Wet Season

Hello all,

Wow! Did that time fly or what? I thought I was going to be in a for a couple of rather dull weeks considering nearly everyone had left for SA and the trip to Pemba was postponed, but blink and it's gone! That's Zanzibar for you.

I actually really like the beginning of wet season - when it's not raining all the time. The weather is cooler and better for walking. The sky is breathtaking. I've been swimming a lot and one time it started to rain, I poke my head up to see this massive dark grey/black clouds rolling on over a muted blue sky blending with mirror, green seas. Then of course I just played in the rain for a while! Dancing in the sea/beach by myself as everyone else has run for cover! There have been some phenomenal sunsets. And when the sun does come out it's great to go and sunbake instead of just running for shade all the time : )

Rainy season is a time for sleeping late, relaxed dinner parties - I had one of my own. Cooking for 12 people! It was cool. Had it upstairs in my house on cushions and low tables - Thai style. Well the food was a fusion of other people's dishes that have had several compliments - calamari a la Jules, potato bake a la Mum, garlic bread a la Andy, salad - well a salad is a salad and aubergine tomatoes a la me (so there was some me in there somewhere).

Oh my god is this what I've been reduced to?? Emailing you all about the food that I'm cooking!

I also finally got to go fishing for the day with Jerry & Petey. Unfortunately no big fish, and no-one would let me play with their speargun but I did learn to how to... I've forgotten the word... I learnt the basics of how to fish and also how to gut fish - which is actually quite good fun - don't think I've ever had so much blood on my hands before! On the way back we were surrounded by dolphins - maybe 50 by the boat and at least 100 in total. They were spinner dolphins and jumping everywhere. Awesome!

Not been diving because I was so bored of it, did make a final two with the remaining friends in Nungwi, which were OK. Desperately want to dive here but the weather is all wrong for the places I wanted to go to, so maybe I'll have to go and climb Mt Kenya instead....

Oh yeah, backtrack just a tad. I'm in Mombassa. Had my leaving do, speeches all round - again. V. touching. Last night in Stone Town with mates - fairly low key as recovering from the night before! Had my first Chinese dinner in a long time... least said about that probably the better ; ) All right, it was Ok. I know I am a total snob when it comes to good Chinese food.

Am I sad to leave Zanzibar? Yes, gutted actually. But it's so time to go. I have to do something different for a while. Zanzibar was special. It is special. For the people.

So Karibu Kenya. Think I'm the only white woman in Mombasa. I walk down the street to a chorus of "jambo's". Just about everyone has been lovely apart from one kid who told me to ff off because I wouldn't give him money and those really annoying men who blow kisses at you... Like that's going to make you respond?! Mombasa reminds me a lot of Zanzibar - especially the old town. Visited the Portugese Fort. Best part about it was an exhumed skeleton still in it's original position. Never seen one before. Then you read the sign that says it's been replaced with a fake. How disappointing is that??! Right, off to bed. Hope everything if fantastically good with you all.

Love
Kx

P.S. I've just remembered the word - I've learnt to cast off. No, wait a sec, isn't that knitting?!

P.P.S Back in Uk on 19th May, arriving at 10.20pm, just in time for a quick half at a good old English Pub ; )