Fri 8th. I dropped off the honey to Benja to be given to Daniel when he got on board at Kusokoni. Hope the medicinal honey has helped to cure his voice !! I got my 10:00 matatu which left at 10:15. Good journey except only saw 2 giraffe, a handful of zebra and some eland. No elephants again. We stopped briefly in Voi, until I got off at Mariakani.
Went to look for the tuk tuk, which seemed to have moved, so got on a Matatu instead. Driver was reluctant to get going, until pressured by a passenger revolt. A couple of us threatened to get off, and eventually we departed..slowly !! Didn’t matter too much as not too far to Kaloleni. Transferred to another matatu for the Kilifi leg; got a front seat but had to wait half an hour to depart.
We had to get out just before Kilifi bridge because the driver was afraid of the police checkpoint up ahead. Shared the final 1 km to the bus stand with a lady on a boda boda. I had to stop filming when I saw there really were police; wasn’t going to make that mistake again. Got to Kilifi about 4 p.m. and checked into the Titanic . I went for the good room rate of 1000 excl bfast, knowing that I could easily eat b’fast outside the hotel for less than the 500 they were charging.
Maina came to pick me up on his boda and take me Highlands where we had mnazi and I wad able to use my mboko. Nice hotel room.
Sat 9th. It was a packed day. Walked to the beach and had a swim. Took lots of pics.of birds…found them quite fascinating….catching them in flight. Went to the beach bar and had a soda. It was a very hot day. Walked backed to the hotel and checked out the rooptop pool on the building adjacent to the hotel. My 5th time staying at the titanic and had nevet known the pool existed. A huge area, but no tables or chairs….maybe they only come out special occasions ?? Then caught a boda to SeaBreeze , to Mwalimu’s place, to meet up with Maina and Nyambura. More mnazi and given a present of a new mboko. Quite different to the other one. The first one made from a small coconut while this one was made from a gourd.
10th. Rained all morning. Glad I brought a small umbrella with me. Change of plan..instead of meeting at the beach bar, I met up with Maina and Nyambura ( M&N) at Podapi htl. Shared 2 bottles of Black and White ..a whiskey…mixed with coca cola. Got a boda back to the hotel. Went to Village Dishes where I’ve been having all my meals. Reasonably priced, clean, and airy and you can see what you’re ordering.
11th. Had arranged to meet Uli and Achim. Was a nice little challenge. Crossed the bridge and walked toward the boat yard. Fortunately the tide was out as part of the walk was along the beach which had mangrove trees. Reached their yacht club and had coffee and a chat. Only a 35 min walk…but got a dinghy ride back to the shore closest the town.
Checked out the Makuti resort htl but a bit more expensive than mine. Actually, jad walked on a bit of the old road that served ad the crossing across the creek. In the old days when you drove down onto a ferry and got out of the car to pull on a rope to get the ferry across the creek!! Those were the days !! I went and found Kilifi club at the mouth of the creek..never been there before. Had a couple of beers and watched the sunset.
12th. Rained in the morning. Went Maina’ s around 2p.m. for lovely octopus. Oh so tender. Then we all went to Saltys…recommended by Uli and Achim . A nice beach bar…good folk rock and generally mellow rock music. I treated Maina and Nyambura as a thank for the octopus, but the Saltys drinks were a bit expensive.
13th. Rained in the morning again. Then I went to the beach. Was invited to the Boatyard for sundowners aboard Uli and Achim yacht. Lovely evening with little snacks and a return to shore after 9p.m.
14th. Spent a few hours at the beach and beach bar…took some nice pics. Walked to Seabreeze to meet up with M&N and shot a small video of my new mboko.
15th. Another something of interest. Went to the Mnarani ruins. Ruins of mosques from don’t know, 14 or 15 century….quite interesting. Got in at resident’s rate because I immediately talked in Swahili and when asked if I was a Resident…I said Yes !! Then on the way back into town I went to beach below the bridge. Took a few pics. Used the hotel pool then met up with M&N for sundowners at the Kilifi club. After dinner I went for a drink at De Coffee bar. Left after 10 when I remembered the curfew; there were still lots of people in the bar. Apparently the owner had a ‘special arrangements ‘ with the police !! Decided I definitely wouldn’t go on Sat.
Sat 16th. Had a couple of hours at the beach before meeting M&N at the beach bar for mnazi . Hot day so thankfully Maina had his boda and we got quickly to Seabreeze. After that I got a lift back to hotel. Quickly showered and went out to dinner and returned to the hotel in time to watch some English premier league. I wanted a relaxing evening so I could prepare for my trip to the south coast the next day.