The magic of Watamu, Kenya... When the trip is research and knowledge

When the trip is research and knowledge ....

 

Finally departing...

Finally it was time to leave. With me in this adventure, my husband and our two children. We embark on a 757/200 Blue Panorama from Bologna punctual at 21 and 30. Comfortable trip even though it was hard to rest: the seats of the plane leave something to be desired in terms of comfort ... We will stop in Zanzibar before reaching Mombasa, thus starting our adventure.

“Karibuni Kenya”

Good morning Kenya, Mombasa Hello!
At 9, after a stop in Zanzibar we landed in Mombasa. Xi visa formalities and baggage they carry away about 2 hours (... but how many people have decided, as we are coming to Kenya!). Outside the airport waiting for Gabriel, who leads us to the bus that will take us to Watamu, at Aquarius Beach Resort.
About two hours away where familiar with the smells, the landscapes and the people of this magical country. Just arrived, I already feel another person! It's just after 13, when they arrive, praticamenete the center of Watamu, on the beach and near a school. Exhausted, we expect over lunch, though not looking forward to some rest ... we will do later on the beach, I hope .....
Vain hope at the beach because we expect the Beach Boys! ... No time for rest, meanwhile familiar with some of them: Mario, Diego, Mr. Bleu. Fluent in Italian to communicate which is not a problem, you have to take us anywhere we want, without hurting them refer all tomorrow. "Pole pole" nod, but already know that we have won!

“Sunday in Watamu”

After finally have a good sleep, we decided to dedicate this day to the beach and discovering the different areas of the Resort, all very welcoming and simultaneously collected. The three swimming pools and lush vegetation that surrounds make you immerse in a unique atmosphere that attracts you! Among palm trees, Quinine we come to the beach of fine sand and white.
Today the host of the Beach Boys is also more friendly: Mario, Diego, Mastro Geppetto give us guidance on the costs and modalities for Safari and Boat trips. A nice savings over the costs of the various agencies in Hotel!
Basically we have already decided we want to trust and tomorrow morning we will be punctual for a boat trip to Marine Park and more ...

“Cruise..... to the maritime park”

At 8 and 30, we point on the beach ready to go: Mario is already there waiting! Unfortunately the day is not clear as above, but threatening rain ... but not get discouraged and we are sure it will be a beautiful day. The boat arrives and .. let's go! With us, two pairs of Florence and two women of Udine, mother and daughter. We make friends right away and the day passed in a flash, despite the rain, the marine park has decided to fall, undermining the view of fish and dolphins ... Then reverse the route to Sardinia 2, a spot in front of the Jacaranda, near Malindi, where low tide often discovers a white sand lead to the reef walk.
Here our friends beach boys prepare us for a fabulous lunch: posing a barbecue here in the water and cook swordfish, lobster and shrimp!
First however, have already prepared coconut rice with octopus sauce! We do not even miss the fruit: pineapple and bananas! Buon Appetito!
Meanwhile the sun has returned to rejoice along with a host of merchants that despite the distance from the coast, on foot have reached our boat to show their items to sell. Return that's almost 17 ... Tomorrow we have to .... get up early at 4:30 to leave for Safari!

“Safari at the Tsavo Park”

I never saw my two children get up on time so early in the morning! This holiday is taking them and I am really happy. I am convinced that this experience will be able to take everything they are offering: Culture, knowledge, research.
To reach the park two hours ahead of Tsavo subscribers unpaved, today our fellow travelers are Richard, Sandra and Serenella, with us in the boat yesterday, along with Mario, our local guide!
The safari offers a unique landscape and vegetation Savana alternate offering the chance to see pretty much all the inhabitants of these places: Gazelles, Impala, elephant, zebra, giraffe, crocodiles, and also ... lions. A busy day ... but when we return we are not at all tired! is difficult even to say goodbye at the end of the day, and Mario prompts us to accompany us tomorrow .... Where?

"Garota and Malindi"

Mario this morning took us to the beach Garota, at 3-4 km south of Watamu. Here begins the marine park, we are in Turtle Bay. The bay takes its name from the rock that stands in the ocean and looks like a turtle in fact.
Beautiful day and beautiful beach, almost deserted, ideal to enjoy two hours of sunbathing and swimming!
After lunch, our goal will Malindi, with the factory of wood and a tour of the city, including the authenticity of the market chaos in the streets and too quiet residential area! On returning to Watamu, greet Mario and friends of Florence, which start Friday. Thanks to them for being our fellow travelers.

“Where I left a piece of me....”

E' da quando sono arrivata che dentro di me sta prendendo sempre più forma un pensiero, una convinzione: non potrò ritornare a casa senza aver visitato l'Orfanotrofio di Timboni. Perchè nascondere a me stessa che avevo deciso di farlo prima di partire?
Torno a ripetere che Il Viaggio per me è soprattutto ricerca e conoscenza, entrare in punta di piedi in una cultura diversa dalla tua e prendere da essa tutto quello che si è in grado di prendere! L'ospitalità e la disponibiltà della gente, la loro giovialità, il loro saper vivere in maniera essenziale, e capire di quante cose inutili potremmo fare a meno! In questo Magico Paese, che ti rapisce con i suoi odori, la sua vegetazione rigogliosa ed un cielo stellato che non ha uguali nel resto del pianeta, le realtà degli Orfanotrofi sono esperienze che ogni persona che arriva in Kenya farebbe bene a visitare.
L'Orfanotrofio di Mama Sussy ospita circa 200 bambini compresi tra un'età che va da 1 mese a 12 anni. Nel breve tempo che siamo rimasti abbiamo cercato di dare loro quello che in luogo come questo forse manca: il contatto con una mano, una carezza, un'abbraccio! E stato bello farsi coinvolgere e prendere in braccio i più piccoli che poi non ne volevano sapere di scendere dalle nostre braccia. E' durato tutto troppo poco!| Quando tornerò, devo trovare più tempo per tutti voi! Ci salutano festosi con i loro canti...Sanno che ci hanno conquistato!
In questa visita ci ha accompagnato Ulisse, (insieme a noi nelle foto) conosciuto anche lui sulla spiaggia di Watamu, voglio ringraziarlo per l'esperienza che ci ha fatto vivere!
La mattina insieme abbiamo fatto una passeggiata sulla spiaggia fino a raggiungere un luogo dove abbiamo potuto vedere le scimmie: ecco qui una mamma con il suo piccolo....sicuramente più fortunato lui dei piccoli amici di Mama Sussy!

“...Tomorrow we'll be back!”

Last day with friends a week ... The beach on the occasion to greet everyone: Mario, Diego, Mastro Geppetto, Ulysses, Misha, Omar, the Women's Market on the beach. We hope to leave them a good memory ... and we give sweaters, pens, flip flops all we can ... we have to spend a week as we could not imagine!
The greetings are always difficult, the next my dear friends .... there must be a next time!
The evening ended with a dinner at the Resort and a Kenyan Maasai show .... (if there was still need to win).
Then all in bed. Wake up at 5 tomorrow

“Now I know what's called Africa Sickness!”

Last night we slept little and badly. The thought of having to leave us to be sad! I am not alone in this condition, but also the rest of the family of my own mood .... here is the mood that many call Mal D'Africa! We could not leave it free for the way in which we are immersed from day one in our adventure. On the bus that takes us to Mombasa mind I try to do things that local sales have hit me in this trip and do not forget.
Of Kenya take with me and the acrid smell intense that intoxicates from the moment you set foot on its soil, the lush vegetation that surrounds you until you arrive in the savannah, where the colors fade, but they are still hot, and the Ocean which bathes these beaches of fine white sand. I can not forget the starry sky at night I was watching charmed from the beach of Watamu: un'infintà of stars and constellations, impossible to see in our hemisphere.
Do not forget the patient's mastery of women and men of this earth skilled in producing wooden objects or jewelry. Do not forget even one of the Beach Boys, without which we have taken a holiday from inmates.
But most will take with me the eyes and the smiles of all those children who in these days we have come to meet in the streets and the beach, try to remember their faces and the faces of children Mound. The multiple shots definitely help me, but the experience and emotions that I bring you lived inside of me, until I can return to live again and still experiences emotions! I want to think that this child who greets me with his father is my hope to return .... soon!