Sunday, September 7, 2008

Lamu My Sweet Treat!

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!!!

7 comments:

Ag - Pt - Fe said...

You are looking lovely my dear friend! I love hearing all your stories!

Anonymous said...

Hey Kim- Your trip sounds great. Everyone agrees it's fun to read, we ALL wish we were with you, and your writing skills have improved in the last 30 years. Keep it coming. Love, Mom

Anonymous said...

Kim

We have truly enjoyed reading your stories. It sounds like you are having a great time. Wow, what an adventure! You are a very entertaining writer, keep the stories coming.

Love,
Julie,Marc, Jamie and Josh

Anonymous said...

Hi Miss Kim-

You're trip sounds amazing and I hope you get to the gorillas. Deanna and Sophia start their preschool class at LBCC. Actually Roy and I are attending as it requires a parent there at all times. I guess we were viewing a different group of gorillas. I know we both went home with exhausted girls. I have thought of your hiking suggestion often about taking the full time and not trying to speed things up. I can't tell you how much it has helped me smell the roses in my life. Hope you are keeping the same advice in mind as you are enjoying this experience.

Dana

Anonymous said...

I love reading about your adventures, keep them coming. I can't wait to see the pictures.
Diana

Anonymous said...

Hi!after Koh Samui this spring,
I didn't consider any "tripping"
this Year! but looks like, You
make me so jealous! so watch out
in Morocco!seriously I will be there
in November,You will be in unknown island of "Hawaii" where is that??????
Fly high!!!!Grandpa Andrew

Anonymous said...

Hi Kimbewee,
I just started reading your blog. Amazing! You go girl, what an experience. Look forward to your updates. Love, Isabel