Our journey was roughly four hours to drive from Taita Hills to Mombasa, with a few sights on the way. The road was bitumen all the way, except for the raffertys rules on the road and very heavy traffic with trucks, the trip was quite pleasant, otherwise.We arrived into Mombasa, our guide Debit had to use a sat nav, because of all the changes. We were impressed with the new roadworks, being funded by the Chinese government, who have built roads and the new fast train. Kenya is going under major reconstruction to build the second largest deepest/natural port, the largest being in Durban.
After a couple of wrong turns, we finally arrived at our resort, Bamburi Beach Resort hotel. On arrival we alighted from the safari vehicle, ready to check in and our guide informed us that this was the wrong hotel, as told by the security guards.
After I informed Debit this is our hotel, as it was on our paperwork. I told our guide to check at reception, but he was bluffed by the security, so we all got into the vehicle.
After I informed Debit this is our hotel, as it was on our paperwork. I told our guide to check at reception, but he was bluffed by the security, so we all got into the vehicle.
I had to put on my big girl pants and talk some sense into Debit to check with reception, showed him the paperwork and to go back and check at reception too see if we were booked in!
I added that how would security know and we need to check at reception, so back we went and sure enough we were in the right hotel, we felt very sorry for our guide, who was nothing but wonderful.
This is how goods are transportedI added that how would security know and we need to check at reception, so back we went and sure enough we were in the right hotel, we felt very sorry for our guide, who was nothing but wonderful.
A nice swim.
Our entertainment for the night, very loud and lots of banging, not at all quite and rhythmic like the Masai, my most favourite tribe. The hotel has a show every night at 2100hrs.
After we had an afternoon and full day of relaxation, we were ready to tackle the traffic and chaos of Mombasa and arranged a half day city tour. This we did on Saturday.
Photo stop
after crossing a very busy road.
After our visit to the temple, we made our way to the local handicraft village, where the artist carves wooden statues and get 80% of the earnings, their workshops are very primitive.
Muslim meat markets
Old town Mombasa.
Ruins, buildings date from the early 13th century.
Our stay at Bamburi Beach resort was nice and relaxing, all inclusive package deal, food and alcohol. All day cafe with food on demand, great wood fired pizza’s.
We had a Swahili night, a mix of African and Arabian food. This young man was cooking nan bread.
It was in 1498 that Vasco da Gama first bought the Portuguese fleet into town and it was not long before his country men took over the east coast trade and ruled for more than 200 years.
Their domination was not unchallenged and in 1593 the construction of a fort, (known to be Fort Jesus) commenced on a spectacular site overlooking the harbour.
However in 1652 the Omani arabs raided nearby Zanzibar and Pate Islands and killed all the Portuguese. Over the next 40 years there were continuous raids on Mombasa and in 1696 an Omani fleet arrived at Mombasa Island and besieged Fort Jesus. Mombasa was to know no peace for many years and at one time the fort under went a siege lasting 33months. At the end only 15 out of the 2,000 inhabitants of the fort remained alive.
Eventually the Portuguese left the Kenya coast in 1729 and the Arab rulers controlled the town until 1832. This was the year that the Sultan of Oman moved his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar and from that date until the British East African Protectorate was set up in 1895, the Zanzibar flag fluttered over Fort Jesus. The fort is now a museum and is always included on all scheduled day tours of Mombasa.
Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus.
This is our last day in Mombasa, tomorrow we will catch the SGR rail, from Mombasa to Nairobi, which will be five hours, travelling 1st class, which should be interesting.
Overall, we had a great trip, very well looked after by our guide and driver. our hotel stays, glamping style in the National game reserves, were very comfortable, plentiful food and very good service.
This trip is hard to compare with our South African trip last year, as we both feel that South Africa is much more advanced then Kenya.
The train terminal, built and funded by the Chinese.
A monument dedicated to Zheng He.
Our train trip, was 5 hours and would have been pleasant, except for 7 rowdy French children. We arrived back into Nairobi at 8.15pm, transported to hotel for an overnight stay, the then the long journey home tomorrow begins.
Until next time.........
