Lamu- Forodhani House

by Ray

Travel, it presents testing challenges, moments of exquisite reward and insight, and times when you are racked with self-doubt and problems, it could be that light at the end of the tunnel. Hola, cómo has estado? Let me first say the coast missed the code of conduct memo that was received by the rest of the country. Boy! It’s been unbearably hot! So am seated here staring at a blank page trying to tell a story but am not digging the vibe, am in denial. It can’t be over😒 I am physically in the office but my mind and soul are still stuck in Lamu. I had a blast, it was so beautiful, felt like the first time yet i had been. I can’t put a finger on what particularly made it so. What really was different this time? But wait, there are a number of amazing photos on my camera. That sounds like a good start, a story on it’s own we can tell through them; but before we get started here is a link to my first experience.

Last week for the first time i boarded East African airlines, destination Lamu. Two things i didn’t like, flight delay on return and their customer service. This flight was booked for me so i wasn’t sure of my flight timings. It took a number of phone calls to get the flight itinerary sent to me which was after 5days. On the plus side they don’t have morning flights which could be good for those that work half day on Saturdays when flying to Lamu or Malindi.

The old Swahili town of Lamu is a living museum of the hybrid African-Islamic-Arabian culture that dominated the East African coast for hundreds of years. It’s literally a small paradise off the Kenyan coast, one of the country’s best beaches and it does live up to the title. By now you must know due to the nature of roads, usually very narrow, no vehicles are allowed and the only means of transport is either a donkey or dhow but walking is also an option. If it’s not the beautiful beach to walk on that’ll have you falling in love, its the cocktails over spectacular saffron-coloured sunsets or the swahili dishes or the culture or the water sports or the dhow cruises. Lamu has it all but the sunsets stole my heart without a fear in the world for punishment and run away with it and am happy that way , but let’s discuss that later as i show you why.

A view from Forodhani house.

Shela on the other hand used to be a simple fishing village a while ago and is now a favourite spot for holiday homes. It’s home to Shela Beach on the island’s windward side. The beach is the archipelagos finest, long, soft and absolutely stunning making Shela a favorite holiday destination for many. It is where Forodhani house is nestled. One person told me Forodhani had a meaning similar to a jetty, another a”watch post” in Swahili, and took its name from the site where it’s built, right on the sea-front with a, get this, 270° view of the sea all around. At the site of the original watch post was the look out for boats coming from and going to Lamu.

View of the house from the sea.

Peaceful and tranquil in it’s setting, surrounded by the beach, sea and sail boats, Forodhani house is an elegant and unique sanctuary offering privacy combined with personalized hospitality on the beach front. It combines the best of traditional and modern Swahili architecture and design, and is furnished and appointed with style and attention to detail throughout.

The first floor. It features 2 double bedrooms and a third with three single beds. Below it to the left is the dining area next to the kitchen.

With four double bedrooms and a fifth bedroom with three single beds, the house can accommodate over 10 people. All bedrooms have separate en suite bathrooms, a shaded terrace and an ocean view. The ground floor features a big kitchen, a beautiful dining terrace, a 10 metres pool which stretches between a garden sort of and the ocean and a large open lounge area. The house is a tribute to local craftsmen and the traditional Swahili style – old style vidakas adorn the walls with furnishings including light curtains, antique coffee tables and intriguingly looking old wooden chests.

The lounge area entrance with a sea and pool view.
The exposed beam ceiling is a theme throughout the property that creates a visual interest and bring individual flair to the ceiling.
This’s where all the fun went down when not out for activities. The views were just it for me.
And this is where you wanna be when the sun rises. I felt like it gave the best sunrise views.
One morning as the palm tree was swayed to the gentle breeze and the whole landscape bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun, i found myself lying next to the pool savoring it all.
But here is where i loved it most. The sun-lit sky and sea blend perfectly into each other.
This was really well thought of.
Frame one is a view from the roof top while the other is one of the rooms balcony with an amazing sea view.
Part of the shaded terrace perfect for naps in between the day or just chilling with a good book.
Where the days end and new ones begin.

Activities.

On the second day we had a whole day trip to Manda toto Island. It’s an experience i’d recommend for everyone visiting Lamu. The fish they make there is to die for, the sail to the island so refreshing and the water warm and sweet for a dive.
While the rest of the team was on a Lamu town day tour i was out at peponi hotel treating my taste buds.

There is alot to do on this trip from visiting the donkeys sanctuary to passing by Lamu museum or The Lamu silver smith for souvenirs. There is also the sea boutiques not forgetting that the tour gives you the perfect opportunity to learn more about this UNESCO heritage, the culture and it’s people plus the doors. The interesting thing with Lamu is that the doors are different in each part of town, depending on whether it was built during the Portuguese occupation or the Omani Protectorate.

A visit to the sand dunes is also a good idea. It’s beautiful and in the evening you get to watch the sun set. They are located at a walking distance from Forodhani house past peponi hotel. I was told they are Lamu’s fresh water source, quite a sight.
While at it we crossed over to manda Island for brunch at The Majlis. You can never go wrong with that. The hotel is a perfect blend of local tradition, Swahili culture, Western comforts, and luxury.
You definitely can’t say you visited Lamu if you never got to go on a sunset cruise. This’s the number one activity i recommended. It’s worth all the hype it gets. Watching the few thin strips of clouds on the horizon as they turn shimmering gold as the day gives in to the night while in the middle of the sea is an experience to behold. We didn’t have one but two sunset cruises🤗
A stroll on Shela streets is also not a bad idea.

There is so much i got to do this time that i didn’t get to do the first time. I am glad to have been part of this just Rioba‘s Lamu girls trip. For more check out #GirliesInLamu on both Twitter and Instagram.

It’s always a pleasure having you here. Hope you enjoy today’s read. If interested in girls trips, Rioba hosts epic ones, you should subscribe.

Lovely weekend ahead, let’s catch up on my next post next week or you could follow me on instagram or on Twitter for more before then, 🥂.

Ray.

6 thoughts on “Lamu- Forodhani House”

  5. The day I set foot in Lamu…Its a dream destination I want to do very soon. I think I will do it twice and very soon. Its about time. Your post inspires.

    Liked by 1 person

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