3rd Sep…I decided not to stress and went for the 8 a.m. to Mombasa . I think we left about 8:30..but a good trip. Although I’d booked one of the front seats I somehow ended up in a different matatu, and sitting more in the middle of the vehicle. On arrival I checked the price of a mountain bike as I was considering taking one back to taveta. However, at 10,000 plus, the price was still too high for me.

I walked to the Ethiopian airlines office and a constructive chat about possibility of changing my ticket’s destination to either Frankfurt or Athens to avoid flying into Heathrow and incurring the UK’s hotel quarantine charge of £2,285. The change fee was steeper than I had bargained for, at usd350.

I had my accommodation to aim for in Nyali. It took me ages to find it. First I had to find where the Nyali matatus left from, which entailed going back almost as far as mwembe tayari and to the other side of the road to what I was expecting. Waited a little while for the matatu to fill up, but okay as it was only costing me 50ksh. The Google map was confusing, ; the directions were confusing and ended up passing the apartments. Paid 150ksh to get back to where I had just passed …but once I found the place it turned out to be pretty nice.

Settled in; put money on mpesa and paid for the 4 nights. Walked to City Mall for sausages, steak, noodles because there was a kitchen in the apartment which I decided to put to good use. Walked over to Maasai Beach bar for some late afternoon beers. Was meeting up with Mark the following day.

4th Sat…checked out the beach…only a 10 minute walk, and went as far as Voyager Beach resort where we stayed as a family getting on for 20 years ago. Then at midday I met Mark at City Mall. Had a very good catch up, as well as samosas, chips and beers at Kenol. We did some shopping before he went back to his house and I popped into Maasai Beach bar…. I bought a large bottle of Triple Ace to keep in the Apt fridge.

5th Sun. Had the day to myself. Walked all the way to kenyatta public beach…only took about 45 minutes. Met up with Thomas at his beach banda/shop. Gave him 500 towards fixing his hammock. Spent a bit of time on the beach then walked back. Had a samosa and beer lunch at kenol; and then ended up at Maasai beach bar to write my blog, have a drink and listen to a good live band.

6th Mon A beach walk. Met up with Mark for lunch. We went to Maasai beach bar and were joined by his friend Josphat who was very useful to ask questions on visa/permits related issues. I made a delicious meal of tomatoes, green pepper , noodles sausages and juicy steak. So ended a great few days in Nyali. I surprised room service by refusing to have my room cleaned and sheets and towel changed on a daily basis. After all, I can look after myself and I wasn’t prepared to pay the extra daily cost of about 4 pounds for that service. I guess that’s how airbnb.make their extra money…!!

7th Tues. Walked up to the road junction at City Mall and got a matatu into the city. One change and I reached the ferry….was on my way to Diani. The gate closed just in front of me and waited 30 minutes to get on a ferry…if only an immigration official hadn’t wanted to check my passport. He asked me if I had a ‘present ‘ for him…and I said..No !!

So, all in all it took longer than usual to get to Ukunda. Had a tea then went by tuk tuk to Frangipani behind Diani shopping centre where I stayed last time. A different room this time. Had a swim in the pool. Knocked a little off the room price..so 1,830 per night instead of 2,000. Just a small reduction, but extra 500 to cover transport or whatever.

Went to Piri Piries about 3:30. My friend Fatima joined me after 4. After a couple of drinks I took her to Swahili Pot for dinner. A very pleasant evening. The next day I took her out for b’fast and there had been a conversation about a purchase of new phone for her. I said there was a big price range of 5000 to 50,000 but no harm in checking things out. Entered safaricom shop and she went straight for the most expensive 60,000 phone. That’s about £400; I paid 17,000 for mine..about £115. She said I promised, I said no I didn’t. She shouted…blah blah. Walked back to the room where she had one bag…and basically she stormed off, never to be heard from again. Was very disappointed she got so greedy at the end…

Had a nice long walk on the beach, took some nice photos and found a nice beach bar called ChillSpot…a road to the beach that is opposite Diani shopping centre. I went to the Swahili Pot for dinner…Great curries.

9th Thurs. After a Coast Dishes bfast, I found a route to the beach and walked all the way to Amigos. Had a soda there and walked back. After a shower, I went to the ChillSpot again ; certainly a good discovery ..not too big and not far from my accommodation. Had a drink at Piri Piries; bought potato stick nibbles for dinner. So that was it..an eventful visit to Diani. Beautiful, beautiful beach. I was leaving the following day for Taveta.