Palm trees, humid weather, sandy beaches, salty water, ocean blue meeting blue skies, relaxation, rejuvenation, slowing down, breathing, healing, feeling, and living all are the attributes of the Kenyan Coast.
This was a girls’ trip with colleagues. Once after having Biriani at a Swahili restaurant, one of the girls mentioned that she had never been to Coast. I mentioned that I had never been to wild waters despite having lived in Coast another mentioned that she needs a good crowd that would not be going to Coast just to drink. It was at that moment that we decided to vacation at the Coast for the weekend.
During this visit, I was able to cross several items off my bucket list. The trip was a mix of savoring coastal food and doing things for the first time whilst being the group tour guide.
Wild waters is a water park if I may borrow what Tanzania calls their Kunduchi park which is similar. It has several slides for both kids and adults. There is even one for ‘couples’. Going down the slides is thrilling. One picks up momentum and as you get to the water, you slightly float through the surface. Despite the climb involved before you get to the slide, we found ourselves going back several times. Each of the slides is different. There is a dark tunnel, there are some you go in with floaters others without. There was also a whirlpool which is opened for an hour from 4.00pm. We left wild waters hungry and lucky for us the next activity was sampling Coastal food at Mama Ngina drive before heading to Diani.
Needless to say, each of us had different personalities. One was lackluster. Yes, we are on vacation but considering the limited time we had, a sense of urgency would take us a long way. This trait almost made us miss our bus after the stop in Mtito Andei. I was torn between team spirit and looking out for my own interest which was ensuring I got my money’s worth. I decided to go talk the driver into giving her a few minutes but if this proved adamant, hopping and veering off with the rest of the passengers was an option.
Another was constantly planning, ready to disregard a place or thing because of one or two things going awry. No sooner had we savored a moment than she started anticipating the next. I wanted to shut her up and keep off because why was she such a party pooper. The last one was not any better, brooding and giving curt remarks even though everyone’s patience was tried.
I remember our host asking if she would sulk the entire evening because the waiters had forgotten her order and she had been waiting for a whole hour angry and hungry. She expressed her displeasure in the services including urging us to go to another establishment. Miss constantly planning had in this instance demanded to see the chef after returning her plate of fries and chicken because the quantity was too small and the next time she was served a part of chicken she did not fancy.
Each girl had separately at some point during the weekend vacation come to the conclusion that in no circumstance should the others be considered as travel partners. This was another validation of the book Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela. Speaking of books, the first book club meeting took place and I recommended Dark Matter by Blake Crouch as our August book of the month. I am Looking forward to hearing the thoughts of other book club members on it.
In this trip, I finally boarded the SGR from Mombasa to Nairobi. On reaching the Nairobi terminus, I took the commuter train to the CBD. I appreciated the cost-effectiveness of the transport system and the transition was very smooth.
This trip made its memorable mark and despite our differences, we made it safely back home each with a head full of hair. I loved that we discussed our shortcomings on our train back and that we never allowed them to hinder us from having the time of our lives. More than ever I am convinced that a trip to the Coast will forever be my vitamin sea and this prescription must be taken yearly if not thrice a year.
Dimples Migraines and Aahs 