Travel to Marrakech

We flew from Manchester airport with Ryanair. As we live in Leeds we decided that we would fly back to Leeds and Bradford Airport. The cost of the return flight was £120 including a 10kg hand luggage allowance which included Priority Boarding. We booked the flight through Skyscanner https://www.skyscanner.net.

Marrakech airport

Leaving the plane and passing through customs was relatively quick and easy compared to a lot of airports. Although there was some queueing at passport control there were plenty of people checking passports so the queues went down very quickly.

Transport to hotel

We had booked our transport to the hotel through Hoppa. As with most transfer companies we expected our driver to be waiting with a sign with our name on at the exit as per the instructions we had received but this did not happen. The internet was very weak at the airport therefore we struggled to get in touch with our driver. After waiting for over 40 minutes we had no option but to pay for a taxi to our hotel which cost around £17.

Accommodation

We had booked the Valeria Da Atlas through Destination 2 http://www.destination2.co.uk at a cost of £82 per night for an all inclusive package (a real bargain!). Having read some rather negative reviews on Trip Advisor we were a bit sceptical as to what the hotel would be like, although as we had not paid 5 star prices we did not expect 5 star standards. In fact for £82 per night for 2 people all inclusive we did not expect a lot. When we spoke to other people they also had not paid a lot. Most people had only paid £500 including transfers, flights, luggage and accommodation for a week.

Rooms

The rooms were very basic but adequate for our needs. We had 3 single beds, a wardrobe (no drawers, a fridge (didn’t work) and a small table. The bathroom had a hair dyer (very slow), mirror and shower. There was a separate toilet which was handy. We also had a balcony with two plastic chairs and a plastic table both of which had seen better days. The rooms were cleaned daily but fresh towels and clean bedding were not always provided.

Food

Breakfast

Each morning you could have fresh eggs and omelettes which were cooked outside. At the food stations inside there was scrambled eggs, sausage, potatoes, vegetables, cereal, and pancakes. There was also a decent selection of meats, cheeses, salads, pastries and breads.

Lunch

Each day there was cooking outside which usually consisted of pizza, burgers, chips and paninis. At the food stations there was always a fish dish, a chicken dish and a meat dish. The lamb tagine was delicious. Alongside the main dishes there were plenty of very fresh salads, vegetables, breads and deserts. There was a drinks machine for soft drinks and also a coffee machine. There was a small bar in the dining room where wine was served. The wine surprisingly was quite good, maybe thanks to the French influence.

Dinner

The food selection for Dinner was similar to that provided at lunch, minus the outside cooking. In the evening they did try and make it a bit smarter than at lunch with table covers on the tables and waiter service for drinks. We asked for a ice bucket for our wine which was willingly provided – from then on each evening our wine was brought to our table with an ice bucket thanks to a fantastic waiter called Ayoub.

Drinks

Drinks were limited to beers, wines, sangria and a small selection of cocktails. Again as we had not paid a lot we did not expect a great deal. During the day the drinks were served in paper cups which they often ran out of. There is a pool bar which serves soft drinks, beers and wine. If you want any other alcoholic drink you have to go to the inside bar. There is always a long queue no matter which bar you go to or what time of day. There are some cocktails that you can pay 80 dhr for which is around £6.30. There is also fresh orange juice and slushies available that cost 20 dhr, around £1.60. We often bought the slushies and added vodka to them which made for a refreshing drink.

Pool scene

There are two main pools at the hotel – one is a quiet pool which has a snack bar. The other is a larger pool where all of the day time activities take place. It was very easy to get sun loungers at either pool. There didn’t appear to be anyone putting their towels out and leaving them all day.

The pools are a decent size. The hotel goes to great lengths to keep the outside areas clean and there were always staff walking aound and clearing up empty cups and glasses.

Entertainment

The entertainment team were really keen and full of energy throughout the day. There were activities all day long including yoga, darts, aqua aerobics water polo and dancing. In the evening there was a children’s disco followed by dancing and music for adults. We could not fault the entertainment team especially for a all inclusive of this standard (4 star).

Every Saturday they have a foam party which is great fun. Everyone was dancing and jumping around including the entertainment team who try to get people involved but were never pushy.

Hotel grounds

The hotel is set in lovely grounds which included a small lake with ducks and ducklings. The grounds are well maintained and attractive.

Summary of hotel

We had read some rather negative reviews prior to arriving at the hotel therefore we did not expect it to be as good as it was. All of the staff work tirelessly and do their best to ensure you had a good time. It is not 5 star standard but we did not pay 5 star prices. We spoke with the manager (Saber Fajr) about the issue with the fridge and also enquired if we could have a late check out which he immediately sorted. Saber was speaking to other guests too and was genuinely interested in ensuring that guests were enjoying their stay.

Obviously there are some issues that the hotel could improve on that in our opinion would not cost a lot to rectify. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. It was fantastic value for money. We would definitely go back to this hotel if it was still available at a good price.

Tuk Tuk tour

We booked the Tuk Tuk tour through viator http://www.viator.com at a cost of £52 for 2 people.

We met our guide at the front of the Koutoubia Mosque. From our hotel this was a 30 minute taxi ride at a cost of 150 Dhr which is around £12.

Jardin Majorella Gardens

This is the first stop the tour takes you to. You have to book the tickets in advance as you can not pay on the day. There is an official site http://tickets.jardinmajorelle.com to buy the tickets on at 165 Dhr which is around £13.

Bahia Palace

There is an entrance fee of 100 Dhr per person which is around £8. As we had arrived at the Palace early in the morning it was pretty quiet but did start to fill up fairly quickly. There are lots of small rooms leading off from the main courtyard which we could imagine would be a be difficult to go in and out of during busy times.

Our driver gave us enough time to see the palace and read about its history. The Palace is very ornate. There was so much to take in and look at. You could easily spend a good few hours looking at this spectacular building.

Saadian Tombs

Built in the 16th century, the tombs, walls and ceilings are decorated with colourful tiles, mosaics and carvings. The architecture of the buildings is amazing. Again there was an entrance fee of 100 Dhr which is around £4. This is only a small place so does not take much to look around.

Tannery

When we arrived at the Tannery we were greeted by an elderly gentleman who gave us some fresh mint. He advised us that this was to mask the smell of the tannery which it did thank goodness! He explained to us what happens at the tannery and how the leather is treated and then made in to goods such as belts, bags, shoes and clothing.

He advised that all the workers live on site but the owners live in a big house elsewhere. At the end of the tour he took us to the leather shop. There was no hard sell we were able to just browse at our own time.

Souks

Marrakech is home to three main Souks ( Souk Semmarine, Souk El-k and Souk Nejjarine) The Souks are a hive of activity with lots of vibrant colours and the pleasant smells of food. It was great fun on the Tuk Tuk taking in the sights as he weaved in and out of the crowds. We managed to see so much and cover a lot of ground in the Souk. Not only were there people walking around the Souks but we also saw many other forms of transport including donkeys, bicycles, motor bikes, tuk tuks and vans all trying to make their way through the narrow streets.

As we were on the Tuk Tuk we did not get hassled as much as we would have done on foot. It appears that you can buy almost anything in the Souks. The main attraction in the Souks for the English tourists is the fake branded shops.

Main Square

This area attracts a lot of both tourists and locals. In the main square there are a lot of traditional street food places to eat at, serving an impressive range of dishes and many local families visit on an evening due to the quality of the food and the cost.

In the main square you will also see the traditional snake charmers who ask for money to have your photo taken with them. We opted out of this as don’t agree with the way the snakes are treated. There were also men with monkeys on chains who asked for money to have a photo taken with them but again this is very cruel and we do not agree with this therefore we did not have our photo taken. We appreciate that they have a living to make but we felt this was morally wrong.

Street Food Tour

We booked the street food tour through Viator https://www.viator.com/tours/england at a cost of £25 each. We were met by our guide Abdul at Argana Café which is near the main square. Abdul was very engaging as soon as he met us. As we walked through the narrow streets he was explaining about the area and the customs of the people. The bread shop he was going to take us to was actually closed therefore he took us to our first food tasting which was snails.

Babouch (Snails)

The snails were served in a small bowl with a sauce to dip them in. Abdul called the dip snail juice. It had been a long time since we had tasted snails therefore we did not know what to expect. Although the snails did taste ok it seemed a lot of effort for such little mouthfuls. Abdul advised that this was very popular with families during the evening.

Magic Bread

This was amazing and very filling. The bread is similar to a pitta bread. To begin with they open it up and spread olive oil on it. It is then filled with potato, cheese, onions and egg. This is then served with a chilli sauce to add yourself to your taste and tea. As it was getting towards evening time it was very popular with locals. Each person serving was working non-stop due to the amount of customers. There weren’t many tourists eating here but that’s the point of the street food tour – to try local food, and we like to eat where the locals eat.

Harira

This is a soup-like dish again popular with the locals. The nearest thing we could compare it to was that it was similar to minestrone soup. This was served with sweet pastries and dates. Due to the popularity of the street food the quantities cooked are vast. The Harira was cooked in very large pots.

Masamen

Masamen is very similar to pancakes. It can be served as a sweet dish with honey or savoury which is stuffed with cheese. We ate this at a café style venue served with tea. Abdul informed us about the art of pouring the tea. He advised that tea needs to be poured from a height to create a froth. With out the froth the tea isn’t prepared properly.

Olives

We went to the madina to try some local olives. There were many stores selling the olives in one street. Abdul advised that there is no competition between the stalls as they all sell at the same price and know each other well. He advised that all of the stall owners are friends and socialise together. The variation of olives available was something we had never seen before nor did we know there were so many varieties.

Nuts

Again we ate them in the madina. Lots of stalls were selling the nuts. A vast variety of nuts from some that were quite salty and others that were in a sweet coating with sesame seeds. Abdul our guide asked the stall owner to put a mixed variety in a bag for us to try – they were delicious.

Panashi

Panashi is a smoothie type of drink made with a mixture of fruits. It is so full of flavour and if we had not eaten so much already we would definitely have had another of these. As it was getting later in to the evening the food places were becoming very full. There were queues at most of the street food vendors.

Khodnjal

This a tea which is made from thirteen different herbs. The tea is said to help the locals stay healthy and keep coughs and colds away. This is a very strong tea with a lovely herbal smell.

Mixed Sandwich

This was our final stop on the food tour. It was so busy with queues to order the food and wait for it to be cooked. The mixed sandwich was similar to a kebab in the UK. It consisted of meat or chicken, onions, peppers and cheese in a bread similar to a pitta bread. Unfortunately by this time we had eaten so much we could not eat it therefore we got it to take away.

Summary of tour

Abdul was an excellent guide who told us all about the food, the ingredients, the origins and the customs. If we hadn’t gone on the tour we would not have known where to eat to experience the variation in the Moroccan food. They always say eat where the locals eat to have the best traditional food and this was definitely the case with this food tour. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

Breakfast and camel ride in Agafay Desert

We had booked the excursion through viator https://www.viator.com/tours/england at a cost of £18 each. On the day we booked to do the activity we got up at 6am as we were being picked up at 7am. We waited until 8am but nobody turned up. We tried calling a number which we were given for the tour operated but this did not exist therefore we contacted Viator who also couldn’t get in touch with them. We sent several emails but still no response. Later that day we got a whatsapp message apologising.

We arranged to do the trip the following day so another early start! Thankfully the transfer arrived on time. The journey to the camp took around 40 minutes. Part of the way there we had to change vehicle to an off road vehicle due to the terrain.

Breakfast

When we arrived at our destination we were shown to where we would eat our breakfast. This consisted of pancakes, soft cheese, bread, jams, cake, water, tea or orange juice. Other people had eggs but they had run out by the time we got there. The surroundings and breakfast were nothing like the photo on Viator (see above image taken from Viator website). The pancakes/bread was so hard it was difficult to chew them.

Pool

The owner of the camp advised that we could use the swimming pool due to the error with the booking and the no-show from the driver the previous day. The swimming pool is in a lovely setting therefore we were looking forward to having a swim in it. The pool is well maintained with nice sun loungers.

Camel Ride

After breakfast we were taken for our camel ride. The saddles for the camels were made of an hessian type of material which actually rubbed your legs. One of the camels was very unruly and tried to throw me (Debbie) off on more than one occasion. It also tried biting the guide several times. We were taken by camel to the top of a large hill with views over looking over the desert and camp. We were able to feed the camels too, however we were a bit apprehensive regarding the camel which had tried several times to bite the guide.

After the camel ride we were taken back to the camp. The owner stated if we wanted to use the pool we would have to stay until 4pm when a driver would be returning to Marrakech. As we were going home that day we were not able to stay until that time. Originally the owner advised we could use the pool for an hour or two then someone would take us back to the hotel – he then changed his mind for what ever reason.

Summary of Breakfast and camel ride in Agafay Desert

Although we did not expect a lot due to the cost we did expect the driver to turn up. This could have been a fantastic experience if they had put a bit more effort into to the breakfast offering and included time in the pool. If they charged a bit more then this could be added to the experience. We were obviously disappointed when we were told we could use the pool for a short while but then told we needed to stay all day if we wanted to do this. Our advice would be to read reviews before booking and pay more for a better experience. Unfortunately we booked before realising there were no reviews.

Things to do

• Visit the Atlas mountains and the 5 valleys.
• Do a camel ride.
• Do a street food tour.
• Visit the medina and main square.
• Grab a bargain in the Souks.
• Do a balloon ride.
• Ride the quads and dune buggies.
• Take a Tuk Tuk ride around the main sites.
• Visit Ouzould waterfalls

Top Tips

• Book excursions prior to visiting Marrakech and read reviews.
• Local currency can not be taken in or out of the country therefore ensure you know where to get your currency.
• When booking an hotel try comparison sites for the best deal. We used Trivago https://www.trivago.co.uk/hotels/comparison
• Research the hotel prior to booking.
• Check out the dress code for certain tourist attractions.
• Check out the UK Government website for security and safety advice when visiting Marrakech http://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco
• Morocco can get very hot in the summer months – check out the temperatures below for best time to visit Marrakech.
• Check out the other destinations we have visited in Africa

Weather

Temp – Celsius Rain – mm	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High Temp	19	22	25	27	30	35	39	38	33	29	24	20
Low Temp	7	9	11	13	15	19	21	22	20	17	12	8
Rainfall	33	38	38	39	24	5	1	3	6	24	41	13
Number of days	8	7	7	9	5	1	1	1	3	6	7	6

Average daily temperatures and rainfall

Travel to Istanbul

We flew from Manchester airport on an afternoon flight with Easy Jet at a cost of £75 per person return including booked seats but this only included hand luggage that fits under the seat. However we were only there for 3 nights and so this was not an issue for us.

Executive lounge (Escape)

Prior to our flight we booked in to the Escape lounge at Terminal 1 at a cost of £32 each, booked direct with Manchester Airport. After checking in at the front desk we were shown to our table. Breakfast was being served which included cooked breakfast; bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, beans, tomatoes, eggs (scrambled and fried), as well as breads, yoghurts, fruit, pastries and cereals.

The bar in the lounge did not get busy and therefore it was easy to get served. Most drinks are included in the price of the lounge including sparkling wine either white or rose.

The food changed from breakfast to lunch whilst we were in the lounge. This included a variety of hot and cold food including sandwiches, crisps, cottage pie and a Thai chicken curry.

We arrived at the airport at 9.30pm Istanbul time. We found a man with a sign with our name on fairly easily, however we had to wait for a long time for a driver to pick us up, over 50 mins which included a walk down to the pick-up point. We had booked our journey with Booking.com at a cost of £26 each way.

Although we were not very happy about having to wait for so long our driver was very pleasant and helpful. On the plus side the vehicle was a luxury vehicle, nice and clean and with plenty of room to stretch out on the journey into the city.

Accommodation nightmare

It took about 50 mins to reach the address of our accommodation in the old town of Istanbul, a location we had chosen as it was close to many of the main sites we wanted to see. We had booked our accommodation through Booking.com at a cost of £120 for 3 nights, opting for an apartment so we had plenty of room. We tried to contact the owners the day before we travelled via Booking.com but there was no response. We also tried to make contact several times during our journey to the apartment but received no response. On arrival there was no sign of any apartment building. We then sent a message to Booking.com who advised that they would get back to us within 24 hours which was clearly not acceptable as by this time it was after midnight and we had nowhere to stay. Our driver (Muhammed Zahit Ozkilic, employed by Prime) was lovely and did his best to try and find the apartment which clearly did not exist. He asked a number of locals but nobody had heard of the apartment. This was clearly a scam, yet despite this, Booking.com have refused to refund the cost of the booking. We are not at all impressed, having been good customers of Booking.com over a number of years. Suffice to say we won’t be using them again!

New accommodation at the Glorious Hotel

We struggled to find an hotel at this late hour that could accommodate us but finally we managed to book a room at the Glorious Hotel at a cost of £150 for 3 nights. Thankfully our driver had stayed on to drive us around and had stayed with us until we found this hotel.

Rooms

Rooms are fairly basic and small but are cleaned daily to a high standard. Fresh towels were also provided on a daily basis. We did not have the space of an apartment as originally intended, however the rooms here were more than adequate.

Wellness area

In the basement there is an unexpected and fairly impressive wellness area although this does come at an additional cost. A number of packages are available offering a range of massages and beauty treatments – and use of the facilities which include a sauna, steam room and Turkish bath. Packages start at 60 euros which is a very good price given what is included. It was a pleasant area to just relax and unwind. If we had been in Istanbul for longer we would definitely have tried it out. It was a little hidden gem in the basement of the hotel.

Location

The hotel was within a 20 minute walk of the main sites in the Sultanahmet area. We were thinking of purchasing tickets for the hop on hop off bus but found that the best way to get around was by foot. We do like to walk, especially when visiting new places of interest. You get to see so much more that way. For catching sights slightly further afield we found Uber to be pretty reasonably priced compared to the UK.

Food and drink

On an evening we were able to buy drinks from the bar in the hotel restaurant. A glass of wine and a bottle of beer was £10 which isn’t too bad for an hotel.

Each evening during our stay we had a night cap with some lovely Bulgarian people who were also staying in the hotel. Google translate is a godsend in these situations where people speak different languages!

We tried the breakfast on our first morning – it was included in the price but unfortunately it was not to our liking. As most of the residents were Turkish or Bulgarian it was catered to their needs which is fair enough when you are in another country. Eating out for breakfast was very reasonable with plenty of restaurants and cafes that provided a range of options – there’s nothing like a doner kebab for breakfast!

Sightseeing by foot

Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. It is also regarded as one of the first shopping malls in the world. This was the first place we visited on our first day sightseeing walk. It was a Saturday and therefore it was extremely busy with people of various nationalities. If you don’t appreciate being pestered by shopkeepers trying to sell you something or big crowds then this is not the place to be. When walking through the Bazaar there were times when there was very little room to move. The list of things to buy in the Bazaar is endless and included jewellery, clothing, rugs, homeware, food, spices and footwear. You can buy practically anything here – just don’t forget to negotiate the price!

Not far from the Grand Bazaar we discovered a most amazing doughnut shop which sold very delicious doughnuts with a range of different flavours. The shop is on Tahmis Sk. not too far away from the Galata Bridge.

Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is also know as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It was built in the early 17th Century and is still a functioning mosque today. You can gain entry to the mosque and take a good look around without paying. It really is a spectacular building both inside and out. Women need to cover their hair and ensure legs and shoulders are covered before entering the mosque. Also shoes need to be removed.

Hagia Sophia

Built in around 360 AD, the Hagia Sophia was originally an orthodox Christian church until the 13th century, when it became a mosque. It was subsequently turned into a museum and now has reverted to a mosque. The Hagia Sophia is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul. You can buy tickets to go inside but the queue was extremely long and our time limited, therefore we did not go inside on this occasion.

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is now a museum and gives it’s name to the Galata area of Istanbul. Unfortunately when we visited it was being renovated and therefore it was difficult to capture its full glory. Built in the 13th century, at the time it was the tallest building in Istanbul.

Galata Bridge

The Galata Bridge connects the new and old parts of the European side of Istanbul. It was surprising to see the amount of fisherman lining both sides of the bridge. With so many boats passing underneath the bridge it was a miracle that the fishing lines did not get caught on the boats!

Sightseeing by boat

We booked a boat trip through Viator Istanbul: Bosphorus and Golden Horn Cruise with Audio Guide 2024 (viator.com) at a cost of £18 for two people which we felt was pretty good value . We were asked to meet at a meeting point at 12.20 near to the Blue Mosque. Fortunately they sent us a photo of the meeting point which proved useful as the address provided took us 20 metres away using Google Maps.

We waited at this point for about 15 minutes or so until our guide started off on the walk to the small harbour where the boat was moored. This was the worst part of the boat trip as there were a lot of people to guide through some extremely busy streets. It felt a bit like herding cattle.

Finally we got to the boat, the seating area was crowded and the seats very close together. We had to sit on seats in the middle of the boat. There wasn’t enough room to sit down comfortably therefore we stood up for the whole of the journey, allowing us to get a better view of the sites along the way.

Bosphorus Bridge

The bridge was opened in 1973 following 3 years of construction. The bridge spans over the Bosphorus Straight – it was the longest suspension bridge in Europe until the opening of the Humber Bridge.

Maiden’s Tower

Maiden’s Tower is also known as Leander’s Tower. It lies 200m from the southern entrance of the Bosphorus Strait. You can now get a boat over to the Tower and have a meal there. We would have loved to have done this if we had have had more time.

Ortakoy Mosque

The Ortakoy Mosque is the smallest Mosque in Istanbul. It was constructed between 1854 and 1856. The Mosque is situated on Ortakoy Pier Square which is a popular tourist destination.

Dolmabahce Palace

The Palace was built between 1843 and 1856. There had been 6 different Sultans living in the palace from 1856 until 1924 when the ownership of the palace transferred to the Turkish Republic. It is one of the most spectacular buildings in Istanbul.

Summary of boat trip

The boat trip was well worth the money we paid but if we return to Istanbul and wish to do another boat trip we would pay extra to depart from the main ports as the pier to access the boat was a bit out of the way and it was the only boat in the very small port. Having said that we did get to see some wonderful sights and took some great photos. The bright and dry weather was an added bonus.

Evening cruise, meal and show

We booked this trip with Viator and paid extra for alcohol to be included at a cost of £75 for two people https://www.viator.com/tours/Istanbul/Istanbul-Bosphorus-Dinner-Cruise-Unlimited-Drinks-and-Shows/d585-448908P1

Our transport to the port arrived at our hotel at 7pm. Unfortunately due to the nature of the narrow streets and the one way system the coach had to park up a couple of streets away. There were several other pick ups before we arrived at the harbour to join the cruise. It was extremely busy on the roads at this time of the evening but we arrived in good time to join the boat.

When we arrived onboard we were quickly shown to our table which was in a prime spot for watching the show. It appeared that they had planned to put people who were drinking alcohol together and those who were only drinking soft drinks on separate tables. It was a lovely setting for a meal as you could dine while enjoying views of the city. Almost every seat was taken on the boat which made for a fun atmosphere. You were free to walk around the boat at any time and go outside on deck to admire the view and to take photos.

Food and drink

The starter was a tasty meze accompanied by fresh salad. Main course was a choice of chicken or fish with vegetables and rice, followed by a desert of Baclava. The food was better than what we expected given the number of guests and the service was very efficient.

The drinks included local spirits, beers and wine as well as the local speciality Raki. The wine was quite pleasant which was also a bit of a surprise considering what we had paid for the cruise. We had an amazing waiter, we think he was call Bozat (not 100% sure). He was always making sure we were enjoying ourselves and topped up with drinks.

The show

Female dancers

The first part of the show saw female dancers emerge onto the dance floor. They then appeared throughout the show dressed in a range of costumes. Their dancing was wonderful to watch. We had a prime spot as our table was right opposite the dance floor. It appeared that they enjoyed their dancing and they interacted with the audience well.

Male dancers

The male dancers appeared to be even more energetic than the female dancers. Part of their performance involved a knife throwing act which included inviting some nervous looking members of the audience to take part – thankfully there were no injuries! They also changed costumes throughout the show. On occasions both the female and the male dancers performed together.

Belly dancer

A highlight of the show was the belly dancer. She went from table to table dancing in front of mainly men, encouraging them to put money in her top. The belly dancer also did a short show on the dance floor. She could really move her hips and stomach. It was interesting to watch for all but it did seem that the men were enjoying it the most!

Gangnam Style Lookalike?

One of the funniest moments was the appearance onto the stage of a many in his late 40’s/early 50’s who danced energetically on the dance floor and then proceeded to go from table to table dancing with the guests. He really got the audience going with his lively dancing and choice of music. He danced to the song Gangnam Style which was very entertaining. I think every one was in good spirits by then, even those who had chosen the non-alcohol package!

Sightseeing on cruise

Although Istanbul looked wonderful all lit up at night especially with the lights reflecting on the water it was quite difficult to get any decent photographs using only our iPhones. I am sure with a better camera than ours you would be able to take some amazing photos.

Summary of evening cruise

The whole experience was really enjoyable and represented very good value for money. It ticked so many boxes for us. The food, the drinks, the entertainment, the setting and seeing the sights. We would definitely recommend this evening cruise.

Bars and Restaurants in Istanbul

Restaurants

There are so many restaurants to choose from and so it is hard to guide anyone as to where the best places to eat are. Some of the popular choices of restaurants overlook the Bosphorus and these obviously have an amazing view to accompany your meal. As you might imagine there are hundreds of Turkish kebab eating places to choose from, ranging from cheap and cheerful to a very up market. We had a lovely meal in the old town in a little family run restaurant in the district of Fatih called Erciyes Kiraathanesi just off of Kadirga Limani Cd. The food was tasty and very reasonably priced.

Bars

Most of the bars in Istanbul are located in the Beyoglu area of the city. Not only does this area host a number of bars but it also has many coffee shops, restaurants and shops. It is a very busy area throughout the day well into the evening. It is very difficult to find a bar in any other area of Istanbul. Alcohol is served in most restaurants and hotels but we struggled to find an actual bar away from Beyoglu.

Prices in the bars vary but are typically similar to UK prices. However you need to be aware that certain imported drinks can cost a lot more. For example in the Celtic Irish Bar we were charged £9.50 for a small bottle of cider compared to a pint of local lager for only £4.70.

We also visited the Fred bar where cocktails were around £4 each and certain lagers were only £3 a pint.

We also visited the Tower Pub which is just around the corner from the Galata Tower. It is a typical English Pub which stocked a number of craft beers and was showing Premier League football.

Summary of Istanbul

Although we managed to cram in a lot of activities during our visit, the short time we were there meant that we were not able to do everything we would have liked to. Istanbul is such a vibrant, interesting city and we fully intend to return for a long weekend sometime in the future. The only down side to our visit was the incompetence of Booking.com through taking money for a stay at an apartment that could not be found as it didn’t appear to exist. A few days later it was no surprise to watch an episode of the Tonight Show on ITV which covered the story of another family who had booked a villa through Booking.com that did not exist. We live in hope that Booking.com will do the right thing and refund us the money that we paid to them in good faith. For now we will make use of alternative travel websites.

Things to do in Istanbul

• Visit the Blue Mosque
• Visit Hagia Sophia
• Visit Grand Bazar
• Visit the Dolmabahce Palace
• Sample the local cuisine
• Visit Galata Tower
• Take a boat trip by day
• Enjoy the evening cruise with a show, food and drink
• If bars are your thing visit the Beyoglu area of Istanbul
• Visit the old town
• Visit Princess Islands especially in the Summer months.

Top Tips

• Check out the area you are wanting to stay in before booking as areas in Istanbul vary a lot.
• Ensure you book your accommodation with a reputable company.
• Check reviews of accommodation before booking – if there are no reviews we suggest don’t book.
• Check your travel company out on Trust Pilot before booking.
• If booking a daytime boat trip, book from the main ports as they are more convenient to get to.
• Book all excursions/experiences though know companies with good reviews.
• In busy areas keep your valuables safe as there are a fair few pickpockets in Istanbul.
• In the Grand Bazaar be aware of hassle from store owners. Be polite and keep walking if you don’t want to buy anything.
• The Grand Bazaar is very busy especially on a Saturday and extremely congested. Ladies keep your handbags close to you at all times.
• Uber works here and a relatively safe way to travel – and cheap!
• Walking is the best way to see the Old Town if you are able.
• Check out government advice when visiting Istanbul https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey
• Check out weather below for best time to visit Istanbul

Weather

Temp – Celsius Rain – mm	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High Temp	8	8	11	16	20	26	28	28	25	19	14	10
Low Temp	4	4	5	8	12	17	19	19	16	13	9	6
Rainfall	100	70	50	60	40	30	30	20	50	60	100	100
Number of days	14	12	13	11	9	5	3	4	8	10	13	17

Travelling to Ras Al Khaimah

Airport lounge

We had booked the Crown Plaza Premium lounge in Heathrow Terminal 5 at cost of £75 for two people. Due to the check in with BA being so efficient we were through customs quicker than expected. The ladies on check in to the lounge were extremely helpful and showed us to a reserved table. Whilst in the lounge there were several waitresses who came and asked us if we needed another drink throughout our time in the lounge. The surroundings were not particularly impressive and resembled a motorway cafe. The lounge is a long lounge with a partial view of the runway. It was cold and hence we had to sit with our coats on throughout. The food was very basic and the choice limited (one meat dish, one vegetarian dish, pasta, potatoes, basic salad, one type of cheese, crackers and chocolate brownies. Choice of drinks was also very poor. There was no sparkling wine, cider, Baileys or hot chocolate included which is available in most lounges. You could purchase these drinks at an extra cost. We travel a lot and have visited many lounges over the years and we have to say that this is the worst one we have been to. Despite the surroundings and the food and drinks not being of a standard we are used to, the staff were very helpful and worked tirelessly. A shame we couldn’t make use of the BA lounges!

Flight

We flew to Dubai on a British Airways flight, one of the three flights they operate per day. We chose to visit during the month of January which is an ideal time of year due to the relatively high temperatures (not too hot as it would be during the Summer months). As we were travelling on BA staff travel the cost of our flight was very cheap, however the typical price is around £730 for an Economy return flight and this includes 23kg of luggage. Our fight was a night flight departing Heathrow at 21.35 and arriving into Dubai at 08.30 (Dubai time) the following day. The flight time to Dubai is approximately 7 hours which isn’t too bad compared to some long haul flights. Dubai is 4 hours ahead of the UK.

Shortly after take off we were provided with a snack and drinks (alcohol, hot drinks or soft drinks). The cabin crew do not limit you to just one drink. Prior to landing we were provided with a breakfast and drinks. The breakfast was typical of what you would expect for economy on a plane – scrambled egg, sausage, mushrooms, beans, bread roll, yoghurt, muffin, cheese, biscuits, water and orange juice.

Customs

Passing through customs was very quick and easy. Despite the plane being completely full the queue was very short. Dubai does seem to have this down to a fine art unlike a lot of countries we have been to.

Baggage

When we arrived at the carousel the cases were already coming through. One of our cases came through very quickly so we were hoping the next one would follow shortly after but unfortunately this was not to be! We became worried as there was a small group of people still waiting for cases but no more were coming through. Finally a member of the airport staff came and scanned the ticket for the luggage we had been given at Heathrow. She advised that the case had not been put on the plane and was still in London. We were advised to go to the office and complete a lost luggage form. There were four females who had lost the luggage. The males in the parties had got theirs – typical!

Transport from Dubai airport to Ras Al Khaimah

We had booked our transfers with booking.com at a cost of £104 return. The journey to Ras Al Khaimah takes around an hour depending on what time of day you are travelling. Our driver was Ahmad Bilal who was waiting for us with a sign with our names on. Unfortunately due to the issue with the lost case we were late coming out of the airport. Ahmad Bilal sent us several messages stating that he would have to leave as he had waited longer than he should. However he did wait for us and finally we were on our way to our hotel.

We were close to our hotel when the driver advised that he could not go any further as the roads were closed due to a triathlon taking place. We had no choice but to grab our cases and walk the rest of the way which was only a short distance away.

Accommodation – Rixos Bab Al Bahr

Check in

We arrived at the hotel at around 11am. Check in is usually at 3pm but the reception staff were happy to check us in. Check in was quick and straightforward. We were provided with a leaflet explaining the various services on offer and layout of the hotel. Our check in agent advised us to book the specialist restaurants we wanted to dine at during our stay immediately. Due to it being Debbie’s birthday the specialist restaurant for the first night had been pre-booked via email prior to travel. Our cases (Mike’s cases) were then taken by the concierge to our room.

Rooms

We had booked a premium room at a cost of £210 per night. The room was very large with a king sized bed, desk and seating area. The bathroom was also very large with walk in shower, sink and mirror. The toilet was in a separate room which does make life easier when two people are trying to get ready at the same time, and having two sinks and mirrors available was also a bonus. Some of the decoration in the room did look a bit dated with square patches where the wallpaper had been patched up. The desk also had water stains on it. Our balcony overlooked the service road so not a great view, but it was very spacious with a seating area and sun loungers. It is possible to book a sea-view room at extra cost.

Pool scene

There are four outdoor pools at the hotel, three of which are mainly for families and children. One of the pools is an adults-only pool. The life guards are very good at ensuring it remains adults only. We saw some families bringing in their children to the adults only pool area but they were quickly informed that children were not allowed. The other pools do cater for children with one of the pools having several slides but of course adults can go on them as well which we did.

At the weekend there are dancers who perform around the adult pool for a short while and a DJ but this does not happen throughout the week which was disappointing. The music around the adult pool is also better when the dancers are there. Even when the DJ is there throughout the week the music is quite subdued. We felt that the music played was what you would expect in a Spa as it was fairly tranquil music – not what you would expect around a pool. We appreciate that the hotel has to cater for all people but most of the people we had spoken to around the pool of different nationalities all agreed that the music needed to be a bit more upbeat.

Due to not going on holiday with children we did not spend any time in the main children’s pool but we did go down some of the slides.

Pool side drinks

The cocktails at the adults only pool bar were amazing. Our favourites were Pina Colada, Strawberry Daquiri and Whiskey Sours. The drinks are served in plastic which is understandable around a pool. Although they were served in plastic they looked like nice cocktail glasses. All of the staff at the pool bar were amazing and worked non-stop. Panjit ensured that we were never without a drink and would bring drinks to our sun loungers before we had even asked for one. Being British we always waited our turn to be served but unfortunately we cannot say the same for some of the other guests. There were a lot of complaints around the pool about the rudeness of some of the guests.

Dining

Buffet restaurant

There was so much choice at this restaurant so it is impossible to mention everything. There were various food stations serving a variety of different foods. Each evening there were also themed nights serving food from around the world. As the hotel caters for so many nationalities each meal time reflected this.

Breakfast

If you are from the UK and like your full English for breakfast you could sort of do this. There was always hash browns, chicken sausage, beans, toast, boiled eggs, scrambled eggs and fried eggs from the outdoor station. There was also the usual cereals, pastries, breads, fruit, meats and salads. The outside cooking station also served lovely omelettes. There was also curry available if that’s what you like for breakfast!

Lunch

At certain times during the lunch period it could get a bit hectic in the buffet restaurant but there was always somewhere to sit and eat. There was an adults only section in the buffet restaurant and a lovely outside area which we enjoyed sitting in. As previously stated the choice is so varied and of a good quality it is hard to put into words to do the restaurant justice. At lunch and evening meal there was an Indian food station which was our favourite. We would go for lunch with the intention of trying other things but we always had to visit the Indian station. It was lovely to sit outside eating the delicious food, taking our time and admiring the view.

All of the team in the restaurant worked tirelessly to ensure it was kept clean and tidy. They also watched out for when your drink was almost empty and cam to offer a generous top-up. One of the waiters in particular paid a lot of attention to ensuring guests had everything they needed – his name was Javaan.

Evening meal

We only went into the buffet restaurant on an evening once as we wanted to try all of the specialist restaurants. Again there was so much choice it was difficult to know what to choose.

Turkish Restaurant

This was our favourite of the speciality restaurants. We had booked this prior to arriving at the hotel due to it being Debbie’s birthday and we were not disappointed.

The Mezeen was absolutely the best. This consisted of hummus, busda badem (overnight soaked almonds), kopoglu (deep fried eggplants, yoghurt and tomato sauce), atom (roasted eggplants, dry red chilli and yoghurt), yaprak sarma (stuffed grape leaves, cherry and olive oil) and muhammara (roasted bell peppers, walnuts, bread crumbs, pomegranate molasses, virgin oil). We could have just eaten this as it was so nice. We then had slow-cooked Tandoori Kabab and the Hunkar Begendi (mashed eggplant bechamel, sauteed lamb) for our main courses – again this was delicious. Our mains were followed by baklava with ice cream and kazandibi (caramelised rolled pudding with Turkish ice cream).

Steak House Restaurant

At the restaurant we had the goulash soup and dynamite shrimp (spring onion and sriracha sauce). For mains we had beef tenderloin with creamy spinach mushrooms and jacket potato, and parmesan cheese with au jus and beef asado with the same sides. For desert we had passion fruit cheesecake and brownie.

There were so many amazing dining experiences at the Rixos Bab Al Bahr that it is hard to put in words what makes each place special as each restaurant provide a different experience. There were live musicians playing music every night in and outside of the restaurants which made for a fitting accompaniment to the tasty food.

Asian restaurant – Aja

The menu at the Aja restaurant is inspired by the flavours of China, Japan and Thailand. This restaurant around the corner and away from the main stage for the entertainment and therefore the dining experience was not quite the same as the other restaurants. Having said that the food is fantastic and the service was very attentive.

Toast n Burger

This is a lovely little place hidden away from the other facilities, overlooking the sea. The restaurant is open during the day and serves burgers, fries, hot dogs, chicken and onion rings. You can bring your own drinks from the beach bar or pool bar but they also serve alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. Please be aware though that although the restaurant is practically on the beach and you are sitting outside you will still need to wear a top, both males and females. The only downside to this restaurant is that sometimes the service was extremely slow. We had to ask many times if they would come and take our orders.

Jeep Safari and Evening Meal in the Desert

We booked this excursion through Viator https://www.viator.com/tours/Ras-Al-Khaimah/RAK-Desert-Safari-and-BBQ-Dinner-with-pick-up/d25313-105187P1 at a cost of £76 for two people.

We were picked up from the front entrance of our hotel at 3.30pm in a modern comfy mini bus. There were two other pick ups from other hotels (a couple and a lady and her 7 year old daughter).

Camel ride

When we arrived at our destination we were given a drink of tea and some dates whilst we waited for others to arrive. Following this we were taken for an extremely short camel ride, with a photographer taking professional photos of the experience. They did not appear to be too happy when we took our own photos and the man handling the camel told us not to do so.

Sand boarding

After this we were given the opportunity to try out sand boarding which unfortunately proved to be a complete waste of time as when you stood on the boards they barely moved at all and remained stuck in the sane. However it was quite funny trying it out because it was so bad. At least we burned some calories climbing the rather steep hill.

Jeep safari

We were then taken back to a jeep for the jeep safari. This was great fun but not as hair-raising as some of the other jeep safaris we have been on. There were stops along the way to allow people to take photos of the scenery. The sunset was spectacular and well worth stopping for.

Camp

Following the jeep safari we were taking back to the camp. The camp is really well set up for the whole experience. There is also overnight accommodation if you wish to spend the night in the desert.

Food and drink

When we arrived back at camp we were able to sit where we wanted to to watch the show and have dinner. Here they sold both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks which were reasonably priced.

We were pleasantly surprised at the meal as the food was of a decent quality compared to which you usually enjoy as part of this type of experience. We had previously tried out a similar experience in Egypt and the food there was very poor. Here you could choose from a wide range of salads, vegetables, potatoes and rice, chicken nuggets and sauces. There was also a BBQ area with freshly grilled chicken, meats and skewers – these were delicious.

Evening show

Once most people had eaten their meal the show began with a female dancer who was then followed by a traditional male dancer. Both incorporated a light show in to their acts which added to the entertainment as it was getting dark by this point. However the highlight of the show was the fire act involving swirling burning ropes around. This made for a spectacular show, especially when he ran up to the top of the hill and spun the burning ropes around in circles – we have never previously witnessed such a spectacle.

Summary of jeep safari

All of the staff and fellow guests were friendly and welcoming including the people on our minibus and driver. Although there were some things that could be improved – the sand boarding and not being able to take photos of the camel ride) the experience was really enjoyable – good food and excellent entertainment, and hence well worth the money.

Water sports

The hotel does offer some water sports activities which are chargeable (paragliding and jet skis). They also offer paddle boarding free of charge. We booked the paddle boarding at the activity centre and were told to be there at 8.30 the following morning. The paddle boarding was not as easy as it looked and Debbie managed to fall into the sea several times. In the end we decided to kneel on the board rather than stand up as this seemed to be the easier option.

Summary of Ras al Khaimah

We have been to Dubai before, staying in the centre, and therefore we wanted to try somewhere different. There isn’t loads to do outside of the hotel although you can visit the local shopping malls and the desert experience was enjoyable. If you wish to visit Dubai it costs approximately £50 each way in a taxi which isn’t too bad if you can team up with other people to fill a car. The hotel itself has a chilled out feel to it which is very pleasant but we would have enjoyed a bit more entertainment around the pool.

We have travelled to many all-inclusive hotels throughout the world and we can honestly say that the Rixos Bab al Bahr has the best dining experiences we have enjoyed. The added bonus for the is the stage surrounded by water and musicians playing instruments while you are dining. The music is low-key which greatly enhances the eating experience.

The staff at the Rixos were amazing and they worked tirelessly to ensure we had an amazing holiday.

The Rixos Bab Al Bahr is a luxury hotel but there are areas that need a bit of TLC. In the room there were places where the wallpaper had been ripped and also there were patches where they had tried to repair damage. At the back of the hotel there are grounds that are overgrowing and full of weeds that could do with a bit of attention.

Things to do

• Try the world’s longest zip line Jabel Jais (we did not do it and regret this!).
• Visit Dubai centre and go up the Burj Khalifa.
• Visit one of the shopping malls.
• Do the Jeep Safari.
• Visit Suwaidi Pearl Farm.
• Visit Ghost village.
• Take a boat ride to see Dubai from the water.

Top Tips

• When packing split your clothes between 2 suitcases.
• Carry some beach clothes in your hand luggage if you are arriving prior to check in time.
• Book a la carte restaurants as soon as you check in.
• Book excursions before you travel as this can work out cheaper.
• Be aware of the culture in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
• Dress appropriately in public places (ladies need to cover legs and shoulders). This is not required within the hotels.
• Check out government travel advice prior to travel https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates
• Check out other places we have stayed in the United Arab Emirates. Please click on following link Dubai
• Check out the weather below before travel as in the summer months it can get extremely hot and unbearable.

Weather

Temp – Celsius Rain – mm	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High Temp	23	24	27	32	37	38	40	41	38	35	31	26
Low Temp	14	15	17	20	24	26	29	30	27	23	19	16
Rainfall	10	40	10	10	0	0	0	0	0	10	10	20
Number of days	6	4	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	4

Travelling to Mombasa

We flew to Mombasa from Nairobi with Kenya Airways. The flight cost £123 per person for a return flight including 20kgs of luggage. The flight takes approximately one hour. During the flight we were offered a soft drink and a snack. Unfortunately they don’t sell any other refreshments or food on the flight. Whilst flying to Mombasa we could clearly see the top of Kilimanjaro through the clouds.

When we arrived at Mombasa airport our taxi driver was waiting for us with a sign with our names on. We had booked the return transfer through booking.com at a cost of £88 for the return journey. The journey time to our hotel at Diani beach was approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Our driver Cassian was very informative throughout the journey. He stopped on the way for us to buy cold drinks and cigarettes.

Ferry crossing

On the journey you have to travel over the river using the Likoni ferry crossing – this is an interesting experience in itself. One ferry carries pedestrians only and others carry the vast range of vehicles seeking to make the crossing. When you arrive at the ferry port there are queues of vehicles waiting to cross, hoards of walking passengers and people pulling carts full of goods. Adjacent to the port there is a ship permanently berthed which hosts a library. We saw a long line of children from various local schools waiting to enter the library. It really is a colourful hive of activity at the crossing.

Accommodation

When we arrived at the Baobab Beach Resort the concierge greeted us and took our cases. We were asked to take a seat and were offered a soft drink. A friendly member of the front of house team came over to us and explained the various aspects of the hotel including the dining options, swimming pools, shops, spa and massage facilities and entertainment. The Baobab is an all-inclusive resort in Diani Beach.

Rooms

We were then taken to our room which was on the far side of the hotel by the quiet pool. Our room had two double four-poster beds with full mosquito nets. The bathroom was very large with a spacious walk-in shower (it would have been nice if it had also had a bath). In the bathroom there were double sinks with plenty of space for toiletries. There was also plenty of storage space for clothes and other belongings.  There was also a small table and seating area.

Our balcony overlooked the pool and just about a sea view. The balcony was also a good size with comfortable seating and loungers on it.  The balcony was visited daily by the local Sykes monkey. You have to ensure the balcony door is kept locked, not just shut, as these clever little fellows know exactly how to open the doors and get into your room. They will then take what they want and leave the room in a state of devastation!

Pool scene

There are several pools within the hotel complex including an infinity pool, a quiet pool, a pool with pool bar and pool located near to the main bar. There were always plenty of beds around the pool so there’s therefore no need to get up early to grab one. The infinity pool and pool near to the main bar both have entertainment throughout the day including water polo, aqua aerobics, and dancing.  We visited all of them except the quiet pool as we were not sure we would be welcome!  It was an enjoyable experience to be sat at the pool bar sampling the cocktails, especially the local cocktail called the Dawa. These taste delicious but are very potent so be warned!

Food and drink

There are three buffet restaurants located around the complex which serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can eat in any of them but we always chose the Maridadi Restaurant as we felt it was the best one and with a bit more atmosphere as well as choice. This was an enjoyable place to dine as it did not have the motorway café vibe as can be the case with some all inclusive resorts. The drinks are waiter/waitress service although if ordering a cocktail they have to go to the main bar for this which does take a bit of time. The restaurant has different themes for each day. The table covers, place mats and the uniforms of the staff all change to match the chosen theme.

The food is of a really good quality and has an excellent choice of dishes. There is something for everyone no matter what your taste. At breakfast you can have a full English if you wish but there is also plenty of choice for other tastes, including Indian cuisine.  There was always cereal, fruit and pastries available ant much more.  

Indian Influence

There is a big Indian influence in the cooking in Kenya which can be seen from the food served at every meal. We love Indian food so it was great for us!

Vegetarians

Vegetarians need not worry either as there a good choice too. In fact we often ate the vegetarian curries which were amazing. Lunch and evening meal also had an amazing choice – too much to mention. We were never disappointed with the food or the service. The hotel has two A la carte restaurants which you pay an additional fee for. As a result these were fairly empty during our stay.

A la carte

We usually like to eat somewhere different whilst on holiday but to be honest the menus did not appear to be any better than what was served in the buffet restaurant. The setting for the buffet restaurant is also lovely and you can have views overlooking the sea. Whilst dining here it felt more like a dining experience than a buffet restaurant due to the tasteful decor and excellent service.

Daytime snacks

There are also snacks available throughout the day at each bar. There is also a small area which serves pizza and chips beside the infinity pool. We ate lunch here on a number of occasions. The pizzas were freshly cooked and tasty and a range of refreshing cocktails were served at the bar next to the pizza servery. The view of the pool and beach beyond whilst eating your lunch made for an enjoyable experience.

Premium drinks and happy hour

In the bars some of the premium drinks are chargeable which is typical for a lot of all inclusive resorts unless you have booked ultra all inclusive. We did treat ourselves to some of the premium cocktails and bottles of cider. Happy hour is 7pm – 8pm when the premium drinks prices are reduced, but even outside of these times the drink prices were very reasonable. The bottles of cider were less than £2 outside of happy hour and a premium cocktail less than £4 so we were happy to indulge!

Entertainment

The entertainment in the hotel was spectacular. Although the shows are performed by the entertainment team and not brought in as some hotels do they were fantastic. The talent on show throughout the team was exceptional. They were all true performers and almost as good as some West End shows we have seen. The acrobatic shows just left you amazed. Our favourite show was The Lion King but we liked every show we saw. The large amphitheatre where the shows are performed also has its own bar therefore no need to bring drinks with you from the other bars.

Mombasa Sightseeing Tour

Prior to travelling to Kenya we had booked a sightseeing trip to Mombasa through Viator at a cost of £32 each . Our driver picked us up at around 7am from the hotel. We picked up several other people from various hotels along the way and then drove to Mombasa. Unfortunately we did not meet our guide until we reached Mombasa where we joined together with another group of people. Our guide Octavian then led the combined group.

Mombasa Tusks

The coach stopped at the famous Mombasa tusks. These were built in 1952 to commemorate a visit from Queen Elizabeth II. The tusks were made from wood and canvas.  These tusks are a big tourist attraction now and a must see if in Mombasa. We had plenty of time for photo opportunities.

We were then taken through a small park to the Swaminarayan Hindu Temple. Whilst walking through the park the guide pointed to several bats hanging from the trees. In the park there were also a lot of homeless people which was sad to see.

Swaminarayan Hindu Temple

Once through the park we had to cross several roads to get to the Temple. Once inside the Temple you had to remove your shoes before you could walk around. The Temple was beautiful with vibrant colours and very ornate. There were several murals telling the story of various members of the monarchy and gods. We were there for a sufficient time but we are sure that we could have read and seen more if we had stayed a little longer.

Wood carving centre

Our guide Octavian provided us with information as to how the wood carving centre worked. Each hut was owned by an individual family. They hand make a range of products and then attach their unique family number to each item. When their items are sold in the main shop the number and amount are recorded in a book and then monies paid to the family who had produced the item. It was impressive watching them create such wonderful things out of wood with what appeared to be primitive tools. Everything is worked by hand including the painting. Octavia informed us that for every tree cut down to produce the carvings four more are planted.

Once we had seen how the carvings were produced we were given the opportunity to look around the shop. The shop had so many different items for sale, from small wooden animals to large tribal shields. The prices were pretty reasonable compared to the those in the shops and markets in Nairobi.

When we had finished looking around the shop we still had some time before we needed to get back onto the bus so we decided to wander around outside for a while and enjoy a cold drink. It was interesting to just sit and watch the monkeys playing, jumping on cars and getting up to mischief!

Spice Market

Following the visit to the wood carving centre we were taken by bus to the Spice Market. The true hustle and bustle of Mombasa can be seen in the market which was crowded and noisy, a real hive of activity. Each stall is trying to sell something to you but they were not too pushy. The colours and smells within the market were amazing. We were supposed to keep together as a group and follow the guide but several people did not do this. This part of the tour seemed a bit disorganised with people not really knowing where they should be going. We bought a tub of cashew nuts to try which were very tasty!

Surrounding the market were various small café type places selling a range of food and drinks. We like to sample the local food and so we would have loved to have had the time to do this but unfortunately we were told that we must get back on to the bus which was a walk away due to there not being any parking near the market. As we had not had chance to eat in the cafes we found a street vendor selling kebabs so we stopped and bought one – well worth it as it was very tasty. We could detect a touch of envy on the bus when we got back on and others watched us tucking into our kebabs!

Local buses

Whilst walking through the streets you cannot help but notice the local buses which are all uniquely painted. Some of the slogans on the buses did make us laugh.

Old Town

We were then taken by bus to the old town which appeared to have an election campaign in progress. The old town has its own small port. The streets and the buildings in the old town look how you would expect compared to some of the more modern buildings in Mombasa. It was interesting walking around the streets and port area just admiring the scenery.

Rug making

During our tour through the streets of the old town we were taken to a small shop where several people were busy making rugs. The guide asked if we wanted to have a go at it but we felt that we did not need to do this. We don’t think anyone in our group wanted to have a go to be honest. Most people were getting hungry by this time apart from us!

Fort Jesus

As we walked through the old town we eventually arrived at Fort Jesus. There is a fee to enter the ground of the Fort but due to shortage of time we were not able to take a look around. We needed the bathroom so our guide spoke to someone at the ticket office at Fort Jesus who allowed us to go in to use the facilities so we actually did manage to get a sneaky peak inside. It would have been nice to have had some time to explore and for photo opportunities.

We then split back into two groups; one was a small group of six of us who were heading back to Diani beach having completed the half-day tour, and the other joined a coach heading on to lunch and further sightseeing destinations.

Summary of the sightseeing tour

The tour was definitely good value for money. Our guide Octavia was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of information and facts throughout the tour. The only downside was at times it appeared to be a bit unorganised especially at the spice market. There were times when we were walking along streets trying not to lose our guide. It was late afternoon when we arrived back at our hotel. The experience would have been better if we had been allowed time for lunch as it would have been nice to sample some of the local food. Being able to look around Fort Jesus would have also added to the experience.

Sea Safari

Every day there are people on the beach waiting outside of the main hotels wanting to show you the wonderful sea life. We were stopped by two people who started to show us some of the sights – we could have said no but we were interested to learn more. Some of the sea life is very hard to spot but they knew exactly what they were looking for which made for an informative experience.

Marine life

They showed us a variety of sea creatures including starfish of various colours, sea urchins, crabs and sea snakes. We thought some of the star fish weren’t real until we saw their legs moving.

At the end they explained that they do this to earn money to support their families as they don’t have much money. We did give them some money – the equivalent of £10 which they seemed happy with and was fair enough for the time they had spent with us and the information they had provided. They asked us if we wanted to go on the Sea Safari the next morning – this is a boat that picks you up from the shore and takes you a short distance to a sand bank which is exposed when the tide goes out.

Glass bottom boat

We were picked up the following morning for the sea safari at around 10am. The boat had a glass bottom so we could get a decent view of the marine life. One of the boat crew dived into the sea and swam underneath the boat to feed the fish and so we saw hundreds of fish through the glass attracted by a tasty snack.

Snorkelling

When we arrived at the island we were given the opportunity to snorkel. We were guided by the member of the crew who had dived into the sea to feed the fish. He pointed out several different species of sea creatures for us to look at. Again he knew exactly where to look. Amongst the varied marine life we saw whilst snorkelling were giant eels and octopi. Some of the larger sea urchins are poisonous therefore you have to be careful where you tread!

Value for money

We saw a range of sea life and several types of fish of many colours. We had about an hour at the sand bank which was sufficient. The trip has to be undertaken at specific times due to the tide. We paid about £20 for the two of us and this represented good value for money. You can also buy drinks and other goods from local sellers to help support the local economy. The only thing we did not agree with was the disturbing of nature and picking creatures up. Having said that, the guides were very knowledgeable about all of the creatures and spoke about the need to protect them.

Summary of Diani Beach and Baobab Beach Resort

The whole experience visiting this lovely part of the world was just amazing from start to finish. The beaches are breath taking with white sands and turquoise sea providing a beautiful vista. The people of Kenya and Diani Beach are very friendly and happy people. We could not fault the Baobab Beach Resort in any way. At the Baobab the service from all members of staff was first class and they were always willing to help. Everyone had a smile on their face when serving the guests, something that cannot be said at some resorts we have visited. Everyone works tirelessly at the Baobab to ensure that guests have an enjoyable holiday. The grounds of the Baobab are immaculate and are maintained on a daily basis.

It is also lovely to see monkeys, baboons and dik dik wondering freely around the resort grounds. The monkeys did try and steal food and drinks but they never behaved in an aggressive manner. Members of staff do try and chase them away to ensure that the guests aren’t bothered by them. Would we definitely recommend Diani Beach and Baobab Beach Resort.

Things to do

• If you have not already been on a Safari prior to your Diani beach visit Tsavo East and Taita Hills
• Do the Sea safari
• Do a sight seeing tour of Mombasa.
• Do a snorkelling tour to Kisite Marine Park.
• Visit the Fort Jesus museum.
• Do a Wasini day trip dolphin watching.
• Sample the local cuisine.

Top Tips

• If booking excursions ensure you book with a reputable company. Check them out on tripadvisor prior to booking.
• Keep you balcony door locked at all times to prevent the monkeys getting in.
• If venturing outside of the hotel be aware that some areas are unsafe – it’s best to check with the hotel reception staff to make sure.
• Prior to visiting Kenya ensure you have taken Malaria tablets and that you have enough to cover your visit and after your return depending on the medication you are taking.
• Ensure you take plenty of mosquito repellant.
• Use the mosquito net at night.
• Do not wear expensive jewellery / watches especially if you are going in to the centre of Mombasa.
• Be vigilant at all times especially in the centre of Mombasa as there is a risk of pickpockets.
• If going on any excursion ensure you have plenty of water, hand sanitiser, sun cream, mosquito spray and tissues.
• Check out the weather below for the best time to visit Diani Beach and Mombasa.
• Check out other destinations in Africa we have visited. Click on the following links Safari/Nairobi, Tunisia, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Cairo, Cape Verde, Agadir
• Visit the government website for information on safety and security before visiting Mombasa https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya

Weather

Temp – Celsius Rain – mm	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High Temp	32	33	33	31	30	28	28	29	29	29	31	32
Low Temp	23	23	24	24	22	21	20	20	21	22	23	23
Rainfall	37	10	49	124	238	84	61	60	54	112	118	69
Number of days	4	2	6	12	16	12	13	12	12	11	10	8

Travelling to Kenya

Accommodation night before flight

We flew to Nairobi from Heathrow Airport on Sunday 11th September with British Airways. The day before we were due to fly we stayed at the Thistle Hotel at Heathrow Airport. We asked if we could have a twin room due to one of us snoring (Mike). We were advised that this would be an extra £30 which we thought was a bit too much as we were still only staying in one room therefore we didn’t do this. To access the rooms from the reception area there was a small ramp which was only wide enough to pull one suitcase up. This wasn’t great as we had two suitcases each and it would have been better if the ramp was wider. The rooms were clean and not too bad a size.

Food and drink at the Thistle hotel

There was a nice bar upstairs with a large outside seating area which overlooked the runway. This could have been an amazing place to sit and have a drink whilst watching the planes but it was a bit dated and in need of a bit of TLC. Despite this it was still lovely to sit outside as it was a nice warm day. We did have an issue with trying to find someone to serve us as there was nobody behind the bar for some time. Breakfast at the hotel was very good with a wide variety including full English, cereals, pastries, fruit and yoghurt. This hotel is well located with a bus stop right outside the hotel which takes you directly to the airport by local bus in under 10 minutes. This hotel could be far better if it had just had a bit of money spending on it as it did look a bit run down in certain areas. We would though still recommend this hotel for its location and value for money. We paid for a one night stay which included 14 days parking.

On the day of our flight we had not booked an executive lounge which we normally do due to no availability. Instead we had a couple of drinks in Wetherspoons which was a bit different to the bubbles and fizz of the lounges.

Flight to Nairobi

We were fortunate to get business class flights with British Airways which is a lovely way to travel. Our excuse was that we were unable to get in to the lounge therefore we made up for the lack of fizz by having a few glasses on the flight. It was lovely to have Champagne before you have even left the runway.

The food and cocktails on the flight were excellent. The comfort of a flat bed on the flight was definitely a big bonus as you don’t wake up with a stiff neck as you are able to lie down and enjoy the in-flight entertainment. The flight to Nairobi was 8 hours and 50 minutes which is not too long.

Passport control Nairobi

When we arrived in Nairobi it was horrendous getting through passport control. It took over one and a half hours from getting off the plane to leaving the airport. Although it appeared to be a pain in the posterior at the time we understood this is for everyone’s safety and security.

Whilst we were waiting to go through passport control we were contacted several times by our transfer. We were a bit worried that the driver might leave due to the length of time it took us to get through the immigration process. As we came out of the airport we were expecting someone to be stood there with our names on a board but unfortunately not! Thankfully our transfer contacted us again and took us to our waiting car. We had booked a return transfer through Booking.com https://www.booking.com at a cost of £35.

Nairobi accommodaton

We stayed at the Boma (Red Cross Street) which is a 20-30 minute drive from the airport. The cost of the hotel was £100 per night. It was almost midnight when we arrived therefore it was very quiet. Check in was very quick with helpful, polite members of staff. The concierge took our cases to the room. We had emailed the hotel prior to arriving to request a twin room which was agreed but when we got to our room it was a double room. Reception quickly rectified this and gave us a twin room. The rooms are very spacious with a desk and mini-fridge in the room. The bathroom was also spacious with a separate shower and bath. Our room overlooked the swimming pool which was lit up at night. Unfortunately we can’t say what the pool was like as we went on our safari the next morning. Breakfast at the hotel was impressive with something for everyone consisting of hot food including sausage, eggs and bacon, cereals, fruit, pastries and breads. Drinks were waiter/waitress service which was a nice touch. All the staff we came in contact with at the hotel were lovely and did their best to meet our needs.

Travel to Safari

The following morning we were picked up at 7.30 by Axis Africa Safari. We had booked this through Safari Bookings https://www.safaribookings.com/. Our driver was Sylvia who was very chatty and made the journey very pleasant. She was also a safe driver which is unusual in Nairobi as everyone seemed to drive in a somewhat crazy manner.  We hit rush-hour traffic so it took us around 40 minutes to get to our destination.

We were taken to an awaiting jeep in the centre of Nairobi. On the jeep there was a family of four and a single man. We then headed on out of Nairobi to start our journey to the safari. The journey to the Masai Mara took around 6 hours with a couple of stops.

The Great Rift Valley

Our first stop was to view The Great Rift Valley. We pulled up at the side of the road along with many other jeeps. We spent around 15 minutes here which gave us time for photos and to get a drink if necessary as there was a small shop. The view was spectacular and worth stopping for. We did see some wildlife too, including some colourful birds and many Red Rock Rats.

Refreshment stop

At the second stop there was time for drinks, food and a toilet break. This was a popular place for tourists to stop as there were many other jeeps here. At the stop there was also a shop selling hand carved animals, paintings and many other interesting souvenirs. This is a very expensive place to buy gifts.  We bought them elsewhere at a fraction of the cost.

The roads to the Masai Mara were of a decent standard and therefore the journey wasn’t too bad. However the last 45 minutes of the journey was on a dirt track which was extremely bumpy. Our driver Geeman said we were getting a free 45 minute body massage!  Geeman was very informative throughout the journey and humorous which made for a fun trip.

Safari Accommodation

When we arrived at our accommodation, the Jambo Safari Lodge, at around 3.30 we were greeted by porters who took our cases. Check-in was very quick and easy. We were then shown to our room, an upgrade to a glass lodge which we had chosen rather than one of the tents which are also available at a cheaper cost.

As we entered the room we were pleasantly surprised – the room was lovely. The bathroom was tiled with a walk-in shower and double sink. The room was equipped with a clean king-sized bed, desk, wardrobe, seating area, toiletries and free water.

On the outside there was a large balcony overlooking the forest where there were many monkeys. We were advised to keep the balcony door locked at all times as the monkeys know how to open them.  We had not paid luxury prices therefore had not expected a room as nice as this. We had booked a mid-range safari for 3 days at a cost of US$570 which is around £470.

The lodge also had a swimming pool which is a nice touch if you are staying a bit longer and not going on Safari everyday. Unfortunately although the pool looked very inviting it was too cold to have a dip in it when we had returned from the Safari. We did see people in it on a number of occasions.

Lodge Food and Drink

Prior to setting off on our evening safari we had our evening meal at the lodge. Meals were included in the cost of the safari but drinks were extra, although very reasonably priced.  Wine was only served by the bottle which we found a bit disappointing as we sometimes only want a glass.  Bottles of Tusker Cider and Lager were around £2.50. The restaurant was fairly basic but we did expect that. The choice of food wasn’t particularly extensive but there was always something to eat that we enjoyed. The quality of the food was also good. It consisted of the usual buffet-type menu, a meat dish, a chicken dish, a fish dish, a vegetarian dish, vegetables, salads, breads and cakes. The staff in the restaurant were very attentive and willing to help.

Safari

The jeep arrived to pick us up at 6.30pm on our first day for an evening Safari. It was amazing to see a range of different animals as soon as we had left the drive of our lodge. There were many giraffes and zebras. Some of the other animals took a bit of looking for. On the first day of our safari we didn’t see all of the big five but did see some wonderful animals in their natural habitat (giraffes, zebras, gazelles, elephants, wildebeest, jackals and buffalos). Apparently early morning and in the evening are the best times to see the animals.

The Big Five

The next day we had an early breakfast and were picked up at around 7.15am for an early start. The hotel provided us with a lunch box which consisted of a sandwich, cake, banana, crisps, yogurt and a drink. It was amazing to see so many animals in the wild and to be so close to them. The safari exceeded all of our expectations of what the safari would be like. We managed to see four of the big five (lion, buffalo, leopard and elephant). Unfortunately we did not get to see the rhino but may be next time.

Warthogs

The Warthogs were very funny to watch. Our driver Geeman told us about them having a very short memory. They would set off running and forget where they were running to and just stop. All the Warthogs are called Pumbaa to Kenyans. Most people would assume that this comes from the film Lion King but it doesn’t. Kenyans called the Warthogs Pumbaa long before the film. Pumbaa means “to be absentminded, careless, foolish, ignorant, lazy, stupid and negligent”. Part of the fun of the safari was looking for the rarer animals.

Wildebeest, Elephants and Buffalo

It was spectacular being in the middle of a herd of wildebeest and buffalos. Just sitting and watching the elephants cooling themselves and their babies with mud was amazing. In fact, just having the time to watch each animal in their natural environment being the creatures that they are was breath-taking. Although we are writing about our experience on the safari we are not sure if our words will truly do justice to what it was like to be there.

Masai Mara River

We stopped at the Masai Mara River and were able to get out of the jeep. We were accompanied by a ranger who had what looked like a tranquilizer gun. This river is where the wildebeest cross from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara. Unfortunately many of them don’t make it as they get drowned or eaten by the crocodiles. It was quite sad to see such a large amount of dead wildebeest in the river.

Across the river on the opposite bank were many hippos who were just laid bathing in the sunshine. We were aware that hippos are the deadliest land mammals on earth therefore we were glad that they were on the other side of the river and we had our ranger to protect us. It is estimated that hippos kill around 500 people a year in Africa.

The ranger guided us on a walk along the river bank where there were many monkeys running around. We even saw what looked like a spiderman lizard but was actually an African Redhead Agamas.

Lunch

We were taken to an area to have lunch which was provided by the lodge. Here there were some toilets but they were not very pleasant. The whole group of seven of us ate together. There were many monkeys hanging around waiting to take the food. Many of the Safari Jeeps had also stopped here for lunch. All of the guides spent their time chasing the monkeys away. We actually liked them and didn’t want them to be chased away but they may have had their reasons. Some of the monkeys would climb in to the open roof of the Jeep. When we were about to leave one monkey jumped in through the roof which scared some of our group but it was soon chased out by our guide.

Lions, Cheetahs and Leopards

Many of the animals are in plentiful supply in the Masai Mara including zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, buffalo, gazelles and warthogs but the lions, cheetahs and leopards are harder to find. When one of the rarer animals is spotted the driver informs the other jeeps by radio. Where there is a rarer animal you will find many jeeps watching and taking photos. We were fortunate to see all three of them.

The Masai Mara borders Tanzania. Our guide advised that it is dangerous to drive on the Tanzanian side as there are restrictions with severe consequences. He informed us that people have been known to have been shot for going in to Tanzania without permission.

Evening Meal at the Lodge

We returned to the lodge at around 6.30pm and changed for evening meal. The food was always good quality and clearly labelled as to what was on offer. Usually we would have a few drinks with our meal and then sit in the bar for a further one or two, or even more! Unfortunately the Lodge did not have a bar but they are in the process of building one. However it did have a nice sitting out area to have a drink. The drinks were very reasonably priced at around £2.50 a bottle. The weather did get a bit cold at night therefore we needed jackets. Due to the early start the following day we did not stay out late.

Masai Village

On our last day we were taken to a Masai Village. It cost $20 USD each to enter the village which is around £16.50. We had read not to take too much money on the Safari as some people had had money stolen. We need not have worried about this as our room had a safe and there were security staff walking around the lodge of an evening. Our itinerary for the Safari showed that the village was an optional extra and not part of the Safari cost. It also showed an early morning Safari on our last day which we did not do which was a bit disappointing. Due to this we had not taken enough money but Geeman (Guide) kindly paid it for us which we gave him back when we went to a cash point.

Tribe Dance

First the tribe showed us their dancing but then asked some of us to join in. They gave us sticks and cloaks to wear. This was great fun but was also very physical. How attractive a male is to a female is based on how high he can jump therefore the dance involved a lot of jumping up and down.

Fire Lighting

The tribe mentioned that they still start fires the traditional way using a stick, dried glass and flint stone. This was a lot more difficult than it looked. It was hard to keep the stick spinning fast enough to generate a spark. We weren’t sure why they didn’t just buy some matches or a lighter as it’s so much easier!

Mud huts

Each of us in our group were taken separately in to one of the homes to have a look inside. The mud huts are made from wood and elephant faeces. Surprisingly they didn’t smell. The tribe member who showed us his home said that he lived in the hut with his mother, father and six siblings. The hut was only small with a bedroom for parents and a bed in the living area for all of the children.

We were a bit shocked to see that there was electricity in the hut as we had thought that they lived in a totally primitive manner. He also informed us that all of the children go to school which they have to pay for hence why they charge visitors to enter the village. The villagers also earn money from selling the jewellery that they make.

Journey back to Nairobi

After our visit to the village we headed back to Nairobi. On our way back we called for lunch which was included in the cost of the trip. It was a buffet style lunch. Drinks were available for an additional cost but were very reasonable at around £2 for a bottle of lager or cider. We arrived at our hotel The Boma at around 4pm after dropping four of our group off at the airport. The other member of our group joined another group at the restaurant as he was going on to join another Safari.

Carnivore Restaurant

We booked the famous Carnivore Restaurant through Viator https://www.viator.com/ at a cost of £52 per person which included dinner and private transfer (drinks were an additional cost). We were picked up at 6.30pm by our driver Francis. He arrived in a very clean new black minibus style car. Francis was dressed in a Tux. We felt quite special having the luxury vehicle and Francis dressed in style. The journey from our hotel to the restaurant took around 30 minutes.

When we arrived at the restaurant we had to go through a security check. The vehicle was checked inside, outside and underneath.

In the restaurant we had our table for two hours of dining. This is a very popular and famous restaurant therefore all of the tables were reserved. When someone left the table was quickly taken by someone else. It is a large restaurant with many tables and hence it holds a lot of people.

Once escorted to our table we were offered the drinks menu. We ordered a bottle of wine at a cost of £25 which is a reasonable price for a restaurant. We were then asked if we wanted the doctor to come and give us some medicine in the form of a drink which we agreed to. The drink was a Dawa which is a traditional Kenyan drink. In fact the Dawa drink is credited to the Carnivore Restaurant. The cost was around £7 each which is also reasonable. We don’t think that we could have drunk many of these as they were quite potent.

Firstly our waiter brought out trays of sauces and salad. Then the meat carvers constantly came round with various meats including steak, chicken, turkey, sausage, liver, ribs, ostrich, crocodile and ox balls.

For each type of meat they brought round on skewers the carvers recommended which of the sauces were meant to accompany them. One of us (Debbie) thought the ox balls were potatoes and asked for five! All the meat is cooked on a huge open fire pit. The steak is cooked as you like it as at the beginning of the meal the waiter asks how you like your steak. The meat keeps flowing until you say stop.

The food, service and atmosphere at the restaurant was amazing. If you are in Nairobi then this restaurant is a must visit as not only was the food delicious but it is also a quite iconic restaurant.

Summary

The days on the Safari were very long with early morning starts and you are out in the wild until evening but it was definitely worth every minute. Our guide Geeman was amazing and his knowledge was extensive and made for a really informative trip. He was a really good driver and knew where to find the animals. He also was quite humorous which added to the whole experience. We are not sure how the other drivers and guides are but we feel that Geeman went out of his way to ensure we all had the best time possible. Due to being on the Jeep for several days with our group we got to know some lovely people and again this added to the experience as we all got on well and chatted and laughed together. This was truly one of the best experiences of our lives. Everything about this trip was amazing.

Things to do in Nairobi

• Go on Safari in the Masai Mara
• Visit the Carnivore Restaurant
• Visit Nairobi National Park
• Visit the Elephant orphanage
• Visit the Giraffe Centre
• Visit Amboseli National park
• Visit Kiambethu Tea Farm
• Visit a Masai Village
• Take a shopping tour
• Take a historical and cultural day tour in Nairobi

Top Tips

• Research Safari’s to ensure you get the best price and the Safari you want.
• Take hand sanitiser, sun cream, hat, mosquito spray, toilet wipes, plastic bag and ordinary wipes when going on Safari (There are no toilets in the middle of the Masai Mara therefore be prepared).
• Wear browns and greens on Safari as apparently insects are attracted to bright colours, blacks and blues.
• If going to a Masai Village take sweets, writing books and pens for the children.
• If going to Carnivore Restaurant via a tour operator check what is included as some only quote for the journey to and from the restaurant and don’t include the cost of the meal.
• When booking any Safaris or excursions check reviews and trust pilot for the tour operator to ensure it is a reputable company.
• When booking a hotel in Nairobi check that it is in a safe area with good security.
• Check out weather below for the best time to visit Nairobi as it has wet seasons.
• Check out other destinations we have visited in Africa. Please click on the following links Diani Beach, Tunisia, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Cairo, Cape Verde, Agadir
• Before traveling to Nairobi check the government safety and security advice https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya

Weather in Nairobi

Temp – Celsius Rain – mm	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High Temp	26	28	27	25	24	23	22	23	26	27	25	24
Low Temp	13	13	14	15	14	12	11	11	11	13	14	13
Rainfall	40	60	90	130	120	30	10	10	20	40	110	80
Number of days	6	4	9	13	12	5	5	6	5	7	16	10

Arriving on Ship

This was our second week on the ship as the week before we had done the Paradise Islands cruise. Please see the following link for full details Paradise Islands

Check in

When we arrived on the ship we were directed to the show room for a safety briefing which was around 20 minutes long. Once we had watched this we then had to go and show our passports and were given our room allocation as we had not booked this prior.

It was several hours before our cases arrived at our rooms but this was not an issue as were free to use the facilities on the ship. Therefore had a few drinks and a bite to eat. Although it wasn’t ideal being in the clothes that we had travelled in we still enjoyed the evening. Due to having a long day and a late night the previous evening we at a relatively early night.

Cabin

Our cabin was on deck 10 with no windows. The cabin’s are quite small but enough for everything you need. We kept the beds as single as this worked for us. There is plenty of wardrobe space and draw space to keep everything in. The bathroom was quite small but adequate with a small corner sink and a small corner shower. Not having a window did not bother us as we were not in there very long. The only downside was that you struggled to dry swimwear as there was nowhere to hang them to dry. The staff that clean the cabin’s were brilliant as it was immaculately cleaned everyday. Towels left in the shape of animals and chocolates left on the pillows which was a nice touch. There is also a turn down service.

Pool Scene

Having been on one previous Marella Cruise around the Mediterranean we expected this to be very similar but it wasn’t. On the previous cruise it was more of a party atmosphere around the pool. The pool was also designed different with places to sit in the pool around the edge where you were sat in a few inches of water to keep cool. Whilst saying this the entertainment staff are brilliant and try to get people involved in various activities around the pool (Trivia quizzes and music quizzes etc.). On most days there was live entertainment which was usually low key as opposed to the other cruise which was very upbeat.

One of the things we did not agree with around the pool was that on occasions they showed movies and gave people headsets to listen to the movie but turned all music off for other guests who didn’t want to watch the movie. Totally agree with people spending their holiday how they want and if watching a movie in the sunshine is there thing then that’s great but there are others who like to have music. Not sure why we couldn’t have both as they had headsets on. There are many area’s on the ship where you can lie in the sunshine and have quiet time.

Food and Drink

There are many places to eat on the ship some of which you have to pre book and are chargeable.

Market Place

Located on deck 11 it Is the usual buffet style restaurant with added bonuses. There is a deli that serves freshly made sandwiches and hot panini’s during the day. Also there is an afternoon tea serving from 3pm. We never tried this but when passing through it always looked lovely. Of an evening regular theme nights which cover cuisine from around the world, including Mexican, Chinese and Japanese. We didn’t eat here much as we found it a bit café like and we wanted more of a dinning experience especially on an evening. .

Nonna’s

This is an Italian restaurant on the pool deck which is open for lunch. You are given an order sheet where you pick either your pasta dish or pizza. There are then choices to add to your pasta for example sources, herbs in the form of tick boxes. There is also a help yourself salad bar. We ate here a couple of times and the food was ok but a bit bland for our taste. It is a small restaurant but there are also seats outside in the shade where you can eat. It is located on deck 11

Snack Shack

This is also on the pool deck and is open during the day from 10 -6. It serves chips, burgers, hot dogs and fish. There is a small selection of salad to add. To one side to the Shack there is a fridge that has freshly made sandwiches and salads. The fish bites here were so nice therefore we ate them on many occasions. It is located on deck 11

Kora La

This is an Asian restaurant which does charge extra. You also need to book this in advance. Unfortunately it was fully booked during our stay therefore we can not comment on the food or service. Guests who had managed to book stated that it was worth the extra.

Latitude 53

We ate regular at this restaurant as you can have waiter/waitress service for every meal (Breakfast, lunch and evening meal). Unfortunately some lunch times it was closed which we found disappointing as we liked to have lunch here.

Breakfast

At breakfast there was a range of options from traditional English to Delhi of the day. Service was usually very good. Food was of a good standard and was served with juices or coffee and tea.

Lunch

Lunch was 3 courses but you could add extra sides should you wish to do so. The menu did change on a regular basis with some items staying the same. The gourmet burger was one that did stay the same each day which we really enjoyed and had this on more than one occasion. During the day this restaurant is pretty quiet therefore service was very efficient.

Evening meal

On an evening this restaurant could get really busy therefore they would give you a buzzer so you did not wait in the queue which was great as you could go and get a drink. The buzzer would let you know when your table was available. The menu did change daily slightly. Again you can have 3 courses should you wish with added sides. The menu has a good choice with fish, meat, vegetarian and vegan choices. The food is always well presented. Even when it is very busy the service is good considering the amount of people that are dinning here.

Vista

On the lower floor of the Latitude 53 this is an Italian restaurant on an evening. We ate here on many occasions as we liked the food here. Although it is Italian you could also have steak. The food changed slightly each day but not enough. Again you can have 3 courses and additional sides should you wish to do so. Our favourite was the Carbonaro which has an additional charge of £4.99 which was definitely worth it. One of the waiters mixes the pasta with the cheese at your table. The deserts are to die for too. If you are on the premium package they offer desert cocktails too. If you are not on the premium package these are chargeable. We strongly recommend that you give these a try especially the Tiramisu Martini

Images of Vista restaurant

Surf and Turf

Prior to going on the cruise we managed to book in to this restaurant. There is an additional charge of £37 per person. Our starter was a sharer starter of sausage, BBQ spareribs and garlic bread. We had surf and turf and a sirloin steak for our mains which was all cooked to perfection. We also had various sides to accompany the meal (onion rings, chunky chips, sauteed mushrooms, mac and cheese). Our deserts were also lovely ( Profiteroles and cheesecake). Throughout the meal the waiters are constantly topping up the wine. Finally we had our dessert cocktails which were even nicer than the ones in Vista. The whole experience was lovely both food and service.

Images of Surf and Turf restaurant

The only downside was that we had booked a time to eat but there was a member of staff that had come on the cruise and was wanting to book. She obviously did not want to book through the usual channels as the guests and thought she was superior. She was also getting cross with the lady who was front of house at the restaurant. We have no problem with this apart from we were stood in a queue for sometime which was getting longer by the minute. Many of the other guests in the queue were also getting cross. In the end we spoke to a member of staff and asked to let us in for our meal and deal with her booking afterwards which they did. This did not give us a good start to the meal.

Indigo Bar

This bar is a late bar of an evening. It is also the venue for some live bands. There is a DJ until the early hours on some days. The music which was played ranged from the 70’s to present. Whilst we were there it didn’t get overly busy but that had its advantages as it didn’t take long to be served. This bar served some great cocktails especially the smoking ones which looked quite impressive. We visited the Indigo Bar on a number of occasions which is not a good thing when you have an early start the next day.

Squid and Anchor

This bar is allegedly to be designed like a modern British Pub. It looked nothing like a British Pub but it did not stop anyone from having fun. Here they host game shows like Mr and Mrs, quizzes and Bingo. It is good fun to watch or join in. As usual there were people complaining that it was more like Butlins than a cruise. There are so many bars on the ship if they didn’t like then they should have gone else where. A lot of people stated that this was their favourite bar.

19th Hole

This was a lovely bar that served great cocktails. As the name suggests this was designed in a golf theme with seats in the shape of golf carts. We liked to have a drink in here each evening as it was a bit quirky. If going on this cruise visit this bar. A lot of people completely miss this bar as it is not stated in the Tui information. We stumbled across it by accident.

Aperitif

This bar is situated directly outside of the Surf an Turk and the Kao Lak. It is a great place to have a drink or two before dinning. An extensive cocktail menu is another reason why this is such a good bar to visit.

Flutes

Flutes is a quieter bar with piano music playing in the background. This bar has a good range of Champagne and Prosecco. So if this is your thing than this is the bar to be in.

Entertainment

Unfortunately we can not comment on any of the shows as we didn’t see them. We did however go and see some of the specialist singers which were amazing. A lot of people commented on a comedian/magician which they said was fantastic and well worth seeing. The entertainment staff work tirelessly day and night to keep everyone entertained.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Bridgetown – Barbados

Day 2 – Kingstown – St Vincent

Day 3 – Fort De France – Martinique

Day 4 – Pointe-A-Pitre – Guadeloupe

Day 5 – Castries – St Lucia

Day 6 – St Georges – Grenada

Day 7 – Scarborough – Tobago

Day 8 – Leave – Bridgetown – Barbados

Barbados

Please click on the following link to see our experience in Barbados Barbados

St Vincent

We only had a short walk around St Vincent as we had not booked any excursions. Near the port it is very busy we lots of stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables. It appeared like a small market place for the locals. Other guests on the ship went to beaches etc and stated that it was lovely.

Martinique

Please click on the following link to see our experience in Martinique Martinique

Guadeloupe

It was raining very heavy when we arrived in Guadeloupe and continued to rain most of the morning therefore we did not walk very far. In the port of Pointe-A-Pitre there are some lovely shops and little markets to walk round. Unfortunately due to the weather the experience wasn’t has pleasurable as it would have been should the weather have been better.

St Lucia

Please click on the following link to see our experience in St Lucia St Lucia

Grenada

Please click on the following link to see our experience in Grenada Grenada

Tobago

We had a short walk around Tobago but there wasn’t much to see or do near the port itself. We did have a couple of drinks in a bar directly opposite the port. This was definitely a locals bar as we were in the only tourists in there. It only sold rum punch in 2 different flavours and you could only pay cash. It did have a good vibe to it as everyone appeared to be having a good time.

Summary

This cruise was amazing as we managed to see so much in such a short time. Everyone of the staff we came across were wonderful. The cruise was excellent value for money as we paid £1580 for two weeks. We did another cruise after this one called Taste of the tropics. Considering what we had paid the standard of the food and drinks was excellent.

Things to do

• Try the crazy golf.
• Watch the shows
• Watch a movie on deck on an evening.
• Go to the BBQ
• Eat at the specialist restaurants.
• Try the many dinning options on board
• If you like to party try Indigo Club.
• Join in the quizzes around the pool on a day time
• Try the cocktails
• Visit the Islands
• Visit the many bars on ship
• Try the silent disco as it is hilarious.

Top Tips

• Check out the drinks menu before you book to see if it is worth the upgrade. We felt the upgrade was worth it but it depends on what you like to drink.
• Book Al a Carte restaurants in advance as they get booked up.
• Check out destinations and if an excursion is necessary. Most of the destinations had people selling island tours a lot less than Tui $20-$25 US dollars.
• If booking an excursion with Tui book in advance as these get booked up too
• Do research about the destinations you are wanting to see as time is limited when you are there.
• There is a dress to impress night so take your glad rags.
• There is also a white night which is when everyone dresses in white
• Check out temperatures and weather before booking.
• Pack waterproofs just in case as many of the Caribbean islands have a lot of rain in certain months.
• The official hurricane season is from June to November.
• Check out our general travel tips. Click on the following link Travel Tips

Travel to St Lucia

We arrived in St Lucia on 12th January at the port of Castries. As we had pre booked our excursion with Tui we were directed to our mini bus as soon as we embarked our ship. From experiences with the other islands it may have been better to have done this with a local tour operator as they have been much cheaper.

Sightseeing and Sulphur Springs mud bath tour

Viewing point

We headed to the west coast of the island which was quite a drive away. We didn’t mind the long drive as we got to see a lot of this beautiful island. The guide gives you a lot of information about the island and its history along the way. Our first stop was a viewing a point which looked down on to St Lucia with spectacular views. Here you get an amazing view of the Pitons. The viewing point is a main stop for a lot of buses due to the views. Here you can buy food and drinks and sit and admire the view. There was plenty of time here to take lots of photo’s.

Mud Bath

Our next stop was the sulphur springs mud bath. . As we pulled up in the minibus you could smell the sulphur very strong. On the way to the entrance there are a lot of stalls selling souvenirs etc. You are given some time afterwards to have a wander around the stalls. Entrance fee was included in the cost of our tour. We had put our swim wear under our clothes so it was easy to get changed.

There are benches where you can sit and get changed. Our guide was very helpful and looked after our belongings. He was also available to take photo’s if needed.

There are buckets of the mud which you put on yourself and allow it to dry. The guides joke that you will look and feel 20 years younger when you have finished lol. It does rejuvenate your skin which feels so soft after you have been here. There are various pools to go into which are very warm due to this being volcanic.

There area showers and changing rooms when you have finished in the mud baths. We felt we had sufficient time here to experience the mud baths and feel the benefit. After the mud baths we headed to where we were to have lunch. It was around 2pm when we set off the lunch so we were ready for something to eat by then.

Lunch

We were taking to a lovely place for lunch just a short drive from the mud baths. This was in its own grounds with lots of plants and trees surrounding the building. The lunch consisted of rice, chicken, potatoes and bread. There was also hot sauce which you are advised how hot it is. We like hot spicey food but this was very hot even for our standards. You are also provided with a soft drink and dessert. It is buffet service but there are waiters/waitresses on hand if you need anything.

We ate on the outside balcony with everyone else in our group. It was lovely to eat outside which was in a shaded are therefore wasn’t too hot. This venue is a popular choice as there were many other coaches and mini buses leaving and arriving when we were there.

After our meal we were then driven back to the ship. Although it is a long drive considering we only had 1 day in St Lucia it is very scenic.

Summary

Like a lot of the Caribbean islands St Lucia is beautiful. Many people we have spoken to have been to St Lucia for an holiday and highly recommend it. 1 day to see such a lovely place is definitely not enough. We saw a lot of the island during our short time but would have loved to have been able to experience more of what the island has to offer.

Things to do

• Visit the mud baths
• Visit pigeon island
• Visit Marigot Bay
• Visit one of the beaches
• Visit the Sulphur Springs
• See the Pitons
• Visit Castries Market

Top tips

• f you are only St Lucia for a short time plan your itinerary.
• If scuba diving take a good camera for example a go pro (we did not get the photo’s we wanted on a number of excursions due to poor underwater camera)
• Use the locals for excursions as they tend to be a lot cheaper and it gives back in to their economy (ensure it is a reliable company first)
• Take plenty of mosquito spray.
• Remember currency is in Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD) and not US dollars but they will except US dollars.
• Check out other destinations in the Caribbean we have visited click on the following links Mexico , Cuba , Jamaica , Barbados, Martinique , St Maarten , Antigua, Dominica , Grenada
• Check out UK government advice when travelling to St Lucia St Lucia travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Check out weather below for best time to visit St Lucia. Official hurricane season runs June – November
• Check out our general travel tips. Click on the following link Travel Tips

Weather

Temp – Celsius Rain – mm	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High Temp	29	29	30	30	31	31	31	31	31	31	31	30
Low Temp	23	23	23	24	25	25	25	25	25	25	26	24
Rainfall	92	57	27	66	63	140	171	172	193	192	167	102
Number of days	21	16	16	16	15	20	21	21	19	20	20	19

Travelling to Grenada

We arrived in Grenada on the 13th January on our cruise ship. The port had its usual duty free shops and souvenir shops. Some of the ship had paid with Tui to visit Grand Anse Beach at a cost of $17 US dollars per person. This including transport and a sun lounger. We opted to use local transport to the beach. As we were walking we were approach by a driver who offered to take us to the beach for $5 dollars each one way which was Ok with us. On the mini bus there were other passengers from our ship. As the driver dropped us off he stated a time of 4pm to come back for us. We didnt want to be tied to this time therefore advised we would get our own way back to the ship.

Grand Anse Beach

The Journey from the ship to the beach is only around 15 minutes therefore it is quick and easy. When you arrive at the beach there are a lot of people trying to get you to hire sunbeds and umbrella’s. There are also a lot of people trying to sell you cold drinks. Many of which are served in ice buckets with around 4 bottles of beer in them at an alleged discount price.

Beach

The beach is beautiful with lovely soft white sand and turquoise sea. There are lots of sun beds and umbrellas’ should you wish to be in the shade. Due to people coming round and selling cold drinks you don’t even have to leave your sun lounger. The sea was lovely and warm. There was no hesitation getting in the sea.

Bars/shacks

There are a number of little shack type bars on the beach selling both food and drinks. The drinks are cheaper than what the guys on the beach are selling them for but they are only trying to earn a living.

Outside of the shacks there are a number of tables and umbrella’s where you can have something to eat, a beer or a cocktail. I (Debbie) loved the mud slides. The drinks were very reasonably priced at around $2 US Dollars a beer and cocktails $4 – $7. Some of the prices were in Caribbean dollars which was roughly 1 East Caribbean Dollar to 30p.

It was a beautiful day therefore there was a lot of people on the beach and drinking outside of the shacks/bars.

Umbrella Bar

We had read about the Umbrella bar and how nice the food and cocktails were. When we got to Grand Anse Beach The Umbrella Bar was nowhere to be seen we thought we must have come to the wrong place. We were disappointed as we were looking forward to a meal there. After a couple of cocktails and beers we decided to have a long walk along the beach. At the end of the main hotels there was the Umbrella Bar.

As it was just coming up to lunch time it wasn’t that busy but it soon filled up. Many people were pulling up in cars. It had its own car park which was practically full throughout the time we were there.

Food and Drink

We ordered the Blackened Chicken, fries and garlic sauce. Additionally we ordered some sides of Onion rings. Mains are around £10 – £15 and sides from £3 – £5. The food and the service was lovely.

At the bar there is happy hour Monday – Friday 4-6. There is also a different special drink each day which only costs £3. As it was a Friday we had the Woo Woo. Unfortunately they did not have the ingredients for the creamy cocktails which sounded divine. There were many other cocktails to taste which we enjoyed trying. The cocktails were from £4 – £5 which was actually cheaper than some of the shack bars.

After spending a few hours at the beach we decided to go back to the ship via the small boats which cost around $5 each. It is only a short journey so you are back in around 10-15 minutes.

Summary

Grenada is a beautiful place with wonderful friendly people. We would have liked more time to see more of the island. With a cruise you get to see a lot of places in a short space of time but the downside is you don’t get long enough in some of the places. We had heard of the BBQ at Rogers Barefoot Beach Bar which did not open until 3pm which would make the timing very tight to get back on the ship in time. We would have also loved to have done scuba diving at the underwater sculpture park. Definitely would love to come back to Grenada.

Things to do

• Go to Grand Anse Beach
• Visit Rogers Bare Foot Bar
• Visit Fort Frederick
• Suba dive at the underwater sculpture park
• Visit the Royal Mount Carmel Waterfalls
• Catch a boat over to Petit Martinique
• Visit the Umbrella bar for great cocktails and food.

Top tips

• If you are only Grenada for a short time plan your itinerary.
• If scuba diving take a good camera for example a go pro (we did not get the photo’s we wanted on a number of excursions due to poor underwater camera)
• Use the locals for excursions as they tend to be a lot cheaper and it gives back in to their economy (ensure it is a reliable company first)
• Take plenty of mosquito spray.
• Remember currency is in Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD) and not US dollars but they will except US dollars.
• Check out other destinations in the Caribbean we have visited click on the following links Mexico , Cuba , Jamaica , Barbados, Martinique , St Maarten , Antigua, Dominica
• Check out UK government advice when travelling to the Grenada https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/grenada
• Check out weather below for best time to visit Grenada. Official hurricane season runs June – November
• Check out our general travel tips. Click on the following link Travel Tips

Weather

Temp – Celsius Rain – mm	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High Temp	29	29	30	31	31	30	30	31	31	31	30	30
Low Temp	21	21	22	22	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	22
Rainfall	119	86	62	66	114	222	224	216	195	234	253	186
Number of days	14	9	10	7	13	17	20	18	17	17	20	18

Travelling to Goa

We travelled to Goa from Delhi on 31st March with Air Asia at a cost of £90 each, which included extra luggage and a meal on the plane. Air Asia are very strict on weight and will charge you for even being the slightest kilo over. We had 20k each in hold luggage and 7k each in hand luggage. One of the hand luggage cases was only 6K and one of the hold cases was 21k. We were told that we could take 1k out of the hold luggage and put it in our hand luggage or we would have to pay. We decided to pay to avoid the hassle of opening up our suitcases and trying to transfer 1K of luggage. It was a bit over the top given we had already paid extra and the combined weight did not exceed the allowed weight. Anyway onto the plane and the meal we received was basic but edible . The flight took approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Transfer

When we arrived in Goa the temperature was quite high at 32^oC as it was 3.30 in the afternoon. We had booked our transfers with Booking.com. The advice on the booking information was that our driver would be waiting in the arrivals hall with a sign with our name on but unfortunately on arrival he was nowhere to be seen. Eventually we managed to contact our driver who told us he was waiting somewhere else at the airport and not in arrivals as we had been advised. We were carrying 2 large cases and 2 small cases; we finally located the driver who took the 2 large cases and asked us to follow him. We assumed that his car was in a nearby car park. To our dismay he took quite some distance down a road and then over what can only be described as a 3 lane motorway with all of our cases. He could not fit one of the cases through the central reservation therefore he left it leaning against it. The case was only inches away from being hit by a large truck. Luckily we managed to cross both sides of the motorway in one piece.

Accommodation

Finally we arrived at our hotel – the Accron Regina in Candolim. We arrived and were given a nice soft drink while we were checked in. Check in was relatively quick with very polite staff who spoke good English. Our cases were taken to our room by the porter. There were two lifts in the hotel which isn’t very big therefore you do not have to wait long. Our room was a double room overlooking the swimming pool. It had a decent sized bathroom with corner shower. There was adequate room to put clothing (wardrobe with drawers and extra drawers). There were tea and coffee making facilities in the room. We were a bit disappointed that considering the temperature that there was no fridge in the room. There appeared to be a place where a fridge had been previously. The room was nicely furnished although not really to our taste in decour. Each day the room is cleaned to a very good standard which we could not fault. Clean towels are provided each day and toiletries.

The pool was not very big but there were never a lot of guests using it. We only spent a couple of hours round the pool on our first day. The pool has a swim up bar but this was not open although you could order drinks which were brought to you from the bar. Lovely cocktails forapproximately £3 which was good value. There are nice sun loungers around the pool with beach towels provided by the hotel.

Beach Shacks

Most of the days in Goa we spent on the beach where there are many shack bars to visit. Each shack has its own sun loungers which are mostly free of charge as long as you buy a drink or something to eat from the shack. Our favourite shacks were Bob Marley’s and Stringfellows. We were offered massages and beauty treatments such as nail decoration for a reasonable price.

The cost of eating out and drinks at each of the shacks was very cheap and therefore great value. For one lunch we ordered chilli chicken, stir-fry chicken with noodles and chips. We also had a kingfisher beer each and the total cost was £12. A bottle of kingfisher was 90p. Bacardi breezers were £1.50. Cocktails ranged from £3 – 5 which did contain a generous amount of alcohol!

Some days we stayed on the beach into the early evening to watch the sunsets which were amazing. Dusk is a lovely part of the day when the weather is not too hot but pleasant. The shacks were quite busy at this time of day. Most people had had enough from sunbathing and being in the sea.

Food and Drink

We did go down onto the beach to the shacks on a couple of evenings but they are relatively quiet compared to the day. Also there was a lot of red sand around which stains your shoes especially if they are white.

The main street in Candolim has so much to choose from when it comes to restaurants and bars. The cost of eating out is very cheap in Goa no matter where you go. There are some up-market restaurants which do cost a bit more than most but are much cheaper than in the UK. No matter what your taste in food is or budget there is something for everyone.

We ate at the Fisherman’s Cove restaurant on a couple of occasions. It is always busy therefore you may have to wait for a table but not for long. While you are waiting there are seats at the bar where you can sit and have a drink. Each evening there is live music which adds to the atmosphere.

At the Fisherman’s Cove you could also order snacks to the bar if you did not want a big meal which included small pizza’s and fries which were lovely. We were pleasantly surprised that they served Indian Cider.

There are so many bars to choose from that serve great cocktails and beers. It is very interesting sitting in the bars on the main street watching the world go by. At one of the bars we went for a White Russian cocktail and a beer and it came to £3.50. The cocktail was lovely.

Sacred cows

One of the things that was quite strange when walking around Goa was the amount of cows on the streets. We have been to Goa before therefore did expect this but still it takes you by surprise when you are walking along and one brushes past you. Most of the cows seem to be on the main street on an evening.

Although we got used to cows being on the streets and roads it was a bit of a shock when one decided to walk into the bar we were sat in. It was very funny to see it looking to the bar for attention. When we tell anyone it sounds like we are about to tell a joke “a cow walks in to the bar” lol. As the cows are sacred the people of Goa respect and care for them.

Saturday/Sunday Bottomless Brunches

There are a number of bottomless brunches in both North and South Goa. The prices are exceptionally cheap compared to the UK. They start as low as £10 per person. We opted for a bottomless brunch at the 5 star Alila Diwa in South Goa which is part of the Hyatt chain of hotels. It cost £22 each plus £10 each in taxi fare for 3 hours all-inclusive food, drinks and use of the pool facilities.  The journey was about 1 hours drive from Candolim.

When we arrived at the hotel we were not disappointed as this was a much higher standard of hotel than the one we were staying in.  Even so it did lack in atmosphere around the pool which was very quiet. Not sure if this was due to the time of year as it was coming to the end of the season.

Drinks

We made our way to the restaurant where the food was being served. There were plenty of waiters on hand to guide you to your table. As it was such a lovely day we decided to sit outside. There was a waiter there to take our drinks order. When was asked for a menu we were told that they could make any drink that we could think of. Champagne was very popular at the brunch therefore we decided to try a glass or two. It was evident that this was actually Champagne and a decent quality one rather than prosecco which is served at most bottomless brunches in the UK.  There is a cocktail list on the bar but other than that any cocktail you want they will freshly make. There is also a DIY cocktail station where they will show you how to make cocktails which was good fun.

Food

The food at the brunch was very impressive with various food stations inside and several cooking areas outside. The variety of food was immense. Whether you are a meat eater, vegetarian or vegan there was so much choice. The choice was so vast it is impossible to mention everything that was on offer.

Pool

The pool area was lovely with an infinity pool. There were also tables and loungers in the pool where you could sip your cocktail whilst staying cool in the water. Using the pool was part of the bottomless brunch. We had read about this therefore we had come prepared with our swim wear. Towels were also provided by the hotel.

This was definitely the best bottomless brunch we have ever been to.

Goa Tour

We had arranged with the driver we used to take us to the bottomless brunch to take us to the waterfalls but upon speaking to some of the locals they informed us that at this time of year the waterfall was not impressive as it was dry season and the flow relatively low. It was also a good 3 hours away by taxi and then jeep. They suggested we visit the sites of Old Goa. We messaged our driver Miko to inform him of the change of plan which was no problem. He charged us the same as to go to the waterfall which was £19 each.

Miko arrived a few minutes early to our hotel. We explained to him where we wanted to go and that we were also open to suggestions from him as to where was worth visiting.

Old Goa

As we had been picked up early in the morning we hit peak traffic which was a bit chaotic. Our driver Miko appeared to abide by the rules of the road and never went over the speed limit unlike most of the other drivers in India.

Although it was relatively early there were still plenty of tourists in Old Goa.  Many of them entered into the lovely church in the centre Basillica of Bom Jesus. Unfortunately we were unable to enter the church due to wearing shorts so it’s worth taking something to cover legs and shoulders. The church was an impressive building made of red sandstone. Many people were lighting candles at a shrine.

Across from the Basillica is the Catholic Church of St Francis of Assis. This is a lovely white church with well kept grounds which is very picturesque. There is also a museum within the church which you can look round at a cost. As we did not have that much time we didn’t do this and just walked around the grounds.

On entering Old Goa or leaving Old Goa you will notice the St Augustine Ruins. These ruins also appear to be made of red sandstone. The ruins are on a hill. Unfortunately there is no parking here so you would need to walk up from the centre.

Charoa Island

The next stop was the Charoa Island which is a short ferry ride across the Mandovi River. The ferries are very small and only are able to carry up to 5 cars. Our driver was very skilled in parking his car on the ferry to maximise the number of vehicles that could get on. Miko actually lived on the island so he knew his way around. Whilst driving around he pointed out various places where members of his family lived. He took us to some lovely spots along the river where he told us that he went fishing in his spare time. He also took us to his cousin’s bar for a cold drink.

Christ the king (Rei Krist)

This is situated on the top of a hill. This is the highest point of the Charoa Island. The view from here was amazing. Miko provided us with information regarding the statue and the surrounding areas. On the entrance to the statue there are various names of people and the donations they have made for the upkeep of the grounds and the statues.

The island is beautiful with lots to see and do if you have the time. The island is also famous for the bird sanctuary which you can pay to visit.

Coco Beach and Dolphin spotting

After crossing the river back to mainland Goa we were taken to Coco Beach to go dolphin spotting. We paid £3.50 each for the experience so we weren’t expecting much. Usually when going to watch dolphin’s you are on a large boat with a lot of other people but this was not case here; the boats were small and with space for a maximum of 20 people.

As we set off out to sea the driver of the boat pointed out different landmarks including what he informed us was millionaires mansion and the government building.

Once we were out at sea we were lucky enough to see quite a few dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins were very quick therefore it was difficult to get clear photos of them. It was amazing to see them playing around in their natural habitat.

After a while we returned to shore – the boat trip lasted in total for about an hour. The beach looked most inviting as we approached it from the sea. The sand was so soft and the sea very clear. Just behind the beach there was a small market selling food, drinks, ice cream and a whole range of souvenirs.

Considering what we had paid we felt the trip was well worth it.

Anjuna Beach and Market

This was our final stop before heading back to our hotel. Our driver parked up and we walked through the market to the beach. The market sells a variety of things from clothing and spices to souvenirs. There is also a bar in the centre of the market with live music. The market is only open on certain days of the week – we went on a Wednesday but it’s best to check with the locals before visiting. There is a fairly smart restaurant at the end of the market looking out over the sea which offers a help-yourself buffet. This restaurant is very popular therefore there was a queue for a table and so we decided to eat at one of the bar/restaurants on the beach.

The beach was quiet rocky compared to the other beaches we had visited. The food we ordered did not compare to other places we had eaten at in Goa. We were very disappointed with the service, surroundings and the food.

Summary

Goa is a wonderful place with lots to see and do. The beaches are picturesque and the people are so friendly. Things are so cheap in Goa that people of pension age often stay for 6 months in the winter due to it being cheaper to live here than the UK. Goa is a place that would appeal to people of all ages. We don’t often go back to the same places as we like to travel to new destinations but we will definitely go back to Goa.

Things to do

• Visit old Goa
• Spend time on one of the lovely beaches
• Check out the best time to visit the waterfalls
• Sample the local cuisine
• Try a Saturday/Sunday bottomless brunch
• Visit both North and South Goa
• Have a cold drink in one of the beach shacks watching the sunset
• Do a Goa tour with a local driver.

Top Tips

• Research your hotel for location and standard as these do vary a lot.
• Don’t wear white shoes or trainers on the beach as these will become stained due to the red sand.
• Take plenty of mosquito spray.
• There are many wild dogs and if you have food they will follow you therefore be aware. However they were in no way aggressive.
• Be prepared for people asking for photos with you as some Indian people are not used to seeing many white westerners in the flesh.
• If booking a transfer from the airport book a taxi at the airport or you could call the driver we used (Miko) on +99 985 646 37 09 to make a booking if he is available. We booked with booking.com which we will never use again as we had issues in both Goa and New Delhi with our transfers. It seems they sub-contract to local suppliers but don’t monitor the service provided.
• Check out the weather below for best time to visit Goa.
• Check out government safety advice before travelling https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india
• Check out other destinations we have visited in India – click on the following links Mumbai , New Delhi
• Check out our general travel tips. Click on the following link Travel Tips

Weather

Temp – Celsius Rain – mm	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High Temp	31	31	33	33	33	32	30	30	31	33	34	32
Low Temp	20	20	23	26	28	27	26	26	27	25	23	21
Rainfall	1	1	1	12	113	868	995	513	252	125	31	17
Number of days	1	1	1	1	4	22	27	13	14	6	5	1

Travel to Mumbai

We flew to Mumbai from Goa on the 6th April via Go First airlines. The flights were £50 which included 15K hold luggage and 7K hand luggage. We were over in weight by 3k and had to pay £25. They didn’t weigh our hand luggage unlike Air Asia. This was a much more pleasurable flight than the flight to GOA with Air Asia.

When we arrived in Mumbai our cases were promptly off the plane therefore we were able to exit the airport very quickly. Due to this being domestic flight we did not need to go through customs.

Transfers

We booked our transfers on line with a company called . On our information regarding pickup we were advised that someone will be in arrivals with a sign with our name on it which they wasn’t. Due to having no signal at arrivals and not being able to connect to the internet we were unable to make contact with the driver. Finally we managed to contact the help line for the company who advised that we need to speak to the driver. They did not appear to understand what we were saying. After 1 hour we decided to get a taxi as we were waiting in 33 degrees heat. The taxi cost less than booking direct. We tried to contact the company on our return but have not been able to do so.

Accommodation

Finally we arrived at our hotel Gordon House which is located in the Colaba area of Mumbai. The hotel is ideally situated within yards to the Gateway of India and the famous Taj Mahal . There were renovations on the outside of the hotel. When we entered the hotel we were greeted by a member of staff and a porter. Access to the hotel rooms is via a lift. We were on the second floor.

Our rooms had a Mediterranean theme. The rooms were clean, spacious and nicely furnished. The bathroom was of a decent size and included toiletries. In our room there was 2 lovely slices of cake and “welcome to Gordon House” written in chocolate icing. This was a lovely touch.

The dinning area where they served breakfast was nice. It is also an Asian restaurant by day. The breakfast is waiter service and included a full English if this is what you require. Cereal, cakes, pastries are all help yourself. A very good breakfast to set you up for the day. The staff in the hotel were very attentive, polite and helpful.

Mumbai Tour

On our first full day we were stopped as we were walking by the Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Hotel and asked if we wanted a tour of Mumbai which we agreed to do at a cost of £30 for both of us. We were taken to a taxi who drove us to the destinations. His English was relatively good and he provided some information regarding the area’s of interest.

Laundry Site

Our first stop was where over a 1000 people was clothes by hand each day. The clothes etc are often laundry from hotels etc. Most of the washing takes place early morning therefore there wasn’t many people washing when we arrived. The drying of the clothes was evident though with items of washing hanging on lines.

Fisherman’s Slum

At the fisherman’s slum there were many men repairing a boat. The water and the land was covered in waste of bottles, packaging etc. It was as the name suggests. Being in India this is something we had expected therefore was not shocked. It was a shame as when you looked out to sea it looked quite nice with the little fishing boats and the sun shining on the sea.

Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach

We were then taking to Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach. The guide spoke to us about the Trident Hotel and how it was hit by the terrorists in 2008. Having read about Chowpatty Beach and how busy it is at night it was strange to see it practically empty during the day. Although the beach is lovely it is not like your typical beach as it nobody is sun bathing, in the sea etc

Sikh Temple

Our next stop was a Sikh Temple. You do not have to pay to enter but they except donations. Everyone has to remove their shoes before entering. Also women have to cover their shoulders and legs. They will provide wraps if you are not covered up. The Temple is only small but very ornate. It wasn’t too busy when we went which was good. Due to its size it didn’t take long to walk around.

Hanging Gardens

From the temple with went to the hanging gardens. Our driver gave us some information about the gardens. It was a lovely day when we visited the garden which made all the more impressive with its lovely plants, flowers and hedges cut in to various shapes. The view from one side of the gardens is spectacular where you can see the whole of Mumbai. There is also the iconic giant boot which the children are able to play in.

Mahatma Ghandi Museum

The next destination was the Ghandi Museum. Although we have read about Ghandi there is so much more interesting information in the museum. If you were to read everything in there it would take you a lot of hours. There are many items that were owned by Ghandi in there including wooden shoes. There is also the original room where Ghandi would pray.

Chhatrapati Sivaj Maharaj Terminal

Although we did not go in to the building we stopped outside for photo’s. This was a hive of activity with lots of people coming and going. The terminal is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is an impressive building

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

Our final stop was the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The BMC which it is often known has is opposite the terminal. This building houses the civic body that govern Mumbai. It is said to be the largest civic organisation in India.

Street Food Tour

We booked the tour with Get Your Guide at a cost of £15 each for 3 hours. Our guide met us at Burger King outside the train station. Unfortunately we can not remember his name but he spoke excellent English and is the only guide that does this tour.

The first stop was within the train station itself at a little stall. We had Vada Pav which is also known has the Mumbai Burger. We do like meat dishes but although this was a vegetarian dish it tasted so nice.

Our guide then took us on a train to Chowpatty beach. The train itself was an experience. The doors on the train never close. Our guide advised that in peak times there are people hanging on the outside of the train. He also advised that some people jump on and off when the train is moving. The only health and safety sign was “don’t travel on the roof”.

Chowpatty Beach

Our next stop was Chowpatty Beach. This was a stark contrast to what we had seen during the day. The beach was full of life with many food stalls and families, couples and friends all having a great time. We tried various dishes from different stalls. As you are trying so much food the guide only ordered food to share which abled us to try a lot more food. Outside the food stalls there are various rugs where you can sit and eat your food. This was lovely over looking the sea. The cost of the food is really cheap with roughly 100 rupees to a £1 food cost less than a £1.

Khau Galli

We then got back on the train and went to Khau Galli. This was a street lined with various street food venders selling traditional Indian food, Pizza’s and Kebabs. There are a lot of places in Mumbai where food is very cheap but this was the cheapest we had seen. Every stall had lots of people sitting on small stools outside. We had a form of chicken wrap, curry and rice. After we had a mango smoothing which was lovely. At this point we were feeling extremely full.

Colaba

This was our final stop. Our guide took us to a Kebab stall called Bademiya which already had so many people waiting to be served. The guide advised that this Kebab stall is open 24 hours and 365 days a year. It has the reputation for being the best Kebab stall in Mumbai. Unfortunately, we were too full to eat the kebab therefore the guide asked for it to take away. It was delicious and extremely good value for money

Food and drink in Mumbai

As we were only in Mumbai a few days we did not manage to eat out at many of the restaurants. There is a good choice of places to eat from street food to nice restaurants. We found a bar called Effingut which is very near the gateway to India . It is an interesting bar with lots of unusual things on walls and ceiling including a motor bike suspended from the ceiling. On an evening it gets quite busy.

The food is good too which is very reasonable priced. Our favourite was the butter chicken curry which was amazing. A typical meal cost around £4.50. One of our curry’s came with lamb on the bone. After informing a member of staff that we didn’t want this they quickly changed it and apologised.

Another bar we went to was called Woodside Inn which had happy hour 4 – 8pm. The cocktails were lovely here and very reasonably priced during happy hour. This is a lovely bar with good service. We never ate here but food did look good.

Summary

We would definitely recommend visiting Mumbai there is so much to see and do. There are some lovely beachside hotels in Mumbai if your staying longer. As we were only in Mumbai for a few days we wanted to stay in the main area of Colaba. There are so many hotels to choose from to meet all budgets. Be prepared to be stopped in the streets an asked for photos as there isn’t that many western people in Mumbai. Obviously there is a lot of poverty in India also be prepared for this. Before we went to Mumabi we were advised to see the elephant caves but unfortunately we did not have time to do this. It was an amazing experience.

Things to do

• Visit Colaba area
• See the Gateway to India
• Visit the Elephant Caves
• Visit Mahatma Ghandi museum
• Do a street food tour
• Visit Chowpatty Beach on an evening
• Visit the causeway market
• Take a tour of Mumbai

Top Tips

• Although there is rules on driving in Mumbai nobody takes any notice. Crossing the road you have to just walk out and keep going hoping the cars will stop.
• Be careful with belongs especially handbags an phones
• Take hand sanitizer and toilet tissues with you especially away from the tourist area’s.
• Ensure you have plenty of mosquito repellent.
• Tipping is not essential but considering their wages have small notes for tipping.
• Book taxi at the airport and ask the hotel to book your return in advance. We were let down by our pre booked transfer by Cartrawler from the airport and have not been able to contact them to complain or get a refund.
• Check out the weather below for best time to visit Mumbai
• Check out the government safety advice before travelling to Mumbai https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india
• Check out over places with have visited in India. Click on the following links New Delhi
• Check out our general travel tips. Click on the following link Travel Tips

Weather

Temp – Celsius Rain – mm	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High Temp	30	31	32	33	33	32	30	30	31	33	33	32
Low Temp	18	18	21	24	27	26	25	25	24	24	22	19
Rainfall	10	10	10	10	10	560	640	520	320	90	20	10
Number of days	2	1	1	1	4	20	28	27	19	5	1	1