Let me explain...
A bright and early morning we waited for Abdu's Dad's friend to collect us from outside Nakumatt. He arrived in his jeep only a few minutes late and we set off towards Malindi airport, collecting Abdu from his Dads place on the way. About 20km from the airport strange noises started eminating from the engine and eventually we were forced to pull over. A friendly passer by stopped and offered to take us the rest of the way. He was a genuinely kind elderly gentlemen who refused even to take money for petrol. We rocked up to the airport (a generous title), with loads of time to spare.
A 20 minute plane ride later we landed on Manda island, in the Lamu Archipeligo. Jannat Hotel had sent someone to meet us and piled Diana, Abdu and myself onto a boat to Lamu beach, giddy with holiday cheer. Lamu island is a World Heritage site and exudes Swahili charm with donkey's the main transport and very narrow atmospheric streets winding away from the sea. 'Jannet' means Heaven, and it lived up to it's name with a pool and breezey lounge areas. Everything was perfect except for an over zealous and slightly creepy tour guide. Then the realisation that I'd forgotten the pin for my phone which I had turned off when getting on the plane. Christmas and Phoneless...bugger! 
Most Christmases I avoid going home too early. Usual just the day before Christmas eve to help out with last minute shopping and buying wine and beer etc...This year my Nephew Callum understands about the Santa thing and the teleporter would hve allowed me to head back for an hour and soak up the excitement of waiting for Santa with him. I would have popped around to see my other Godchlidren while I was at it. Back in Heaven, I was sharing a dorm type room with 4 others - proper volunteer style. The bed was decorated with fragrant flowers and as we were first to arrive we had the choice of beds on offer. We rambled a bit, and ate in a sea front restaurant until the other volunteers eventually arrived, full with stories of there safari (journey). Everyone has been working hard in their respective assignments, now the time had arrived for a well earned rest.
So we did the secret Santa draw once Hannah and Dan arrived. Emma did a fine job as chairperson and all the formalities of organising a group were taken care of with swift efficiency. The next few days were filled with trips to Shela beach to swim, strolls around town and seafood and nyama choma (grilled meat) dinners and a few beers. A couple of visits to the pool ended up in a pool olympics with the resident 11 year old Ralph. I won the 'hold your breath under water' event, but that has always been my best event.
Christmas eve we (Diana, Rachael and I) went to the Catholic church for a service which started 90 minutes late and was all in Swahili. It was next door to Petley's bar/club which was just kicking off. The Confession of faith had a backing track of... "Do me, Do me, Do me, Do me, baby"...at that moment I stepped into the teleporter and for 
half an hour was sitting up in the balcony of Birdhill church watching the local kids singing in the choir and sitting beside my brother Jack spotting who I knew in the crowd. There was Mam half way up near the front. Matt and Katie should be in before the Gospel. I saw the eldest Ryan Gun brother was home. I left just before mass ended...and back to Jannat house where a local Muslim wedding was blaring music forcing me to stay up and polish off a bottle of Whiskey with an English Lad I had just met. Lex was his name. Civil servant from London on a few months volunteering assignment.
half an hour was sitting up in the balcony of Birdhill church watching the local kids singing in the choir and sitting beside my brother Jack spotting who I knew in the crowd. There was Mam half way up near the front. Matt and Katie should be in before the Gospel. I saw the eldest Ryan Gun brother was home. I left just before mass ended...and back to Jannat house where a local Muslim wedding was blaring music forcing me to stay up and polish off a bottle of Whiskey with an English Lad I had just met. Lex was his name. Civil servant from London on a few months volunteering assignment.
Early the next morning, Christmas day, the 10 of us headed out on a Dhow to Manda toto island. I rang my Mum on a borrowed phone and wished all the family a happy christmas. I threw the teleporter into the sea. The family were enjoying Christmas day, it was time I started to too. After a leisurely cruise the dhow hands speared some fish while we snorkelled and generally communed with the blue world. After, we relaxed on a beach and swam a bit while our fish was grilled and some veg curry and coconut rice was cooking. It was without doubt one of the most unforgettable, sensory filled, meals of my life. Soon after the sail was hoisted and we floated blissfully back to Lamu. 
Later we were so kn-nackered that the evening meal was a quiet affair. Before bed we exchanged Secret Santa presents. I got Chris and vice versa. I got a piece of carved driftwood. A cool momento. We had a good laugh. All seemed happy with their presents and pottered off to bed slowly. Soon we would be leaving this Idyllic setting behind. Most were already making plans to return. The next day we flew to Malindi and stopped off in Watamu beach for a while. Rachael and Trixie stayed on in Watamu but would be using my place as a base for the days leading up to New year's party in Chris's place in Voi.
Somewhere during the holiday I had agreed to hold a dinner party on Sunday 28th. I needed to do some serious shopping.
M.
Notices:
- My Uncle Paddy has sent a Camel to Africa with Bothar. One hump or 2? -
- My Nephew Matt just turned 18. Hope you enjoyed clay pigeon shooting -
- 'Cnoc an Ein', the Uncle's horse, won in Punchestown. The family are still celebrating -
- You are never too old to make Sand Castles, NEVER! -
- My sister still hasn't sent me pictures of Callum opening his presents -
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