Mon morning we got off to quite an early start. Following a light breakfast at Queens cafe we got a tuk tuk to the ferry. There wasn’t any delay. The ferry was packed and we stood at the back by the ramp. A short walk up the slope on the other side and we were in a matatu costing 100bob each to Ukunda. The journey was longer than normal due to stop/starts getting out of Likoni. At Ukunda we stopped for tea at Rongai. A tuk tuk took us to Frangipani house for midday and John was there to greet us. Nice rooms, a swimming pool. After settling in we went to the beach, and ChillSpot beach bar. Wonderful spot. We cooked dinner in the kitchen at the house, having bought noodles and a few bits from the Diani supermarket.
Tues 27th. I went a short walk away…the opposite direction from the beach road and found a banda with cheap tea and mandazi. I saw the Madini bar across the road with fun artwork advertising it, and went there with Mark later for a much cheaper beer..220bob..than one finds along the beach road…350bob. I went to quickly see the beach beyond Diani campsite ( where I stayed with Dad and the kids in 2010). Mark and I treated ourselves to a Swahili Pot dinner. Meals had gone up by 50bob which was fine, but beers had gone up from 250 to 350. The chicken curry and the chicken biryani were superb. We had bought a spirit to drink on our verandah. Great day.
28th & 29th. We walked to Chandarana shopping centre. Had a coffee. Did a little shopping for the evening. We cooked in our kitchen, which seemed to work pretty well. I bought vegetables from a guy with a bike who came to the front gate of the house. Prior to that I think we had a drink at Piri Pires. I had my usual b’fast the next day. Showed Mark the Diani campsite and had a chat with Richard the owner who was also there in 2010. There was a short downpour. Then we walked the fairly short distance along the beach to ChillSpot for a coffee. I swam in the pool; I did that a lot this visit. Home cooking again in the evening.
Fri 30th. Walked to Chandarana shopping centre again. We popped into Piri Pires again. I enjoyed swimming in the pool. We cooked at the house again. It was a very relaxing visit. I went to Madini bar on my own and explored the nearby side streets. Off course there was the spirits to drink on the verandah. I was given a letter by one of the Jane’s to post in the UK.
Really enjoyed Diani with Mark. I spent less time on the beach this time. So, the next day we were leaving for Mombasa.