Day 13...last day in Mombasa :(

My last full day in Mombasa already! It is an understatement to say that the 2 weeks in Kenya flew by. And I can't believe I have been back for 3 months already (and I'm STILL writing this blog, lol!)

With still so much to see and do in Mombasa it was a fun-filled and jam-packed last day. We made the usual rellie stops on the way into town and then Shamil and Addib (apologies for spelling!) took Zena and I through the streets of old Mombasa (a trip down memory lane for Zena) and to Fort Jesus.

Zena and the boys at her old house!

I have to say the boys, aka "my new cousins", were perfect tour guides...I learned a lot and always felt safe.

After walking through the hustle and bustle of old town, the quiet and fresh air of the old port was like heaven! And beautiful too.

Down by the sea

Old Port

Below are a few pics of Fort Jesus, which is a UNESCO world heritage site (click on the link to learn more). One of the best parts of the day....the boys convincing the ticket lady that we were all locals so we could get in for 200Ksh as opposed to 1200Ksh!! Awesome :)

Looks quite beautiful despite what happened there...

Where the slaved were kept for "market"

Da boyz!

Kind of creepy but cool

 

Down down...to where the slaves were brought in

Fort Jesus really is a place where you can "feel" the history. It was amazing walking around there and visiting the museum part of it. I really enjoyed being by the sea on a gorgeous, sunny day with great company!

Although, I should mention that I was very sick that day and the cough syrup I was taking was giving me the shakes!

The actual highlight of the day was stopping to take pictures of the Mombasa tusks. Since deciding to go to Kenya last November, this is where I wanted to go....because I have a picture of my Mom there in 1967 (I wasn't even a twinkle then!). Amazing to think we have both stood in the exact same spot, halfway around the world 46 years apart! Priceless. :) I only wish we could have been there together...hopefully one day!

Zena and I at the tusks

So, we went back to Baba's for a bit then Jimmy, Ligia, Zena, and I went back to the hotel for a swim (and a much needed 3 hour nap for me). Had dinner at the hotel, packed up all our stuff for the early start the next day and that was the end of the Mombasa portion of my trip!

Anyone who knows me will appreciate this...

You can't walk by a shoe making place and not buy some $3 sandals! Thanks Z :)

 

Seraphina loves her "bumble bee" sandals, courtesy of Jimmy & Ligia, and I love both pairs of beaded sandals I have! :)

 

Day 12...now this is a vacation!

Apologies for the delay in the next instalment of My African Adventure. Slowest blogger ever! :p 

Last time we spoke I was very busy discovering Mombasa. Well today I will write about a day of total relaxation and a little piece of heaven. :)

After a lie in, it was time for breakfast of champions below (seriously, I could get used to freshly made crepes and omelets every morning!).

Mmmmmm, breakfast included!

 

Then it was time for reading by the pool...

Ahhhh, this is the life!

Ligia reading...surprise surprise ;-)

Then a little stroll along the beach picking up seashells (pleasant except for one of the vendors stalking us....but Zena told him off in Ki Swahili which I thought was hilarious! You can take the girl out of Kenya....lol).

Zena and I with our seashells

 

We had to wait until late afternoon for the tide to come in and then it was swim time! You can't go all the way to Mombasa and not jump in the sea.

 

Tide coming in!

Testing the waters

Swim time!

Rounded out the day with afternoon chai and then dinner at Il Covo again.

Lovely end to a great day!

 

In case some of you are wondering if my trip was "life changing", here are a few things I've been up to since I got back from Kenya. You already know about We Day and starting my course in International Development. I'm really lucky in that I get to take part in quite a few other Free the Children events because KPMG (and my boss) have a great partnership with them. Below is a picture of me and the Kenya Boys Choir (and Mark Kielburger) when they came to our offices and gave a fantastic performance, it brought back really good memories. And if you've never seen Chris Tse do his spoken word poetry, you should really check him out! Awesome.

 

KBC at KPMG!

 

A few days later I got invited to the Achievers Customer Experience conference where I got to see Mark speak again. It was very moving and motivational. This time geared towards HR professionals but with a very impactful message about changing the world, in whatever way you can.

 

On a more somber note, I also attended the Kenya Solidarity event with my parents and Jimmy and Ligia Van Rosi to remember the victims and survivors of the Westgate shooting that occurred in Nairobi on Sept 23rd. Although a solemn event, it was also a celebration of the interminable Kenyan spirit. The Van Rosi's gave an excellent performance, playing all the familiar Kenyan music and there were several poignant speakers and prayers. You could really feel the love and support in the room and tell that everyone still considered themselves Kenyans even though they live in Canada now. Canadian and Kenyan media coverage were there for people to share their messages of solidarity and grief with those back home. 

 

Many spoke out against the heinous terrorism that occurred at Westgate but were also very careful to say that they hold no ill feelings towards Somalians in general. That the terrorists do not represent any region or religion but act on their own agenda. I thought that was great to see, in the face of such tragedy the kind-heartedness of the Kenyan people and I was glad I was there to stand along side them. 

 

 

Kenyan Solidarity Event

 

Sisi ni nguvu kwa pamoja - We are stronger together

*please excuse this translation, if it is not correct feel free to comment