Mombasa!



If Mombasa sounds like Mumbai, it’s no surprise because there is strong Indian influence in this steamy coastal town. Leigh and I decided to splurge on another weekend trip to Mombasa, but were disappointed that our fellow volunteer in S. Sudan couldn’t join us due to illness. I’d already paid for a nonrefunable hotel so we decided to go anyway. It’s been well worth the expense!



The Indian Ocean is as warm as bath water, and it’s no wonder. The temperature here spiked to about 105 F when we got off the train. We caught a tuk-tuk (much like a motorized rickshaw), which gave us a much appreciated breeze as we rode through the busy city. Mombasa has many Arabs, as well as Indians living here, as was obvious by the architecture and languages spoken.

Our hotel has all the amenities and is on the beach. Many locals come to play soccer on the beach or swim in the warm ocean swells. All the young men wanted to befriend Leigh of course, and though there were other “mzungus” (white people) around, we were quite popular.


Food, of course, is varied and plentiful, including buffet breakfast, Indian food, and delicious seafood. We tuk-tuked over to the historic district where we visited Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese in the 1500’s, later conquered by Omani sultans, and later became a British prison. After visiting the Fort, we stopped by the colorful spice market in the old town district for a vivid sensory experience. The merchants swarmed and there was no escaping purchases of nuts, tea, and saffron. The heat inspired us to buy a couple of beach dresses as well.



 




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