Sun 28th..our rearranged schedule took us to Lamu. Was getting used to booking the Bolt taxi; nice and quick journey to the airport. The flight left 10 mins early. We had a good view of the coastline. Arrived Manda airport and got the water taxi to Lamu town. We checked out the Petleys hotel rooms but , actually I didn’t like them. After a mandazi n chai b’fast at Mangrove we checked into the Lamu Palace htl. I got my best room yet..no. 111..at the back and quiet. We stayed in Town then went to the Police canteen for refreshment. Went back later for a maharagwe and chapati dinner. Found a waterfront hotel to have an evening coffee.
Mon 29th. Went to Shela beach…just around the point, so not too far along the beach itself. Of course had a swim, then popped into Peponi htl for an expensive beer…I think 400. When the going rate is around 200 and the hotels generally sell for 300. I think we got a water taxi back.
It was still early enough and we visited both the Lamu museum and Fort; one ticket covered both. I hadn’t been to either before, so really enjoyed them. After a freshen up we got hold of Hassan and he took us to the Floating Pub. Always a fun place to visit. Only stayed an hour. Back to Town and on to the Police canteen and a coffee later. Action packed day.
30th. Last day on Lamu. Took a boat to Peponi but only went as far as the village. After a little wander we stopped at a newly refurbished hotel for a drink then went for one last swim at the beach just beyond Peponi htl. After a bit of wrangling with one boat we got a speedboat taxi back to Lamu town….good fun. After dinner, the usual evening coffee at the hotel. I had booked bus tickets to get us to Kilifi the next day. Was quite pleased with myself….one company said 1,200 and dropped to 1,000. The next company said 900. But I got rates of 800 from a third company..Raha…for us.
Mar 31st. No time for b’fast as it was an 07:00 bus from the mainland. I think a 10 min or so boat ride. A bit late leaving but had tea whilst waiting for the bus. Not sure if I had fully explained to Mike the reason for going as part of a convoy with an armed escort….the very minor threat of an Al Shabaab attack !!! Lamu is not too too far from Somalia. A good trip overall with most of being tarmaced. A slightly longer stop in Malindi, but a bearable 5 hours.
Checked into Titanic htl and got a brilliant rate of 1,200ksh incl b’fast…8 or 9 pounds. Mid afternoon we took a tuk tuk to B10 beach bar at Baobab beach. There we met up with Maina and Nyambura. Very windy with lots of sand flying around. Probably had dinner at Village Dishes and a drink at de Coffee bar.
Apr 1st. Breakfast at the hotel followed by a walk over Kilifi bridge to the Mnarani ruins. Quite interesting….15/16 century mosques. I did my ‘ I forgot my ID in Taveta ‘ routine and got in for 100 whereas the tourist rate was 500. We had a drink at a bar before the bridge and got a tuk tuk to the hotel.
Went to Saltys beach bar, which Mike liked. We went from there to Mwalimu’s mnazi Bar, which Mike didn’t like. I got us out of there as quickly as possible. I only go there because it’s local to Maina. Probably had dinner at Village Dishes then on to de Coffee for a night cap.
Apr 2nd was our last day in Kilifi. Had a relaxing morning. A visit to a nice juice bar. Then another visit to Saltys….it is rather nice there but you pay for the pleasure. After a wash at the hotel we walked to the Kilifi club. Nice that Mike and I could enjoy it without having to entertain friends. We were there until sunset. Then back to the juice bar for a Shwarma dinner..delicious. Went to de Coffee where we met up with my Taveta friend Michael. He’s really fun to chat with…. We had an early ish night to be ready for an early ish start the next day.