Sunrise as we are nearing Mombasa, Kenya
Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and 7th most populous in Africa. Kenya's capital and largest city is Nairobi, while its oldest and second-largest city, is the major port city of Mombasa, situated on Mombasa Island in the Indian Ocean and the surrounding mainland.
The photos below were taken around 6:30 AM as we were entering the port.
Kenya Ferry deals directly with more than 300,000 passengers and over 6,000 vehicles crossing the Likoni channel between the island and the South Coast mainland DAILY using five vessels.
It is a very short trip, only about 1600 feet, and can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. Due to the lack of bridges linking Mombasa to the mainland, the ferry is a lifeline for the thousands who use it daily for work or school. Passengers may use the ferry at no charge. Cars are 120ksh or about $1.00. Motorcycles are 50ksh about 40 cents.
The harbor was beautiful in the early morning. They have a port control tower.
The cruise terminal building. It was relatively modern and in good condition.
We were greeted by this group of high-energy dancers as we exited the ship.
The harbor was beautiful in the early morning. They have a port control tower.
Our excursion today was the Viking included tour. It was a four-hour tour by coach to several locations with a fair amount of walking, which we like because it allows us better picture and understanding of the location.
Our first stop was a Hindu Temple. Over the years and many countries, I have visited several Hindu temples, but this was unlike any I have seen before.
This guy accompanied our group throughout the temple tour. I could never get an explanation from our guide as to his exact purpose. It appeared to be a "security guard"? He carried a stick and an 18-inch knife in a sheath.
There were two prayer rooms, upstairs for the men and downstairs for the women. We were all allowed to visit both chambers.
Forgive the pun, but up close it was evident that the monument was getting a little "long in the tooth", some damage was evident.
After our city driving tour, we left the island (by bridge) and visited a woodcarving cooperative. I have visited woodcarving co-ops in Indonesia, but this was quite different.
As I said, the woodcarving experience was quite different. The carvers worked, and I belived some lived, in an outdoor area of open, tin roofed sheds.
I learned the carving was done in stages by different workers. Some did the rough-out of the design using very crude tools.
Final shaping and then finishing was done by others and finally a finish is applied if needed.
The workers were very proud of their work and happy to pose for photos.
A finished water buffalo done in ebony wood.
What may you ask happens to all of the wood shavings created? They are bagged and then used for cooking fuel.
Jambo is Swahili for hello. That is also how almost every native greets you, then you speak English.
A common sign for water for sale. 20 liters (about 5 gallons) cost 25ks or about 20 cents US.
During our walk in Old Town, we visited a fish market.
The oldest hotel in Kenya, The African Hotel opened in 1901. It was to serve workers and businessmen who come to Mombasa as it was established as the most important port in East Africa.
Tomorrow, we have our 11-hour safari tour to East Tsavo National Park. The drive is three hours. I hope our transportation is comfortable...
Our first stop was a Hindu Temple. Over the years and many countries, I have visited several Hindu temples, but this was unlike any I have seen before.
This guy accompanied our group throughout the temple tour. I could never get an explanation from our guide as to his exact purpose. It appeared to be a "security guard"? He carried a stick and an 18-inch knife in a sheath.
There were two prayer rooms, upstairs for the men and downstairs for the women. We were all allowed to visit both chambers.
On the wall this particular group's 11 commandments were prominently posted.
Also on the wall were panels which vividly illustrated the penalty for breaking the commandments.
This relates to commandment #3.
Moi Avenue is known for the Mombasa tusks, two pairs of giant aluminum elephant tusks crossing the dual carriageway. The tusks were commissioned in commemoration of a visit to Mombasa by Queen Elizabeth in 1952 and have remained since that time, but the tusk were expanded from two to four when the street was made two-lane, also the four new tusks were upgraded from wood to aluminum. The tusks are about 30ft tall.
Maybe, this could be a new advertising campaign for Pampers or perhaps Depends?
As in most highly populated third-world countries, the housing is abysmal.
After our city driving tour, we left the island (by bridge) and visited a woodcarving cooperative. I have visited woodcarving co-ops in Indonesia, but this was quite different.
The driver from a coach was catching 40 winks. Kay commented that he might have a baby at home and didn't get his night's sleep.
As I said, the woodcarving experience was quite different. The carvers worked, and I belived some lived, in an outdoor area of open, tin roofed sheds.
I learned the carving was done in stages by different workers. Some did the rough-out of the design using very crude tools.
After our tour of the carvers, we then entered the co-op's store. There was a tremendous array of carved goods for sale at very reasonable prices. Each piece was marked with a price and an number signifying the carver. When sold, a portion of the revenue goes back to the workers who created that particular piece.
Since I was too busy looking, I forgot to take a photo inside! I borrowed these from TripAdvisor, the photographer was Niko R.
At Fort Jesus, this school bus was waiting to leave. Vendors were selling popsicles thru the windows to the students.
Since I was too busy looking, I forgot to take a photo inside! I borrowed these from TripAdvisor, the photographer was Niko R.
After leaving the Woodworker shop, we traveled back to Mombasa to visit Fort Jesus. Here are a few photos along the way.
Fort Jesus was constructed by the Portuguese between 1593 and 1596 by order of King Felipe II of Spain, who also reigned as King Filipe I of Portugal, to guard the Old Port of Mombasa. It is recognized as the first successful attempt by a Western power to establish influence over the Indian Ocean trade.
There wasn't a great deal to see, but the Fort does have historical significance.
After our visit to Fort Jesus, we took a short stroll around Old Town Mombasa.
You probably noticed all the signage in English. English and Swahili are the two official languages in Kenya and everyone speaks excellent English. I only learned one word of Swahili - JAMBO.
Drinking water in Kenya is a precious resource.
What could be more content than a cat that lives in a fish market...
The oldest hotel in Kenya, The African Hotel opened in 1901. It was to serve workers and businessmen who come to Mombasa as it was established as the most important port in East Africa.
On the way back to the ship, I saw this building under construction. I thought it interesting how they supported the concrete floors during construction with timbers.
A close up of the timbers.
Tomorrow, we have our 11-hour safari tour to East Tsavo National Park. The drive is three hours. I hope our transportation is comfortable...
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