"Fantastic Kenya" a Mombasa Travel Page by hurghadalady

On our second trip to Kenya, we decided to re-marry after my husband 'forgot' our first wedding. He had suffered a brain haemorrage the previous September, so it seemed like a good idea.

For something different, we got married at Shimba Hills. A beautiful small lodge in the Kwali District. Everyone was so helpful and kind, we had a special tourist van, blinds, padded seats and all for the 45 minute journey from our hotel, The Africana Sea Lodge.

A cake and champagne had been arranged for us and the local dignitary carried out the wedding ritual.

I have a wicked sense of humour, and the previous night I swore that instead of saying 'I do' or 'I will' I was going to say 'Yep indeedie'.

Unfortunately when the Commissioner asked the vital question - would I? This came into my head and I got a fit of the giggles.
This started everyone else off, even the cameraman. It is quite funny watching the video seeing my shoulders shaking, the bridesmaid, our tour rep, in fits of laughter, the Commissioner's assistant, holding her sides and the camera with a slight wobble.

For my 'honeymoon' we went on a tented safari to Ziwani. A magical place where on a clear day I could see Kilimanjaro. The magic for me was waking up and going for an early morning stroll and seeing elephants at the bottom of the runway.

John our guide on the safari quite solemnly explained that he had Scottish blood. Now no disrespect to John but he was very black so I asked him to tell me more. He said is great, great, great about 10 great grandfathers ago had eaten a Scottish Missionary so that gave him Scottish blood. Who was I to argue? He was fantastic and took great delight in identifying every single type of spoor we came across. I was quite chuffed that by the end of our time there I could identify, zebra, gazelle, wild hog, giraffe and not to forget elephant droppings.

The water on the South Coast of Kenya is fabulous. Warm, not too salty with the most fantastic fish. Many times we went out, at low tide, to the sandbar. A magical place where the many different species and colours of coral never failed to fascinate. As a relative newcomer to swimming and snorkelling, I finally found something which enchanted me. So much so that my husband and I have asked our family to scatter our ashes on the sandbar.

The language spoken is Swahili and for my second trip I decided to make a concentrated effort. It must have paid off as all the hotel staff re-named me: Furhana (happy, glad) Swahili Mama. A great honour indeed.

If you have never been to Kenya, you really must. Stand at the top of the aircraft steps and inhale. The smell hits you straight away, frangipani, bougainviellia, spices and that unique smell which is Kenyan.

I'll be back Kenya!