| Arabs
trading in ivory, spices and slaves dominated
the East African coast, and their influence
reached far inland. Inevitably the Europeans
(British and Germans), decided to have a turn
and in the early-twentieth century they took
over the land, but not the hearts and minds
of East Africa.
Kenya's
second largest city and main port is Mombasa
and regular chanting from the Mosques proclaims
it to be a strongly Muslim district. The old
town has a great deal of historic charm but
the heart of the new city is unexciting. Once
out of the city, the Muslim influence is fairly
absent from the hundreds of beach resorts, except
perhaps in the architecture and food.
WASINI
ISLAND AND KISITE-MPUNGUTI MARINE PARK
The long coastline has several Marine Parks,
the southern most of which is Wasini Island
and Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park. Here
you can swim in your own personal aquarium and
colourful coral garden. It is considered by
many to be the finest marine park in Kenya and
requires a boat trip to visit it, as the park
is between 2½-5 miles (4-8km) out to
sea. The reef is deep enough to be protected
by clumsy feet and is in excellent health. A
dhow trip to the marine park is often combined
with a seafood lunch on Wasini Island and is
a very popular way to spend a day.
MALINDI
AND WATAMU MARINE NATIONAL PARKS
Half way up Kenya's coast is Watamu and Malindi
- an area much loved by Ernest Hemmingway, who
came here for big game sport fishing. The marine
parks of this area have their coral reefs several
miles off shore and glass bottomed boats are
the usual form of transport to get to the reefs.
This allows non-swimmers the opportunity to
take a look at the coral and colourful fish,
who crowd around the boat expecting to be fed.
Once in the water the fish nibble at your fingers
and toes if you look like you have something
tasty for them. The reef here is not as plentiful
as further south but still worth seeing with
over 140 species of hard and soft corals. Tewa
Caves is an amazing place for diving amongst
giant groupers, who appear to sit motionless
in the water. These harmless creatures can weigh
880 pounds (400kg) and measure 5½feet
(2 metres) long. The Watamu Marine Park also
encompasses the mangrove forests of Mida Creek,
where young coral grows before being riding
out on the tide to the main reef. |
