My latest adventure began on Sun 30th. I left E Grinstead early in order to do some shopping in E Croydon. An essential pair of swim shorts and a cocoa butter present. Met my uncle for a couple of hours for a good catch up , then resumed train and tube to Heathrow. Piccadilly line was closed so a bit more complicated but I had left plenty of time.
Mon 31st. My Ethiopian airlines flight was as good as usual. Food standards have been raised after dropping during covid travel times. 5 n half hours stopover in Addis, but lots to see and do in an airport. Arrival in mombasa was on time….and wow, the hot air on my face/body as I stepped off at the back door was quite something. Incredibly, from actually landing to getting through health checks , immigration and customs and exiting the airport only took 35 mins. I took a taxi into town and caught a matatu to Nyali. The taxi driver offered to take me and charge 500ksh but I knew the local transport costs only 50ksh.
I was dropped off right outside the Bustani apartment and room 29 was waiting for me. I emptied my rucksack and immediately put my new swim trunks to the test on the beach….a 6 minute walk away. The whole process was smooth and quick. From landing at 12:30…I was on the beach at 14:45
I then walked to the shopping centre for provisions as the apartment is self catering. Kept things simple…sausages and noodles from the supermarket and vegetatables from the local stalls. After a couple of beers at Kenol/Rubis, it was back to the apartment and an early dinner and early nights sleep. Hadn’t slept much on the plane so was pretty tired.
Tues 1st Feb. An easy day as I was fatigued from the travel and acclimatising to temperatures in the low 30s. More time spent on the beach and at the Nyali shopping centre.
Wed 2nd. Feeling stronger. Made a visit to Maasai beach bar. Always a fun place. And on a Wed they have live music; the band were great but they started a bit late. I managed to fit in half a dozen songs.
Thurs 3rd. I went into the city to source a pair of dark glasses for my Tarakea who I’m going to visit. A special request by him….. I was sure I could get a better price than at the Nyali centre…which I did. Stopped at Queens cafeteria for tea and mandazi and spoke to Ali about getting a good price at Sea Shells (his lodging/hotel in Lamu town) the next time I’m there.
I didn’t do much else in Mombasa/Nyali. I knew that after the cold of the UK I would need a few days to get used to Kenya again. On my last day I was moved from apt 29 to apt 41….which was a bit noisier but otherwise fine. An early night and time to pack my rucksack for the early morning journey to Taveta the next day. Nice to be back in Kenya.