1st and 2nd Jan 2025
Taveta
Peaceful days. A chance to send New Year messages to family and friends. I just chilled around Taveta.
Fri 3rd. Jan
I booked my Mombasa ticket for the next day. Because of the holiday season the cost had gone up from 900 to 1,200bob. Not only that, the matatus were filling up fast and I decided on the very early morning one; I didn’t fancy an afternoon one as that would get me into Mombasa in the evening.
Decided to try the kiti moto at Garden Park again; it was much better this time. Mercy and her ex teacher friend Mercy were also there having kiti moto and a few drinks…
A short visit to Rockland as I had an early start the next day.
Sat 4th Jan .
Mombasa
I was awake around 2am. My alarms were set for 2:15. Naekana phoned at 2:15. I was at the stage before the 3:00 scheduled departure time. We only left about 30 mins late. I had my eyes shut most of the way which helped the 5 hours pass quite quickly.
So, an 8:30 arrival. As I was early I went straight to the Edward Rose..chemist…to order a leg cream for Mercy. The chemist was only a few minutes walk from Duncort, so very convenient. The cream cost 1,700bob, less than I was expecting.
I checked into Duncort…2,000 incl breakfast…the rate had not changed. I checked the hot water by having a shower!!
I had a Love & Joy tea. I had some tasks to do in Nyali so went to catch a matatatu there. I started at the Reef. Afnan was at work but not feeling at all well. We had a bit of a chat. I got a copy of the new 2025 room rates to send to Richard. He and Margaret are interested in coming back in February.
I stopped off at Tulia to pre book a twin room for Mark for 1st to 3rd Feb. By then it was about 3:30 and I went to Rubis/Kenol for a couple of beers, a plate of masala chips, and to watch the Spurs match. I didn’t watch it until the end ( they were ahead then ultimately lost ), but caught a matatu back into the City.
I bought a bottle of water from my non speaking guy. I relaxed in my room then went to Fantasy for the 6pm football matches. I was half way through a beer when John contacted me for a meet up. He was only 10 minutes walk away at Wood Cafe right next to Sherratton hotel on Moi Ave. I stayed at Sherratton 2 or 3 times in the covid era. We had a good chat then I went back to my room at about 9pm.
A very long day but the adrenaline kept me going strong.
Sun 5th Jan
A good sleep. A good breakfast. I walked over to the Tahmeed office to check times and cost of buses to Tanga. I caught the matatu to Nyali to get a final bit of information regarding Reef for Richard. I didn’t stay long, and after a mama siti chai I headed back into the city.
After going to my room I walked up to Kilindini Pub. I had a couple of beers and a good chat with Clarence.
I ate a very nice chicken biryani at Jundan then went over to Fantasy to watch football. The second match started a bit later at about 18:30, so I got back to my room after 21:00. I had a chat with Phil before going to sleep.
Mon 6th Jan.
Awoke to a nice breakfast. Walked over to Mwembe Tayari to buy my Tahmeed ticket for the next day. I was trying to arrange for Afnan to come into the city, but that turned out to be complicated. I checked prices at Coast Safari hotel; very reasonable at 1,600 for a small room and 1,800 for a bigger room with a TV.
As I was close to the Naekana stage, I handed over the Mercy package all wrapped up with her name, town, phone no. I even got a receipt so was happy to pay the 200bob carriage charge.
I walked back to Duncort and checked out, and back to Coast Safari to room no. 21 with a narrow balcony. The room seemed very comfortable.
I had a Love and Joy tea then went down to Fort Jesus. I sat in the sun for half an hour. I walked up to Mombasa Village bar and lingered over a beer. Still no sign of Afnan coming so I went to Fantasy then back to the hotel. I came to the conclusion that I really liked my room, and the hotel in general as it had a decent restaurant and a bar. I’ll certainly give it another try.
Afnan arrived after 18:00 and we had a very pleasant evening. Apart from drinks, we had a samosa each and shared a half kilo of goat meat and sliced fried potatoes with other vegetables. Good company, but I notice the cost difference when doubling all the expenses, plus extra little costs. Most enjoyable evening; she went back to Bamburi and I just had to walk up two flights of stairs to my room.