Little Italy

The hotel had planned a trip to Malindi town for us on the third day of our stay in the hotel. The trip started at around ten in the morning. The hotel van was picked as the means of transport for the six of us; Fred and I plus two other couples.

Our first stop was the Marine National Park. We were taken on a small boat into the Indian Ocean so that we could view the coral reefs. The seemingly blue water made the underwater world more visible through the glass floor of the boat. The sights of the reefs, fish and other species in the water made my morning. It was really beautiful. The guide asked if any of us would like to go under the water for more adventure. Fred and another dude offered so they put on the diving suits before diving into the water. I was too afraid to join them. The huge mass of water scared the hell out of me.  After a few seconds, we could see them under the boat waving at us before drifting away.

When we returned to the beach, it was already one o’clock local time. The guide drove us away to the town. Malindi town was exactly what the brochures stated. It was an idyllic town with pure air that seemed to chase away all the troubles in the mind. The locals were so friendly when we spoke to them after we alighted from the van. Actually, we just said hello to them with the few Swahili that we picked up. The guide directed us into a building where to our surprise we had our lunch freely with the locals. It was nice for a change to see how they ate the dishes. They didn’t seem to mind our presence. They smiled at us before continuing to do whatever they were upto.

After that, we took a walk in the streets. Actually, I was confused to where we were at first. The number of white people or rather Italians in this city was ridiculous! No wonder it was called ‘Little Italy’. Most businesses, hotels and visitors all belonged to the Italians who made up the majority. Who would have thought that deep in the African plains that you would come across this huge number white people? I asked the guide why it was like this. He smiled then said it was because of the friendly and relaxing environment that the country offered. Most tourists usually come back after their first trip and apply to be residents. True, I was already making plans to return to this beautiful country. The locals who were made of Africans interacted with us freely. The women who mostly wore hijabs were really pretty.

We passed by the market where some African artifacts and curios were being sold. The little Maasai people sculpted from wood as a candle holder was really cute. I bought two of them and a few bangles to take back to my friends and family. Fred got a beautiful sculpted soap dish that was decorated in some animal prints and two key holders. I managed to buy one pair of sandals that were made from leather and beads alongside a leso print skirt. Later on we took a drive to see the Vasco da Gama pillar. It is a bell shaped Pillar near the beach. The guide told us that it was erected by the Portuguese explorer named after it as a navigational aid around the year 1500. The site was impressive as we got a chance to learn about the history of this wonderful site and the view of the beach was so pretty. We took couple of pictures with the beautiful sunset before heading back to the hotel.

Keeping it local

Ever wondered how heaven would look like? How the scenery and sounds would feel like and trigger our minds? These are the thoughts running in my mind as I look up the beautiful sky. The stars are pretty lined up as if they are trying to convey a message to us earthly beings. Life should be like this. We ought to escape regularly away from the daily interference from cellphones, structured life and traffic.

Fred and I are seated on the white sands with some of the other guests in a mini-circle with a fire lit in the middle to keep us warm. We are being entertained by some traditional dancers singing some soulful Swahili songs to us. I look around and notice most of the eyes are fixated on the women’s waist especially when they changed the beat to chakacha. The way they shook their waists made me jealous. They shook it hard but they hid the effort from their faces. I felt like standing up and going to ask for some lessons and maybe act it out in front of Fred.  I sip my cocktail drink and lean my head on Fred’s chest. I feel secure with me wrapped up in his frame.  One of the couple seated next to us stand up and join the dancers for a jig. Encouraged by them, we also join them. Happy times!

Earlier, after being shown our room, we relaxed before taking a tour on the resort. As we explored, we found out that the hotel had hosted some of the biggest celebrities in the world.  People like Naomi Campbell, Fernando Alonso, Bono, John Galliano and Roberto Cavalli were some of the few guests that have enjoyed the facility. We also enjoyed a walk along the white sandy beach. We met up with some locals who were walking with two camels. As we engaged with them, we asked if we could ride on them and they agreed but for a small fee. We quickly said yes and rode on them. I had never been on a camel before so it was frightening to be carried at such a height. Good thing we had carried a camera. We took several pictures of each other with the picture perfect landscape serving as a background. With the ocean providing the best view of sunset, I found the walk so romantic.

We returned to the restaurant later on and prepared for dinner. It was a buffet type of meal of different kinds. Fred suggested we sample the Swahili dishes that were on the menu. This would be a perfect way to get to know the local cuisine. There were different kinds of rice prepared i.e Pilau, Biriani, Wali wa Mnazi and some stew from different vegetable and beef varieties. It was really tasty. We also sampled a traditional type of wine called madafu. It was sweet but a little bit strong as I became tipsy after a two glasses.  After dinner, we went back to the room as we were tired and jet lag was starting to kick in.

Destination Kenya

That evening, we drove off to a hotel just two miles after the beautiful ceremony. The room was to be our comfort zone for the night before jetting off the next day to our honeymoon.  As soon we entered the room, I quickly removed the gown and showed. Fred was busy catching up with sports on the television in the room when I finished with the bathroom. After the news segment was over, he too had a shower before joining me in bed.

Whoever came up with the statement that nothing is as good as a wedding night of a newlywed couple lied! We were so tired to even have sex so we just looked at each other for a few minutes before we drifted off to sleep. I couldn’t imagine myself doing crazy workouts in bed with Fred. Even the thought of it was so tiresome.

We got up at six, packed our staff and left the hotel. I noticed Fred carrying both our passports so I knew we were going out of the country. I tried seducing him to tell me where we were going but he only smiled. Arrggg!

We arrived at the airport and checked in. Our flights were scheduled at ten in the morning so boarded our flight to Amsterdam before we took connection flight to Kenya. The flight was long but worth every moment.  I knew we were headed to Africa after I saw the tickets in Europe mid-air. We were going to Kenya, a country located in East Africa. I had heard about the country before especially with its splendid scenery and wildlife. Movies like ’Out of Africa’ and part of ‘Tomb raider’ were shot from here.  We arrived at the main airport at around six in the evening. The airport was located in the capital city, Nairobi, but we didn’t get a chance to go explore it since we were guided to one of the local charter flights heading to Malindi in a few minutes. The trip took another forty five minutes. I almost dropped my jaw when I saw the resort that was going to host us. The entry gate to the hotel was by itself magnificent. The hotel, Lion in the sun, was so beautiful. The guide showed us the reception where we checked in and we were shown our room. It was a big room with a view of the never ending Indian Ocean. What I liked most was the small pool just outside the room. This was essential as it ensured much need privacy since our mission here was to eat, have sex and sleep!

“How did we afford this hotel?” I asked Fred. We were sitted next to the pool.

“My parents gave us the trip as presents. They said we should use the cash we had saved up for the trip to start or life together.” He replied “My dad was the one who booked the hotel.”

“Wow! Your dad really knows how to spoil us.”           

We laughed.                                                                             

“By the way, guess who the owner of the hotel is.”

“Is the owner a celebrity?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“Bill Gates?” I replied.

“No. The owner is Briatore Flavio. He is an Italian Billionaire.”

“I don’t think I have heard of him.” I said.

“I think you have. He is the guy who gave Heidi Klum her first kid.” Fred said.

“Yea, I remember. This is his hotel?”

“All of it.”

Finally....

“Oh, maybe we should give you time to get done?” Dad said as they entered the room and noticed I was getting prepared.

“It’s okay. It’s rather too early for me to get all pampered up!” I replied.

“Alright, we will stay for a few minutes.” My brother added. “Sorry we showed up late.”

“No need to apologize, I’m glad you were able to come. I missed you.”

“I missed you too. By the way, congratulations! I’m so happy that my little girl is getting married.”

“Thanks dad.” I replied and hugged them both.

After they left, my cousin started to work her magic on me. My hair was the first one to be done and she styled it in a bun at the back of my head. She then applied my makeup after which I wore my gown. The veil was then fixed at the bun with the help of hair pins. I took time to check myself in the mirror after Ann helped me put the jewelry on. I couldn’t believe it! I looked good! The gown framed my body well. The veil reached my waistline and beautifully draped over my ivory gown. My makeup was well done and I looked flawless. I added a little bit of pink lip-gloss and I was ready to go.

“Catherine, are you ready?” I heard my mom shout outside the room.”

“Yes mom, you can come in.”                    

“Oh my God!” my mum exclaimed “You look marvelous baby.”

“Thanks mom.” I replied hugging her.

“Baby, you look beautiful.” She said. “And stop crying, you are going to ruin your makeup.”

I tried holding my tears back but emotions were high so I let them flow.

“You have made me proud Catherine.” Mum said. “Now wipe the tears away and go meet your husband to be.”

At exactly two o’clock in the afternoon, I walked down from my room accompanied by my parents to the grounds. My mom was in a peach dress and my dad wore a black suit. My two lovely maids were in their coral dresses. I smiled and nodded to them to start walking up the made up aisle which was adorned with white flower petals. I could see my relatives on one side cheering and taking pictures of me. Fred’s family was on the other side and they kept on glancing at me. Fred was standing with Mike at the altar with the priest. He looked so handsome with his black suit waiting for me. I could tell he was a bit nervous but trying his best not to show it.

I started walking up the aisle with my parents just when the music changed. Every step I took, my heart was both anxious and nervous at the same time. I could see the guests trying to take pictures of me. The veil did nothing to hide my fear so I kept pressing hard my dad’s hand.

The priest welcomed us all to the service and started presiding over our vows. It didn’t take long and soon we were pronounced man and wife. A brief kiss followed after we exchanged the rings before the church service ended. The guests were then moved to the reception area where they were served drinks and food while Fred and I took some pictures at the end of the grounds. My parents joined us for some pictures then we joined the guest for the reception. Truthfully, I never could have imagined that this day would come. Everything flowed smoothly and turned out great. The guest seemed to be enjoying themselves as they danced the afternoon away after Fred and I had our first dance.

Preparations

Upon our arrival at Fred’s place, Ann, my niece Molly and I met up with Fred and went over to inspect the grounds while my mom and aunties were busy catching up. The trees that were planted over at the garden had been trimmed a little bit so the canopy it formed was superb. The lawn itself was trimmed too and all that remained was arranging the chairs tomorrow.

Afterwards, we all went inside the house and had some drinks while we waited for our mothers to finish up before we left. My mom, Ann, my cousin, niece and I were to spend the night at a hotel nearby while my aunties had been booked to sleep at the guestroom. My dad and other members were come over in the morning.

I was wide awake when daylight came and the sun rays shown in through the curtains in my room. I rolled over and checked my phone that was on the table. It was almost seven oclock. I didn’t sleep well through the night. Maybe it was just me being nervous or the excitement of the day ahead. I walked over to the window and took a look on the street down below. The street was almost empty except few cars that passed by every few minutes. My mom had booked for us a suite that housed all of us. I went to the next room where Ann and my niece were resting. They had both waken up and were watching the television in the room.

“You guys slept well?” I asked as I sat at the end of the bed.

“Yes.” Ann replied. “You?”

“Not really. I couldn’t get any sleep.”

 “Don’t worry; you will get much deserved sleep after all this is over.”

“Kate, when will you wear your dress?” Molly asked. She was so excited with the whole wedding hullaboo and couldn’t stop asking me when it would start.

“It will be soon. But first, you have to go and wash up.” I replied.

While Molly took her bath, Ann and I continued watching some cartoons on the telly. In between the programs, we talked over her pregnancy. The nightdress that she was wearing was showing how big her tummy was. Her tiny frame could not hide the growth of the baby inside it.

My mom and cousins woke up a few minutes later and we ordered breakfast before we all went and had a shower. Time was running out already. It was around eleven when my cousin started doing our makeup. My mom was the first one to be done then followed by the girls. In the meanwhile, I called Fred and checked up on him. He sounded a little bit nervous but he assured me that he would be fine. Next I called up my dad. He was already supposed to have arrived already! He didn’t answer his phone the first time so I tried again. He didn’t pick up. As I was about to hang up, I heard a knock on the door. I walked over to open it and couldn’t believe who stood outside the door. My dad and brother! I hugged them tightly before asking them a load of questions.

“I tried calling you ….” I asked.

“I know. I was already in the hotel when you called.” Dad replied.

“How did you know which room we were in?”

“We had talked with your mother in the morning and she told me everything.”

“What? I dint know. Come in. I was just about to get my makeup done.”