHotel Explorers
Post a Comment for "JIjI Poa Studios: Ruaka's BEST Photography & Videography!"