The Beautiful White Elephant Country

Whenever you mention Ibiza to most people the first impression you receive is of dance, clubs and parties. This notorious clubbing spot has gained a reputation as a party capital in Spain but the smoothness from the Island referred to as Eivissa towards the locals, is a that often remains quite deliberately hidden.

Driving away from Sant Antoni, towards the eastern side of the island you arrived at Santa Eularia. Narrow roads wind through hills that sprawl haphazardly against a lot view that stretches from sparkling turquoise to a dark, immense blue. Across the cliffs that run along hidden beaches, rich rosemary bushes crackle with sea salt and each evening after swimming from the rocks my buddies and I take sprigs to cook with fish.

About this side from the island there’s a wide community of locals, stretching from third generation Ibithencans to wondering hippies who found the area in the seventies making their house there. Every day as we stroll right down to our secret beach we pass an old man looking at a plastic chair that looks as though it was salvaged from the hotel in the sixties. He sits by the road having a thermos of steaming tea and faces the hills of Ibiza. After i ask my friend what he does, she says he’s a farmer and every day that she has lived around the island she sees him sitting on the chair. As we pass he grins toothlessly at us and I can’t help thinking that he must have a profound kind of peace sitting and checking quiet hills every day.

Whenever we arrive the beach is small , the sea completely, utterly still. Yet it’s a favourite spot for locals to come and swim, usually naked as the day they were born, and every summer a bar springs up on the beach. A spunky girl having a huge smile makes us a caipirinha that leaves all of us drunk before 1 pm and sitting with my toes within the sand I find myself considering this special little nook around the globe.

For several years Ibiza has patiently followed its image like a party island. Actually they are doing very little to promote it as any different, because, as my buddies explain, that like the island the actual way it is. They’re happy to keep the tourists in one place partying and getting drunk, while the remainder of island murmurs along at its own pace.

A part of protecting this other character from the island has been to put measures in position to avoid overdevelopment because the seventies there’s been a total ban on building any new buildings around the island. By doing this they are able to prevent the island from becoming yet another tourist eye sore. This also gives much of the island a worn in feel that only contributes to its character.

It’s also immensely difficult to buy houses around the island and my buddies who live here spent many years awaiting the best place to become available. When it did, like many, it was not advertised however they were recommended through person to person.

Kenya may be the land that has given birth to typically the most popular African activity for tourists, namely the safari, and it is easy to see why. Blessed with tremendous topographical diversity stretching over four climatic zones and featuring coral reefs, desert landscapes, volcanoes and snow-capped mountains, Kenya has everything in a single.

Inhabiting these diverse landscapes and wilderness areas are Kenya’s world-famous wildlife, which may be viewed from horseback, 4×4 vehicle, verandah or by walking. You will find over 1000 types of birds and huge colonies of colourful butterflies. Also attractive is the rich history, which dates back towards the Stone Age, and the various cultures expressed with the sought-after crafts and arts.

So, if you are lazing around the white sand beaches of exotic Mombasa or gazing at the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle, the annual wildebeest migration, you are sure to savor a world-class experience.

CAPITAL:

Nairobi

CLIMATE:

Four climatic zones exist: tropical, equatorial, semi-desert and desert. Only two seasons are identified, namely dry and rainy. Due to altitude and topographical differences of the various regions, these seasons and temperatures aren’t uniform and vary greatly. However, generally the weather conditions are warm and humid in the coast, cool and humid in the central highlands, and hot and dry within the north and east.

CURRENCY:

The state currency may be the Kenya Shilling. Traveller’s cheques are widely accepted and many hotels, travel agencies, safari companies and restaurants accept charge cards. Foreign currency for example US dollars, British pounds and Deutschmarks can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and authorized hotels. There are no restrictions on the quantity of foreign currency that can be brought into Kenya, but getting a lot more than 500,000 Kenya Shillings requires written authorization from the Central Bank. Before departure, travellers are advised to convert any excess Kenya Shillings into forex at a bank or bureau de change. Departure taxes can be paid in local or forex.

ELECTRICITY:

220/240 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 3-pin square.

HEALTH:

A yellow fever vaccination is recommended if the traveller comes from an infected country or area. Visitors are also advised to take pre-arrival precautions against typhoid, hepatis A, polio, malaria and meningitis depending on the area visited and season. Other health issues include cholera, rabies, the Nairobi beetle (don’t touch, threaten or kill), dysentery and diarrhoea.

LANGUAGE:

English is the official language, but Kiswahili may be the national language.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

New Year’s Day (1 Jan); Good Friday (09 Apr); Easter Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 May); Madaraka Day (01 Jun); Moi Day (10 Oct); Kenyatta’s Day (20 Oct); End of Ramadan (14 Nov); Independance Day (12 Dec); Christmas Day (25 Dec); Boxing Day (26 Dec)

SHOPPING:

Traditional artefacts, beaded jewellery and knick knacks, animal wood and soapstone carvings, furniture, coffee, precious stones, furniture, Khanga and Kikoy cloths, musicical instruments, modern art, basket work e.g. Kiondoo/Chondo sisal baskets, Maasai Shukka blankets, ‘Thousand Miler’ sandals, ‘elephant hair’ bracelets.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS:

Culture this is a mixture of the modern and the traditional, with European habits prevailing throughout the country. Kenyans really are a very friendly nation and you will dress informally for many occasions.

TIME DIFFERENCE:

GMT +3

TIPPING:

Not mandatory. Guides, drivers, waiters and hotel staff can be tipped at the discretion.

Top ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:

Maasai Mara:

National Reserve The world’s most well-known Game Reserve because of the annual wildebeest, zebra and gazelle migration over this vast plain offering breathtaking views; the place to find a vast array of wildlife and birds; activities include excellent game viewing all year round, balloon rides and watching birds.

Tsavo East and West:

The twin national parks of Tsavo, totalling 10 million acres of wilderness, form Kenya’s largest National Park, which make it ideal for people who enjoy solitude; of these two Tsavo West is visited more; apart from the wildlife and birds, visit Lugard Falls, the volcanic Mzima springs along with a unique underwater observatory.

Mombasa:

Among the world’s most exotic tropical ports with a turbulent history. Visit the magnificent Fort Jesus and harbour, see the Arab architecture in Old Town and smell the scent of spices. Many fine temples and mosques can be explored such as the Shiva Temple, the Baluchi mosque and also the Dawoodi Bohra Mosque. Also don’t miss the Mombasa Marine National Park, the Moi Avenue gateway arch, dhow cruises and the beaches.

Amboseli National Park:

Probably the most popular nature in Kenya with a number of accommodation; the landscape is covered with Mount Kilimanjaro and also the park is known for its big game and scenic beauty; bird life is abundant.

Lake Nakuru National Park:

Famous because of its flamingoes and so popular with bird watchers and other nature lovers. Take advantage of the view point and visit the Euphobia forest.

Mount Kenya National Park:

The country is named after Mount Kenya, the 2nd highest mountain in Africa. For mountain climbers and hikers, it provides easy and challenging ascents with superb scenic beauty. The neighborhood tribes believe that it is the home of Ngai (God). Numerous unique, rare and endangered species are available here and there is abundant bird life.

Lamu:

A peaceful tropical island with a fascinating history, which can be explored within the winding streets of their medieval stone town, a global Heritage Site aided by it being the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa.

Lake Turkana National Parks:

The three national parks function as a stopover for migrant waterfowl and are major breeding grounds for the Nile crocodile, hippopotamus along with a number of venomous snakes. Turkana is outstanding for that study of plant and animal communities and also the Koobi Fora fossil deposits have contributed more towards the understanding of paleo-environments than any other site in Africa, it is also the most saline of Africa’s large lakes and a World Heritage Site.

Aberdare National Park:

Essential for landscape lovers, where one can view spectacular mountains, waterfalls, rainforest, trout streams, moorlands, thickets of giant heath, caves, abundant bird life, duikers, the black rhino and the elusive, rare Bongo – a forest antelope. El born area is ideal for walks, picnics, trout fishing, camping and night game viewing.