The excitement of Yatch excursion

Finding joy in the simple pleasure of good food and and amazing friends above the waters!

Planning a day out with friends is always fun. We decide where to go, what to do, and what food to bring. We make sure everyone agrees with the plan. This way, everyone feels involved and excited.And so I was involved in organizing on the best possible thing to do.

Having time on the Yatch was what we agreed on.Its excitement and steaming off is on the next high level.The Yatch Gang group was formed.Group of nine with equal contribution to the fun.ating, laughing, and making memories – just another day with my favorites. Friends who munch together, stick together! Cheers to food, friendship, and fabulous times!”

Excited and energized we set off from our meeting point at the garden park lounge restaurant to our walk to one of the floating restaurant in mtwapa, the gem of kilifi. During our trek to the mtwapa creek, we had to endure some coastal heat as well as rain, which made a funny and slippery time on the muddy path. Slow and steady did it, or ‘pole-pole’, as they say here in Swahili.

After enjoying a freshly brewed mug of coffee, we were treated to a locally produced lunch . On the menu were charcoal roasted whole fish and fish soup, vegetables, rice, and chicken. A delicious and hearty meal was what we needed before setting off on our excursion.

The journey along the way passes through the footpath trail a neighborhood so close to nature.You can observe the local dwellings and chat with some locals. There’s an abundance of fruit and food vendors throughout the route with soft drinks and fresh squeezed madafu in plentiful supply. You’ll also pass a few ‘forest pubs’ where they’re serving the local wine, ‘Mnazi’ which I was assured is much stronger than regular beer or normal wine.

The yacht squeals while it slips off the trolley into the bitterly cold harbour’s water. The sails tighten and the boat leaps forward, away from the safety of the shore. The tame lapping of ripples against the hull rings out across the bay. The soft breeze streams through our hair and the chill nips at our faces.

At the moorings floating restaurant

A day out with friends is more than just fun. It’s a day of bonding, making memories, and strengthening our friendship. It’s a day that brings us closer and makes us appreciate each other more. It’s a day we look forward to and cherish.

In conclusion, a day out with friends is a special event. It’s a day filled with laughter, fun, and memories. It’s a day that strengthens our bonds and deepens our friendships. It’s a day we will always remember and cherish. It’s a day that makes us appreciate the simple joys of life and the value of friendship.

As out Yatch captain “docks back” after a happy excursion and a sunset cruise, all of us were happy and refreshed. Before we realized it was nightfall..

Next will be an all out food adventure …

Food And Culture,New Year Fireworks lights up Mombasa City.

Seafood bbque

One of the vendors ready for clients

A walk through the streets of Mombasa City at the Kenyan Coast makes you want to savor coast delicacies. And there is no better way to sell the food culture at the coast. Dubbed Mombasa Food and Culture Festival,supported by the county government, it was intended to celebrate New year Eve Governors Fireworks .The festival’s 2022 Fireworks edition went down at the Mama Ngina Waterfront Park on Saturday.More than 70 Food vendors from every corner of the Coastal counties made their presence at the Makadara grounds with a food stalls.

The festival’s 2022 Fireworks edition went down at the Mama Ngina Waterfront Park on Saturday Dec. 31st .More than 70 Food vendors from every corner of the Coastal counties made their presence at the Makadara grounds with a food stalls.

Members of the public at Mama Ngina waterfront awaiting fireworks to cross over to the new year

Fireworks

Each stall showcased a certain type of coastal delicacy – making it a culinary delight festival.From Kaimati to mkate Sinia, shawarma to biriani mahamri to fresh squeezed juices and many more.The Mombasa Food Festival is an annual event that supports and cultivates the region’s food culture. Different food vendors from coastal counties – Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Mombasa, Taita Taveta – turn up. But however this year not all coastal regions were represented. I noted only Mombasas Street food delights.

They are the ambassadors of the region’s scintillating food culture and they always turn up in droves.

Aware of the delight that comes with the festival, the 2022 Mombasa Food Festival edition welcomed thousands of residents at Mama Ngina which coincided with the New Year eve Fireworks. Curious international travelers with a knack for Coastal cuisine were not left behind. I noted that international Media were also represented , including CNNs @Larry Madowo

Mombasa County government organized the festival as a way to promote business and culinary Tourism as well.

Mombasa County Tourism chief said the food festival was a platform for entrepreneurs in the food sector to showcase. There were at least 70 food vendors at the festival. The presence of both international and local tourists augured well for the event.

These are the eyeballs the event always targets every year.

What’s The Importance Of the Mombasa Food Festival?

Members of the public sampling

Makadara road closed for the festival

The Winner of eating competition being awarded his token by the county official

Sugar canes for fresh juice squeez

The chicken Shawarma

The gastronomic delight of the festival is pivotal in driving the region’s tourism. History has it that those Swahili dishes warm up to the hearts of local and international guests visiting the coast.

Coupled with a rich holidaying history, food adds up to the magical touch of Mombasa and surrounding counties.

Food vendors at the festival reportedly made good money from their exhibitions. Some landed bigger business opportunities.

Hotels at the Coast also got an opportunity to market their products and services during the festival.

The highlight of the day was an eating competition where the champion was to finish a 1kg pilau (rice and meat dish cooked with Zanzibar spices) . A 1litre bottle of water as well as 1litre Soda in a record time. When the winner was announced, it was obvious

Eating champion

Winner of eating competition flanked by his supporters

The pain of winning…

Nature And Trails:That is Bamburi Nature Trails

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.

Enjoy your trails….