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Ok right - we’ve reached to my personal favourite. We will be covering Mombasa in greater detail in the Hotels and Cuisine sections of the site as we build them, but this place just gets a hold of me. One day you all will see me conduct this site from Mombasa, because I will live there soon!
To speak of the lazy beaches caressing your senses whilst the gentle breeze makes you sigh with disbelief, is not enough. The emerald sea scattered with the occasional person is so alluring. Be careful when walking around in the low tide, pondering and calculating over how you might live here as you kick the water past your ankles, you just might forget that this was where the sun was made and get burnt. I was last there at Christmas and the beach was never full - except the public beach on Saturdays for a volleybal tournament, but even that was bearable and contained.
I watched in awe as 2009 kicked in and all the celebrations for miles along the beach saw those lantern thingies (sorry - that’s what I call them) float up into the night sky as all downed their Champaign and sucked in the Mombasa night air.
Mombasa
There is a lot to see in Mombasa and one attraction is Mamba (crocodile) Village. In Mamba Village, Mombasa, they breed crocodiles and have experts on hand for private tours of the village, including the snake section. Make sure you see ‘Big Daddy’ who has killed several men before and is massive (no stroking). Taste some chicken-like crocodile meat if you’re not too sentimental - yummy!
Big Daddy @ Mamba Village
View from the Swing Bar at Severin Sea Lodge, Bamburi Beach, Mombasa
I thought the view from the Severin Sea Lodge in Bamburi was lovely and the beach quiet and clean. The bar and room staff at this hotel are very warm and friendly BUT the reception and accounts staff are less accommodating in my opinion. I have stayed at this hotel many times but have now stopped because it is overpriced for what it is and many of the rooms smell damp. Sorry to speak ill of the place but I want you to receive a balanced view. My wife and I stayed in a superior room which all of a sudden became a suite, somehow - and we started to be charged accordingly. The problem is, they don’t even have any suites so how did we end up in a suite? Don’t get me started!
As we rolled slowly along a bumpy side road towards ‘Big Tree’ on the beach (a peaceful bar and restaurant owned by Italians - I think), with me continually moaning about our hotel, we happened upon an exquisite building behind a large wall - we could hardly see anything only that we caught the gates just closing. We saw a sign reading ‘ Pa Pweza Suites - Adamsmville’. This place looked so expensive but I had to be nosey. I disturbed the guard there telling him we were thinking of staying there, so we got to walk through to reception. Oh my gosh, as we walked through the courtyard towards the reception, I could see the beach directly through the reception and the lushly adorned gardens! I’d provide you with my own pictures but my blasted camera got stolen before I could download the pictures, no, I downloaded them onto my laptop! No, not in Kenya - my CAMERA GOT STOLEN HERE IN THE UK! Along with the laptop I downloaded them onto - I’m MAAAAAD! Anyway, we asked to see a room - no sorry, a suite! I couldn’t believe it, all the rooms have a beach view of some kind but room 201 - was awesome! It directly overlooked the beach, both bedrooms had balconies directly overlooking the beach just passed the small garden. You could both hear and smell the sea. There were two bathrooms, one en suite, a living room and a kitchen. The internet connection was a cheap one off payment that covered the whole stay (unlike the Severin Sea Lodge at about 400 ks an hour and it doesn’t even work most of the time!).
The picture below does not even do it justice. If you look towards the sea, the room we stayed in (201) was at the end - for the same price. Much much cheaper then the Severin Sea Lodge and so much more comfortable. We were able to host six or seven of us in the large two bedroomed suite.
They don’t even know that I’m promoting it but it for free but it was that good - you can tell them Mr Johnston Otaigbe from the UK sent you. They’ll remember who I am. I think.
www.papwezasuites.com
I’ll be there from the 8th November 2009 with my wife, my sister and her husband with our new daughter of 5 months by then. She’s due in 7 days!!! So, lets have a beer on the beach! I don’t know how long I’ll be there for because we have friends with a mini village and restaurant further up Malindi Road just past Mtwapa in Kikambala. I’ll get more details for you but the place is called Porini Restaurant - the ‘Bush’ Restaurant. The cuisine is Kenyan (coast) and Seychellois. The son of the owner is my closest friend and lives here in the UK. The atmosphere is distinctly African and friendly and a must see for all visitors. You will not be disappointed. Remember, I told you.
So, if you are in Bamburi Beach, I highly recommend Pa Pweza Suites. Take a trip up to to Porini Restaurant in Kikambala and along the road you’ll see typical Mombasa life. Stop at a bar or two along the Malindi road and feel the real experience of Kenya. Believe me, the people are more genuine than most here in the UK. Of course, don’t be silly and forget basic rules of safety but just relax. Although you can without problems, don’t drive alone if you’re new to Kenya. There is always a driver you can befriend after a few trips who you can employ for a whole day. He will also know of places you should see. Keep your wits about you, if you sense there is a problem, then leave a situation - just general travel sensibilities when in a foreign country really.
Abide by these simple steps and you’ll be heralding the Kenyan experience just like me before long. Remember, I’m used to travelling in Nigeria, where things can be far more risky - and even there you’d love with the right host! But that’s another site and another science away! I’m done for now but check back for more uploded pics and please send some of your own Kenya experiences and pictures. I’ll find a nice place for them.
Jay@kenyacheap.com
In the mean time, be checking out flights to Kenya, looking at dates and planning your dream holiday. That’s what life is about, experiences.