Our expedition arrived in Malindi just a few centuries after Vasco da Gama’s fleet landed here in 1498. The town has had its fair share of fortune hunters ever since. It’s a bustling town that doesn’t quite have the architecture of Lamu or the easy-going charm of Watamu. Still, it makes up for it with several worthwhile historical sights, its marine national park, and some fantastic stretches of beach. Beloved by Italians – many of whom have been settled here for years – Malindi has been feeling the pinch lately, with economic depression in Europe impacting much of its visitor market. Still, it remains a melting pot of local cultures with a rich and fascinating history. We wandered from Malindi Museum (🎟️400 KES) through the alleys of the atmospheric old town, around the House of Columns and thatched-roofed Portuguese Chapel from the 15th century. We took some photos with students around the Vasco de Gama pillar (erected by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama as a navigational aid in 1498) and, in the evening, dined on terrific Italian food beside the Indian Ocean in Malaika Restaurant. There are some bars and clubs that you can enjoy during weekends, like Rosada Beach, Bar Bar, Fermento Disco Bar, and Vintage Lounge Bar, or you can hit the dance floor at Malaika on Saturday with sets played by DJ Macs.
Since our truck was still waiting for the spare parts stuck in transit in Dubai, we stayed at the lovely Saffron Garden Hotel. There, we relaxed and were treated well by Dezzy from the reception desk.
