KONGO MOSQUE

Centuries Old Walls of Kongo Mosque

Borrowing a name from the surrounding forest, Kongo Mosque is an ancient structure rich in history now turned – tourist attraction. Previously known as Diani Persian Mosque, a name coined by the Arab Merchants who occupied the area then, Kongo Mosque is today more than a worship center.  

Flanked by massive baobab trees

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Furniture on sale by the road

Are you one of those people who are intrigued by the stick furniture that is sold by the roadsides of Diani Beach? I am and the reason is – I now see more and more of this furniture and can’t help wonder if it is stable, durable, functional and environment friendly. Debate about using sticks instead of timber is inconclusive but the logic in my mind is that, the sticks used do not take decades to mature like some of the best timber, therefore using sticks saves trees. So it could actually be a good alternative to buy furnishings made from these sticks. Stick furniture is definitely viable for those small things in the house like shoe racks or shelves. It would help if the workmen really improved the workmanship and brought some artistry to the craft as it would result in better prices and appreciation or the items.

Interesting coat hangers

The stick furniture is sold Diani Beach mostly around the T- junction at Nakumatt. According to the carpenters, they only use sticks rom the Mwarubaini – otherwise known as Neem. The Neem is well known for its alleged ability to cure 40 diseases. The carpenters told me the Mwarubaini is preferred because it is dudu proof and very  flexible. Instects don’t like it.

The sticks  used to make the furniture are peeled while still green, sometimes burnt a little  and then bent to take shape as the carpenters envision. They are curved a full circle without breaking and used to make all sorts of interesting furnitures such as round tables and sun-beds. I also saw entertainment units, chairs and- the carpenter claimed to have a 4×6 bed at home that was made from the sticks!

Here are the shelves

Amazingly, the items are very cheap. That is a good thing if you don’t scrutinize the quality too much and a bad thing  for the cratsmen because they make too little. If only they took time to produce fine items of higher qality, then they would get good prices for their stick furniture.

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Whenever you are going to a new holiday destination you are faced with the nightmare of packing, what to carry and what to leave out. But if you have been to Diani Beach then you know what to carry especially this partially cold season.

I decided to draft this list for first time visitors to Diani Beach to make your visit worth. The items in my list are randomly prioritized and they include:

1. Camera- A holiday without a camera,video or still can never be remembered especially with family and friends. Make sure you have either or both with back up power. You don’t want the juice on your camera dying off just as you are capturing the most breath taking moment. If you use a digital still camera with rechargeable battery carry your power charger pack. You can access power in all hotels at Diani Beach. For cameras using regular batteries dont carry batteries because local stores like Nakumatt Supermarket stock them, all you need is sufficient memory cards. Remember Diani Beach power voltage rating is 240v and the plugs are English type. Oh, don’t leave your lenses behind because long shots will be your best bet to capture the wild animals if you take a safari.

2. Clothing – The kind of clothing you bring to Diani Beach is dictated by two factors. One, season, are you coming during the cold rainy season between April and July or the warm August December period. Secondly will you go on Safari to various reserves around Kenya? If you itinerary dictates your coming to Diani Beach over the rainy season  as the only stop then going back home, carry warm clothing but don’t carry winter clothing it isn’t that cold. If you are to embark on a safari to the reserves like the Mara,  have some trousers with you for night wear because all through the year night times are characterized by low temperatures plus the mosquitoes are most active then. The beach calls for loose clothing, shorts, t-shirts or swim wear for the ladies and sunglasses but you are advised to prepare according to season and destination. A hat to shield you from the rays will go a long way. Carry enough clothing for your stay because some lodges don’t have laundry services.

3. Medication -This can be anti-malarial tabs, anti diarrhea tabs, anti-fever tabs some of which you can get from local drug stores at Diani Beach. You will need plenty of sunscreen and mosquito repellent in its various forms. You can carry a repellent that will  keep both sand flies and mozzies at bay. Sand flies are a menace that can ruin your holiday.

4. Toiletries are a matter of preference because you can grab some from the local stores but if you have a specific brand then carry it with you.

AN assortment of toiletries

5. An easy attitude and an open mind.  With that you are well on your way to a fabulous holiday at Diani Beach.

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You have this lovely 9 month or older tot who you must take on your Kenyan Safari at Diani Beach but are torn between dropping the trip and facing the numerous facets of baby travel. Take that trip without a doubt but first, some words of advice.

It all begins with packing proper clothing depending on the destination, Diani beach it is. Anti malarial shots and any other necessary vaccine should be first on the pre-travel check list. Emergency medicine for the cautious parent like fever tabs, play toys and diapers to boot.  Before you can do your own packing your luggage should be exceeding your airline’s weight limit.

A huge chunk of your time will be spent on the beach and kids of this age are hard to contain. You could spend a better part of your time panicking when you see an oncoming wave, running for cover and grabbing things from their mouths. Therefore a portable crib or playpen will come in handy to contain the ever wandering toddlers plus it also serves as the baby’s beach bed when they need to take a nap. Remember to carry an umbrella to shield the baby from the sun and a hat to cover them when they are awake and raring to crawl around. Sunscreen is also vital.

Take off on your flight to Diani beach could be the onset of your first problems with the baby if it is a first time flight. Ear pressure as the plane takes off and descends could be a source of discomfort for the young one. A simple trick of breast feeding at take off and landing does the trick or with the alternative of a suckling bottle. Older kids of three years or there about can do with chewing gum to tone down the anomaly.

You need a smaller bag with some of the basic necessities nearby during the flight containing change of clothes medication and baby food where necessary.

a small baby bag is necessary on long trips

Depending on when you decide to come down to Diani Beach you could be greeted by warm or cool weather. Weather changes agitate kids and they could turn cranky before adjusting to the new weather and environment. Pray that your baby sleeps soundly for most part of the trip probably until you get to your hotel room. Actually, the hotel room is another point of concern. Ensure that the hotel you are booking into offers child sitting services incase you need to leave the baby behind.

The room has also got to be child friendly with all the hazards taken care of like broken tables and sharp objects removed or replaced or better yet covered.
Before venturing out to the beach upon arrival it is advisable to give your child time to adjust to the new surrounding having found comfort in the familiar home territory. You can however bring a few home items like their favorite toy, blanket or photo to calm them down. Once they adjust, you can hit the beach with vigor.

Remember Diani beach just like any other beach has tiny shells or stones that could pose a choking hazard to the curious baby who will collect stuff and instantly sample with their mouths. Keep a watch before they choke on foreign elements.

Don't let the baby sit on the beach without a blanket

If you are in the company of another adult, take turns to watch over the baby to reduce the pressure on the mother being the sole minder. You are at Diani Beach for a holiday and not an extension of your home stay.

Ask your hotel if there is a resident doctor incase you need one and if not ensure there is a good hospital nearby. At Diani beach some of the hotels employ a resident doctor but without one the nearby Diani Hospital is safe and well equipped to handle most emergencies.
Finally when using a vehicle to get around, use a baby car seat at the back.

A baby's car seat

Hope those tips help to make your trip to Diani Beach with your baby uneventful and memorable.

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What once used to be a house at the edge of the forest.

There’s a place not far from Diani Beach where Buffaloes still come out to graze and villagers of Maumba know that it would be fatal to be walking out at night. To get to the Maumba village, you go South towards Msambweni and then turn Westwards when you get to Gazi Village.

The coconut plantation of Gazi village

The road cutting through the coconut plantation is extremely sandy and rough with huge pools of water when it rains. There is a forest where the plantation ends. A quiet desolate area with no houses and lots of massive baboons. To get to Maumba Village, one takes a road that cuts right through the forest.

Massive trees of the forest.

With its massive trees and thick undergrowth, an eerie place to be on a bike especially when one remembers how bad tempered buffaloes can be. Getting to Maumba is not easy considering how loose the sand is and the steep hills just before you get to the village. The villagers walked me to the edge of the forest where I was shown buffalo tracks, but to see the real buffaloes I would need to go into the deep dark forest and I wasn’t ready for that.

No one to pick the firewood here.

What is incredible is how well that part of the forest is preserved with little minimal interference. There is little human occupation around that area and it is a beautiful quiet place.

The last shop, which was closed at this time.

The sandy path at the edge of the forest.

A homestead at Maumba village.

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You may have read that there was a Video competition going on at www.dianibeachvideo.com. If you haven’t checked the videos submitted then you had better do that because the videos there are amazing. Here is my selection of the most memorable ones.

Amazing Flight over Diani Beach

This video shows all the areas of Diani Beach from the skies up there. It shows the amazing Diani Beach stretch starting from Chale to Tiwi. This spectacular video was shot from a microlight and the result is clear and unobstructed views of the forests, resorts, reef and beach below. This is the best clip so far you will find online if you want to see Diani Beach from the air.

Wrestling Vervet Monkeys

What would cause vervet monkeys to wrestle each other like that? This starts as a 1 on 1 wrestling match and quickly turns into a 2 on 1 match with 2 small vervet monkey wrestling a larger opponent. This wrestling match takes place atop a round table in a hotel somewhere. Is amazing the things technology gives us access to.

Morning at Galu Beach

Galu Beach is located further south of Diani Beach and is generally less developed and quieter.  See an amazing clip that captures the beautiful sunrise over the Indian ocean. It must have taken time to record the entire sunrise and that just shows how much people can be dedicated.

Kim4Love 9 day Festival

This 1minute 40 second video takes you through lots of shots from the KIM4LOVE Beach Festival. KIM4LOVE is a musician who performs and runs the KIM4Love fan-club that has set up base at the now defunct 2 Fishes hotel.The video is vibrant and catchy showing the people who turned up to see the performances by the local upcoming artistes while highlighting the work the Kim4Love is doing to help keep the youth gainfully engaged in music.

Diani Beach Kenya

This is by a mile my favourite video that takes us from the skies above to the waters below. The sight of dolphins, turtles and schools of colourful fish makes this one of the best Diani Beach Video I have ever watched.

See more of the videos here:Diani Beach Video

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