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KENYA
WHERE DO I LIVE
In
1988, with my companion, when we made the first journey to Kenya, we
remained considerably impressed of the astonishing beauties of this country,
so we took the decision to settle here.
It's understandable to be embarrassed, as we had at that time
to decide where to reside and build our own house, because every place
visited by us, was beautiful.
I still remember the emotions we felt when we went to
visit an Italian family, residents since thirty years in Naivasha, in the
highlands of Kenya. I recalled their marvelous house, in colonial style. It
reminded me of a film, shot in that area many years ago. I remember the
lovely garden with the wonderful English lawn, full of flowers, with dogs
playing and the stories, which were told to us by the owners. There were
funny anecdotes about their Kenyan staff. Also their own habits, had changed
with the passing of time.
That area of Kenya is fantastic, all cultivated with
coffee, tea and especially pyrethrum, of which eighty per cent of this plant
produced in the world, comes from there. During the flowering season of
these three plants, it is an unbelievable sight.
I told you that it was difficult enough to decide. After
careful evaluations, we chose the Coast. This would give us the opportunity
to be near the sea which is an area full of tourists, therefore which a lot
of movement, recreation and a warm climate year round.
Naivasha during certain periods of the year, in spite of
being next to the Equator, is cold, and the friends we met would be too far
from us, about two hours drive by car!
Watamu was the final choice. This is a little Swahili
fishing village, full of people during the tourist season, but otherwise
quiet. There are some areas occupied principally by whites (Wazungu), of all
different nations, who have decided to have their home close to the beach.
Watamu is considered to be one of the ten most
beautiful villages worldwide.
As a matter of fact, the hotels and tourist villages most
renowned are situated in Watamu, which is only 25 km from Malindi. Malindi
is the more important center, with airport, banks, shops and supermarkets,
where you can buy Italian products to satisfy any need. Mombasa, is the most
important harbor in East Africa, is considered to be the capital of the
Coast, and is of 120 km away. From Watamu, it is possible to reach, in a
short time, many localities of remarkable interest for tourist.
Go north, you can reach Lamu Islands, cradle of the Muslims
culture and is rich in history. With a dhow (local boat), you can reach and
visit nearby beautiful islands. On the north east direction, we find Marafa
village with Hells Kitchen, a territory with a particular formation, of
eroded terrain and rocks of pink sandstone of the Pliocene era, which is
very spectacular.
If you go East, on a safari, only for a few hours by
car, you reach the biggest Park in Kenya, the Tsavo National Park, where you
can observe the Flora and Fauna of the area.
Fifteen km from Watamu is situated the Sokoke Forest, it is
one of the last coastal rainforest. It is possible to enter and walk around
in the forest. Some species of butterflies are found only here, as is the
Elephant-shrew, Sokoke Scops Owl, Sokoke Pipit, East Coast Akalat, Spotted
Ground Thrush, Amani Sunbird and the Clarke's Weaver. Many of these are
spotted regularly by visitors, besides elephants and other animals.
Going towards the south, you can reach, in two and a
half hours, the particularly beautiful National Reserve of Shimba Hills.
Before you reach there, you cross the Likoni channel in Mombasa with a
ferry. This territory is hilly, just two step away from the sea. It is
possible to observe the Ocean from the Giriama point, with the rainforest
below. The rarity of this Reserve is the Black Antelope (Mbarapi in Swahili
language), which is only to be found here.
After all you have read, you can understand why we
choose Watamu as our home, but for family reason afeter twelve years we
settled in Malindi.
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