Kenya: Watamu and Malindi with Momo

Hi, this year my husband and I set off for Kenya. We arrived in Mombasa after about 10 hours of flying, after an endless stopover in Zanzibar.

Once we arrived, the impact wasn't the best, there was a mix of smells and the sight of so much poverty left us stunned. After about two hours in a minibus, on a road full of potholes, we arrived at the Aquarius in WATAMU.

The resort is very nice, the rooms are very spacious and spotless, the food is excellent; the only downside of the hotel are the staff of the in-house agency who organise the excursions and spread fear, telling you in every possible way to distrust the beach boys. The Aquarius is divided into 3 structures: one with a pool, a bar and the restaurant; another with a pool and bar; and the third with a pool, bar, a paid restaurant and the beach. The scenery you admire is fabulous, the sand is so white it dazzles and crunches under your feet as if it were snow, an unforgettable feeling. Another characteristic phenomenon is the tide, which alternates every 6 to 7 hours, giving rise to atolls and natural pools and then swallowing them up again.

The first day we went down to the beach we met Momo, a very, very good “beach boy”, who stayed with us for all 15 days. he was always with us, when we weren't on excursions we were together wandering around Watamu, or in the evening he'd take us to a nightclub or to some restaurant. We had the most beautiful holiday you could hope for. It's true, at first they're all a bit pushy, wanting to sell you everything and they latch onto you. But the important thing, as always, is integration. Once you understand that being with them, and near them, you're safe (because they're wonderful people), you have a special holiday... and you come home much richer than before, because each of them teaches you something.

With Momo we did the safari in Tsavo East, at “Sardegna 2”, visited Malindi twice and the children of the orphanage, and swam at the beach of love.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOING THE SAFARIS WITH THE HOTEL AND DOING IT WITH MOMO? -Not the price, because the difference is small. But those who did the safari in Tsavo with the hotel didn't even see the lions. -Moving around with a certain freedom in a country that isn't yours -always having a friend close by who can help you with anything

One tip for anyone going to those parts: bring something for those children, biscuits, T-shirts, pens, coloured pencils and notebooks; they have almost nothing and they'll reward you with moving smiles.

I hope to go back to Kenya soon, also because now we have a friend who can even save us a lot on the trip. To finish, heartfelt thanks to Momo, a formidable guy, and best wishes that he may have all the luck he deserves.

Anyone with questions or wanting clarification can contact me by email at sonia@mmitaly.com Regards and happy travels! Sonia and Pasquale