Kim

Lamu!! Oh Kenya You Amaze Me.

Jambo my friends!! I have returned from the small island of Lamu. Different than I expected but not disappointed! I white knuckled most of the flight and kissed the ground when we landed. There are no motorized vehicles allowed on the island therefore donkey, foot or boat are the only way around. If you have been following my blogs, you will have noticed that foul smells seem to be a common occurrence. Sometimes the smell is coming from my fellow travelers, porters/guides, and yes, even myself! But this time the smell of Lamu wasn't any of these things, this time it was the pungent low tide or donkey dung. Truthfully, I just don't think I would feel comfortable during my travels unless something stunk like high hell.
The island was much smaller than I had anticipated but the quiet and slow pace was much welcomed. I stayed in a very secluded hotel with only 3 other guests. It is the end of their low season but even more devastating to tourism was the political unrest from the presidential elections held last Dec. in Kenya. Regardless, I enjoyed my stay and met a LOVELY couple from South Africa. Peter and Merryl were so kind and humorous. We went into town, fishing, swimming, and had meals together. I think they felt sorry for me, either that or they just enjoyed making fun of my American accent-PEETAR!! We had lots of laughs and I didn't mind being the butt of most of them. It is absolutely wonderful to sit for hours and discuss the cultural and political differences of all the places we have visited and even our own. September became the beginning of Ramadan. Most of the population here on the island of Lamu is Muslim, therefore, fasting and prayer was a common way of spending the day. There are many mosques nearby and the daily prayer could be heard from the roof tops.
Besides all of the wonderful sites, I truly find the people the most entertaining and often inspiring. So thank you to all the locals and travelers that I met along the way!
I am back in Nairobi again lounging by the pool. I will be trying to book a trip to Uganda to see the gorillas. Wish me luck and kisses to all!
Cheers!

Thanks for all the comments friends! They make me laugh and feel back at home. Can someone please send me a chicken tamale and a Negro Modelo!! Taco Surf.....yummy!!!