Tag: Tembea kenya
Facts about Mombasa Old Town that will make you want to visit
Mombasa old town is believed to be the first place at the Kenyan Coast to be settled by the Swahili ethnic group.
At the mention of this old town, the first thing that crosses ones mind is the view of an old quiet town located at the edge of the sea that boasts of rich culture,ancient architecture,a diverse community and deep history.
In my recent trip to the old town that was organised by my host,Voyager Beach Resort,I got to experience the old town’s warmth, interacted with locals,visited Fort Jesus;a Portuguese fort that was built between 1593 and 1596, by order of King Philip I of Portugal to guard the Old Port of Mombasa and has since been declared by UNESCO as a world Heritage site.
Most importantly I had a better understanding of the history of one of the most visited places at the Kenyan coast.
Inside Fort Jesus…
Mombasa Old Town Brief History.
In the 12th Century, Muhammad Al Idrisi, a geographer and cartographer gave the first published reference of Mombasa.In the 13th Century: Moroccan explorer, Ibn Battuta traveled along the East African coast and claimed Mombasa among other Islands along the Swahili Coastline.15th Century: A standard map of Africa was drawn and the town of Mombaza is clearly Indicated.16th Century: The now old Port(Mombasa) was notably the docking place for Arabian, Indian, Persian and Somalian traders. During the annual monsoon winds, the traders would dock their dhows at this port and bring porcelain,textile, oils,silk and spices. During this period after the monsoon winds, some traders would stay back and settle in the old town. This settlement led to cultural blending that allows Mombasa to crow of diverse people, cultures, cuisine, architecture and languages.18th century: Kenya was declared a British protectorate and it proposed the construction of a new port with a deeper water harbor,to handle larger ships that brought in building materials and workers for the new railways, hence the construction of Kilindini harbor. This saw the moving of most activities from the now Mombasa Old port in Mombasa town.
The Old Town:
Architecture..
The buildings are conveniently located opposite each other and separated by narrow streets.
They are a mix of old Arabian, Portuguese,old British and Asian architectural designs, characterized by raised balconies, wooden windows, large Arabian doors and white coral walls.
They also have curved windows and narrow verandas if any.
Mombasa Old town houses the oldest mosque in Kenya, the first hotel in Kenya and the first post office too!
History lovers will most definitely have a field day at the Old town.
Along the narrow streets of Mombasa Old town, is Ali’s Curio shop. This is where you get tangible pieces of history in form of Arabian vases, treasure boxes, Aladdin lamps, rags, utensils amongst others.
After a long sunny day, the only place to go to is Jahazi Coffee House. The coffee house has been designed to be a meeting place where people of all walks of life can interact, share ideas and basically catch up over tea,coffee, juice and food.
As you wind up the tour of the old town, just a few meters from the main entrance and opposite Fort Jesus, lies the graveyard of the family of Ali Al’amin Mazrui who was an academic professor and a political writer on African and Islamic studies. He was born in Mombasa.
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Checking Out:
Beautiful place to visit no? As I always say…Pack your bags already.
Important tips:
- Carry bottled drinking water, dress for the coast and do not forget your sunscreen.
- Have some cash with you, it is more convenient than swiping your card.
- Have a guide with you during tours, tourists can be easy targets to thieves and con artists who masquerade as locals.Learn to bargain, unscrupulous traders usually take advantage of visitors and charge them exorbitantly for goods and services
- It is not mandatory to tip in Kenya, but a little appreciation goes a long way for proper services rendered.
Appreciation:
Heritage Hotels with their Mombasa Resort;Voyager Beach Resort for organizing the trip. You can also have a tailor made tour to the Mombasa Old town and other must visit places in Mombasa when you book your stay by dropping them an email at sales@heritagehotel.co.ke you can also read more about Voyager Beach resort here.
Thee Agora: A blog committed to the preservation of Kenya’s rich history and culture by covering various aspects of our diverse history.
Hotel Review:The Panari Resort Nyahururu
When you mention a daycation,weekend getaway or a holiday in Nyahururu Kenya, the obvious suggestion that usually pops up is ;The panari Resort Nyahururu. I recently returned from a weekend getaway from the resort and have not been able to keep quiet about it. My social media pages have been awash with stories from Panari and I am not about to stop.
The Panari Resort elegantly sits on a twenty acre piece of land against a backdrop of the scenic Thomsons Falls that waters the surrounding Marmanet Forest as it makes its way effortlessly down stream as Ewaso Ng’iro river.
Checking In:
There is an aura of class, peace and tranquility as you drive into the resort. The security detail at the entrance gives a clear confirmation of guaranteed security during the stay.
On arrival, you are received by the resort’s manager who cordially welcomes you to the establishment as the porter takes care of your luggage that will be taken to your room as soon as you are cleared.
I got there at around lunch time and was directed straight to the restaurant for lunch.
The dining experience was exactly what I imagined and more. The dining room was exquisite with white walls adorned with expensive wall hangings,big windows, sliding doors, black polished tables with cream and dark brown seats that had bits of gold undertones. On one side of the room was an ancient statue made from Plaster of Paris and delicately placed on top of the fireplace.
The tables were set with snow white table cloths, polished silverware that could pass for mirrors and matching table mats. At every corner of the dining room stood attentive waiters and waitresses.
Finally the sumptuous buffet meal was cleverly displayed with the sole intention of spiking one’s appetite. Bliss.
The Dining Experience.
When it comes to the dessert, one is definitely spoilt for choice! So much to choose from.
Accommodation:
Transport to the room was by these clean,colorful and classy buggy cars. They are available on request. The signage to the different areas of the resort has been properly done and hence no unnecessary confusion considering the size of the resort and the identical buildings.
A welcome note neatly placed on the hardwood table from the manager of the resort was one of the highlights of my experience.Every guest wants to feel welcomed,taken care of and assured of a comfortable stay…Well done Panari.
As the warmth of the welcome note sipped through my system slowly, something else caught my eye.The room. It had a queen size bed,with white covers and lemon lime pillow sets, a huge floral wall painting with a corresponding colour scheme,an African themed bedside lamp, roof to floor window with drapery curtains that complemented the bed and wall colours. It had a polished wooden floor, furniture made from Mahogany wood (haha I guess) and a beautiful modern fireplace. On top of the table was an electric kettle, bottled water and an assortment of beverages for a quick fix.
I love wall hangings. There were two high quality canvas painting carefully and thoughtfully placed on the wall facing the sliding door. Products of fine art. Art that takes you back into time.
The room is self contained and has a modern bathroom that is well stocked with towels and toiletries.
There was yet another surprise that awaited me when I opened the sliding door that led to the balcony. The panoramic view of Marmanet forest,The gushing water from Thomson’s falls as it furiously made it way down the gorge and the wide angled clear horizon.
The chirruping of birds and the gentle breeze in the valley added flare to the already perfect picture that nature had painted.
The front porch of the room paved way to the other side of the hotel giving a sense of direction and bearing in case one felt lost.
Fun things to do:
In case you are wondering what else there is to do in the resort then wonder no more. The resort houses a fully equipped gym, a heated indoor swimming pool that is right opposite a small bar, Eucalyptus Spa and Salon, aerobics and yoga studio. There is a trained instructor on site just in case you need assistance
As you walk away from the utility complex, there is a site to behold. Manicured lawns, no stray grass, an artificial water fall, lovely benches,swinging seats, fresh air and a few ornamental canons.
After a stroll around the resort, I ended my evening at the Silk Oak bar. This is where style meets class. Enough space at the counter, leather lounge seats and a sufficiently stocked bar!
It is true what the say when you are having a great time…Time flies.
It was a memorable stay at Panari Resort Nyahururu and will definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
For more information about the resort, visit their website here.
Or drop them an email on…reservations@panariresort.com
With Love…
Voyager Beach Resort-Nyali
‘Jolly Evenin’ ladies ‘n gentlemen.Me moniker be cap’n Ndeithi ‘n I gunna be th’ cap’n ‘o ye ship. Me shipmates ‘n I gunna be at ye service to ensure ye heartly enjoy ye cruise. In case ‘o any questions, queries or assistance, kindly come to th’ quayside ‘n get help from th’ foul blaggart on call…’
This was the opening speech of Captain Ndeithi to the passengers aboard the Good Ship Voyage!
Well…I guess this is the closest I have been to a cruise ship. Technically, it is a cruise ship the only difference is that it is permanently stationed on land.
Voyager Beach Resort is an old fashioned ship themed luxury hotel at the Kenyan Coast,located ten kilometers from Mombasa town in Nyali. I spent a weekend in this unique resort and the only recommendation I have is; pack your bags already!
This Resort is a popular destination for Kenyans and foreigners alike, so bookings should be done in advance. On the weekend I was there, the resort was a buzz of activities. All rooms were fully booked. Roads and flights were all leading to Voyager. I had accompanied Team Twende Mara; a team of bloggers and photographers that was selected by the Kenya Tourism Board to take over its entire social media channels. Apart from us, there was Capital FM (Kenya) that turned twenty and flew all of its staff over for the weekend, the crew and fans of celebrated musicians; Nigeria’s Wizkid and America’s Chris Brown and then the other guests who were just either on holiday or business.
Arrival:
As earlier mentioned, everyone was headed to Voyager that weekend. All flights were fully booked and the only option left was to travel by bus which I grudgingly agreed to. We got to Mombasa late at night and found a driver from the resort waiting for us at the bus terminal. (To facilitate transfers, share your ETA and respective pick up point with the hotel early enough). On arrival, we received a cordial welcome from the captain of the ‘ship’, who quickly gave instructions to his shipmates and in no time we were well fed and already headed to our rooms.
The Resort and Stay.
One thing I like about the Kenyan coast is the spectacular sunrise and sunset. My room was situated right opposite the sea front overlooking an infinity pool. The sound of sea waves crushing against coral reefs,the gentle whistle of the wind as it blows kisses to the graceful palm trees, who then sashay shyly from side to side, to the golden streaks of the early morning sun rays usually make for my alarm when I’m down at the coast.
Breakfast is served at the main restaurant from 0700 hrs to 1000 hrs. Room service is also available on request. Meals are served buffet style.
There are three accommodation packages one can choose from; bed and breakfast, half board and an all-inclusive package. With an all inclusive package, there is an advantage of complimentary services and discounts,I had an all inclusive package and would encourage anyone to go for it. It affords one a-drink-all-you-can selected local alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, snacks served from 1000 hrs to 1800 hrs at the Kaskazi Bar, meals at Smugglers’ Cove (the seafood restaurant) at discounted rates and finally Italian cuisine at the Minestrone Restaurant.
There are four food outlets at Voyager; Mashua, Smugglers Cove, Minestrone and Kaskazi Snack Bar. Mashua is the main food outlet for all passengers on board.
Voyager is one of the destinations I have been to that has almost everything under one roof. There really is no need of looking for amenities or ‘fun things to do’ on a lazy day.
There are three swimming pools to begin with…
The Sports pool is best for energetic swimmers or fitness lovers.
The fun pool is the entertainment pool, perfect for water sports like volleyball,polo, amongst others. It also has water slides.
Then finally my favorite, the relax pool! This is specifically designed for peace and quite. If you have that book you have been reading for months…then this is the one place to finish it.
After a nice swim, a snack from Kaskazi bar then a lazy walk down to the beach is always a good idea.
When on vacation, relaxation should be top of the list on the to do things. At a roof top right opposite the Indian ocean and behind the sports swimming pool sits the cozy Swahili Lounge. It is ideal for an afternoon siesta. The Swahili seats, swinging beds and panoramic view of the ocean made it my favorite hangout area in the entire hotel. Nothing beats the chilled voyager’s cocktail in the afternoon and a backdrop of the ocean breeze.
Other drinks of choice can also be ordered from the Light House Sports Bar.
Lunch is served from 1230 hrs to 1430 hrs. It is important to observe the preferred dress code at the restaurant during meals. It’s so tempting to go to the main restaurant with swimwear but it’s not allowed. All other forms of casual wear are however allowed during the day. Mashua serves a variety of cuisines in buffet style.Each day has it’s own theme and during my stay, I experienced the African theme. The various themes are taken quite seriously. From how the tables are set with African table mats and lessos, to African cuisines and entertainment by an African music band.
This Maasai-man sculptured from a water melon caught my eye.
Information on entertainment and activities around the resort are always on notice boards. In case you miss the notice boards, the same info can be given at the reception…or better known as the quayside in Pirates English.
It is almost impossible to get bored at Voyager, just spot someone in a bright yellow tee written A-Team, ask about the fun activity of the day. They are a friendly lot. I joined them for volleyball in the fun swimming pool and as expected it was simply fun-filled! There are many games to choose from…The choice is all yours.
Kids are also well taken care of at Voyager. The adventurers’ Club located besides the animation deck has all it needs to keep the babies busy. This ranges from games like snakes and ladders, books, and toys all the way to the to sleeping area.
If you are not an adrenaline junkie, then treat yourself to a deserved relaxing massage. The massage room has a beautiful view of the ocean which complements the relax mode.
There are five bars at the resort; Harbour Bar-open twenty four hours, Look Out Bar,Kaskazi Bar and the Light House Sports bar which all close at midnight then Divers’ Bar that closes earliest, at 1800 hrs.
I liked the Look Out Bar a lot.I guess the name has a lot to do with its location. From the bar, there is a watchtower kind of view and you get to see most parts of the resort from a corner.
Don’t the cocktails taste way better with this view?…
In the late afternoon, I recommend a good read. The Treasure-Trove Boutique houses one of the best bookstores I have been to. Magazines, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, self-help books, poetry, Africana and host of many other genres. In Neil Gaiman’s words, “What I say is, a town isn’t a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it’s got a bookstore, it knows it’s not foolin’ a soul.”
As the sun crawls into its nest and ushers in a blissful night…the smooth baritone of the lead vocalist of the Jambo Africa Band singing to the famous ‘Hakuna matata’ song, sophisticated laughs and low toned conversations thickens the air, followed by civilized cheers and claps at the end of every electrifying performance. Some of the cabin crew members could be spotted here and there picking orders as the dining area filled up with passengers on board. Everyone dresses up for dinner.
The band will then give a powerful performance with a maintained tempo leaving the passengers begging for more. I remember being so consumed in their music to a point of having a minor heartbreak when the said they were done for the night at 2300 hrs.
It was hard to believe I was checking out the next morning.
Well if you are like me and saying goodbye to a Fantastic Voyage becomes a problem, worry not. There is an option to request for a late check out and schedule your departure for later in the evening then get to spend a full day in the ‘ship’!
A big shout out to Uber Kenya for sponsoring Team Twende Mara to the Chris brown’s/Wizkid’s Concert and facilitation of our movement to and from Mombasa Golf Club.
I hope you get to visit Voyager Beach Resort and have a taste of relaxation in a ‘ship’!
Golini Resort-Diani
Diani in south coast Kenya is one of my favorite coastal destinations in East Africa. The long strip of white sandy beaches, clear blue sky, chilled weather, turquoise waters with small patches of sea weed here and there, the sound of sea waves crushing against the shore, not forgetting the humidity that gives a sauna feel makes the haven irresistible.
In Diani, everything is stylish and elegant. Five star hotels, perfect infrastructure, stylish villas, international cuisines prepared by renowned chefs and world class water sports only to mention a few.
Standing majestically in the midst of all this magic is the chilled Swahili styled Golini Resort comprising of two cottages sitting on a two acre piece of land. The compound boasts of pedicured lawns, trimmed hedges, scented flowers, mature trees and a swimming pool. The resort is nothing short of beautiful.
Checking In:
Just as a home should be,warm clean and welcoming, the resort is all that and more. Graveled driveway, chlorophyllated grass, colourful flowers and an aura of comfort and calm.
The cottage.
The general plan has the master en suite, living room, well fitted kitchen, and a guest washroom on the ground floor.
A personal chef is available on request. This makes for a perfect opportunity to sample coastal dishes and to maximize on that vacation feel when away from home.
Located between the Master bedroom and the living room is a stylish spiral staircase that leads to the other rooms upstairs.
The rooms upstairs are nothing short of amazing, discreet and spacious. The snow white walls, huge bathroom and walk-in closet, large windows and a panoramic view of the compound make the rooms upstairs standout. This kind of set up is ideal for families with kids or a small group of friends touring South Coast.
The other bedroom that has a single bed.
Bathroom and Closet…
The other fabulous feature of this house that is impossible to ignore are the windows. Wide louvered windows run from wall to wall ensuring natural light and fresh air in the house effortlessly.
The front porch of the house opens up to a beautiful garden of flowers, trees and a pavement that leads to the swimming pool. Hanging delicately from the ceiling in the veranda is a unique hand crafted African lampshades that emphasizes the existing sense of panache.
The best part of Golini Resort is the fact that it located exactly two minutes from the sea front of Galu beach.What more could one be looking for in a coastal holiday destination?
Golini Resort is available for both long and short stays. The property is also on sale.(If interested drop me an email at bonnita@oldsite.aluochbonnita.com for more details ).
General info:
- Golini Resort is approximately thirty kilometers from Mombasa island via Likoni Ferry.
- It is adjacent to Ukunda town.
- A small airstrip called Ukunda Airport connects travelers and tourist to Mombasa, JKIA-Nairobi and Wilson airport(Nairobi). The drive from the airport to Golini Resort is approximately twenty minutes.
Places to See:
- Shimba Hills National Reserve.This is the only place you will get to see Kenya’s only population of the Sable Antelope.
- Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park Reserve:You definitely want to swim with dolphins, enjoy a beautiful spectacle of migratory birds and coral gardens.
Things to do:
- Enjoy a fresh platter of seafood at Mvureni Fisherman restaurant right at the beach front of Galu Kinondo beach.
- Go for a dhow safari, snorkel and scuba dive. This can be arranged by operators who are easily available at the beach.
- Kite surf, Windsurf, SUP, kayak and try many other water sports at H2O extreme, Kenya’s biggest water sports center.
- Go for sky diving at Skydive Diani. Best way to overcome acrophobia.
Recommendation: Pack your bags already!
Olkaria Geothermal Spa-Naivasha
Location: Floor of the Great Rift Valley inside Hells gate National Park.
Distance from Nairobi: About one and a half hours drive from Nairobi.(Approximately 120Km)
Accomodation: No
Restaurant: Yes
Public transport:No
Tour guide: Necessary for first timers.
Main attraction: The natural hot water spa.
Other attractions/Activities: Game viewing, camping,bird watching,sight seeing, cycling,hiking and rock climbing.
Charges: There are two charges:One is for accessing the National park as follows: Citizens;Ksh 350 for adults and Ksh250 children,Residents Ksh 700 adults and Ksh350 for children,USD 30 for adults and USD 20 for non residents.The other charge is for accessing the swimming pool area. Which is about Ksh 400.00*( please confirm with them on this).
Olkaria geothermal hot spa is a unique destination for a days trip to Hells Gate National Park or Naivasha.The facility is owned by Kenya Electricity Generating Company and is located inside the Hells gate National Park.
It is called a geothermal hot spa because of the hot water(hot steam that cools in the collecting pipes) that is collected from the various wells within the plant and emptied into the pool.The temperature of the main pool ranges between 30-40 degrees centigrade.
There is an apparent smell hydrogen sulphide gas(the smell from rotten eggs) in the pool area mainly assosiated with sulphide gas emitted during the drilling process that combines the hydrogen in the atmosphere . This however should not be a deal breaker (hahaha because fresh air is in abundance too!)
The pool.
Other Pools…
If swimming and water isn’t really your thing then no worries… you might as well take a nap and enjoy the warm humid air from the hot steam that is vaguely in the atmosphere.
Recommendation:
The management should have a cleaner on standby or constantly ensure that the changing room and shower’s floor is dried after use to avoid minor accidents caused by slippery/wet floor.
Also, a few minor repairs like fixing the towel holders would be great.
Overall verdict: Nice place to unwind. A must-visit destination when you visit Naivasha town or Hell’s gate National Park.
Things you should know about the wildebeest before you head down to Maasai Mara.
One of the greatest wildlife spectacles of the world is under way. This is the annual migration of the wildebeest from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Maasai Mara as they cross Mara river.
But what exactly do you know about this phenomenal animals called the wildebeest or gnus(pronounced as ‘news’) or Nyumbu in Swahili?
Here are quick facts about the wildebeest.
- They are in the family of antelopes. (Shocked huh?)
- They can live to up to twenty years.
- Their mating period is seasonal and usually timed so that the young ones are born close to the beginning of the rainy season when pasture is in plenty.
- During this period an average of half a million calves are born. ( Half a million!)
- Their gestation period is about eight months.
- When a calf is born it is able to stand and run within five to fifteen minutes of birth.
- The young calf starts to eat grass at about 10 days but continues to suckle up to about 5 months.
- Within a few days a young calf can run as fast as the adults in the herd.
- Young males are driven away from the herd when the next calf is born while the females stay on.
- They are grazers and can not do without water for more than a few days.
- They have a migratory cycle each year in the Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem covering up to around 2000km. This is dubbed as the great wildebeest migration.
- A single herd of wildebeest can have up to about one million of them.
- During the great migration about two million wildebeest cross the Mara river.
- These animals are a reliable source of food to the predators of the Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem.
- Predators follow the wildebeest as they move. Their main target being the young and weak.
- Other territorial predators like lions will only attack the wildebeest when they cross their territory.
- Wildebeest are active both day and night!
- They are also generally noisy.
What more do you know about wildebeest? Have you already gone to see the migration? Share with us your experience.
With Love,
Bonita!
PS:The photos used in this post belong to their respective owners.
Quick guide on how to spend a one day holiday in Elementaita and Naivasha.
Who said you have to wait for your annual leave to go for a holiday?
Once in a while, it is good to get away. In case you have been wondering how you can spend your one day leave from work or an off day then wonder no more.
Location: Elementaita
Distance from Nairobi: 2 hour drive
Destination: Oasis Eco Camp
Requirements: Warm clothing and food(self catering)
Type of Accommodation: Tented camps and family houses
Bonfire: Yes
Oasis Eco camp lies at the shores of Lake Elementaita. It is your perfect place for weekend getaways, family and friends reunions, relaxation and bird watching.
Follow these simple steps then thank me later.
Check in.
Fix dinner.
The cooking banda is located a few meters from the tents.
Light a bonfire to warm yourself as you prepare to sleep …This could be the perfect time to grab your drink, play some games as you bond with friends.
Wake up in the morning to a clear calm lake, the sound of chirping birds and chattering monkeys.
Enjoy sunrise and connect with nature as you wait for breakfast.
Have breakfast in the bush
Go for a walk and make new friends.
Go to and explore Naivasha town.
Go to Lake Naivasha.
Have lunch by the lake
Drive back to the camp and check out!
Let me know how this works out for you!
With Love…
Bonita.
10 reasons why you should be heading to Distant Relatives Ecolodge and Backpackers,Kilifi, on your next trip.
“Travel while you’re young and able. Don’t worry about the money, just make it work. Experience is far more valuable than money will ever be” These are the famous words of David Wolfe.
Distant Relatives is home away from home. I spent one of my holidays there and I can strongly recommend it to anyone looking for a place to visit in Kilifi.
Here are my ten reasons why you should be on your way there already!
1. Accommodation
They have a wide array of accommodation to choose from depending on your budget. My favorite of course being the tent.It has a capacity of two. They will charge you slightly over a thousand shillings per person sharing for a night.
2. Environmentally Friendly.
The Cape Town Declaration of 2002 defines responsible tourism as making better places for people to live in and better places to visit.It pushes for tour operators and other stake holders to take action and make tourism more sustainable.Distant relatives has by all means walked and talked the gospel of the responsible tourism. So if you are keen on environmental conservation then you will have a field day there because almost everything is recycled. From the tumblers used at the bar, to the manure used at the farm.
It is also the only place in the world that you can find Viceroy old liqueur growing on trees! lol
Just on your way to the farm, is a common shower inside a tiny bamboo forest. You can occasionally see tiny frogs and other harmless reptiles as you enjoy your showers under the bamboo canopy. The water is then recycled for farm use!
3. Meet the world.
Visitors at the Eco Lodge come from all corners of the world as observed.Listen to music from different countries, have a good laugh and learn from the different cultures represented here. All you need is a rapport with people you are genuinely interested in learning from.
I tend to think if a good number of young people took time to travel and understand different cultures, perhaps half of the world problems caused by ignorance and in-exposure can been solved. As Mahatma Gandhi said…”Travel is the language of peace.”
4. Chill and enjoy your ‘you’ time.
If there is one thing I totally appreciated about distant relatives is the space and the interior decor. It is so natural, laid back and inviting. You can have a quick afternoon nap, read a book, lazy in a pod or just relax and enjoy the cool music in the background.
5. Discover your talent or lack of.
It is one thing to know that you can not play the guitar, darts or even pool then, it is another thing to have it confirmed by trying and failing horribly…
At distant relatives, you are sure to spend your afternoon perfecting your skills in these and other games or just having a good time as you learn or compete with other travelers.
6.Go on a fishing trip with local fishermen.
7.Swimming.
Isn’t that what everybody who visits the back packers does? Coast is generally hot, and naturally, the body will try to regulate it’s temperature back to normal. This leaves swimming as the most viable idea.
8.Party inside the Musafir.
I am meant to understand there is a story behind Musafir the dhow… luckily during my stay at Distant Relatives,I was privileged to go to a party held in the Musafir deep inside the creek at night.. Ha ha ha talk of culture shock with all this foreign music and dancing styles! Were it not for Bob Nesta Marley’s Redemption song and get up,stand up, I would have completely floated. . but as I always say, we travel to learn and appreciate our differences.
9.Sunset!
Enjoy the best view of the magical sunset as sip you favorite drink!
10.Pizza Friday!
The delicious hand made pizza,that is well cooked in a wood-fired oven,boasts of its thin crust coupled with generous toppings making Fridays at Distant Relatives a day worth looking forward to.
Other things to do…
Go to the beach.
Visit the beach any time of the day or night!
Last but not least…
Shop!
Shop at their boutique for unique African wear and a host of other stuff. If you want to buy your friends and family gifts, this is the perfect place to.
I saw him, he saw me, we fell in Love and I am going back!
Have you ever fallen in love, so hard, so bad and so desperately?
I know you probably want to know if I have, and the answer is yes. I am in love. With a guy I met, just last weekend. He is rich, quiet and shy. Very little is known about my Mr.
He is surrounded by the big, popular and loud guys, but my man chooses to be quiet. I like it that way, I want him to maintain a low profile. Haha competition is real you know… and a girl must protect her own…
But wait a minute, I am already talking about him here, so I might as well just spill it…
This guy lives in Naivasha.
His name…(drum rolls)…. is ….(Faster drum rolls.) Lake Oloiden. hahahaha! Gotcha!
Lake Oloiden is a small salt water lake in Naivasha just next to Lake Naivasha. My tour guide, a local, told me that a long time ago it was part of the larger L.Naivasha but a hill(s) grew in between and/or Lake Naivasha ‘moved’ away… (I wish I could get a researched version of this theory. (If you have any valuable info about this lake, please share with us).
Lake Oloiden is along South lake Road, about 27Km from the start of the road. As you approach the lake, there is a small shopping center called Kongoni which is about 800m to the lake. The lake is on the right side of the road. ( see who tried to give directions there!)
If you love nature photography, water bodies, land forms, amazing landscapes, peace, quiet and tranquility then this is the place.
This lake is hidden and that is why very little is known about it. However, I can confidently say that never in my life have I ever had a mix of awe, thrill, fear and amusement in just under an hour.
- Awe.
As you drive in towards the lake, the road is a bit curved so you just don’t know what to expect. Then Alas! the curtains are drawn and you get to see the secret nature has been keeping from you. Bliss!
2.Thrill.
The boat ride.It will cost you Ksh.2000 to rent a boat for about 30 minutes. The boat carries a maximum of 7 at a go. The thrill about this ride is debunking of the myth that L.Oloiden is tiny.What you see with your eyes when standing on the shore is not what is actually experienced when you go for the boat ride! It is fairly big.
Nothing beats the feeling of seeing a tiny hill across the lake then only to move closer and discover it is actually huge.
3.Fear.
What would you do if you see a huge hippo a few meters from you, then at the blink of an eye it is not there. You quickly open your eyes and now it is just centimeters from you.You swallow hard and open your eyes wide while murmuring incomprehensibles…the next thing you know it has swam right beneath your tiny boat to the other side only to resurface with its mouth wide open!!! The questions that go through your mind suddenly are… where is the mother, father and siblings? How fast can I swim to the shore(Swim? to where?) Am I at peace with my maker? Jeez! It is scary. I wont talk about the confessions I heard from my pal Myra… (hilarious)
4. Amusement
Peeping giraffes, ducking dik diks, grazing zebras, grooming birds, cheerful fishermen, croaking frogs,old cabin houses, rolling hills, green campsites and so much more… I could go on and on and on and on but no. I will stop at that.
See why I fell in love and why I will go back again when the sun shines?
Lets meet at Oloiden.