Lamu is an original Swahili settlement and Kenya's oldest living town - over a thousand years old. It is a stone town with streets so narrow that cars are not allowed on the island. The only mode of travel is by foot, camel, or donkey.We spent a day on the Indian Ocean in a traditional dhow. We had to catch our lunch. I contributed absolutely nothing to this but did manage to make quite a scene when I thought I had caught something. Turns out it was seaweed. Luckily, one of the guys who came out with us caught enough to feed the whole boat. While the captain cooked our fish on an island, we swam in what felt like bath water. After lunch we sailed to a floating bar for some dawas - which actually translates to "medicine" in Swahili. Just a couple of these was all it took to convince me that riding a camel through town was a completely logical idea. As you can see in the picture, the camel was being led by an 8 year old boy. I was assured that this boy had been doing this "for so long,no worries". I had no idea that I would be at a 90 degree angle when the camel got up from the lying position back-end first. I also had no idea that camels scream. I assure you they do.
Later that evening I also attempted a donkey. Backwards. I love Africa.
The Gede Ruins near Malinidi were amazing. There is no written record of this town's existence but it's estimated that 2500 people inhabited the area in the 13th century. Some of the Arabic inscriptions are still visible on the walls. The place is like a jungle gym for monkeys. Monkeys who really enjoy bananas and will come right up to you and take them out of your hand.
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