.jpg) |
.jpg) |
In sense of public transportation, there are five ways to get from the west to the east of the country when you're in Kenya of course. Those who can afford fly from Kisumu to Mombasa or you drive yourself all the way to the east.
Going by train is a little bit complicated. From Kisumu, you travel over a single-track railway from the city to Nairobi via Nukaru. It's not a high-speed electric train but a slow fossil fuel one that you should not forget. Plan your desired time of arrival carefully. Going first class, it cost you Ksh. 800 (= . € 5.90) Want cheaper? The economy class is just Ksh. 300 (€ 2,20). The railway track has a history. It was built by the British between 1886 and 1901 and modernized during my visits between 2019 and 2022.
Whether you are in Kisumu, Nakuru or elsewhere in Kenya, you need to book a ticket online to get on board the Madaraka Express.
You can choose between the intercounty train that stops eight times and leave in the morning around 08:20 to arrive in Mombasa at 14:00, and the express train, which leaves Nairobi around 15:00 to arrive in Mombasa at around 20:00. But, you have to be in Nairobi first when you're elsewhere in Kenya.
If you go by matatu (minibus) you'll risk to miss the train as the drivers wait until their van is full before leaving for Nairobi. So, when the matatu driver tells that you better had to come early, it makes no sense. The remaining option? It's the long-distance coach.
We left Nakuru for Mombasa by going on board a coach which apparently came from Kisumu. We even managed to have a seat straight next to the bus driver where there was plenty of room to sit comfortable with a 'full screen view' in front of us. The trip takes around 11 hours and some 646 kilomters while it needs 6 hours to reach the only rest place where the bus stops for a short break of 20 minutes.
We arrived in Mombasa at around seven in the morning. What's first to look for? Coffee and breakfast.
The heart of Mombasa is an island where the Old Town is located north of Makadara. The ealiest traces of colonization of Kenya hides in Fort Jesus built by the Portugese in late 16th century to secure the safety of the Portugese living on the East Coast of Africa.
Nyali is a residential area and sub-county within Mombasa City, located on the mainland north of Mombasa County. It is connected to Mombasa Island by the New Nyali Bridge.
Niyali beach is where local people go sun bathing, swimming or take a trip to the sand banks which become visible at low tide. There are no hotels on this beach. You need to go much futher north to Lami Beach or take the ferry to south when you are on the northern part of the city where Nyali also is located.
In Nyali, there is the City Mall Nyali where I saw the Kenyan singer Esther Akoth, better known by her artist name Akothee, having a argument during a phone call while looking for a dress in a fashion shop.
On one photo you can see the name 'Cafesserie'. The name sounds like a mix between cafe and brasserie. Well, it is a mix between cafe and brasserie as you can order any drink you like (incl. alcoholic drinks)'having a breakfast or lunch, and having a diner when late. But, the way they serve diner looks very French while the way of serving you suggest that the personnel is trained.
On the south side, a endless looking tarmac road leads you to a popular cave restaurant that we found full booked. Indeed, you need to make a online reservation something I found not reported in reviews by Facebook users. Don't worry. Plenty of eateries on both side of the road here. We even found a cafe built in a tree. When we decided to have a drink there, I realized that it was part of a resort with accomodations all built in trees and run by a German couple.
