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Published: November 30th 2011
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Mombasa
Getting a pedicure Unfortunately our bus journey to Mombasa didn't get off to a very good start. We had a slightly confusing encounter with the staff at the bus office who would not tell us which bus stand to go to the next morning, but instead insisted on personally accompanying us to the bus. We initially thought this was to help us find our way as the bus station was extremely busy and crowded but soon realised that something was amiss when we were ferried onto a different bus to the one named on our ticket and were then asked to pay extra to have our bags stowed inside. Further on in the journey we found out that we'd paid TSH70,000 each rather than the official fare of TSH25,000! We were gutted!! To make matters worse it was a hot, long and smelly 12 hour journey with with only a few cookies to eat between us and only 2 toilet stops, one of which was in a field.
We were extremely relieved when Cel's mum, dad and cousin Effie picked us up, however, the relief quickly evaporated when they informed us that they were taking us to meet some relatives in our tired
and smelly state, with no time for a shower to freshen up. Our spirits soon lifted after a cold beer and some tasty Goan food and we felt even better when they dropped us off at the 4* hotel, which was to be our home for the next 6 nights.
We spent the next few days being spoilt, including being treated to pedicures and an evening dhow cruise run by one of Mombasa's most renowned restaurants. Cel's parents had also brought us bags of chocolates and sweets and a load of toiletries to restock our supplies - including more anti-diarrhoea medicine! We also went on a city tour to see the spice market, craft makers, Fort Jesus and Haller Park where we saw giraffes, hippos and crocodiles being fed. The most entertaining part was the cheeky blue-balled monkeys who cleverly moved around the park according to which animal was being fed next and snuck past them to steal their food.
Whilst in Mombasa we also finished our PADI Open Water course and were lucky enough to see 3 sea turtles and to have a whitetip reef shark swim straight past us - arrh! We also met some advanced
Mombasa
Our rude boy taxi driver! divers, Soriah and Richard, who we discovered were getting married later that week. They kindly invited us to attend which we gladly did and we were lucky enough to be treated to an afternoon and evening of champagne and cake followed by a seafood banquet. We felt priveldged to be part of their special day.
In Mum and Dad's hotel we came across a brightly painted wall mural and we found that the artist had a suprisingly familiar name!
It was lovely seeing Mum and Dad and indulging in some luxury. Their final treat to us was a flight to Nairobi, so we didn't have to face another very long bus journey, and we didn't have to arrive there as we did to Mombasa. Thanks Mum and Dad!
We spent our last few days in East Africa, just as we'd started, relaxing at Beli's house and having a big Saturday night out on the town, although not all of us had 14 sambucas and spent the next day in bed..!
We'd had an amazing two months in Africa and couldn't believe it was already time to leave. So many fantastic experiences and memories and many places
Mombasa
Craft market we hope to be able to return to in the future. Next destination Delhi, India here we come whether we're ready for you or not...
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Antonetta Fernandes
non-member comment
Hello from Australia
Hi Celina & Jonny What a nightmare for you both when you got charged more to travel to Mombasa, but glad you were both spoiled by your parents and Effie You guys have done a lot in two months and are very brave Enjoy India and take care Love Uncle Augz & A. Antz xx