What to do on your next visit to Kilifi and Malindi towns

Some people have told me they will avoid visiting the Kenyan coast because they find the heat unbearable. That did not keep me from taking a family trip there as I have done a number of times

Fish at Malindi Marine Park

before.  Though the heat was unbearable but in a way you were glad it was there because you could cool down in the ocean or the swimming pool. I remember one day spending half the day in the pool and just loving it. We were staying at Mnarani Club in Kilifi. But of course so much energy spent swimming means that soon the energy would have to be replaced with some food in the stomach. And that is another thing you love about the coast. The way they cook. The locals are great at cooking but so are the restaurants if you know where to go.

There were a few scattered in the area so we decided to find one where we could have some lunch. It was not long before we spotted a restaurant and decided to make a stop there for lunch. The interesting thing about these restaurants is the way they are built. Instead of a brick or iron sheet roofing they are grass thatched or makuti  as it is called in the local language. And understandably so for we found it was very cool sitting in that makuti roofed restaurant. I am not sure whether it was by coincidence that the place was called Makuti Villas Resort. It was quite empty and we seemed to be the first customers walking in. We settled on a Cajun pizza and Redsnapper with mashed potatoes.  I have eaten pizza in many places and fish but this was like the tastiest dish that I had had so far. It was no surprise that we went back there for another taste of the same dish and I am sure if ever I go back to Kilifi I know where and what I will be eating.

The adage never judge a book by its cover can also be used in never judge food by the place it is served.  I was to see that for myself after visiting the coastal town of Malindi. It was one of the towns on my bucket list. Malindi has a very beautiful marine park which is protected by the Kenya Wildlife Authority (KWS). Take nothing but a photo is taken very seriously in that marine park. Feeling adventurous we set off one morning for Malindi but not in a hurry to get there hoping to enjoy the journey there as much as hopefully we would enjoy the visit to the town. After about an hour of driving, several signs with the word Malindi indicted to us that we had reached the town.  Google maps always comes in handy and in a short while we were driving towards Malindi marine park. A short while later after a consulting with one of the boat owners at the park and a little haggling over the fees we would be charged, we were headed for the marine park to feed the fish and see the corals. The ocean was calm as the sun shone brightly and there was this great temptation to just jump into the water and enjoy a swim.

At the marine park, it was a very entertaining watching different colours of fish engaged in a feeding frenzy and seeing the coral through the glass boat. As is often the case time goes by very fast when you are having a good time. Soon it was time to head for the shore and look for some food to eat. Hassan who decided he was going to be our tour guide suggested a place where they serve local Swahili dishes and where many visitors go. After taking a few corners which I am sure I would not remember if I went back alone, we parked in front of an old looking open building with graffiti drawing. The entrance did not look inviting and I was rather reluctant to go in but having come this far I decided to see what was inside. The place was full of people and a beehive of activity with waiters running up and down taking orders for food while others were serving food to impatient looking clients. The activity here was strictly that of eating for as soon as someone was done with that activity, he paid up and left and the seat was soon taken up by another customer. Hassan seemed to be very familiar with the place. He made sure we were seated comfortably and that a waiter was on hand to take our order. Biriani beef was what I settled for while the rest of the family settled for chapatti and beef stew. It looked like a simple meal but once we started eating there was no stopping until our plates were empty. As my wife said you cannot beat these people when it comes to cooking food. And yes the adage was true at least in this case; never judge food by the place it is served.