Lamu island, Kenya - no TV, no laptop, no meat

Kenya is an extremely interesting culture and one that I hope to return to very soon (see Kelele).I was very specific with my intentions for a December holiday after an absolutely manic 2008. I wanted it to be calm, relaxed, non-technologically based and quiet. I wanted to read, to wander around a beach if I felt like it, to eat great food, meet great people and generally forget everything.We could not have picked a better venue for this and as you can tell by the title of this post I did not watch TV, use a laptop or eat meat (purely by coincidence) for the entire trip. Not too shabby if you ask me.The people are friendly, exceptionally friendly and to be honest by the end of the 12 days I wanted someone to swear at me actually. Friendliness is one thing, being over-friendly is an entirely different experience. The locals on the island of Lamu know where their bread is buttered and that is tourists. To be more precise, obnoxious British and American tourists. But more on that lot a bit further on.We were taken for a ride or two, spent a bit too much on Dow rides (the local means of transport), paid a bit too much for a meal here or there and definitely got absolutely screwed over by the colonial capital of the island, Peponi Hotel. Peponi is owned by a drunk, presumptous, wealthy Brit who clearly couldn't give a crap about anything other then where his next drink was coming from. It's a pity really because his wife seems to work incredibly hard, the managerial staff, waiters and barstaff also worked themselves silly, not the owner. He remained relatively drink the entire time. Thankfully I didn't have the misfortune of staying in the hotel, we visited occasionally for a drink and for new years eve - mistake.The first six or so nights we spent at a quaint little B'n'B in Shella (the "Europe" of Lamu as the locals say) called Sea breeze. The staff there were helpful, pleasant, friendly and I would most definitely suggest checking them out if you are heading to Lamu. It's very basic in the setup, a bed, a shower/bathroom/toilet area and a cupboard. That's it and that's more than you need.A few things I learned on the trip:1. Don't take closed shoes.2. Take two pairs of boardshorts.3. ONLY take t-shirts.4. Take insect repellent, buy it, steal it, just have it.5. Don't take anything a local says as the truth. Get a second opinion.6. Bargain prices down.7. If you feel like you have found a deal, take it.8. Experience the local culture.Number 8 on the above list was somewhat harder to achieve specifically because you are actually living the daily lives of the locals anyways on Lamu. They kept saying that Lamu is a 365 holiday. Which it appears to be. But in order to achieve the real authentic feel of the island we took guided tours of the "slums" of Lamu, we stayed in a self-catering unit for the final 5 nights which pushed us to go to fishmarkets, fishermen, vegetable markets and more to ensure that we were well equipped for our stay. That was one of the highlights for me. Seeing the fresh fish, cooking with fresh produce and co-existing as much as two relatively white tourists can do in the space of a two week holiday.I truly hate going to a place and feeling like a real life tourist. I love experiencing culture for culture in the true sense of the word. If this is what you are after and have a good way with people then Lamu is most definitely the place for you.Here are some photos and videos of the trip:

Holiday shopping - What I'm going to do

I am going to buy all my holiday gifts online.I will only shop from local online stores/products.I will keep the price per gift under R120.Those are my holiday shopping assurances.

I hate valentines day

What a massive load of bullshit. It's a money making scheme and a day for lazy people to express "love".And any woman who believes that their spouse/significant/insignificant other should be doing something special or important is misled and actually being unpractical and overbearing.This is a day for Hallmark to make money and restaurants to charge R400 a head for a dinner. Please.Oh, and on top of it all, St Valentine was some dude who deflowered virgins. This is what we celebrate? Good on you son, good on you.

St Francis holiday in review

So instead of writing about my holiday, here are some photos:

Back in buzzing JHB

I am back. I promise that I will be posting pics from my holiday soon and updating everyone about the year ahead and more specifically the weeks ahead.A few things broke down in St Francis, one of which was my Vodacom mobile internet and the other was my Xbox but more updates about both soon. Here's to a great '08

On holiday in St Francis

I am on holiday (not without a few calls from work I might add) and am loving the coast at the moment.I will be blogging very sporadically for the next week or two. I think it is a much needed break for me from blogging and this blog in specific. I am still blogging on SA Rocks so pop through if you want a read.Otherwise enjoy the festive season and keep on blogging!

Holiday time has arrived

I don't get many days off in my line of work, in fact a self employed person doesn't get any time off cause you travel with your work tool (your brain). Thus I have decided to take a couple of days off. This means no blogging, no phone calls, no emails, no sms's (texts), no nothing. Except for the sun, the pool and Jen.Anyways, I am having enough issues with blogger that I hope my time off will let things sort themselves out and give me time to rejuvinate for a crazy and amazing year ahead. I will plan and think through my blogging activities (Alex you have provided me with much food for thought re the blogging process) and hopefully I will be back in action in a week with new ideas for posts, blogs and much more.Those of you who only get 15 days off a year, use them wisely, those of you who are permanently taking days off, screw you!Have a good one.

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