Sun 14th. Bonny drove me to the airport…not too early this time. The 10:30 flight left a few minutes early. Good views of Kilifi and Watamu; both are interesting towns to visit….as opposed to Malindi a bit further up the coast which looks very boring. I think the Italian community there is diminishing now, but interesting that for decades it was known as Little Italy …with its pizza restaurants and ice cream parlours.
Shared a water taxi from Manda island to Lamu town. Was there early so had samosas and chai at the Mangrove before checking into Lamu Palace htl. Got a room on the second floor this time. Sat on the roof terrace for a while before contacting Hassani to take me to the Floating Pub. Nice boat ride. Arranged for pick up at 17:00 after an hour…and he was bang on time. I went to the Police canteen for a cheap drink and dinner of maharagwe and chapatis.
Mon 15th. After breakfast I walked to the beach and the dunes. Relaxed for a while; didn’t stay too long; had a swim. On my way back, at Shela, I saw Hassani and accepted a ride back in his boat. I paid him the 300 instead of trying for a lesser fare of 200, and it was worth it…..relaxing 20 minutes in the boat instead of the hot 35mins walk.
I ate a mahindi choma in the old Fort square. I walked around the backstreets a bit; dried a couple of shirts on the roof. Went to the Police canteen and then Petleys for a nightcap.
Tues 16th. After bfast I put some money on Mpesa then went and booked my return tkt to Mombasa for Thurs. I walked to Shela and decided to try to find Kalama who I had travelled with by bus 2 yrs ago. Thought it was going to be like finding a needle in a haystack….but after zig zagging through the backstreets and picking my way through the sand dunes, the first house I came across was his. He recognised me, although he called me Steve !!. We chatted as he completed some work on a plant pot commission. He showed me a new Lounge just built. Good views but a bit far from the sea. We then went to a mnazi joint where I proceeded to drink too much. Everyone was very impressed that I carried my own mboko with me.
He escorted me through the scorching hot sand dunes to the sea front. H had been attacked there with his friend a couple of weeks previously. Wallet and phone stolen and he ended up in hospital. His friend came off worse in that he had his hand chopped off. This was at night. Sad though.
Police canteen and then Petleys.
Wed 17th. Took it easy as I was feeling a bit rough. Aching. Did walk to Shela but only as far as Peponi. Good to swim from there as the water got deep quickly and possessions within easy reach on the beach. Didn’t stay long. Walked back. Went for a nice coffee at Whispers then walked the backstreets a little. After dinner I had an early night as I was leaving Lamu the next day. Bit of a short visit but most enjoyable as usual.