Hotel African Pearl Malindi

... to solve every problem that has existed throughout history. At times it gets hard being the only caucasian for miles and dealing with all the attention. My best friends are the village chiefs from around my area which use me as an inspirational speaker at local Baraza's (community meetings). At first it was very intimidating but now I really enjoy it and I think I can make a lasting impression on these peoples lives now the hard part is following through on expectations.

... to look around. We hired a couple of bikes for the day and also cycled round the Aruboko-Sokoke forest. Future note &#8211; it&#8217;s quite hot in Africa and bikes are hard work! We also saw a golden-rumped elephant shrew hopping away in the forest &#8211; it is a strange beast.<br><br>Oh yes, and the other day Lucy was stung (twice!) by a scorpion - no biggie.<br><br>Wish you were here and hope you haven't all got swine flu,<br><br>Baraka &amp; Amina

... deep sea fishing and other water sports. <br><br>The Malindi Marine National Park is protected and has fine beaches clear water and a wide variety of very colorful fish. <br><br>Some places to stay in Malindi include:<br>Woburn Residence Club<br>Driftwood Beach Club<br>Hemingway's <br><br>

... a 50p tip, walked us all the way there and sat outside while we ate, hoping to walk us home again, but we said no thankyou we would get a tuk tuk. He asked for our address and telephone numbers, but I am ashamed to say I think I made a mistake with the odd digit in both!<br>Before the meal we saw a local football match and strolled along the white sand beach dodging scorpions.<br>

... some of the women had their finger nails polished. I would have thought that would not be allowed. Just goes to show how much I know. When I arrived at the hotel, I almost forgot for a moment that I was in Africa. From what I hear, the Malindi Coast is a popular vacation spot for many Italians and this was certainly true while I was there. Even the local staff members were all fluent in ...

... an Aunt and when it became clear he was sick she sent her son to boarding school and him to Tumaini and when he arrived he sat in the corner and refused to talk, is so much better now and is a lively wee kid with an eye for drawing. Terence and his Brther Peter Brought by their young mother who wanted to abandon them and was told she would never see them again and to think about it, she ...

... who was glued to a sofa, filling his massive belly with a giant plate of pasta, was a Mafia Don). Even the staff spoke Italian, and my limited Swahili didn't get me very far. I decided to blow my daily allowance on the slots and had great fun in the process. I didn't know then that this was the first of many more casinos to come on my scramble through Africa. A waiter wheeled a freshly roasted suckling pig past me, apple in the mouth and all, which I ...

... it wholeheartedly, screaming and cheering and laughing all the while shoving popcorn, sweets and soda into their gobs. We followed it up with some games and drawing and a few new songs to finish it out. It was a good day! So much has happened in the last month, in particular from a Jambo Jipya point of view I guess. I've gone from being completely shell shocked on day one to seasoned pro already, taking the newbies under my wing as if I'd been there years ...

My flight from Addis to Nairobi was delayed an hour for transit passengers. Duty free shops are taxed. I called Margaret to tell her I'd be back that night. The flight was smooth once we got going. We flew straight down the Rift Valley, over Shashamane and all the beautiful lakes. I had to kill four hours in the Nairobi airport and try to change my Ethiopian birr into usable currency. I had kept some because I was told I'd have to pay an airport departure ...

... and are a great cure for all the trials and tribulations this country has to offer. Chief amongst the positives is the tranquil backpackers here in Nairobi, run by the Kenyan legend, Ken. Ken (a Brit) is ex-Army and a former aid-worker who lists his favourite puirsuit as going out on the pull with his 25 year old son, and getting the best of his off-spring. Unsurprinsly his guests provide a ready stock of fresh meat. Yes, we felt at home with Ken! See ...