If ever you get the opportunity to get as far as Kenya, I highly recommend a trip to Diani Beach or close to. The coast is magical; the beaches never ending and the weather, well, summer all year around, with the humidity you would expect in the hotter months.
Arrivals at Ukunda airport is a very simple affair of a tarpaulin and a few plastic chairs. 😀
Pete and I enjoyed the most glorious weekend having fun in the sun, eating our own body weight in glorious food and enjoying cocktails in the pool, as you do.
It was rejuvenating for the soul.
When the tide is low, the beach stretches and stretches and then stretches some more.
We enjoyed 2 trips on antiquated dhow style boats dug out from mango trees and patched sails to the coral reef to snorkel amongst the many wonderfully coloured fish of every shapes and colour you can think of.
Naturally after a day out at sea one needs to enjoy a cocktail or three in the pool before getting ready for sun downers and dinner.
As much as I love baobab trees, I have never seen one in real life until now. They are beyond impressive and I could not resist hugging the first one I saw. Amazing to think this tree is hundreds and hundreds of years old! It is HUGE! 
A lot of you know how much of an arachnophobic I am and it truly took a lot of courage to hold this sea spider on my hand. Even though they only have 5 legs, the name spider is etched in my brain and this critter moved too quickly for my linking.
Beautifully bright star fish were everywhere! 
Glorious ankle deep water for a good 500 meters before you get to knee deep water. Truly amazing.
And no matter where we go in the world, a kitty or four always find their way to me withing 5 minutes of being somewhere new! This sweet little one was very happy to snuggle on the ground next to me.
Cannot wait to go back in a few weeks time. ❤ This time with special friends.
The Complete Book 
Looks so lovely!
It truly was! Have a magical weekend. 🙂 xo
It truly was! Have a magical weekend. 🙂 xo
It truly was! Have a magical weekend. 🙂 xo
How glorious! I loved the arrivals tent! And that tree – so big and so old. Loved the boats too. Magical indeed and now I am even MORE depressed. I want to go there too!! c
Isn’t the arrival’s tent a hoot C! When boarding the plane, we had to first identify our suitcase at the bottom of the stairs – nothing else, no boarding pass, no proof of anything. Too funny for words some days in Africa. Have a beautiful weekend. I haven’t seen any posts since being here in Kenya the past couple of weeks. Sunshine filled love from here to you. 🙂 xo
What a beautiful place in the world! Africa is definitely on my bucket list. 🙂 Looks like you had a marvelous time and what a great place to rejuvenate the soul.
Karista, Africa is so vast, you will need to come more than once – you will love the diversity. Even I am loving seeing places in Africa I wouldn’t ordinarily see. Wonderful! Have a happy weekend. 🙂 xo
Oh my god that starfish!!!!! Amazing!!! Nice to see a real photo of you, too!!!
The starfish are incredible Mimi! Amazing how bright they are. We also some green and purple/blue ones, but the red / coral are the most vibrant. Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂 xo
Darling Mandy! You *know* I love this! Everything about it is so interesting, charming, alluring, and even educational! See, I can’t even stop using exclamation marks!!! 😀 😀 So glad you’re having a lovely time together. Beautiful photos as always.
Love, happy travels, and big hugs from here!
Kathryn
❤
You are very kind dear Kath, thank you so much! Would love to share a piece of it all with you. Have a glorious weekend. Love and hugs back to you. 🙂 xoxo
So blue, clean and beautiful! Sea spider looks quite scary, but those star fishes are amazing!
It is a glorious place to visit Angie, it reminded me so much of Mauritius and made me miss living there. Have a wonderful and happy weekend. 🙂 xoxo
That airport is amazing! Your holiday looks fantastic Mandy 🙂
Never been to such a small airport before Tandy. A fun experience. Have a happy day 🙂 xo
Absolutely magical and I’m so happy for you both that you got to spend some precious time together. Beautiful place and so much natural beauty to enjoy…as well as the cocktails! Big hug x
Big hugs back to your dear Tanya. Been holding you in love this week. xoxoxoxo
OOOOOOOO, Mandy,
you are both beautiful!
And the sea spider, star fish! OMGOSH. amazing.
The kitty! LOVE him. Who was he? Did you take him home?!
PS. Loved my cutout of S. Africa!
PSS. Just sent the post card to your relative! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx0000000
You are too kind, thank you for your beautiful love filled happy words Kim. The kitty was one of 4. Their daddy was there too – didn’t see mommy though. I really wish these places would sterilize animals so they don’t breed SO much. Seems all resorts have cats roaming about. I would have LOVED to take him home but alas it is not possible.
Thank you so very much for sending the post card, I truly appreciate your effort. Big kiss and hug from me to you and yay I am so pleased your last mail arrived safely with you. Seems to take an age of late.
Have a beautiful weekend dear Kim. My last weekend in Kenya with Pete before I return home on Monday morning. Thankfully Pete will be home in a few weeks and then a few weeks after that I return here to go back to Diani Beach with special friends from back home. So lovely to have it all to look forward to. Sunshine filled Nairobi love to you in Minnesota. 🙂 xoxoxo
Love back!
Enjoy Pete before he leaves again, darling! xxxx
Sadly it was me leaving him in Kenya and me coming home. He will be home soon though so keeping that in my sights. xoxoxo
Kenya is a place I dream about all the time. This beach will now be in my dreams too! You are a beautiful couple – just so cute!!! That starfish is absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful trip!
Tricia, I do hope you will able to experience Kenya. There is so much to enjoy. I am hoping that if and or when my alien card comes through that Pete and I can visit the Masai Mara – even better during migration season. That would be incredible! If we go before I get my alien card, it will cost us a disgusting fortune with tourist rates, so it will be well worth the wait. Have a beautiful weekend dreaming of Kenya and its beauty. 🙂 xoxo
Looks divine!
You and Mr T would love it there too. Just saying… 🙂 ❤
Everything about Diani Beach is beautiful but what made it special was you and Pete getting to spend a wonderful time there together.
Yes, absolutely Karen, best part was that Pete and I could spend some special time together. Have a wonderful week ahead. 🙂 xo
Sounds like you both enjoyed a wonderful time together in a particularly beautiful spot, Mandy, I’m very happy for you. I hope you can get back there very soon!.
I’m looking forward to taking my camera next trip John and getting some great shots. Have a lovely day and snuggles to dear Max. 🙂 xoxoxo
Lovely time and wow either your a midget or that tree is HUGE… LOL Take care
It truly was a beautiful time away Bam. Haa haa. Yes, the tree is GIGANTIC! Have a superb week. 🙂 xo