Shanzu Beach Area Kenya

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The shop on the right is next to one of the locals cafes. During the day I have eaten here many times, the food is basic but very delicious. If you are on a tight budget, it is very good value African food and very cheap compared to the meals in restaurants in the area.

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At the corner of Kilimanjaro Street alongside the local cafe above.

There are many shops and Safari companies here along the Shanzu Beach Road strip. I will not recommend any, the only reason being is that many of the people are my friends and I would upset all if I favoured one. You pays your money and take your choice; BUT, I will place the bad ones on a list at the bottom in the warnings area as I hear about them. In the vast majority they are really good people who only want to survive by earning a living.

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Along the small road called Mandella Street, which is off the main Shanzu Beach Road is this artist's workshop, the very talented person actually paints in oils in his spare moments. He would appreciate gifts of paints to use whether oil, water or acrylic, they would all be very welcome. If you require an original painting, just ask and he will oblige.

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Nelly is the same, knitting hats and making bags. Any spare balls of wool, cotton or new clothes for Nelly you have at home and any unwanted presents, bring them with you. These shops and stalls are mainly one-man businesses and do not make very much money, so anything would be welcome as they try to keep their businesses going and struggle to look after their families.

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The street after a heavy downpour in the rainy season. It soon clears up within an hour or so.

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This photograph was taken at the same security lodge, but my back is to the Dolphin Hotel looking up the road towards the cross road junction, which leads to Mtwapa and Malindi one way, and the other to Bamburi, Nyali, and Mombasa.

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Looking down the road towards Mandela Street and Kilimanjaro Street the Forty Pub, Continental Hotel, the Safari Inn, the supermarkets, chemist, and Pistacios bar, the Serena Hotel, the Shanzu Paradise Hotel and Petuscha Apartments.

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A family I have been trying to help when I go over to the area. They are seen here in their one room home where they all sleep, it is in Shanzu Village. This family who have no father are trying to grow food for themselves on a shamba, a plot of land that is not theirs, it is about 3 miles away from their home. It is an enclosed area surrounded by walls ready at any time to be developed by someone else. I buy seeds from Mtwapa for the family. The shamba is at the top of the road opposite the locals entrance to the beach and opposite to the back of the Paradise Beach Hotel, before you get to the Petuscha Apartments.

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This is one of the places the family go for shelter and sometimes cook there. This is again someone else's property. Above right is Mama in the red Liverpool shirt and wrap I had just bought her, while one of her daughters in a yellow Matalan tee shirt and her new locally bought wrap washes the potatoes I had also just brought.

Here is where they sometimes also cook on the shamba under the shade of a tree, face painted for the world cup. I took face paints for the children BUT the adults in the village seemed to also like wearing them. While I am there when ever I can, I buy for the family; maize flour for making ugali their staple diet, wheat flour for making chapattis, oil, margarine, bananas, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, pulses, beans, fruit, soap, and about twice a year shoes and lengths of cloth they wrap around themselves [seen wearing new ones above]. I take them to near to where they live to buy them different things because it is cheaper there, we ALL jump into a Tuk Tuk, yes ALL the family [6 and me], 7 in the back of the three seater. Mama takes us all there [I pay] for everyone, they all get clothes and shoes, each time only costs about 2000 Ksh from a local Shanzu village stall. Anything sent to me will be used only for them and others there in need. I also try to take out clothes that are in my wardrobe that I have not worn for a while, wear them while there, and then leave them there for the locals. All are grateful for the little bits you give them.

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All friends, locals and tourists intensely watching and arguing in a friendly way while the World Cup 2010 was being shown on the television in the Cheers Bar and restaurant in Bora Bora not far from Shanzu. I really enjoy the Spaghetti with cheese on that is served here.

Many times over the years, during the day I have called in to see a friend, Shaban in his office/shop, change my money with him, then stopped for a while in Cheers to have a beer and a bite to eat.