Thurs 18th. By the way, this blog relates to the last 10 days of an amazing year. I left UK at the beginning of Dec 2020…delayed my return whilst hopefully waiting for the quarantine charge to be lifted, and had an amazing 3 months in Ethiopia between Apr & July.
So, on the 18th I had my Neg pcr result and was aiming for the 12:30 Tawarkal bus. Easy walk as the bus left from town and not Kange. Arrived unnecessary 3 hrs early, but wanted to ensure a seat. Only an hour to Horohoro (border), but delayed an hour and a half…I think because of some fish in a bucket ! A couple of years ago there was a huge delay because someone was trying to export fish without a licence!! Slow getting onto the ferry and arrived Msa about a half hour before darkness. Stumbled across the Hermes htl at only 1,200 ksh per night; only negative thing was the saline water to shower in….soap doesn’t lather !! Went for a drink at Fantasy and dinner at Bella Vista…nice end to the day.
Fri 19th. No room available in Nyali but was offered a room in Tudor. Same organisation. An area that is on Mombasa island and it was a new experience….got to know it a little, esp as it took a lot of walking before I found the apartment. But, first thing that morning …after mandazi and chai at Queens cafeteria…I called into Ethiopian airlines to change my departure date. Couldn’t fly on 27th because of my class of ticket, but the 28th was OK.
Sat 20th. I discovered it wasn’t too far to walk into the city..about 30 mins. I went fown to Fort Jesus and then from there a long walk to the Kilindini pub.
Sun 21st. I went to Nyali to meet Mark again. By this time I had discovered the chicken bar b q place about 2 minutes walk from my apartment, and that’s where I ate every night. They did the most amazing tandoori and shawarma dishes.
Sun 22nd. I was finding my way around Tudor. Walked into the city to go to immigration with Mark. He had been shafted by his mister fixit and his visa was about to expire. Well, immigration didn’t really help except to clarify the situation and we went to another location for assistance. He didn’t need it in the end, but that’s another story. I was there for moral support basically.
23rd. I moved to Bustani..room 29 again. I tried Nyali Reef htl, but just catering for your tourists and I came to the conclusion that Maasai beach bar right next door was much better. That was 24th.
Basically on the 25th I walked to the Public beach. Saw Thomas at his beach stall. Virtually next door was the now fully refurbished New Big Tree bar. Had a couple of drinks there to enable me to use their lounger.
26th. Met Mark at Queens cafeteria and went on an interesting walk of the Old Town. Eventually we ended up at the Maasai beach bar and enjoyed a music evening. The 27th was another meet up with Mark…at Nyali shopping centre…and after Rubis I went on to the beach.
28th. Well, my last day. Got matatu towards Mark’s place. A bit of walking required but my rucksack was too heavy. I wanted to discuss with him the impending rules changing to get into the UK. As it turned out I missed the rules changes by one day, so all I had to do was book and pay for a lateral flow test for me to do on day 2 of my return.
Said my goodbyes to Mark. Tuk tuk into the city. Found a place for mandazi and chai. Stopped at Fantasy for a quick Balozi. Ordered my taxi to the airport. The checking in and immigration was very easy…of course as long as you have all your documents ready. So, about 17:30 I was on my way home. About a 5 hour stopover in Addis. Watched some English football at the airport. Arrival 7:00 a.m. Heathrow the next day. Very quickly through the airport and onto the tube to Victoria and a train to east Grinstead. The end of an amazing 12 months in East Africa. What an experience.