Just having a lazy day.We’ve moved back over to Turtle Bay.Their renovations are almost complete and it’s looking wonderful.Their architect, Andrew McNaughton, is very imaginative and innovative.He makes use of local materials, all of them recycled.For instance, he made a picture mosaic from old flip flops found on the beach and the bar counter was once a couple of wooden canoes. 29th May My mum and dad are coming to stay today and I’m quite excited.It will be great to show them the country we have come to love – hope they like it.We are picking them up from Mombasa airport this evening and haven’t driven here at night before so a bit nervous about it.We set off in the afternoon and are stopped by yet another police check, this time Agy has to produce his driving licence.All’s well and as we cross the bridge approaching Mombasa the sun is setting.It’s rush hour, but the traffic is nothing compared to Nairobi, more of a bicycle jam than traffic. Mum and Dad arrive on the Nairobi flight at 8.00 p.m.They’ve had a long day, having set off from Cape Town early this morning.They’ve been in South Africa for the last couple of weeks as an induction into Africa.It’s so good to see them.We take to the road and it’s now dark.I direct Agy the wrong way up a one-way road leading to a traffic roundabout.All the cars are coming straight towards us, it’s weird.Everything looks different in the dark, well, that’s my excuse. I think they’re quite shocked by the state of the roads, they’ll probably need physiotherapy when they get home after all the jolting.We finally arrive back at Turtle Bay just after 10.00 p.m. to a very warm welcome and a late dinner.
Flip flop mosaic, Turtle Bay Beach Club
Canoe bar, Turtle Bay Beach Club
Andrew McNaughton,architect and us
30th May We’re just taking it easy.I’ll have a little swim before trying to beat Agy at table tennis.That was a mistake, he won, again.I’ll get him back tomorrow. 31st May The plan for today is that there is no plan.We’re just enjoying a little walk along the beach.It’s quite deserted and mum and dad love it.Guess who won at table tennis.I’ll definitely get him back tomorrow. Oh, we’ve just been told that a turtle release is about to take place.There’s an organisation here called Turtle Watch.Their aim is to rescue turtles by paying fishermen, who accidentally trap them in their nets, to hand them over for subsequent return to the sea.Dashing down to the beach we learn that 4 turtles are about to be released, one of which is an endangered hawksbill, whilst the other 3 are green turtles.It’s quite moving to watch them being carried to the water’s edge and swim into the ocean.Bon voyage. 1st June It’s Madaraka day, the day that Kenyans commemorate their independence.It’s also our 15th wedding anniversary, so a double celebration (I think!!).We’re taking Mum and Dad over to Mida Creek.There are lots of school children enjoying the holiday and playing football.It’s good to catch up with everybody and to hear how things are going with the boardwalk.Our guide, Arafa, gives us a little nature lesson on the mangroves, of which there are 7 species, and the fiddler crabs living beneath.They make holes in the sand, allowing the mangrove trees to breathe. Before dinner we crack open a bottle of bubbly and are then treated to dinner at the Blue Turtle restaurant.It’s opening night and once again we are thoroughly spoilt.
Turtle bay beach,Watamu
Turtle release on the beach
The released turtle
Mida creek boardwalk
1st June
It’s Madaraka day, the day that Kenyans commemorate their independence.It’s also our 15th wedding anniversary, so a double celebration (I think!!).We’re taking Mum and Dad over to Mida Creek.There are lots of school children enjoying the holiday and playing football.It’s good to catch up with everybody and to hear how things are going with the boardwalk.Our guide, Arafa, gives us a little nature lesson on the mangroves, of which there are 7 species, and the fiddler crabs living beneath.They make holes in the sand, allowing the mangrove trees to breathe.Before dinner we crack open a bottle of bubbly and are then treated to dinner at the Blue Turtle restaurant.It’s opening night and once again we are thoroughly spoilt. 2nd June We take a trip into Malindi and Mum and Dad successfully change their return ticket so they can fly back from Malindi rather than face that bumpy old ride to Mombasa.We celebrate with a cup of coffee and delicious freshly-baked donuts.Agy pops into the off-licence to buy a bottle of Amarula, a South African creamy liqueur made from the fruit of the marula tree.
Janet, receptionist from Turtle Bay, has recently opened a primary school and invited us to go along.The students are having a French lesson.They perform a little play and it’s really very good.Can’t wait to go back next week to join in.They’ve prepared a wall of fame where we imprint our hands – it’s official, we’re now celebrities.
Finally, they treat us to a concert and sodas.What a wonderful school, the children are all very enthusiastic and enjoy showing off their education of which they are very proud.
Just before retiring to bed we pop into mum and dad’s room for an amarula nightcap.We have such a laugh and dad has to kick us out so that he can get some sleep.
Blue Turtle restaurant
Jayne and her dad
Jayne's mum and me
Silverstone Academy,Watamu
Jack leaving his handprint at Silverstone
5th June
We’ve had a lazy weekend so it’s time to get active and take the parents on safari.We’re going to use a different route via Malindi which should (famous last words) only take us a couple of hours.There’s only one problem with the road however, too much rain turns it into a river and last night we had quite a downpour. But you know us, intrepid travellers and not to be put off by a drop of water.Off we go. Well, the road seems to be ok, pretty bumpy as usual and a bit soft in places, yet we arrive in one piece at the gate of Tsavo East National Park.Straight away we see an elephant and hippo in the river, a good start.We soon spy a herd of buffalo and lots of antelope, things are going well.
Elephant family,Tsavo East
Giraffe,Tsavo East
I must tell you the outcome of that rhino poaching scandal.According to the KWS officer, those poachers were apprehended (i.e. shot) in Lamu of all places.They were on their way to Somalia.The rhino horn was also recovered.Thought you’d like to know. Anyway, we’re following the signs to our camp, chugging along nicely, then discover that the road has become little more than a path and some very prickly thorn bushes are sprouting up in front of us.Courageous Agy, armed with panga (machete), gets out and hacks away at them.This happens a couple of times and we start to feel a bit uneasy.Mum thinks we’ve gone the wrong way and should phone someone but there is no signal here in the bush.All we can do is carry on.I see on the map that we should cross a river soon and then we won’t be far away from the camp.Great, the river is ahead.Big snag, no bridge left.Agy paces around but there’s no way we can get across.Only one thing for it, go back to the previous signpost and turn left up there. Well, we’ve been on this road for about an hour now and we’re almost at camp.One more bridge to cross and …… wait a minute, what bridge?Unbelievable, this one’s disappeared too!We now have to go yet another route via Aruba dam to our destination.Well, that’s life I suppose, let’s carry on animal spotting.We’re at the dam now and have just seen a couple of African fish eagle enjoying a fish supper. At last, it’s 5.30 p.m. and we’re about a km from the camp.Just before we get there we see the sad sight of a dead elephant.On arrival at Satao Camp we find out that there was a way across the river at the second point we turned round, and that a pride of lions have moved in on the elephant carcass.We’ll investigate that tomorrow, just lead us to the Tuskers (beer, not elephants).
