Lee posted a blog about our weekend get-away while we were there, but now that we’re “home”, we thought it would be good to reflect on the total experience and share with you some of our impressions.
Leopard Beach Resort is located on the coast about 35 km from Mombasa, Kenya. We could see the Indian Ocean from our patio area. Even though there was a very nice pool area, we found ourselves drawn to the ocean beach instead where we lounged (literally), read books, and conversed. (As usual, I did most of the conversing and Lee did most of the listening)! I had to remind myself that we were really in East Africa viewing the Indian Ocean rather than on one of the U.S. coasts viewing the Atlantic or Pacific.
There were men I referred to as “beach bums” who were a bit obnoxious as they would approach us while we were walking on the water’s edge. They seemed to want to be our “guides”, for a price, of course.
I didn’t think we needed anyone to guide us as we walked along the shore line. In spite of that annoyance, the over-all ocean experience was great even if the water was still a little cool. We are just out of our “winter” season here. I wouldn’t necessarily call it winter, but I have to remember the perspective I bring from having been born and raised in the northern U.S. where the term, “winter”, is accurately defined!
The food – what can I say??? If I were to use one word to describe it – that word would be “bountiful”. We sampled some foods that we had never tasted before. Some of that we liked and some we didn’t. But again, overall, I would rate the food experience as excellent. The most negative thing about it is that we undoubtedly ate too much! Surely we burned off the excess calories by lying around on the beach!
As you already know from reading my blog posts, I am always drawn to the natural beauty of the landscape. This place was no exception. I am posting some pictures to illustrate that beauty. I wish I could identify all of the plants, but suffice it to say, images of them are indelibly etched in my memory.
Even the weather cooperated with us – no rain at all during the nearly three full days we were at the resort. The temperature was probably in the 80’s f with a substantial humidity. The ocean breeze, though, made being outdoors a pleasant experience. Thankfully, we had air conditioning in our hotel room so we slept comfortably. Our room had a little sitting area by the sliding glass doors which led out to our patio and the ocean view.
The predominant nationality of the guests at the resort was German with the Brits coming in second. We didn’t hear too many people speak who were obviously Americans. Everyone spoke English, but the European accents were unmistakable.
All of the resort staff appeared to be Kenya, or at the very least, East African. One particularly nice gentleman was the custodian for our room. He was the one who identified the slimy creature just outside the door to our room as a millipede.
He kindly disposed of it for us (much to my relief). He also was creative in using flowers to leave a message for us on our bed.
I’ve also included a picture of the bouquet of fresh and very fragrant flowers that one of the coconut palm climbers gave to me.
Now it’s back to work for me (updating the Volunteer Orientation Manual). Perhaps by the time I post another blog, I will have made considerable progress on the revision.
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