In Search of Nature...

We set off on 15/09/2008 with Condor, which I feel I can recommend as a tour operator because their correspondent is truly a helpful person. The airline we flew with is Air Italy…I'm sorry but next time I'll go canoeing in Africa, which is decidedly safer! Filth, rudeness, broken seat armrests and much more besides!!!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!! We paid 1550 euro each for a 15-day all-inclusive stay, but to that you then have to add the safari (booked with Dida, a local guy, directly from Italy), the safe, the coffees or liqueurs, the bottles of water you'll take to your room if you're thirsty…in short, let's say it was a fairly expensive holiday… We stayed at the Jacaranda Beach Resort, a truly enchanting resort! The food is divine, the staff are very courteous and always helpful.

The only flaw is that it stays a little outside the village of Watamu, so I wouldn't recommend it to those who love a lively life. For us, though, it was a real peace…it's also true that we did many excursions so we were out a lot… another big flaw of Kenya is the beach boys who don't let you have a nice peaceful rest and relax and who always try to rip you off, bar the rare exception. We chose a period that wasn't too favourable as far as the sea goes, since it was full of seaweed, but that's down to the season…so much so that in the second week the tides took back what they had deposited on the beach! As for the antimalarial, we decided to take it even though we saw very few mosquitoes, but working with doctors who have been in Africa, they nagged me until, resigned, I took it. I recommend Malarone, no side effects.

It's true, it's very expensive, but for those like me who live near Switzerland, it's worth buying it there. But let me move on to the most pleasant part of the trip: we contacted Dida from Italy through this site; even before we left he proved truly kind and thoughtful…and he looked after us throughout the holiday, showing professionalism and truly incredible kindness. He never let us want for anything during the excursions; if we had a request, he was immediately ready to fulfil it. We also introduced him to some people who thanked me warmly because they too were wonderfully looked after.

I really have to say it with my heart in my hand…believe me, he's an exceptional person who deserves to work because he's honest! unlike the other beach boy…Zucchero, who behaved badly with other young guys we made friends with down there…a real couldn't-care-less! During the safari we also had a fantastic driver…ABU, a man of a certain age and with no small experience, and believe me, during a safari you need people like that! He knew all the places where you could spot the hardest animals to see…truly fun off-road driving, all in respect for nature! in short, the safari is the best part of the holiday, because in the chaos of our cities we forget that in the world nature lives in all its forms and we destroy it! And then you think you never appreciate enough what you have under your eyes.

Goods like water, electricity, gas, we waste them…there they don't even have them! On the Island of Love, Dida and his companions cooked us lobsters, rice with octopus sauce, a nice big fish and then fruit to your heart's content. The trip was wonderful and they went out of their way to make us feel good…and then the setting was like a fairy tale! The other excursion was to Golden Sand and Robinson Island…on the latter there's a truly wonderful restaurant. Golden Sand is worth seeing, the display of pyrite on your arms is incredible… Another excursion we did was the mangroves; beautiful but in my opinion Sardinia 2 is decidedly better and for those staying at the Jacaranda it's right in front of the resort.

With Angelo Nero and Daniel, on the other hand, we went to their village…an experience to have (cost 10 euro plus the flour you'll buy…flour is expensive, have them accompany you to buy it because you save) because you'll live an incredible experience…They'll let you into their homes and you'll go deep into places the minibus can't reach because they're small footpaths! Careful though not to get ripped off: some of them have you buy the flour and then resell it to the same shop! give it only to the children or the village chief's wife! bring with you clothes and footwear you won't wear again, bring pens and notebooks to leave for the children living in the villages just outside Tsavo park…there are no tourist resorts there, so they are decidedly poorer than those who live on the coast!!!!! when you've emptied your suitcase, because you'll leave everything to them, you'll be satisfied for

two reasons: you'll have done good and you'll realise it from those big smiles with bright white teeth of the children, and you'll be able to afford heavy souvenirs because you won't exceed the weight limit (besides, they're very strict about that). Also remember medicines…many children have bronchitis! We really left everything but we came back with our hearts overflowing with love…when a child slowly comes up and takes your hand, watching you furtively but not letting you go, well, my friends, in that moment you'll feel the most important person in the world to him and you'd even want to give him your soul! Many people still haven't understood that Africa really exists and that people really die of hunger and of diseases that here have been wiped out for at least 100 years! With all that, I'll conclude, remaining at your disposal and sending some well-deserved greetings and thanks.

I greet Dida, whom I still keep in touch with and to whom I wish lots of luck and all the best because he deserves it, believe me! I have never seen such kindness and helpfulness. I thank Abu for guiding us on this safari and this adventure. I thank Daniel, who remains an honest and sincere beach boy. I thank all the animation team guys at the Jacaranda who were friendly and always there. If I've forgotten anyone I apologise and I'll try to include them in the attached photos!. A special thanks also to our friends Silvia, Antonio, Marco and Cristina!