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MALINDI AND WATAMU
The most popular spot in Malindi Marine National
Park, one of it’s kind in Africa The Park lies about 2kms
offshore and is reachable by glass- bottomed boats. The park abounds
with beautiful and diverse marine life. Other places of interest
include the Vasco da Gama Pillar erected in 1498 as a navigational
aid and the Malindi crocodile Farm and Snake Park. A short distance
north of Malindi at Mamburi are large saltpans, which produce
salt for both domestic and export markets. However what draws
tourists to this small town more than anything else is the ‘holiday
air’ that blows about the place. The tranquility of the
township and the merry atmosphere facilitates complete relaxation.
About 24 kms south of Malindi is Watamu Beach
holiday resort with its own marine National Park established for
the preservation of coral reef resources. The coral reefs here
are of exquisite beauty .A short distances from Watamu are the
famous Gedi ruins, one of the principal historical monuments on
the coast. Near the Gedi ruins is the Kipepeo Butterfly Farm where
many species of butterfly are collected for export.
The Lamu archipelago is 30 minutes flight from
Malindi. Access to Lamu Island is only possible by boat. The town
is linked to the mainland and to the three other small islands
of Kiwayu, Manda and Kiunga by waterways. Air travelers land at
the airstrip on the Manda Island and the proceed by boat to lamu.
Lamu is a unique town. It has magnificent old houses and street
that are too narrow and winding to accommodate motorized transport.
Consequently donkeys are the only mode of transportation!
MOMBASA
The island if Mombasa is Kenya’s second
largest metropolis and the main sea gate to East Africa. It is
adequately connected to up-country centers by road, rail and an
efficient domestic air service.
Mombasa has the harmonious mixture of the ancient
and the modern. The old Town is a fascinating place of antiquity,
characterized by narrow streets and old-fashioned houses. The
16th century Fort Jesus, a massive fortification built by the
Portuguese, is a major attraction. The old Dhow Harbor and the
Mombasa Marine Reserve are other places of interest.
A wide variety of social amenities and superb
modern accommodation facilities make Mombasa the most popular
holiday destination for both local and foreign tourists. It is
a paradise for sun and sand lovers Water sports, deep –sea
expeditions, out-door activities and indoor entertainments are
available in abundance. The South Coast resort area, linked by
ferry to Mombasa Island, is very popular on account if its magnificent
white sandy beaches.
Lamu Town
Lamu Island lies to the
north of Kenya's coastline and here you find the jewel of the
Indian Ocean. The most exotic place in Kenya is set in an archipelago
of islands, surrounded by coral reefs, the island which lies virtually
undisturbed was once called the "Katmandu" of Africa
and attracted a great diversity of travelers.
Lamu town, now a World Heritage
by UNESCO, was an important trading hub in the yester years that
began in the 13th century. Great Ocean sailing dhows sailed in
from India to Lamu town and back again using the monsoon winds
that blew in one direction for six months and then changed the
opposite direction for another six. These traders dealt in ivory,
rhino horn, turtle shells, slaves and mangrove poles. Today Lamu
is a cultural mix and has a vibrant atmosphere. Transport on Lamu
island is by donkey or by foot, and by traditional sailing dhows
between the islands.
Shella Village on the island
is one of the most frequented places in Lamu. Located on Shela
beach overlooking the azure waters of the Indian Ocean this region
is a pleasant tangle of winding, sandy lanes and tall, traditional
Swahili houses, mosques and a couple of small hotels. Strolling
through the small lanes you will meet women with covered faces
with the traditional black buibui, elderly men and women, cheerful
children and a large number of donkeys.
FORT JESUS, MOMBASA
Fort Jesus, Mombasa, was built by the Portuguese
at the end at the end of sixteenth century to secure their position
on the coast of East Africa. For a hundred years their northern
headquarters had been an unfortified ‘factory’ or
settlement at Malindi. However, the appearance of Turkish ships
in the Indian Ocean and the persistent hostility of the Swahili
town of Mombasa convinced them that they could not allow the best
harbor on the east coast of Africa to become a base for their
enemies. At this time Portugal was part of the possessions of
the king of Spain and Fort Jesus was one of the fortresses with
which the Spanish crown attempted to maintain its global empire.
The site chosen was a coral ridge at the entrance
to the harbor, about a mile from the old Swahili and Arab town.
The original ramparts on the landward sides were 2 ½ meters
wide, with a parapet walk and firing step raised about 1 meter
above the level of the central court. On the seaward side there
has been much rebuilding and the original form of the outer walls
is uncertain. In the bastion of S. Matias there was a low kerb
on which a wall with gun ports was later built.
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The walls of coral blocks rose about 13 meters
above the bottom ditch. Later, walls were built on top of the
old parapets so that the height was increased by another 3 meters.
The lower part of the defenses, as seen from the outside, is of
solid coral which was cut back to the lines of the walls. On the
west considerable excavation was necessary to isolate the Fort
from the ground behind it, and the work was never finished. The
ditch varied in width from as much as 12 meters on the north to
3 meters beside the south-west bastion. The Fort could not be
undermined, and before the invention of explosive shells could
only have been stormed with heavy casualties.
It was designed by an Italian architect and engineer,
Jaoa Batista Cairato, the leading architect of the Portuguese
in India. The plan consisted of a central court with oreillons
or bastions at the four corners and a rectangular projection facing
the sea, in all covering an area of about two acres.
Don’t miss this!!
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