It was that day when I decided to take a trip to Fort Jesus in Mombasa.Purposely to know more of the Zinjanthropus days. The Portuguese and the Arabs colonial days until the Germans and the British took over. It was an eventful day full of knowledge. But this is not about Fort Jesus any way!!.The night got me off guard and decided to get a restaurant nearby for my dinner.
Memories are something that you will be able to keep forever. I like documenting my memories and this is one of them.
Camels Joint wasn’t one of my choice to have my dinner due to my previous experience at their Haille sellasie branch . But it was the nearest of all within the fort Jesus area, So I was kinder 50-50 going to the Fort Jesus branch. I ignored my instincts.
The fort area
The food here is mediocre to sum up all. Any food enthusiast who knows what comfort food is(sic) Wil do the same. It’s the only food I ate in the last 24 hours that I did not eat in the proceeding days.This is my second Visit to Camels joint to see if in my previous visit was just that bad day to them or for me but to my surprise it was worse than the previous visit.
The outdoor sitting area good, the ambience excellent. But the tea served cold.
I would leave zero star but I gave them a one star for the cleanless of their washrooms and dining area ambience. The food is mediocre for the price and to make it even worse it is not even close to authentic.I enjoy food in all it’s forms but this was a let down,.Streed food in Mombasa is far better. The vibe and food feels ridiculously whitewashed.
A full burnt king fish garnished with a day old lettuce leaves and smelly tomatoes.
I have not rated any restaurant as bad but below are my observations..
01. Would give it a zero if I could. The waitress stand was slow and lack product knowledge …Come here if you want attitude.
03. Cold Tea and customer service in the (City! Asked them to reheat the COLD Tea they gave me to drink and the waitress forgot to bring it back until I cried loud
02. Sleepy service, poor food quality, and when i asked why it was like this they stated that their kitchen was backed up, yet the restaurant was damn near empty.
04. Took an hour to get food. Fish was dry and burnt I have ever experienced. Go ANYWHERE else.An Overpriced piece of Fish
In Mombasa, Bamburi cement is one of the greatest names in construction industry, It is closely associated with the Haller Park, a world famous ecological rehabilitation site.Once a barren landscape ravaged by years of quarrying, it is now a rich tropical ecosystem bursting with life both wild animal and plant life.Haller the Man, is a brilliant example of how man can reclaim nature and create an environmentally friendly attraction.
The fish pond
The park was created by nature-loving scientists who divided it into several unique sites. The best is the animal park which boasts of Hippos, giraffes ,antelopes and even waterbucks. Another is the quarry viewpoint where nature and industry co-exist in one dramatic landscapes. At this point, one can see the early stages of rehabilitation against a backdrop of an open, active quarry and the cement factory.
Only at Haller Park will one enjoy unique Day walks . This is another segment where the trails is in a class of its own. The park literally is another picnic site. The forest trails are a sanctuary to many reptiles, birds and butterflies. The rich biodiversity is reflected in the over 400 plant and 180 bird species found in the rehabilitated quarries. One of the most interesting attractions at the park is the animals’ feeding, which takes place every day.
Forest trails are located on one side of the park 1km away, where they form a rare facility designed specifically for outdoor creation. There are four carefully designed trails that meander through the developing landscapes in the former quarry.
The Haller Park also has a unique sunset terrace perfect for relaxation and unwinding.
The 3.6-kilometre leisure walk has alternating landscapes from barren quarries to a lush rehabilitated forest. Other unique attractions include the butterfly pavilion found at the exhibition house where butterflies can be appreciated in their lovely colours.But this one however in my second visit couldn’t Get to see.
Again there are bikes on site for those who need a physical activity . What I liked even more is that all the routes are marked and the distance for each route. Whether jogging, cycling or even leisure walk. All are colour coded.
A well marked signage
The park has become more serene and beautiful than the previous visit.The kids enjoyed the scenery. The butterfly pavilion however, did not have butterflies maybe it was not the season. The trails are safe and very clean and one can walk through them without a guide. If you have small children advisable to have a walker or carrier because they get tired from walking.Within the reception it has places one can sit and relax.But unfortunately no restaurant on site. Am told that during COVID-19 time they scaled down on the operations. So make sure you carry your own food and drinks which they allow. However no dumping is allowed within the park.
This is one among many activities or places you need to visit while in Mombasa. Rene Haller, the founder, believed animals play an important role in the forest ecosystem as plants. Located along Mombasa- malindi highway it’s just opposite Bamburi beach hotel and near the pirates public beach.
Soft from the inside and crispy outsideServed as an accompaniment to chicken and french beans
Mukimo is a Kenyan meal whose origin is Central Kenya ( The Agikuyu community) but it’s popularity is savoured in restaurants and hotels across the country. If you have been wondering how to prepare this meal at home,here is a simple recipe to guide you through. More of a mashed potato but more filling.Now,we are not doing a mere mokimo but it’s version of croquettes where in case you have a left over mokimo you can remake it as a croquettes, just like potato croquettes.
Meanwhile,Also its worth setting aside some mashed potatoes just to make these mokimo croquettes the next day. This finger food is a crowd pleaser and makes an ideal snack or an accompaniment for entertaining or a fun side dish. All it takes is dressing up mashed potatoes with some chopped pumpkin leaves or spinach, fried chopped onions and boiled corn off the cob before shaping the mixture into logs and then breading and frying to golden perfection. Sprinkle with finely chopped parsley or spring onions before serving and maybe even a dusting of grated parmesan cheese for a special touch.
Ingredients
1 kg Irish potatoes
2 handfull of chopped fresh soft pumpkin leaves or sipnach
1cup of soft maize off the cob boiled
A bunch of spring onions(finely chopped)
1pc medium onion chopped
A knob of butter
Salt and ground pepper to taste
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg
1cup fresh breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil for frying
Fry the chopped onions with the butter and set aside.
In a large bowl, stir together potatoes which has been already boiled; season with salt and pepper.Put the onions and the chopped pumpkin or spinach leaves( You can puree on a blender for good results)-Mash to a fine paste using a masher or back of a cup.In a shallow bowl, place flour; season with salt and pepper. In another shallow bowl, whisk egg with 1 tablespoon water. In a third shallow bowl, place 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs.This process is called Pane process.
Form potato mixture into 3/4-by-3-inch logs. Roll in flour, shaking off excess, dip in egg wash, then roll in breadcrumbs to coat. In a heavy medium saucepan,heat vegetable oil over medium-high until hot. In batches, fry croquettes until golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes per batch, turning as needed. Drain on paper towels.
Serve as a snack with your favourite dip or to accompany your Chicken or steak or even your favourite fish dish.
The rolling, cutting and shapingDust with flour, dip in egg .Finally finish in bread crumbs.Ready shaped for deepfry
Diani/Mombasa is a destination where cordiality and love are celebrated. Here lovers get to come alive as they officially start their matrimonial journeys and enjoy a honeymoon together.Mine wasn’t a honey moon but a trip to dip my feet into sandy beaches of southcoast.
Eliud and Dee
Dee, My Fiance lay on her back as she smiled, her eyes sheltering behind blue sunglasses as she blissed in the delight of swimming in the splashy green and blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
It is a sunny Sunday afternoon and tourists, several of them couples and families, are out swimming in the ocean while others either sit or walk, and some kick some white sands.
Diani is a destination where cordiality and love are celebrated. There, lovers get to come alive as they officially start their matrimonial journeys and enjoy a weekend or honeymoon together.
Kongo public beach access point
Diani has a history which keep the body warm, a vast clean coastline but it is the people around that give you the psychological warmth . People will greet you with smiles that tickle the soul and tenderize the heart to the idea that Kenya coast is indeed a beautiful thing. I started sampling the Diani coastline from The Jacaranda hotel to Neptune .Quite a distance but it’s worth taking.
Most of the hotel staff I interacted with are natural at making guests feel at home at their facilities. From the local eateries to exclusive restaurants the pattern is almost similar.From the artistically chiselled Arab doors that I was glad to study closer to appreciate the precise designs that exhibit patterns that represent the lifestyle of the coastal people whose lifestyles were heavily influenced by the Arabic and Portuguese traders in the past century.
I was to later take note of the weather. The environment is suitably warm and cold too. I was welcomed to gentle rain drizzles from the open skies that seemed to signal a good week ahead at the subjectively natural coastal luxury compound.
Dee is a lover of style and an outdoor kind. So after booking in for the day, we left our room to venture outside for a walk which turned to be an all day affair. We walked along the beach, took boat cruises, canoe rides, kite surfing, scuba diving, marine tours and swimming in the ocean . What’s interesting is that all these activities are managed by the local community groups.Hence good income to them.
Community run beach restaurant
For lovers of culture and the unique heritage of the coastal people, The Beach operators showcase their wares along the road. Shukas, handicrafts,curvings and art drawings are displayed to showcase true Swahili style that embodies use of stones or wood richly decorated. Wooden high hanging ceiling are not left behind beautified using baskets, local shakers, mats, shuka and more.
The roadside curvings and artifacts Speedys bistro-serving most Kenyan coastaldishes
In every Restaurant you enter; Lovebirds, the introvert, extrovert, friends, and groups- private or corporate will find a place to sit and talk, sit and enjoy a meal, rest or even sleep and probably contented of the security and hospitality offered across..
Jacaranda resort beach stretchactivities offered A large swimming pool
Somewhere along the beach line, tourists love going about the simple pleasures of life; cuddling, turning pages of their favourite novel cover to cover, undisturbed, smoke a cigar, or just listen to the indulgent sound of waves hitting against each other on the gigantic blue Indian Ocean- the third largest on our planet Earth.Along the road leading to popular clubs street food joints their is always a well maintained lawns of the compound, the environment in Diani is well maintained to it’s natural state. You breath fresh air from the trees.Also the roadside is covered with pots that serves a decorative placement. It should additionally serve to remind the tourist visitors of the enviable traditional life of the coastal and indeed African people.Â
Fried fish with corn meal.sugar cane, beetroot juiceFried snapper and spinach
But it is the culinary offerings that got my palate excited,Dee, My Fiance is a lover of Fish, a lover of food,And thats why she is Romantically endowed each day .This trip was meant for her ,for us, to re-energize our love and no other place other than Diani. Diani for me any time. As we say bye-bye to Diani we say keep the hospitality alive. Fish,coffee chai(tea) and Ooh I forgot Dee loves vodka and whisky too.
Mzedu Kitchen 