Tues 10th. Caught the matatu outside Bustani. 70 bob fare. Got out at the Market and walked to Love & Joy for a great cup of tea. I thought the owner’s son had overcharged me, but I found out the next day that prices had gone up from 50 to 80bob. Duncort is just around the corner. I commented on how quiet the streets were…public holiday apparently…. ..Utamaduni (Culture) day. Settled on the 4th room eventually at Duncort. TV, Water issues with the others; I’m glad I found that out before I settled in the room. Met up with John ( herr Richard in Hills of Taita). Coffee ( complete with popcorn) and a good chat at the Ethiopian restaurant on Makadara Road.
Walked to Tahmeed booking office to ask about the fare to Tanga. 1,500ksh…even if you get on at Shimoni Junction. All the more reason not to take that option to get to the border and on to Tanga. I happened to pass by Singh restaurant which I’ve been looking for for years….Google maps very confusing. Cut across and found the road leading to Kilindini Pub. Doors were open for a change; I didn’t have to bang on the doors this time. Spent a long time chatting with Clarence and Maura. Had 3 beers in the end because Clarence bought me one. The plan is still that a new Likoni bridge gets constructed and that the Kilindini Pub gets demolished.
Walked back. Almost ate at Swahili Dishes but noticed a new place on the corner…Grinder House..the menu prices looked reasonable, so I went for the beef biryani at 500bob…Superb. Had one beer at Fantasy…30 seconds walk from Grinder; then to the hotel.
Wed 11th. The breakfast is okay at Duncort. Two slices of bread, boiled egg, sausage, banana and watermelon , and pot of milk..plus teabag… making 2 cups of tea. Walked over to Immigration to confirm the process to extend my visa by 3 months when it approaches expiry on 13th Dec. Apparently it just gets stamped at no extra cost. Walked over to my little vantage point near Fort Jesus, looking out across the entrance to the harbour. After an hour and a half I walked up Makadara road to Love & Joy for tea.
After a visit to my room for another shower, I went to Mombasa Village bar for a drink. Met a Brit who was new to Kenya and tried to help with advice…esp about booking an SGR ticket to Nairobi. Went to Grind House for dinner; tried the mutton biryani this time…lots of bones and not nearly as good as the beef the previous day. Shame that these places can’t be consistently good. At least Fantasy is just around the corner, and after a couple of beers I went back to my hotel.
A fun couple of days in Mombasa. I tried to pinpoint the location on Makadara, near the post office, of an ABnb that Mark is looking at for a few days towards the end of March. Relaxing walking around when the streets are slightly emptier.