Blogs from Mombasa, Coast Province, Kenya, Africa - page 6

Erstaunlicherweise gibt es einen direkten Bus von Kamamega nach Mombasa, der über Nacht fährt. Wir sind froh, diese Fahrt gut überstanden zu haben, denn der Fahrer ist so ziemlich der schlimmste, der uns bis jetzt untergekommen ist. Mit Höllentempo rast er über die schmalen, löchrigen Straßen, ohne Rücksicht auf andere Verkehrsteilnehmer. Radfahrer und Fußgänger werden einfach in den Straßengraben gedrängt- rette sich wer kann! Wir sind erst beruhigt, als mitten in der Nacht in Nairobi ein anderer Busfahrer das Steuer übernimmt. Danach können wir alle ganz gut schlafen. Nachdem meine sehr sympathische, schwarz verschleierte Sitznachbarin, die ständig telefoniert, samt ihrem süßen Baby in Nairobi ausgestiegen ist, habe ich sogar die ganze Bank für mich, und kann mich etwas hinlegen. Mombasa ist viel weniger touristisch, als ich es mir vorgestellt habe. Hier überwiegt die Swahili-Kultur,... read more

Vi vågnede efter en varm, men dejlig nat i et hus der var langt, langt bedre end vi havde forventet. Vi havde bestilt en billigere hytte 3 min. fra vandet, men havde fået luksushyttet lige på stranden. Se lige denne udsigt:) Totalt sejt. Her ser ud lige som på alle reklamerne fra de dyreste steder i verden. Det her bliver så skønt - bare slappe af, svømme, dykke og nyde livet samme:) ... read more

I. Jumba la Mtwana North of Mombasa, over the bridge to Mtwapa, and then right down a deeply rutted dirt road towards the sea, you stumble on to the evocative ruins of a pre-British, pre-Omani, pre-Portuguese Swahili town. Known now as Jumba la Mtwana, or the “Big House of Slaves”, there’s apparently little information on just who lived here and what they did (it’s only conjecture that it might have been a slave-trading port – there’s no physical evidence that it was). All that remains are the stone walls of several large homes, each with its own internal well and an early version of indoor plumbing, along with several mosques, including a large one built right on the shore of the Indian Ocean. The ruins are entangled in lush greenery and shaded by barrel-trunked baobab trees. ... read more

What is normal? As I lay on a lounger chilling at the beach, completely relaxed, I contemplated what is “normal”? I have a 3 month old baby who feeds constantly and needs to be held all day, and an almost 2 year old who is cheeky and particularly strong willed, and an almost 4 year old who loves to talk constantly, and a husband who travels 25% of the time. Yet here I am sitting on this lounger, shaded by the coconut palms, by myself, completely relaxed. The reason I’m relaxed, is Mama Messe. She has Emma strapped to her back with a kikoy, while braiding Charlotte’s hair, and helping Hayley build a sandcastle. Murray is snorkeling. Mama Messe has 6 children, she is 40 years old, and her children range in age from 25 to ... read more

Our long walks down the resort studded white sand beach led our eyes to grow a bit larger than our pockets. By this I mean our intrigue to enjoy the tropical paradise at one of the all-inclusive, A/C and pool equipped resorts up the street drove us to attempt a pricey move that was out of our “backpacking” budget. As our recovering-from-cholera bodies craved a location to fully regenerate, our minds told us it most likely would not be an option for our last two nights on the Kenyan coast. To our excitement and appreciation Mommy and Daddy Sims (I love and miss you ) offered to pick up two nights at Diani Sea Resort. We immediately packed our bags and headed to our new upscale tropical paradise only a short matatu ride up the road. ... read more