Why I Would Return To Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park Countless Times

Where would we go next??One of our adventure gang member asked me.. Being a lead of distination,site and route researcher for the group, i was sorry that I had  to google to check what’s the best marine park to visit. I have been to Shimoni and Wasini island but not with the gang .

The gang Enroute(from left):Vicky,Ann,Doso,Gonga,Amina, Mzedu, Santana,Angela,Kevo,Jacquise and Liz.
The drive

Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park come to my mind.The park is roughly70km south of Mombasa. I knew the road would be rough since I had been to Shimoni before, so we settled for a 4*4 van and set out a date for the journey.

Assorted bites
Mzedu packed smacks

The journey was on a Sunday,As usual I don’t wake up early but I had to wake up at 5AM to get our snack packs for the day ready,thus started the road trip at 6AM.We crossed the ferry as usual but the jam to get to Likoni was crazy. After an hour or so we made it through. South coast is just chilled and calm and driving past Diani brought back memories of the rough road when I last travelled. The road was really poor then, and I mean really really poor. I never thought you can get to the Island with a vitz using that dirt road, but now the road network  is smooth  and very comfortable to any type of vehicle. A few kilometers down the road and we got to Shimoni.

Shimoni is a major historical site. This was where the slaves were kept before being shipped to Europe or Asia.

Meeting Mr Mohammed(lead guide)

I met my guide Mr. Mohamed Hassan waiting for us at the shopping centre.A very kind gentleman who made our stop there very worthwhile. Hassan is a local at Shimoni and owns a company that provides tours in the island. I asked if we could get to see dolphins. To  answer this question Hassan gave hope to all my heart. He explained clearly  that to visit Kisite Mpunguti you had to wake up at the crack of dawn and get the boat ride to the island. The boat will then go to tides where you could be able to view the dolphins. We asked so many questions and Mohammed had a ready answere and a solution to every of our concern.

Here we are at Shimoni. Mohammed led us to the KWS marine part offices for the registration and verification of identity.The Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park is managed by KWS (Kenya Wildlife Services) All of us were ready for the voyage to kisite mpunguti through Wasini island.

The KWS personnel Welcoming us.

We got in a dhow parked at the jetty named MV. Subra with three crew members on board. Jaffari was the captain (a smart young boy) and started the voyage to Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park Island. The Shimoni mainland and Wasini island are separated by a Kilometer of the Indian Ocean. Mpare hills which are in Tanzania could be seen and our guide told us guys cross into Tanzania everyday.

On board MV Subra.
Mr.jaffari briefing us

We got a brief from the guide about the journey from shimoni to Kisite-mpunguti- Marine Park, safety measures to take in case of emergency. At 9:30 the sail started. The sail is to take 3-4 hrs then stop over at Wasini- Island for lunch before returning to shimoni mainland, I realized the guide had a quite grasp on safety measures while at sea. I was easy about this and inquired, what if one gets sea sickness or vomiting what/ where would she/he vomit. His answere was short as ” you feed the fish” meaning  you just vomit on the sea. No plastic or waste is allowed to be thrown out ot the dhow. The dustbin is provided on board. Kisite-mpunguti- Marine national Park was smooth and we saw dolphins swim along the boat.  Along the way the sea got little rough but the boat cruised through despite the fact that some of the members got to vomit .

Casualties are inevitable.

We arrived at the park after about 1hr and 30mins. The boat was anchored and some of us went off for snorkeling and swimming to see the marine fish. Many other toirists from different  groups of nationality and myself enjoyed the view from the boat . The anchor- stop at marine park was to take 1hr 45 mins then leave for the island before high tide. However snorkeling took too long, the boat crew could not get us all together in time to leave for the island as planned. It was really  fun on the sand bath and swimming.By the time all  other visitors were back on board  of their shows it was already high tide and the sea waves were getting rough.

At the shimoni jetty.
Disembarking fron the dhow.

We set out to Wasini island about 1pm , the experience on the sea at Wasini channel was very chilling, the waves were rough as the dhow was wavering from side to side. That is when I inquired more on the available life- jackets and buoy- life –rings on board.. The dhow was well equipped in all of these vital equipment. We finally arrived at the Wasini island after about 1 hour 30 mins bumpy sail. Access to the island was by a one small boat ( there is no jetty for the dhows ) which takes trips to collect all the tourists and the reserve trip to return. I found these many trips also tiring but worth the adventure.

The group having their lunch at the restaurant.

Lunch at the Wasini island restaurant was refreshing sea food (selection of Fish, crab, lobster, rice, cassava ,vegetables , chicken , chapati and drinks ) and residents are very hospitable. We returned to shimoni mainland about 3.30 pm with unique experience and much of appreciation to God for safety. I also recognized that the dhow crew members mainly rely of their own experience on navigation but knowledge able of the sea around their area.

I would return to kisite Mpunguti countless time s due to ;

1. Unmatched scenery at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park. Before getting lost in all there is to discover below wild side of the sea with beautiful rock features, vast clear waters and beautiful blue skies and the scenery here is nothing short of divine.

 2. Majestic coral reefs at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park Coral reefs in the sea are what forests are to land. Coral reef barrier present at Kisite is so vast, providing a suitable home to octopus where dolphins feast on,You will therefore get to witness one of the most extraordinary features of the sea.  

3.Mysterious sea birds at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park.They love the bare rocks, which allow them the free space they are accustomed to in the ocean. As a result, Kisite is listed as an Important Bird Area.

4.The intriguing underwater world . Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park is one of the most ideal places for diving. The clear and clean waters boast of thousands of sea life that has been referred to as a rainbow. Snorkeling here will allow you to see beautifully colored fish of all sizes, shapes and forms.

5. Dolphins and whales at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park The most interesting  part of visiting Kisite Mpunguti is the chance to swim with dolphins in their natural habitat. These friendly mammals love playing in the water, and when they feel co enough can come within inches of you.

6.Shimoni Caves at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park: These are located in a small fishing village, these ancient coral caves were for century’s sacred sites of worship for the local communities. However, fate and history brought a darker aspect to this tranquil spot. In the 18th and 19th century the caves became pens for captured slaves on their way to the slave markets in Zanzibar. Your entrance fee will help pay school fees for the school going children from the village. It’s manned by the community here.

At 4pm we boarded our van back to northcoast Mombasa. But before them We made a stop at Diani for a quick one for the road. Sought to know where  we could go and unwind for an hour or so.

At Manyatta lounge enjoying the music.

Our source asked us to go to Manyatta Resort and lounge where entertainment is made. Yes ,…the place was epic. We danced till midnight . Exhausted, we left for Mombasa……….

Boarding our Van back to Mombasa from  Diani.

This Red Thing Valentines.

  • In summary;it doesn’t matter what you’ve done for your significant other all year if you fail to remember this one day.You could have bought her a plot of land and build her dream house, but if you forget a thousand-shillings worth of flowers which will die in a days time you’re the most unromantic son in the universe.

Now that Valentine’s shenanigans are over, it feels a little safer to dig a bit into the origin of the day that made me occupy my mind to get my gifts delivered on time or else I would be that dead son of soil. In my budget was red roses, red outfits and a bottle of something called Belaire Luxe, a champagne from burgundy that goes for slightly over USD.80, and tastes very much like regular muratina..

One popular theory connects Valentine’s Day to a Christian martyr named Saint Valentine. The Catholic Church recognises several saints named Valentine, but the most commonly mentioned is a priest in Rome during the third century.

The 8th-century ,Gelasian Sacramentary recorded the celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine on February 14.The day became associated with romantic love in the 14th and 15th centuries, when notions of courtly love flourished, apparently by association with the “lovebirds” of early spring. In 18th-century England, it grew into an occasion for couples to express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards. Valentine’s Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid.

Yes,this valentine I did my part as a boy child to making sure that the basics are met.Before expressing my love to my Valentine I had to show love to my own self by Joining Our Mombasa Walk Movement Bonje Valentine’s 2nd edition organized 4 days earlier.

Love was literally and figuratively poured into the streets of Mombasa as over 1,000 residents participated in a 19km walk to celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day.

 The young, old and youth thronged to the street to participate in the walk organized by the Mombasa Walk Movement.

So ,on the 10th, February we walked for 19 km to celebrate our health.

Legend has it that Valentine defied the Roman Emperor Claudius II, who had prohibited marriages for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. Valentine continued to marry young couples in secret. When discovered, he was imprisoned and eventually executed on February 14. Ouch! Kind of makes Valentine’s Day Good for lovers, especially to a Man of the world.Thats why it’s very important to send a gift(No matter how small) to a woman you truely love.

Some historians link Valentine’s Day to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which took place in mid-February, a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome.And the theories will go on and on.

The commercialisation of Valentine’s Day, with the mass production of cards and the exchange of gifts, gained momentum in the 19th century. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done for your significant other all year, if you fail to remember this one day. you’re the most unromantic son in the universe. Where did the red colour theme come from ? May be because of the blood the Valentine matyr shed?

To the red colour!!, this son of soil decided to pull a surprise to the old girl. We all left for work in our different fields. However I managed to sneak back to the house to colour the entire room red. Yes, pulled the red curtains up, the beddings red. Literally everything was red.Placed the Rose as bed centre piece. Off to plan for dinner.

Yes the suprise worked,It blew her off..All my sins for a year were pardoned.. To end the day was a church organization dinner where we had a good time with the speaker of the day.

I remember one woman who said, “I’d rather get a packet of maize flour than a bunch of inedible flowers.” I believe come judgment day, that woman will suffer a similar fate to the biblical Eve. You remember her, right? Apparently, she’s the reason women lose a tonne of blood once every month and get moody. My partner overheard that couples conversation on adjacent table.So I went ahead and posed a question.

“Diana,” I said to my love, (just to get her opinion on the woman conversation) -“I’ve loved you since the first day I laid eyes on you and I’ve done everything in my power to show how much you mean to me. What’s one day compared to valentine”

She answered “If you don’t get me flowers and wine,” she said, “you’re dead to me.”!!!!

Fried Calamari Rings.

Perfect homemade crispy fried calamari rings are not as hard as most will have you think, this breaded version can be cooked in under 15 minutes.

What you need

350g Squid Tubes cleaned, and cut into round tubes. Juice from one lemon.
1 Egg, whole beaten
50g (¼ Cup) Flour
50g (¼ Cup) Panko Breadcrumbs (if not you can use ordinary crumbs)
Pinch Paprika or cayenne pepper (optional). Salt to taste
Oil for Frying

Procedure
Heat the oil in a pan or deep fat fryer to 180°C. If you are using a sauce pan ot pot ( take care not to fill oil in the pan to more than a third full.
Sprinkle the squid with salt and a pinch of cayenne if using. Drizzle the lemon juice on the squid and mix well
Dip them into the flour, followed by the egg and finally into the bread crumbs.
Batch fry the squid in two batches in either a large saucepan or a wok.
Each batch should take 2 minutes to brown and cook through.
Remove from the pan and drain on kitchen paper before serving. Serve with tartar sauce or mayonnaise aside…

I like serving with fried rice if using as a main course…

Enjoy 😉.