Christmas Day - a day of peace

A Heron 

It is Christmas Day and Hakuna Matata (there are not troubles).  After days of getting the ladies here (Eileen, Kim and Amanda), getting their luggage here, than resolving their exit flight being cancelled and Dan recovering from a flu over night, we start this day without there being any issues.  What a symbolic representation of the peace of Christmas.    One last trip to the airport last night allowed us to pick up the last piece of luggage that was to be delivered but knowing Kenya, it would have been delivered, it is just a matter of when.  Normally the round trip is about 2 1/2 hours but being a Friday evening and Christmas Eve, the trip took 5 1/2 hours with several hours waiting for the ferry.  It is so good to know this day will be free from travel issues (to insure this we have instructed everyone to not look at emails).

Amanda with a Sea Urchin in her hand

Yesterday, we hired a glass bottom boat and went on a tour of different areas to see the fish which are on the coral in this area.  There are a lot of fish but it is not the traditional glass bottom boat and most of the fish were attracted to the boat by throwing bread in the water.  It was about a 2 hour ride and we were able to snorkel off of the side of the boat as we went along.  Only about a 18 inch portion of the bottom was glass and it was disappointing that the whole bottom wasn't glass but it was fun.  The people on the boat also brought items to us to see and that was fun.  We also learned a lot of fun details such as what the sea life can tell you and cures for some of the poisonous sea creatures such as the Stone Fish and Sea Urchin pokes.

Jan and Eileen on the glass bottom boat

Kim's suitcase was to be delivered on Friday so I (Roger) stayed behind as we definitely did not want to miss the delivery of the suitcase and they would require someone to sign for it.  A couple of calls had confirmed that the suitcase was at the airport and they had agreed to deliver it to us.  Many calls had been made to confirm the suitcase was on its way throughout the day but the line was either busy or no one would pick up the phone.  At 3:30 we decided we would go ourselves so Kim, Amanda and I got in a taxi and headed for the airport as described above.  The lines for the ferry was long going both ways and at time we hardly moved.  There was a 20 minute time period where we went about 20 feet in 20 minutes.  Matatus' (vans used as taxis with a maximum of 14 passengers often loaded heavier) represented every other vehicle.  Fortunately they do not ride the ferry but rather drop the people off on one side, the people ride the ferry and catch another matatu on the other side.  We were thrilled when we could confirm the suitcase was there and head home.

Jan and Lisa with the beach in the background

A beach Christmas tree

This morning was a good time with opening the stockings and presents.  There weren't a lot of presents because of the limitation on luggage most of us had but after all, that is not the main purpose of Christmas.  It was great to just be with family (yes Kim and Amanda were family) and enjoy the time and focusing on the purpose of the day.  Simple Christmas with those who are with you.  We than had a relaxing day in the pool and walking on the beach.  Later in the day when America awoke, there was a time for phone calls and touching base with families.  Doug and Lisa had a plan on their mobile phones that permitted calls to the United States for only a few cents a minute so there were times when two phone calls and one VOIP call was being made to America.  Early we were able to Skpye with Lucas, Jamie and Sam.  We missed Sophie as she was taking a nap.  We will get to talk to Ben and Sarah later this evening.

The Mombasa Christmas gang

Girls in their Dubai tea shirts and Christmas jami's

Jan and I did take some time and just walked on the beach, soaked in the sun and thought how fast the last week went by.  The weather her in Mombasa has been perfect with sun every day, a breeze off of the ocean and the humidity not being too high.  Tomorrow morning at 6:30 we head to the game parks for a few days with the girls and Doug, Lisa and Dan head home.  It has been a very pleasant time but now we are off again.

We had planned to have shrimp for Christmas dinner.  We enquired later in the day as to when the local fisherman would deliver the shrimp and he indicated he was on the way to the store to get it for us.  Normally they supply shrimp right off the boats and when we heard this we told him to never mind.  We decided to go out to an Italian restaurant right across the street from our cottage and enjoyed a great dinner there.

Baobab Tree in front of cottage