Lamu

PHOTO - trying to up load some, just the system is so slow. This is a picture of a baby elephant (just in case you couldn't work it out)! at the David Sheldrick Elephant Sanctuary in Nairobi.
Well Lamu. Lovely, very relaxing place to be. We could definitely see ourselves staying there for a few months chilling out, growing beards, walking around bare foot and drinking beer and maybe the odd spliff!

The journey was interesting, express Matatu to the ferry. Express 'pants' to express, more like lets stop everywhere and let people on and off and put stuff on the roof. Then when we turned off the main road to a very long dirt track (at least an two hours worth of dirt track) we were joined by two army guys fully equipped with guns, not little guns but big guns. Do like a man in uniform but that funny khaki green colour of their garments didn't really do it. Apparently 'naughty people' used to come in from Somalia and rape and pillage tourists on Matatu's so thus the armed presence.

Jennifer saw a dead hippo on the way, I was too busy snoozing to see it. Looks like it might of had a fight with a vehicle and come off worse. Once arriving at the ferry stop, tiny little local port, we boarded a local boat and sailed (well with a motor) off to Lamu. It rained on the way there. Luckily I had my KiKoy to hand (thanks J&S) so we were kept nice and dry.

We had a huge amount of trepedation at arriving at Lamu as the Guide Books had been warning about the amount of 'touts' at the docking point, but we sailed through without any hassle and disposited ourselves into the nearest cafe for juice and food. Weirdly enough we got accomodation in this cafe as well, not before having checked out about 3/4 hotels recommended by the guide books which were just not up to our exacting standards!

Our accomodation, which was a lovely room with sea views and ensuite (I say ensuite loosely) was only 1450 Shillings per night, so essentially 14 pounds (7 squids each). Bargain more money for beers.

Lamu was quite expensive in comparision to where we have been so far, however we were on hols so it was Lobster and champagne all the way.... Actually more like local fish and beer, although I did check out the price of a bottle of Moet et Chandon as I had just that day got my exam results but it was being sold at approx 140 pounds, so just a tad expensive, maybe if it was 138 pounds I would of brought it!

Off to the beach we went on Saturday, via speed boat, good negotiation on our part so really cheap price. So for the first time we were at the beach, in our swimwear and swimming in the ocean and NO rain... Was fab, apart from the odd annoying local trying to sell us camel rides, samosas or sodas.

The beach was quite windy being exposed to the Indian Ocean but it was very hot, but being sensible grown ups we didn't get burn't just lightly toasted.

The rest of our time in Lamu was spent on the beach or in cafes or simply wondering around the streets looking in shops and have a good nose. Went for a few beers one night, but no serious partying. Was a lovely rest and considered staying for an additional day or so but our work ethic got in the way and we returned back to the Orphanage on the agreed day. Luckily the express Matutu was a little more express on the way back!