Tues 3rd. Showered, packed, went to Shukrani this time for my mandazi na chai breakfast.Then just a 10 minute walk to hopefully catch a Kilifi matatu along the main road. I asked a ‘local’ how much the fare was approximately and he said about 400. So I was really pleased to only be charged 250 !! Before we really started, we seemed to chase a tuk tuk up the road, which was quite exciting. I think we were chasing two potential passengers.Trip to Kilifi took over a half hour more than usual because of a security roadblock where we all had to get out of our vehicles, show our passports and have a baggage inspection. Rest of the journey uneventful. We actually pulled into the Stage, which meant I wasn’t far from the hotel.
I checked into Titanic hotel. A different room but still on the top floor (3rd). I couldn’t get my usual discount for being a long-term customer, so am paying 1,500ksh …about £8 excl breakfast.
I drew some money from the DTB ATM. Had a refreshing tamarind juice from Nuus café. Reacquainted myself with the immediate area around Titanic. Had 4 samosas and a tea from the Apache Indian café. Walked over to Kilifi Club overlooking the mouth of the Creek and drank 2 beers. It was an overcast day so the creek wasn’t as impressive as when the water is a lovely blue colour. I met up with Maina at the AP Canteen. Good catch-up. Only problem with that place is that around 6 and even before that, they start to crank up the music volume and you end up shouting to be heard when chatting. Very comfortable night in my room 305.
Wed 4th It was a chill day. Breakfast at Apache. In fact I’ve been having breakfast and dinner at Apache; I discovered in April that it’s much cheaper than Village Dishes. Walked to the boat yard; found the padlock of love ‘monument ‘ as recommended by Maina !!
Met Maina at his local mnazi joint for 3pm. He was already there before me..makes a change !!. Nice open air place; had one bottle. What was served was Kilalo which was a day old, but tasted Fresh which has just arrived in 5 big jerry cans…freshly prepared from the coconut/palm tree. Good atmosphere…great fun. No other European goes there..!! Oh, mnazi is palm wine. Left about 5:30. Before dinner I went to AP canteen.
Thurs 5th. After breakfast I got a boda to Baobab beach. Walked along to beach bar B10 which is undergoing big renovation. Sat there to shelter from some rain. Walked back to town, stopping at a café for a nice cappuccino. Titanic..showered, changed. Quick one at Kilifi Club then to AP canteen to meet William who I knew from when he was a teenager in Taveta about 10 years ago. Dinner at Apache..coconut beans and chapati. Went to the Titanic bar for a nightcap. I needed 700 bob in change. I noticed I only got 600; went back for the balance. Had sudden flashback to a few years ago when I’m pretty sure it was the same barman trying to pull the same trick.
There was no hurry to leave early the next morning as only just over an hour to Nyali; any delay would depend on whether there’s slow progress through Mtwapa.