ISSUE 15 / NOV 2014 – JAN 2015
YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY
LookInside
SUPER DELUXE WITH A RUSTIC ACCENT
Che Shale Beach Resort
FoodForThought
THIS OLD MAN KNOWS THE SECRET
SKYDIVING
The ultimate free-fall experience COMPETITION WIN A FABULOUS SPA EXPERIENCE See Page 4 for details ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE: LATEST RELEASES • 540 NEWS • KAKAMEGA CITY GUIDE
Contents
contents COVER STORY 22 SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN…
REGULAR FEATURES 03 IN THIS ISSUE
Skydiving – the ultimate free-fall experience
04 540 NEWS 37 CarReview
Porsche Cayenne
41 FOODforthought
The Old Man and the Sea
42 LOOKinside
Che Shale Beach Resort
45 cityguide
Kakamega City and County
46 ProductReview Drones
USEFUL INFORMATION
48 latestreleases
51 THE FLY540 NETWORK
52 FLY540 FLEET
issue 15
53 FLY540 CONTACTS
Books and films.
56 KIDS’ CORNER
54 TRAVEL INFORMATION
Essential travel and visa information
is published by LAND & MARINE PUBLICATIONS (KENYA) LTD Office 5, 2nd floor, Park Place Business Centre 2nd Parklands Avenue, off Limuru Road, Parklands PO Box 45456-00100, Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)20 368 5700; 0734 415 133 Email: publishing@landmarine.com www.landmarine.com
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on behalf of
SPECIAL FEATURES 6 LAIKIPIA PROPERTY
FLY540 AVIATION
That idyllic rural hideaway could be yours
Riverside Green Suites, Palm Suite, Riverside Drive PO Box 10293-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (0)20 445 2391/2/3/4/5 Email info@fly540.com www.fly540.com
11 STYLE TIPS FOR MEN
The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, or any other organisation associated with this publication. No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions. ©2014 Land & Marine Publications (Kenya) Ltd
12 STYLE TIPS FOR WOMEN
View this issue online: qrs.ly/7i4eehq
Push the right buttons
You’ve got the style
15 A PASSENGER WRITES
This carrier ticks all the boxes for me
18 ADMIRAL
Captain Ali’s conversion…
26 SOUTH COAST
Has the most
30 LAMU YOGA FESTIVAL
Oasis of calm
32 BEACH CLEAN-UP
Rubbish – with a silver lining
connect with fly540 @fly540aviation www.facebook.com/pages/Fly-540
Africa’s low cost airline
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InThisIssue
issue 15
IN THIS ISSUE We do like to be beside the seaside
W
elcome to issue No 15 of 540. Fly540 and its sister carrier Fly-SAX serve more coastal destinations than any other airline – Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa and Ukunda – so, ahead of the main holiday season, we turn the spotlight on the coast. It is to Ukunda that we head for this issue’s cover story, which features harum-scarum skydiving – a sport that is still new to Kenya. We also examine what tourists can expect to enjoy this peak season in Diani. Then, going north, we report on Lamu’s yoga festival.
Concerns We share concerns about Kenyan’s fragile marine environment and take a look at efforts to conserve the Indian Ocean’s turtle population. We also report on Watamu’s beach clean-up campaign. Three cheers here for the excellent Watamu Marine Association. We acknowledge that Kenyans love to look smart and dress well; but we try to give some
pointers to those who may be a tad hesitant about exactly what to wear. We also provide some fairly sound advice about how to improve your home décor.
LOOK OUT FOR...
We share concerns about Kenyan’s fragile marine environment and take a look at efforts to conserve the Indian Ocean’s turtle population As for our regular features, this issue’s car review is devoted to the mega cool – and mega expensive – Porsche Cayenne. We go to the coast (naturally) to sample Che Shale and to dine on grilled lobster at Malindi’s delightful Old Man and the Sea. Finally, it’s always reassuring to get an unsolicited testimonial. We publish the thoughts of one recent (non-African) passenger. Enjoy your flight with Fly540.
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South Coast has the most on page 26 City Guide: On Page 45 we go back to basics with a visit to the hidden gem of Kakamega.
LATEST RELEASES
In our Latest Releases section on Page 54 we look at the movie ‘Gone Girl’ among others and the latest ‘must read’ books
NEWS
SAX-TANZANIA IS TAKING OFF FOR CHRISTMAS Preparations are well under way for the launch of SAX-Tanzania, a subsidiary of Fly-SAX – Kenya’s premier safari and private charter airline – with operations expected to commence in time for the Christmas period.
COCKTAIL PARTY HOSTED BY FLY540 Fly540 hosted a cocktail party in Kisumu to say thank you to the travel agents and the community as a whole for their hard work and support in recent times. Mr & Mrs Ajulu with Nixon Ooko, Director, Corporate & Industry Affairs
The airline will be flying from Dar es Salaam to popular destinations such as Kilimanjaro, Mwanga and Kigoma, using modern Dash 8 Q400 turboprop aircraft to serve both local and international passengers.
FLY540 TAKES PART IN TURKANA TALKS Investors and development partners got together recently at a meeting hosted by Josphat Nanok, governor of Turkana County, to discuss the county’s economy. Also in attendance was Nixon Ooko, operations director of Fly540, who took part in the two-day forum at Eliye Springs, on the shore of Lake Turkana.
COMPETITION
WIN A FABULOUS SPA EXPERIENCE This is your chance to win a spa experience at Hemingways Nairobi courtesy of Hemingways Collection and Fly540. Just send your answers to the email address below and you could be the lucky winner of this super prize. Hemingways Collection is a chain of luxury hotels that owns and operates Hemingways Watamu, located on the sparkling Watamu Beach and within Watamu Marine Park; Ol Seki Hemingways Mara, a 10-tent luxury camp in the Masai Mara; and Hemingways Nairobi, a luxurious boutique hotel in the Karen.
Questions: 1. To which new Kenyan destination did Fly-SAX add to its network in July 2014?
Competition Terms & Conditions:
2. To how many airports do both Fly540 and Fly-SAX operate to at the coast in Kenya?
Closing date is 15 January 2015.
3. Which airstrip is used to bring guests to Ol Seki Hemingways Mara?
The winner will be announced on the Hemingways Collection, Fly540, Fly-SAX and Land & Marine websites.
4. Which property in the Mara is owned by Hemingways Collection?
The winner will receive a spa treat at the wonderful Hemingways Nairobi. Email your answers, along with your Fly540 booking reference number, to: competition@ landmarine.org
Africa’s low cost airline
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www.fly540.com
Only one entry per passenger.
The decision of the organisers will be final. The competition is not open to employees and their relatives of Hemingways Collection, Fly540 or Land & Marine Publications (Kenya) Ltd. The 540 issue 14 competition winner was Lemarron Kaanto who won lunch for two at Hemingways Nairobi.
LaikipiaProperty
That idyllic rural hideaway
COULD BE YOURS By Gary Gimson Pictures courtesy of Jackie Smith
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LaikipiaProperty
It’s the dream of many Kenyans as they valiantly fight their way each day through Nairobi’s nightmare traffic. The dream is a house in the country with a bucolic hint of the good life; a place where one can take in the crystalclear air, commune with nature, relish the peace and quiet and take pleasure in driving along empty roads In reality is such a dream really achievable? I think so – but where in Kenya to find this rural idyll? >>
Well, for my money it has to be Laikipia. You may be thinking the place is full of fusty old ranchers or bumpkins from upcountry, but as an area to live in or retire to it has few equals. For a start, the plot sizes are humongous, there is plenty of land to choose from – and the prices won’t break the bank. To find our more, I spoke to Jackie Smith at a Nanyuki-based estate agency that really knows Laikipia. I asked Jackie why the area around Nanyuki was now so popular, especially among foreign buyers. She explained: “Well, it has a very comfortable climate [the daily maximum temperature is typically around 25°C] with spectacular scenery and close proximity to some of Kenya’s best game reserves and conservancies.” These include Samburu and Shaba, Buffalo Springs, Aberdare National Park, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Meru National Park and Kora, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Solio Ranch and Mount Kenya National Park – an impressive list.
Choosy “Property prices are still reasonable in comparison to Nairobi and the coast,” said Jackie. “And there’s still the opportunity to be quite choosy about the acreage and special features required.” Popularity is one thing, but what about the area in terms of investment? For example, how did the Laikipia property market perform in the first half of 2014 and what are Jackie’s forecasts for the rest of the year and beyond? “Prior to security concerns in Kenya, the first quarter of 2014 was quite buoyant,” she said. “Subsequently there has been a considerable drop in inquiries and property purchases. The rest of the year – and next – depends largely on politics and security and any resulting bad press.” I also wondered who these – now somewhat reluctant – buyers Africa’s low cost airline
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LaikipiaProperty
were and what they were looking for in Laikipia. Jackie said: “The market is made up of a number of different groups of consumers; primarily those looking for retirement and/or holiday homes, investors for future commercial and residential development, farmers and businessmen seeking a local base.” Of course, the key question is whether the area is worth investing in and where exactly to funnel one’s hard-earned shillings. “As far as speculative buying is concerned, a purchase and quick sale isn’t likely at present,” said Jackie. “My suggestion would be to buy now and sit on it. The anticipation of
WORTH A LOOK? Here’s a resale property that caught my eye: a country house in a secure, gated and fenced residential complex next to Naro Moru River Lodge. This is a small, well designed private development with fewer than 10 well spaced houses and all services. Mains electricity (underground supply) and borehole water with large storage tank. Well maintained common areas with river access. Charming double-storey stone house with four bedrooms (two en-suite, one open-plan), three bathrooms, sitting room with fireplace, dining room with adjoining covered terrace, fitted kitchen with pantry. About 1 acre with an attractive established garden. Spectacular views of Mount Kenya included – and all for just KES 17 million.
development up north in the Turkana [resulting from oil and natural gas] and the subsequent expansion of Nanyuki will almost certainly create an improvement of the infrastructure – roads and services in particular – which will inevitably lead to an increase in land values.” What advice would Jackie give to anyone thinking of renting out property in Nanyuki and what returns could they expect to achieve? “Again, I would suggest waiting a bit. At present, a large number of people are looking to rent houses here short-term while they build their own property. In other words, there are generally more purchasers than lessees here. However, there is a fairly slow but steady increase in businesses moving to Nanyuki – banks in particular – which over time will lead to a number of the middle-income groups looking for long-term leases.”
Self build And for those wishing to buy land and self-build or at least selfmanage the build, how easy is it to buy land and carry out the construction work? “Presuming that this means buying building materials oneself and finding a contractor to build a structure, this is relatively easy in Kenya, but close supervision would be required,” said Jackie. In terms of the land, Jackie said: “Prices vary considerably according to a number of points – actual Africa’s low cost airline
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PROJECTS A number of large housing projects are in progress: Mount Kenya Holiday Homes: About 10 km from Naromoru some 95 houses are being built on half-acre plots, priced at KES 23 million. The development comes with a nine-hole golf course and unspoilt views of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. Falcon Heights Maiyan development: About 15 km from Nanyuki near Jua Kali. Mount Kenya Wildlife Estate: A classy project within the delightful and game-rich Ol Pejeta Conservancy with prices starting at a reasonable KES 33 million.
location, access roads, proximity of services like electricity and water, if there’s a view or a river frontage or mature trees, neighbours, security, topography of the land. The suburbs within the municipality are fetching between KES 8 million and KES 12 million per acre. This drops to anywhere between KES 1 million and KES 4 million a few kilometres out of town, while further out, in more remote areas of Laikipia, prices can be as low as KES 100,000 per acre.” So if you don’t mind being well away from Nanyuki, then land is still cheap as chips. Closer to town it’s a different story.
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Great views Mount Kenya
StyleTips
If you want to look stylish…
PUSH THE RIGHT BUTTONS
I
know Kenyan men like to look good – and for the most part they do. But it’s always worth knowing what not to wear and to be steered in the right direction in terms of style. So here are 540 magazine’s style tips with an emphasis on the conservative in preference to the flamboyant. • When choosing a suit, try not to be at the forefront of fashion. You’ll regret it. • Only double-breasted jackets are fully buttoned up (and in any case I would avoid them). Twobutton jackets usually button at the top and three-button jackets in the middle. Only menacing night-club doormen do up all the buttons. • Always choose a silk tie and a 100 per cent cotton shirt. • Never wear a short-sleeved shirt with a tie unless you want to look like Ernie ‘Coach’ Pantusso from the hit TV comedy ‘Cheers’ or the strange-looking guy with a clipboard who’s in charge of Dispatch in your company’s warehouse. • Tie your tie with a neat and unfussy ‘simple’ or ‘four-in-hand’ knot rather than an ugly Windsor. • If you choose to wear a waistcoat then ensure the bottom button is left undone. This is an etiquette issue than one about style. • Wear a silk handkerchief in the breast pocket of your suit – it really cuts a dash. The handkerchief should be stuffed casually into the
pocket and not folded like a character from ‘Mad Men’. It doesn’t have to match you tie exactly, but there should be a tenuous link. • Make sure the creases in your suit trousers are razor sharp. Nothing looks worse than crumpled trouser-knees. • Never wear trousers without a belt (which should be leather). • Never wear a belt with a logo on the buckle. • Wear eye-catching socks rather than grey or black for a touch of understated flamboyance. • Never wear brown shoes with a black belt or vice versa. • Never wear brown shoes with a dark business suit. • Your briefcase should match the colour of your shoes. • A discreet and expensive watch is fine, but a huge and dazzling timepiece on your wrist just looks cheap and ridiculous.
BELT OR BRACES? The jury is still out on whether you should use a belt or a pair of braces (suspenders) to hold up your trousers. In days of old a true gentleman always opted for braces rather than a belt when wearing a suit. He most certainly didn’t wear both. Braces can look impressive if you take off your jacket and pretend to be Larry King or Gordon Gekko, but I believe a belt looks better with the jacket on. So it’s a question of personal taste on this one.
Finally – and I know this may show my age – don’t try to look like the rap star 50 Cent in a suit. Keep the bling to a minimum. Better still, avoid it. A gentleman certainly would. Africa’s low cost airline
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ForMen
ForWomen
StyleTips
By Kirsten Alexander
You’ve got
THE STYLE E very woman wants to look good, no matter what their age, style or budget is, and it might be easier than you think to convince everyone that you – in the words of Beyoncé – woke up like this. To help push you fashionforward on the path to success, 540 shares some helpful hints about how to get ahead in looking amazing. • Prints are hot news every season, but don’t go overboard. Stick with just one bold print per outfit to make sure you look more ‘catwalk’ than ‘crazy cat lady’. • If you’re bound to your office desk most days, stick to the traditional dress code rules; they’re there for a reason. No short skirts, low cut-tops or ankle-endangering heels. Especially not all together. Channel classy, not trashy. • There is, however, one traditional office-wear rule that is encouraged to be broken. Once reserved solely for the men of the office, the trouser suit is big news on the catwalk and an easy way to mix up your work-wear wardrobe. Try an eye-catching colour to make you stand out from the crowd. • Find the perfect balance between comfort and style: sure, leggings are more comfortable than a pretty pencil skirt; but is the knickerrevealing fabric really an acceptable alterna-
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tive to trousers? No, definitely not. Save them for the comfort of your own home.
• Expensive doesn’t always mean superior and there is nothing wrong with opting for more pursefriendly alternatives to high-priced pieces. Just remember: don’t compromise on quality for the sake of quantity. It’s always better to have a handful of long-lasting items than a wardrobe packed full of clothes that are in tatters. • Jewellery = fine. Ridiculous gold hoop earrings, multiple chains and squeezing every ring in your jewellery box onto your fingers = not fine. Keep it minimal for easy style-icon status. • Bright is right when it comes to make-up, but know the boundaries: choose either eyes or lips – never both, and definitely never cheeks – or you may find children running away from you and your scary clown face.
HEELS OR FLATS? A girl can never have too many shoes, which might make it difficult to decide which ones to chose for each occasion. Both heels and flats are fine for the office, as long as they are clean, smart and not too over-the-top. If you’re off out dancing for the night, high heels might look great, but unless they’re comfortable, stay clear: swollen feet are not a good look. And finally, make sure you have a pair of running shoes, just in case you decide to go for that jog you’ve been convincing yourself to do for months.
APassengerWrites
This carrier ticks all the boxes for me Seasoned traveller Doug Hess recently took a Fly540 flight from Nairobi to Eldoret. Here, he shares his experience of flying for the first time with an African low-cost carrier. He was pleasantly surprised and impressed.
R
ecently my job took me to Eldoret, Kenya. As I began to make my flight arrangements, I quickly discovered that no major carrier – not even Kenya Airways – flies to Eldoret. The airport is served by two African discount carriers, Jambojet and Fly540. I
was unfamiliar with either carrier, but initially tried to book Jambojet because it flies Boeing 737-300 aircraft and is wholly owned by Kenyan Airways. Unfortunately, I found its website to be consistently unable to book tickets, so I turned to Fly540. I really didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out to be a pretty decent experience.
very easy to use. Fares are all displayed in Kenyan shillings and it was easy to see and pay for extras such as additional bags. Its aircraft
I really didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out to be a pretty decent experience.
Booking Most major online travel agency websites do not search Fly540, although its fares can be found on CheapOair. I booked directly on fly540.com and found the website Africa’s low cost airline
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are configured with all-economy seating, so the only difference between fares relates to their flexibility. I had no problem booking my flights, choosing my seat and checking in online. The company’s website honestly worked better than several of the United States carriers.
APassengerWrites
Cabin crew Smiling faces
I was initially hesitant to fly an African discount carrier that I had never heard of, but ended up being pretty impressed Check-in
Boarding
After flying into Nairobi the night before, I arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Terminal 1D, about 90 minutes prior to departure. Fly540 had two check-in desks open and I waited in line for only about five minutes. The agent tagged my bag, printed me a new boarding pass (although I had already printed one from the online check-in) and wished me a pleasant trip. After making my way through the short security line, I found myself in the small domestic departures area. There was a small café serving drinks and snacks. I grabbed a bottle of water and waited to board. If I had been travelling without checked bags it would have been very easy to arrive 45 minutes prior to departure.
Boarding began about 20 minutes before take off. We boarded through Gate 3 and simply walked to the aircraft, which was parked about 100 metres outside the door. Our aircraft was a Dash 8 twinengined turboprop. We boarded by stair and were greeted by a friendly flight attendant. The aircraft is configured with 2-2 seating, and I was on the aisle in 2B.
The flight Our flight was scheduled to depart at 09.00. At 08.54 the flight attendant closed the door and the pilot started the engines. After a short taxi we were wheelsup at exactly 09.00. Considering we were on a continent where nothing runs on time, I was very impressed by Fly540’s punctuality. Once we had reached cruising
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altitude, the flight attendant came through with a service featuring Coke, Fanta, tea, coffee and water together with a small packet of biscuits. The flight time was only 40 minutes and, after a relatively smooth flight, we landed about 10 minutes early. It was a walk of about 50 metres into the tiny Eldoret International Airport and our bags showed up on the belt within minutes. I was initially hesitant to fly an African discount carrier that I had never heard of, but ended up being pretty impressed. This is certainly no-frills travel; but despite using tiny aircraft between small airports, its service and punctuality outperformed other airlines. Given the need to travel to rural Kenya, South Sudan or Tanzania, I would not hesitate to use Fly540 again.
Admiral
Fisherman turns ‘sea herder’ to safeguard turtles
CAPTAIN ALI’S CONVERSION… By Jane Barsby
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Admiral
T
here was a time when Hussein Ali Mwabori was known as Captain Ali. He had earned the title. His father and grandfather were fishermen before him; he could fish almost before he could walk; and over a career of 40-odd years he had trained every sailor in the small coastal town of Msambweni, about 50 miles south of Mombasa. Ali had also made a name for himself by taking local holidaymakers snorkelling in his dugout: and this proved to be his Road to Damascus. One day, as he led his flock of tourist snorkellers through the iridescent curtains of fish that
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shifted and shimmered over the reef, another fisherman swam past. Threaded on to his speargun, some still wriggling, were six large angel fish; brilliantly blue and yellow striped, with whimsical cartoon faces and smiling Mick Jagger lips. His flock recoiled in horror, squeaking like dolphins behind their masks. Back on the boat, they complained loudly. Couldn’t Ali see that their pleasure had been ruined by such an insensitive display?
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Captain Ali The man himself
Admiral and has taught himself how to tag turtles, master a computer and harness the power of the media. “I know where all the nests are,” he says. “And when I know they’re about to hatch I call the press and the television people. Sometimes the eggs start to hatch before the cameras arrive, but I just cover them with cool sand and fool them into thinking it isn’t quite time. It’s worth it just to see the coverage on TV. One time we had 170 baby turtles making their way down the beach from one nest alone.”
Difference Ali couldn’t then – but he mused on it all the same. A few weeks later, one of his regular clients explained that Ali’s anchor was destroying the reef and without the reef there would be no fish. Hot on the heels of this, another client told him he had been monitoring turtle numbers over the past four years and that if the trend continued there would soon be no turtles left.
Preaching Ali saw the light – although sometimes he wished he hadn’t; because preaching turtle conservation to a community that relies on fishing for its survival is a tough call. People in the village poured scorn on him. They said he was mad – or had been bribed – or both. But Ali persevered. He began holding workshops on the beach, teaching the villagers about the value of the turtles. He persuaded the fishermen to anchor clear of the coral; and he tried to make them understand it was better to release any turtles caught in their nets than kill them. “What about the damage to our nets?” said the fishermen. “Bring us the nets and we will mend them free of charge,” said Ali. But it wasn’t always enough. Many fishermen refused to accept his arguments. Turtle oil was fetching $40 a gallon; turtle meat was a delicacy and also fetched a
good price; turtle eggs were highly nutritious and said to cure blindness. So, even though the Kenyan government had made turtle catching illegal, the raiding of nests and the killing of nesting mothers continued. Ali didn’t just talk the turtle talk, however; he walked with a big stick. “I gave them three warnings, then I reported them to the police,” he says. “They were called before the courts and fined. But it wasn’t
At home Poacher turned gamekeeper
“I love the turtles, but they’re hunted creatures and they need my help.” the fine that convinced them – it was the days they spent in the cells waiting for the case to come up.” Didn’t his erstwhile fellow fishermen have something to say about all of this? Ali grins. “A few of them came after me – but I’m a big guy.” Ali is a big guy in more ways than one. These days he’s a local celebrity. He has set up an information centre where adults and children alike come to learn. He has got together with schools and local women’s groups to organise turtle nest watches, hatch protection and beach clean-ups. He has established a campsite for visitors Africa’s low cost airline
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Taking care A rescued turtle
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Ali and his group have made a real difference. The Msambweni Turtle & Marine Conservation Group (MTMCG) have saved the lives of some 120 turtles and they have attracted enough financial support to acquire a motor launch and perform conservation services ranging from professional sea turtle rescue to coral reef protection and the prevention of illegal fishing. Now they’re working with the Kenya Wildlife Service with a view to setting up their own marine reserve. As for Captain Ali, his conversion has proved illuminating. “I feel like a better man,’ he says. “I love the turtles, but they’re hunted creatures and they need my help.” Looking pensively out to sea, he adds: “You see, the turtles are my cattle. I’m a kind of Maasai herder of the sea.” It’s an apt title, but not the one bestowed on him by his fellow villagers. They call him simply The Admiral. And it’s a promotion well earned.
SkyDiving
SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN…
Skydiving – the ultimate free-fall experience Terrified of heights? Suffer from vertigo? Feel dizzy even when you stand on a chair? If so, then join the club. But if adrenalin-pumping, white-knuckle activities are your thing, then SkyDive Diani may have just the thing for you.
A
s a total scaredy-cat who can’t even look down from a ladder, I declined SkyDive Diani’s generous offer to jump; but I did pluck up the courage to speak to the company’s Ingvild Finnvåg.
“Usually, first-timers choose to do a tandem skydive,” says Ingvild. “For those who get instantly hooked on the thrill of free falling at 200 kph, they can enrol in our Accelerated Free Fall Course to learn how to skydive by themselves. This course consists of
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By Antony Gathi
seven instructed jumps where two instructors will ensure the safety of the students and also evaluate their progress throughout the course.” Skydiving doesn’t come cheap. The price of a tandem skydive is a hefty KES 30,000 ($350), while a professionally edited video of the experience will set you back an additional KES 6,500 ($70). According to Ingvild, however, it doesn’t have to be that costly. “Skydivers who already have a skydiving licence are more than
SkyDiving
If you thought this was something only for daredevil foreign visitors, think again welcome to join our team for some airborne action,” he says. “A jump ticket is $40 and we have lots of gear to rent out to jumpers who don’t have their own equipment.”
Tandem There are two tandem instructors at Skydive Diani: • Owner Gary Lincoln-Hope began jumping 17 years ago in the British Army’s elite Parachute Regiment. Leaping from aeroplanes became a real passion for Gary,
whether under a military ‘round’ canopy from 250 metres or a modern high-performance skydiving canopy from 4,250 metres. • Australian-born Mark Sinagra celebrated 30 years of skydiving in 2014. Clocking up more than 4,500 skydives in that time, half of which have been while instructing students, Mark has amassed a huge amount of experience. He has worked all over the world but always returns to Kenya, his home for the past 18 years. Africa’s low cost airline
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Sky high Out of the clouds
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Skydive Diani regularly uses a Cessna 206 as its jump aircraft, but on occasion uses other aircraft such as a Piper Seneca, Cessna Caravan and a smaller Cessna 172. If you thought this was something only for daredevil foreign visitors, think again. “The local crowd has been very supportive of Skydive Diani and about 75 per cent of our clients are, in fact, Kenyan,” explains Ingvild. What about the difficulties in setting up Kenya’s first skydive
SkyDiving
It's fun, really Scary or what?
It is extremely important to us to promote a friendly, welcoming environment to our jumpers and make sure everyone feels safe operation? “We have been supported by the Kenyan aviation industry which is very well established, and this has helped us a lot in setting up our skydive operation,” says Ingvild. “The only minor challenge we have faced is buying new skydiving gear as this is not easily found in Kenya. This forces us to buy our gear from abroad and then have it sent to Kenya. Hopefully, as this sport keeps evolving across East Africa, more and more local people will learn how to skydive and there will be a much bigger market for skydiving equipment on this side of the world. “We are putting a lot of effort into marketing on social media, through travel agencies, etc. Word of mouth is also very important to us. It is extremely important to us
to promote a friendly, welcoming environment to our jumpers and make sure everyone feels safe, relaxed and ready for their jump.” Skydive Diani is the only permanent drop zone in Kenya. “On a few occasions, we visit other places like Watamu to give more people along the Kenyan coast the opportunity to throw themselves out of a fully functional aircraft securely attached to the front of an experienced instructor. Our previous trips to Watamu have been a big success.”
Beach landing The company ensures that every jump is a beach jump. “We normally land right in front of Forty Thieves, but in case of high tide we also have alternative landing areas along the beach to make sure we can keep
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Sky tricks Two for one
our operation running even when the tide is not on our side.” For those staying on the south coast there is no need to find one’s way to the Ukunda airstrip as Skydive Diani offers hotel pick-ups and drop-offs all over Diani. “For an additional cost we can also organise a pick-up with our jump aircraft from Mombasa Airport and jump directly into Diani Beach,” says Ingvild. “This service needs to be booked well in advance to secure the availability of the plane.” As the tandem instructor does all the hard work during a tandem skydive, jumpers require only a short briefing before leaping out at 3,000 metres. At this point there is no turning back – scaredy-cat or not.
SouthCoast
South coast
HAS THE MOST They say people don’t appreciate what’s right under their nose. And this is particularly true of Kenya’s south coast. It’s the perfect retreat, yet many visitors give it a miss in their desperation to travel further afield, often spending more money and ending up in less attractive resorts. To help rekindle your love for your local shores, here are some of 540’s favourite reasons to visit the south coast.
Hold tight Get on board
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SouthCoast
SCUBA DIVING
DINING OUT
FORTY THIEVES
Make the most of the Indian Ocean’s beautiful marine life by visiting one of Diani’s many diving schools. All scuba divers, from absolute beginners to know-it-all experts, have a chance to meet Kenya’s friendliest creatures, including turtles, octopi, coral reef fish and stingray.
Enjoy lunch or dinner at the exclusive Sails Restaurant, where renowned head chef Luke Doig creates a new and exciting menu each week. Seafood is his forte, and with local fisherman delivering their catch every morning, a mouth-watering selection of lobster, prawns and tuna is always on offer.
The pleasant notion of waves lapping at your toes as you sip a cocktail and savour the live music has us running to Forty Thieves. The bar and bistro is the ideal spot for experiencing the wonderful ambience and beauty of Diani Beach. For the foodies, we would recommend the delicious Sunday roast.
LEISURE GOLF CLUB
WASINI ISLAND Wasini Island is a spectacular day trip for the whole family. Sightseers can enjoy dhow rides, snorkelling, dolphin spotting and tours of the island. To top it off, a variety of excellent local cuisine is available at the island’s Restaurant.
Mix business with pleasure at the Leisure Golf Club in Diani. The renowned course is known for its rolling fairways, challenging bunkers, appealing water features and impeccable greens.
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DOLPHIN SPOTTING Dolphins are among the world’s most intelligent creatures; and, luckily for us, the south coast has an abundance of these beautiful mammals. There is no greater pleasure than being able to say you’ve swum with dolphins. So take a plunge and see if you make a new friend.
ADVENTUROUS AQUATICS Explore the coast with Chui Adventure Centre. Whether it’s an adrenalin-fuelled dive or a gentle cruise, Diani Beach is a water baby’s dream. The centre offers a wide range of exotic activities and caters for all levels of expertise.
SouthCoast
SURF ‘N’ STAY
DARE-DEVIL
H20 Extreme has revived a once dwindling windsurfing and kite surfing destination. Diani is now thriving, with kite surfing centres on Galu Beach and at WaterLovers Beach Resort. Visitors also have an opportunity to windsurf at the Sands at Nomad Hotel and Almanara Resort.
You know that thing you’ve always wanted to do, but have been too scared to try it? The one you constantly hear people talking about and become envious when they say: “I’ve done that.” Well, cross it off your bucket list because today you’re skydiving! Skydive Diani takes you on the trip of a lifetime with one of its famous skydives.
MONKEYING AROUND Despite being one of Kenya’s most recognised animals, the distinctive black-andwhite colobus monkey is nationally threatened. Help is at hand, however, thanks to the Colobus Trust, which runs a busy primate rescue centre in the heart of Diani where visitors can join guides on a unique eco-tour. Why not take your family on a fascinating trip to the centre.
SHIMBA HILLS From sable antelopes and elephants to the Sheldrick Falls, there is so much to see at Shimba Hills National Reserve. This small park is the perfect place to admire animals in their natural habitat. Whether you’re trying to impress the woman of your dreams or treating yourself to a peaceful city break, Shimba’s views will impress all.
Surf’s up Paddle out
DIANI ART GALLERY Diani Beach Art Gallery is the perfect spot for budding art lovers. The gallery promotes a selection of local and international African art that includes paintings and sculptures.
UNWIND We all deserve to be pampered now and again; to take a day out of our hectic lives and relax. Uzuri Spa guarantees just that. Named one of Africa’s leading spa resorts, Uzuri offers a comprehensive range of natural treatments for men and women.
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LamuYoga
FESTIVAL PRICES ď‚€ The second Lamu Yoga Festival will take place from 12 to 16 March 2015. Classes only: Yoga classes and festival T-shirt (KES 6,000). Full works: Four days of yoga, all classes, festival T-shirt, Swahili dinner, dhow sunset meditation, evening entertainment, grand finale beach party (KES 9,000). For more information about Lamu Yoga Festival, visit www.lamuyoga.org
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LamuYoga
Lamu Yoga Festival
OASIS OF CALM By Kate Wingar
Y
oga has been unstoppable over the past 20 years, with a steady rise not only in people taking up the hobby but also in the number of teachers. Many of Kenya’s cities and large towns have seen the benefits of the yoga surge; but it was the overwhelming response to Lamu’s first yoga festival, in March 2014, that had the yoga world talking. The event was a shining example of the recreation’s growing popularity. As well as creating new jobs for local people, yoga leads to a healthier, happier community. In a world where we are more than ever focused on money and dependent on technology, it is vital to look after our health. The aim of Lamu Yoga Festival is to promote yoga as an easy way for Kenyans to stay healthy, while highlighting Lamu as one of East Africa’s top wellness destinations. And, boy, did it succeed. After crossing fingers and toes for a crowd of 75, the event organisers were delighted when 108 aspiring and accomplished yogis attended. (And as 108 is a holy number in yogic tradition, the festival coordinators regard it as a good omen for future success.) Speaking to Fly540, Monika Fauth, one of Lamu Yoga Festival’s organisers, explained what makes the island one of the most relaxing
places on earth to practise yoga. “Lamu is a ready-made and complete wellness spot,” Monika told me. “From the moment you arrive in Lamu, visitors can feel it. No cars, no shoes – just a kikoi [a type of sarong] and a T-shirt. Walk around barefoot, eat fresh and healthy food and take in the great energy. Even if you don’t practise yoga, guests can leave the stress of daily life in Nairobi, Mombasa or wherever in the world at the aeroplane door. Life isn’t complicated – just how it should be.”
Stretch Body and soul
This small yoga event is now a significant asset for Lamu, with the potential to become internationally recognised. But one of the event’s most admirable qualities is that organisers have a strong desire to stay true to its initial aim of enriching local people with knowledge rather than becoming commercialised. So, if you are looking to recharge your battery or get tips for a healthier lifestyle, the Lamu Yoga Festival is definitely worth a visit.
Underway
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Despite being such a huge success, the yoga festival has plenty of room to grow, and plans are under way for a second festival. The 2015 event has a target of 250 yogis, 16 teachers – including instructors from the Africa Yoga Project – and eight venues. Next year’s festival aims to be bigger and better, with new additions including a Swahili dinner cooked by local women, a dhow meditation, evening entertainment in the main square, a beach barbecue, a market promoting local artists, henna painters and the new acro yoga. The festival caters for all levels of yogi and yogini and offers a range of yoga styles, from hatha, power vinyasa flow, and kundalini to yin, acro and dru yoga.
Monika Fauth fell in love with Lamu when she first visited the island in 1997. After travelling for a year and a half to beautiful places such as Bali and India, experiencing the Bali Spirit Festival and other yoga events, Monika had found a place to settle. She saw potential in Lamu as an ideal place to practise yoga and eventually start up her ‘spirit festival’.
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Monika began teaching yoga classes on the beach in 2000 at a time when Kenyans were beginning to take relaxation seriously. Although the term ‘burn-out’ had yet to be coined, they understood that, by de-stressing, they could achieve a longer, healthier life. In 2007 Monika and her husband, Banana, opened a wellness centre at their hotel, Banana House, training local people in yoga and organising yoga retreats. And in 2013 a group of yoga teachers came up with the idea of holding a festival.
BeachClean-up
RUBBISH – WITH A SILVER LINING Beach clean-up is a winwin for local communities A campaign by Watamu Marine Association to clean up beaches afflicted by debris has brought a range of benefits, not only for the tourism industry but also in terms of revenue from recycled rubbish. Kate Wingar reports.
H
ave you packed your sunglasses? Check. Sun cream? Check. Beach towel? Check. It’s the family’s most anticipated getaway, everyone’s favourite day trip, and one of the most fun and relaxed outings, while also being easy on the purse or wallet. Yup, that’s right, we’re off to Watamu beach! Let’s all jump in the car and visit our beautiful local beach where we can enjoy an ice cream, take in the dazzling blue waters and soft sandy beaches and admire the wildlife. But what if it wasn’t as easy as that? Worryingly, Kenya’s beaches are under threat from a growing tide of marine debris and extensive coastal development. In addition to locally generated debris, this unwanted detritus reaches our beaches on
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ocean currents from as far away as Thailand. And marine waste is not the only problem. When new hotels ignore environmental laws and building restrictions, it can result in a concrete shoreline and a loss of habitat for important marine life. We all, myself included, have a tendency to take what we have for granted until it has gone; but Kenya’s beaches are an integral part of the marine ecosystem and a habitat for many animals. Clean and pollution-free beaches are vital for tourism, too, because visitors are naturally put off by dirty beaches. Help is at hand, however, as a kind bunch at Watamu Marine Association are one step ahead. Last September, WMA organised the first East Africa Clean-Up in which 16 groups from Lamu to Mafia Island collected some 9,800
BeachClean-up
Kenya’s beaches are under threat from a growing tide of marine debris and extensive coastal development
kg of litter. I spoke to marine zoologist Steve Trott, chairman of the WMA, about this year’s event: “WMA organised a second East Africa Clean-Up on 20 September with 19 teams taking part,” Steve told me. “And the results are still coming in. In Watamu alone we collected a staggering 3,124 kg of marine debris. The aim of the day is to raise public awareness about the problems and impacts related to rubbish on the marine environment.”
Encouraged “Clean-up teams are encouraged to invite members of the community and schools to get involved. All of the waste we collect is processed in WMA’s own plastic recycling centre and sold back to recycling industries in Mombasa. The income generated from sales goes towards keeping Watamu
Marine’s Blue Team waste collectors in action, cleaning our beach and village. The Blue Team are members of Watamu’s women and youth groups, so the whole process is a good source of income for the community.” So what happens now? “Next year, we hope to have more schools take part, which will educate children and develop a communal respect for our environment and beaches. It would be great to have an even bigger turnout in 2015.” The WMA plans to make the beach clean-up day an annual event, so why not get involved and protect your favourite beach? Take the family down to Watamu Beach and give a little something back. As Steve and the WMA team have shown, just a small amount of our time can go a long, long way. Africa’s low cost airline
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ROLE OF WMA The Watamu Marine Association embraces 30 groups and organisations from the community, tourism and conservation sectors in Watamu. It runs sustainable tourism and ecotourism projects; waste management and recycling enterprises; and marine conservation and research projects.
Clean up Coast teams in pink
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In addition to providing a waste recycling facility, WMA plans to develop a demo site for small environmental technologies and best practices. This will include: glass blowing; composting; permaculture; biofuel briquette making as an alternative to charcoal; biogas production from manure; and tree nurseries. The site will be open to the public as a tourist attraction and to educational institutions as a centre for learning. For more information, visit: www.watamu.biz or email Steve Trott: stevetrott@watamu.biz
CarReview
CarReview
So what’s the attraction of the Cayenne – a premium 4x4 that uses the same platform as the rather sleek Audi Q7 and the more work-a-day VW Touareg?
Porsche Cayenne
HOT PEPPER – eye-watering prices
Bocmaan1973 / Shutterstock.com
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By Gary Gimson
I
t wasn’t so long ago that one of my business associates in Nairobi claimed to own Kenya’s only Porsche Cayenne – a rare accolade, seemingly. Given the city’s high rate of vehicle theft, I joked with him: “Aren’t you concerned that someone will steal such an expensive and eye-catching car?” “Why?” was his half-joking reply. “It’s the only one here, so it will easily be spotted and, of course, there is no market for the spares.” Times change, however. My friend’s Cayenne is no longer unique. And, who knows, there may even now be a local market for stolen spares.
CarReview Shortly after my conversation, one or two other (second-hand) examples began to appear on the streets of Nairobi; and as of this year, believe it or not, Kenya has its very own Porsche dealer. The Multiple Group has its Porsche showroom in the Sameer Business Park on Mombasa Road. Look out for it on the right-hand side as you travel in from Jomo Kenyatta Airport. If ever there was a sign that Nairobi is going places, this must be it. When I contacted the Multiple Group to inquire about the new franchise and ask a few questions about the Cayenne, however, the response was less than enthusiastic.
Attraction So what’s the attraction of the Cayenne – a premium 4x4 that uses the same platform as the rather sleek Audi Q7 and the more work-a-day VW Touareg? Well, it’s certainly head-turning and will say a lot about you as an owner. The cabin layout and finish are impres-
sive, as you would expect in any Porsche. But, for the extra price, is it actually any better than its more prosaic cousins made by Audi and VW? I’m not sure.
Variants The Cayenne comes in five variants: a competitively priced entry-level 242 hp diesel; the 295 hp 3.6 litre V6 S; the 377 hp V8 S diesel; an S e-hybrid (which combines a supercharged 3.0 litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce 375 bhp); and the top-of-the range and super-gas-guzzling 493 hp turbo. In Kenya, the turbo starts at around US$ 150,000 – and that’s before the buyer has even thought about any of Porsche’s notoriously high-priced extras. A heated
The diesel engines are massively torquey, the petrol versions offer sensational performance and the Cayenne handles brilliantly
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Smooth lines Fun drive
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windscreen (standard fare on even the most basic Ford) is a whopping US$ 500 while a spare wheel will set you back more than US$ 1,000. But, to put the car in context, Range Rovers are not necessarily any cheaper and their accessories are no less expensive. The diesel engines are massively torquey, the petrol versions offer sensational performance and the Cayenne handles brilliantly for such a heavyweight. But it’s an expensive car to run and the depreciation is not exactly glacier-like. So would I go for a Cayenne? Probably. But in Nairobi I sometimes wonder if it’s wise to conspicuously flaunt your wealth – especially a bauble as eye-catching as this one.
FoodForThought
FoodForThought
By Joan Wandegi
This Old Man knows the secret of great seafood
S
ome restaurants have that extra something that earns them a loyal following among visitors and local people alike – and one of these is the charming seafood restaurant known as The Old Man and The Sea. Tucked away in the coastal town of Malindi, just a stone’s throw from the beach, this familyowned restaurant began life in 1995 offering fresh seafood from what was then a family home. The restaurant has a unique atmosphere created in part by the proximity of the famous Vasco da Gama Pillars, with their sense of mystery, and partly by the distant sound of friendly banter from local fishermen as they bring in their daily catch. As one approaches the restaurant, there is an enchanting aroma of fresh seafood cooking on an open-air grill.
Seating has been cleverly arranged to take full advantage of the modest space, allowing the restaurant to cater for groups of up to a dozen as well as for individuals and couples. Each table is meticulously laid with stylish and colourful cutlery to complement the traditional seaside architecture of the restaurant. Dotted around the restaurant are tastefully chosen paintings and pieces of art, adding to the intimate and homely ambience.
Picturesque Through the large windows, diners have a picturesque view of the old coastal buildings and stone pathways that are a signature backdrop of the area. The intriguing menu includes a poetic summary of the character who gives his name to the restaurant. Various starters are on offer, from traditional prawn cocktail to crepes stuffed with fresh crab meat and even tuna sashimi served with soy sauce and wasabi. Main courses include fresh sailfish, giant tiger prawns, grilled kingfish, mixed seafood dishes
The restaurant has a unique atmosphere created in part by the proximity of the famous Vasco da Gama Pillars
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and the chef’s catch of the day, making this a paradise for seafood lovers. Each dish is served with a selection of creative homemade sauces such as ginger butter, peri peri (hot or mild) and fresh salsa. The saffron-infused rice goes well with all dishes and is popular with regular customers. For those not so keen on seafood, the restaurant offers a selection of prime steaks and grilled chicken served with fresh chips as well as vegetarian pasta dishes. The friendly and knowledgeable staff can offer good recommendations depending on one’s tastes and preferences. Great-tasting desserts include fresh fruit served with honey, pineapple coated in cinnamon, chocolate cake that melts in the mouth and a mango cheesecake using locally sourced fruit. The bar offers a variety of cocktails, ice cold beers and fresh juices. It would be hard to find a restaurant that offers such intimate dining at Kenya’s north coast; and with such genuine and knowledgeable treatment of all dishes from the skilled chefs, The Old Man and The Sea should be on the itinerary of those looking for an unforgettable dining experience.
LookInside
Che Shale Beach Resort
SUPER DELUXE WITH A RUSTIC ACCENT By Joan Wandegi
T
he only property on a pristine beach that stretches for 5 km of the Kenya coast, Che Shale Beach Resort lies about 25 km from Malindi town off a small road that winds between doum palms and whispering pines. It is easy to see why Che Shale is often referred to as ‘true rustic luxury’. All its structures are made from natural materials, allowing the resort to blend into its surroundings, like the backdrop of a popular fairy tale. John and Vanessa Aniere established the resort as a tented camp 35 years ago at a time when the journey from Malindi in a 4x4 vehicle took nearly three hours.
Residents of the camp would often see lion, hippo and even elephant as they strolled across the white sandy beaches. Visits became much easier after a path was cut to the lodge. The resort has kept true to its aim of being an intimate holiday spot where guests can interact with ease, where fresh food is always available and where luxury is unsurpassed.
Coconut water On arrival, guests receive fresh chilled madhafu (coconut water) served in the shell. The reception area summarises what the resort is all about: an unforgettable experience in one of Malindi’s most distinctive properties.
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Each of the seven luxurious and spacious bandas, all named after tropical fish, is designed with natural materials to keep guests cool during the warm nights. Large windows with matted drop-down shutters provide wonderful views of the natural environs and beautiful beachfront. Each banda has a large wooden deck with relaxing sofas from which guests can enjoy the magnificent Malindi sunsets. Rustic meets luxury in perfect unison at Che Shale, where décor and room accessories have been carefully chosen to complement the traditional feel and layout of the rondavel-style rooms. Even the showers blend into the natural environs. Bathroom accessories
LookInside
Shady Plenty of makuti
and fittings have been chosen with meticulous care, from the large sink that incorporates natural materials to the stone floors that give the impression of being carved out of the local rocks.
Sunrise There are standard rooms where little ones can be taken care of. The bedroom is one floor up, so that the beautiful sunrise can serve as nature’s alarm clock. All rooms have a quaint veranda and views of the surrounding tapestry of natural beauty. The dining experience is second to none. All ingredients are sourced locally or freshly picked from the resort’s own kitchen garden. The à la carte menu has a range of
fish, steak and pasta dishes plus a choice of vegetarian food. The pièce de résistance is fresh crab, prepared in various ways, including soft shell crab. The meat is sourced from Che Shale’s own crab farm – the only such farm supplying the Kenyan market. Guests can tour the crab farm during their stay. Che Shale’s Kite School is a key attraction, offering kite surfing for both the novice surfer and those more experienced in the sport. Every year in August the resort hosts the Che Shale Kite Masters event, which attracts both local and international tourists. Beach parties, seafood barbecues, fashion shows and games set the tone of this fun-filled day, which is held in
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partnership with the Magical Kenya tourism initiative. All proceeds going to the Watamu Turtle Watch. This not-forprofit organisation is committed to protecting Kenya’s marine environment. It focuses on conservation,
It is easy to see why Che Shale is often referred to as ‘true rustic luxury’ community involvement and development, education, research and encouraging the sustainable use of marine resources. Its flagship programme is the protection of endangered sea turtles.
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More information www.cheshale.com
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CityGuide
CityGuide
KAKAMEGA CITY AND COUNTY Our newest destination
K
akamega is the newest destination in the Fly540 and Fly-SAX network. Located just 52 km from Kisumu and about 1,500 metres above sea level, Kakamega has a population of just over 100,000. As a town, Kakamega is comparatively small, but Kakamega County is Kenya’s second most populous county after Nairobi. Kakamega Airport has recently been upgraded and Fly540/Fly-SAX was the first carrier to announce regular flights to and from Nairobi. It is said that the name Kakamega is a roughly translation of the Kiluhyah word for ‘to pinch’ and, oddly, this word was used to describe the manner in which early European colonials ate ugali.
WHERE TO STAY:
WHAT TO SEE:
Kakamega is not overendowed with hotel accommodation.
Kakamega is not part of Kenya’s tourist trail and is little visited.
Kakamega Golf Hotel: Located in town and owned by the government, this hotel is without doubt the best available and ideal for business travellers.
Yet just outside the town is one of Kenya’s hidden gems, Kakamega Forest.
Rondo Retreat: Little more than a bed and breakfast, but nice enough if one is on a budget. Close to the forest and rated highly by those who enjoy its peace and tranquillity. Perfect for birdwatchers.
More than 400 species of birds have been spotted in the rainforest. It is also home to Africa’s largest and most aggressive cobra, the Kakamega forest cobra, plus many other venomous snakes. The Crying Stone of Ilesi, on the highway towards Kisumu, is a 40 metre high rock dome resembling a human figure whose ‘eyes’ drop ETHIOPIA water.
KEEP Bandas: As the title implies, this is a thatched banda property. With its location close to the forestSOUTH SUDAN it is an ideal base for forest walks. No electricity and a real back-tobasics experience. UGANDA Isecheno Blue Shouldered Guest House: Despite the strange name, this community-run property offers super basic budget priced accommodation plus camping. Shared accommodation. Food is surprisingly good and guests can expect a warm welcome from staff.
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Kakamega
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TANZANIA ZANZIBAR
COMOROS Moroni
Mists
MOZAMBIQUE At one with nature
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ProductReview
LOOK AT YOUR WORLD FROM A NEW ANGLE
M
ention the word drones and thoughts immediately turn to military hardware and unmanned spy planes. But technology often has a way of evolving to produce useful gadgets for everyday use that are a combination of downsizing and lateral thinking. One of the latest obsessions is unmanned air vehicle (UAV) drones, an increasingly popular activity that has been possible only because of the downsizing of the technology created for much larger aircraft. Much technology has also been borrowed from the sensors used in smartphones. Autopilots, sensors, cameras and computer processors have all become very small and cheap to buy; and over the past few years the market for lightweight, portable and remote-controlled ‘drones’ for pleasure use has exploded. Models starting at $40 are little more than glorified toys; but move up a factor of 10 and there is a growing
Droning on ď‚€ The ultimate toy
number of devices being used for commercial applications such as aerial photography and videography. The drones typically have four or more horizontally aligned propellers, often with a shield for indoor use.
In-built While they can, of course, be flown just for fun, the vast majority will have an in-built camera or a fitting to hold a camera: anything from a compact Go-Pro to a much larger DSLR. In addition to aerial photography for its own sake, other applications include wildlife tracking, aerial mapping, help with farm management and even search-and-rescue operations. Several retailers, including Amazon, have announced plans to make deliveries by drone, while DHL has also begun its own research. The environmental benefits are obvious; but, in addition, urgent or time-sensitive consignments such as food supplies or medicine can often be delivered much faster.
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Technology often has a way of evolving to produce useful gadgets for everyday use
ProductReview
RESTRICTIONS APPLY Contrary to some opinion, the use of low-level drones is not unrestricted. There are both safety and privacy concerns over their usage. Many countries are developing legislation to ensure public safety and confidence: for example, how high they can be used without a licence, how close they can fly to populated areas and how far they have to be away from some object, person or building if filming. Also, hobbyist use under a certain height is often free, but commercial use is strictly limited.
WHAT’S AVAILABLE Design necessity has meant that, the smaller the drone, the lighter its battery and camera have to be for the device to stay airborne. This has led to ultra-light drones that can be obtained at almost ‘disposable’ prices. Starting from around $40, the trade-off is a small battery that severely limits flight times to under 10 minutes, although some even have a 0.3 megapixel camera that can produce videos and still images. While some models are controlled by a joystick device, the trend is to use a smartphone or tablet with the footage live-streamed through the device’s screen.
Clever stuff Picture this
This is still a very grey area in many countries, but it is good advice to check local restrictions and laws before using a drone. With ownership forecast to be worth more than 10 per cent of the aviation market within 10 years, it seems we have only just begun to scratch the surface of what this powerful new technology can do and how it can be used. One thing is for sure: the growth in this sector is only just beginning.
Serious entry-level drones start at around $400 to $500. We look at several models including the Parrot AR Drone 2.0 and the DJI Phantom 2. The Parrot model retails for around $500 and provides 36 minutes of flying time from two lithium polymer batteries. The drone is controlled by a Wi-Fi connection to a smartphone or tablet and allows high-definition live streaming to the device screen from the built-in camera.
Model range The Phantom 2 comes in a range of models costing from $650 up to $1,500 depending on specification. The Phantom 2 has a bracket for a camera, while FC40 and Vision models come with their own high-definition camera. The Vision+ also features a built-in high precision three-axis camera stabilisation system for the ultimate in image quality. Parrot is soon to launch the Bebop Drone, which also has full three-axis stabilisation plus an inbuilt camera of 14 megapixels. It is very small and extremely light. The controlling tablet or smartphone can also be used in conjunction with Parrot’s Skycontoller handset, which has four antennas to extend the Wi-Fi range. Drones with inbuilt GPS systems also often have a return-to-base mode, meaning it will return to the point of launch when, say, the battery is running low. Some will even accept pre-programmed flight paths using GPD waypoints, so the user can focus on the filming rather than flying the drone.
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latest releases BOOK WORM
recommends... AMERICANAH
RADIANCE OF TOMORROW
By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
By Ishmael Beah
A cross-continental love story is hardly groundbreaking. But in her latest literary offering Adichie tackles much more than the separation of young lovers. ‘Americanah’ follows the fortunes of Ifemelu and Obinze, who leave Nigeria during the time of military rule for separate lives in America and London, respectively. Taking very different paths in the Western world – Ifemelu strives for an education, while Obinze’s life in London becomes increasingly dangerous – the two return 15 years later to Nigeria. Here they re-encounter one another and get to know their newly democratic home country. So much has changed, not only in Nigeria but in Ifemelu and Obinze, that things are surely going to be different this time round.
The best-selling author of ‘A Long Way Gone’ returns with an affecting debut novel about life in Sierra Leone after the end of the civil war. It follows two friends, Benjamin and Bockarie, as they return to Imperi, their home town, to find it ruined by the war. The two friends work hard, with the help of the returning community, to try to restore their beloved town to its pre-war state, but it is no easy feat. Murders, thefts, rape and a shortage of food stand in the way of their efforts to reclaim Imperi.
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Latestreleases
BLOCKBUSTERS
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PADDINGTON
GONE GIRL
Starring: Ben Whishaw, Julie Walters, Nicole Kidman Director: Paul King Genre: Family, comedy
Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris Director: David Fincher Genre: Drama, thriller
Children’s favourite Paddington Bear finally makes it to the big screen thanks to Harry Potter producer David Heyman and a stellar cast including Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and Peter Capaldi. The film follows Paddington’s arrival in London, where he is adopted by the Brown family, only to run into a sinister taxidermist who has his eyes on our Peruvian hero.
In this film, based on the critically acclaimed novel by Gillian Flynn, Ben Affleck stars as Nick, whose wife Amy (Pike) disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary. He soon becomes the prime suspect as an intense media interest grows around his personal life. Their seemingly perfect marriage starts to unravel before the public’s eyes. And the question on everyone’s lips is: did Nick kill his wife?
THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman Director: Francis Lawrence Genre: Action, sci-fi
Starring: Megan Fox, Alan Ritchson, Noel Fisher, Jeremy Howard, Pete Ploszek Director: Jonathan Liebesman Genre: Action, sci-fi, comedy
The eagerly anticipated third instalment of the Hunger Games franchise follows Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) as she leads a revolution against the Capitol, following the end of the games. Does she have what it takes to become its mockingjay? The final Hunger Games film, ‘Mockingjay – Part 2’, due to be released at the end of 2015, is sure to bring the film series to an epic conclusion.
Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello and Leonardo are New York City’s unlikely heroes in the fight against baddie Shredder and his Foot Clan, who have taken over the city. With help from reporter April O’Neil (Fox), the four brothers must take down the evil Clan and restore peace. But when April becomes the target of the Clan’s plan, will they be able to save the city and the girl?
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www.fly540.com
Zanzibar
AircraftFleet
The Fly540
AIRCRAFT FLEET F
ly540 operates modern aircraft and is constantly updating and modernising its fleet. The company uses aircraft such as the ATR 72-500, which burns only half as much fuel as some other aircraft and also
emits less carbon into the atmosphere. This underlines the fact that Fly540 is a ‘green airline’ that cares for the environment. The crew and engineering team are professionally trained and certified to ICAO standards.
CESSNA CARAVAN C208 Type: Single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner Number in service: One Capacity per aircraft: 10 passengers
BOMBARDIER DASH 8 102 SERIES
CANADAIR CL-6002B19 REGIONAL JET
Type: Twin-engined, mediumrange, turboprop airliner
Type: Twin-engine regional jet Number in service: Three
Number in service: Three
Type: Twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner
Capacity per aircraft: 50 passengers
Number in service: One
Capacity per aircraft: 37 passengers
DC-9
Capacity per aircraft: 80 passengers
FOKKER F28 Type: Short range jet airliner Number in service: One Capacity per aircraft: 67 passengers
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Contacts
Contacts
CONTACT INFORMATION
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS NAIROBI OFFICES
KENYA OFFICES
HEAD OFFICE
ELDORET
Riverside Green Suites, Palm Suite, Riverside Drive PO Box 10293-00100, Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)20 445 2391/5 Fax/Tel: +254 (0)20 445 2396 Sales: Tel: +254 (0)737 540 540 Email: info@fly540.com
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
540 CALL CENTRE ABC Place, off Waiyaki Way Tel: +254 (0)20 445 3252/6 Cell: +254 (0)722 540 540; (0)733 540 540 Fax: +254 (0)20 445 3257
DONHOLM 1st Floor, Greenspan Mall, Donholm Tel: +254 (0)704 540 540, 705 540 540, 708 305 305
INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OFFICE Ground floor, International Life House, Mama Ngina Street Next to Hilton Hotel Tel: +254 (0)702 540 540
UKUNDA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS Ground floor, Bazaar Building Tel: +254 (0)732 540 559
1st floor, Veecam House Oloo Street Tel: +254 (0)53 203 3570/80
TANZANIA
ELDORET INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
ZANZIBAR AIRPORT 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE
Tel: +255 762 540 540
Tel: +254 (0)53 203 0814 Tel: +254 (0)53 206 3823 ext 658
SOUTH SUDAN
KAKAMEGA
JUBA
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE
Mezzanine floor, MegaMall Kisumu-Webuye Road Tel: +254 (0)701 305 305; 716 540 540; 728 305 305
Juba International Airport Tel: +211 959 540540 Tel: +211 999 540540 Email: Sales.juba@fly540.com
KISUMU 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS Kisumu International Airport Tel: +254 (0)254 707 540 560 Tel: +254 (0)737 540 546
KITALE
RESERVATIONS
LAMU – NORTH COAST TRAVEL SERVICES
Office number 10, Karen Connection Karen Road, Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)722 305 305; 735 305 305 Email: Karen.Sales@fly-sax.com
LAICO REGENCY HOTEL 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS Mezz. floor, Shopping Arcade Tel: +254 (0)20 224 3211/3/4 Cell: +254 727 540 540; (0)737 540 540 Fax: +254 (0)20 224 3219
NAIROBI CBD OFFICE Ground floor International House, Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)712 540 540; 0735 540 555; 0717 305 305; 0703 305 305 Email: bookings@fly540.com or bookings@fly-sax.com
NEW MUTHAIGA OFFICE 1st floor, Thigiri Mall, New Muthaiga Tel: +254 (0)703 540 540
WILSON AIRPORT 540 SAFARI CIRCUIT SALES Ground floor, Langata House Tel: +254 (0)20 254 0206 Tel: +254 (0)729 540 540 Tel: +254 (0)735 540 540 Email: 540.safaris@fly540.com
J.E. Mommaertslaan 16b (2nd floor), 1831 Diegem Tel: +32 (0)2 712 04 93 Fax: +32 (0)2 725 83 92 Email: Res540.BRU@aviareps.com
SALES Tel: +32 (0)2 712 05 84 Fax: +32 (0)2 725 83 92 Email: Sales540.BRU@aviareps.co
GERMANY
Next to Catholic Church/Equity Bank Tel: +254 (0)42 213 0312 Tel: +254 (0)42 463 2054 Tel: +254 (0)725 942 444 Email: nctslamu@swiftmalindi.com Email: nctsmalindi@swiftmalindi.com
AVIAREPS AG Kaiserstrasse 77 60329 Frankfurt am Main
RESERVATIONS Tel: +49 (0)69 770 673 076 Fax: +49 (0)69 770 673 028 Email: Res540.FRA@aviareps.com
MALINDI 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
SALES Tel: +49 (0) 69 770 673 077 Fax: +49 (0)69 770 673 235 Email: sales540.FRA@aviareps.com
Lamu Road, Malindi Tel: +254 (0)422 120 370
MOMBASA
ITALY
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE
AVIAREPS AG
Ground Floor, Mombasa Trade Centre, Nkrumah Road Tel: +254 (0)41 231 9078/9 Cell: +254 (0)728 540 540; (0)710 540 540
Via Monte Rosa, 20 20149 Milan
RESERVATIONS Tel: +39 02 4345 8346 Fax: +39 02 4345 8336 Email: Res540.MIL@aviareps.com
Nyali Centre, next to Naivas, Links Road, Mombasa Tel: +254 (0)41 447 7540/2 Sales: +254 (0)41 540 540; 707 540 542
SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Maria Rosa Cappelli Mobile: +39 335 778 5936 Email: mcappelli@aviareps.com
MOI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MOMBASA
SALES Tel: +31 (0)20 520 02 82 Fax: +31 (0)20 623 01 51 Email: Sales540.AMS@aviareps.com
RUSSIAN FEDERATION AVIAREPS AG Olympiysky prospect 14 BC “Diamond Hall” 129090, Moscow
RESERVATIONS
Tel: +7 (495) 937 59 50 Fax: +7 (495) 937 5951 Email: Sales540.MOW@aviareps.com
SOUTH AFRICA AVIAREPS (PTY) LTD 38 Wierda Road West Wierda Valley Sandton, Johannesburg
RESERVATIONS Tel: +27 (0) 11 722 0229 Fax: +27 (0) 11 783 8135 Email: Res540.JNB@aviareps.com
SALES Tel: +27 (0) 722 0229 Tel: +27 74 177 1596 Fax: +27 (0) 783 8135 Email: Sales540.JNB@aviareps.com
SWITZERLAND AIRLINE & TOURISM CENTER GMBH Badenerstr. 15, CH-8004 Zürich
RESERVATIONS & SALES Tel: +41 (0) 44 286 99 62 Fax: +41 (0) 44 286 99 63 Email: 540-Switzerland@aviareps.com
UNITED KINGDOM FLY540 c/o AviaCircle, 28-29 The Quadrant Business Centre, 135 Salisbury Road London, NW6 6RJ
RESERVATIONS Tel: 0870 774 2250 Fax: 0870 777 7172 Email: res540@aviacircle.com
SALES Tel: 0870 774 2250 Fax: 0870 774 2250 Email: Sales540@aviacircle.com
Tel: +254 (0)41 343 4821 Tel: +254 (0)32 540 540; (0)722 555 730 Africa’s low cost airline
Tel: +31 (0)20 654 79 29 Fax: +31 (0)20 623 01 51 Email: Res540.AMS@aviareps.com
SALES
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE
KAREN OFFICE
RESERVATIONS
BELGIUM AVIAREPS AG
Terminal Building, Kitale Airstrip Tel: +254 (0)770 639 429 Tel: +254 (0)724 457 374 Tel: +254 (0)735 540 547
Beechavenue 104 1119 PP Schiphol
Tel: +7 (495) 937 59 50 Fax: +7 (495) 937 5951 Email: Res540.MOW@aviareps.com
Mezz floor, Mega Plaza Tel: +254 (0)724 563 009; 734 540 550
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
AVIAREPS AG
Representative Offices
JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Unit 3 (Domestic Departures) Tel: +254 (0)20 827 523 Tel: +254 (0)20 827 366 Cell: +254 (0)s727 532 273 Unit 1 (International Departures) Tel: +254 (0)20 827 521
NETHERLANDS
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www.fly540.com
TravelInfo
FLY540 VI
INFORMAT A I S
KENYAN VISAS VISA INFORMATION
M
ost nationals require visas to enter East Africa. Citizens from the five East African states require no visas while those from the Common Market of East and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states have relaxed entry requirements into East Africa. However, East African member states have their own visa requirements for various nationals.
Visas are required for most nationals and cost US$50. A visa can be obtained on entry, however we recommended one be obtained before arrival to avoid airport lengthy queues. Visa Application Forms are available online. A visa is required by all visitors travelling to Kenya with the exception of those holding a re-entry pass to Kenya and citizens of Ethiopia, San Marino, Turkey and Uruguay. Note that the reciprocal visa abolition agreements with Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Spain, and Republic of Ireland no longer apply and nationals of these countries now require a visa. Kenya Visa Requirements • Valid passport with sufficient number of unused pages for endorsements abroad. Passport must be signed and valid for at least six months. • Visa application form duly completed and signed by the applicant. • Two recent passport size photographs attached to the application form. • Valid round trip ticket or a letter from your travel agent certifying that the applicant holds prepaid arrangements. • A self-addressed stamped envelope for express mail, courier, registered mail, etc., if the visa is urgently required. Metered stamps are not acceptable. • Home and work telephone numbers.
Please fill out the form correctly and enclose the photographs and payment to avoid delay and disappointment. Standard Visa fees payable by cash to the High Commission of Kenya. Visa fees charges: • Multiple entry: US$100 • Single entry: US$50 • Transit Visa: US$20
Passengers can pay in US dollars, British pounds, Euro or Swiss franc. For more information and to download a Kenya visa application form visit: http://www.immigration.co.ke
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N O
TRAVEL INFORMATION
TravelInformation
TANZANIAN VISAS
SOUTH SUDAN VISAS Any visitor going to South Sudan through Khartoum requires a valid visa. Visas are issued through the South Sudan Embassy.
All foreigners from non-Commonwealth countries are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have agreements with Tanzania under which the visa requirement is waived.
The Republic of South Sudan has missions in Kenya, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, Norway, Belgium, the UK, Germany, France, Turkey, Libya, China, India, Italy, Canada and the USA.
Exemptions: Citizens of Commonwealth countries are not required to obtain visas unless they are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand or Australia.
Immigration regulations stipulate that anyone going to South Sudan and wishing to travel outside of Khartoum needs a travel permit from the Government of South Sudan. Those travelling to South Sudan from Kenya, should visit the South Sudan Embassy in Kenya.
Tanzanian visas are issued by the following: • The office of the Director of Immigration Services, Dar es Salaam, and the office of the Principal Immigration Officer, Zanzibar.
Requirements:
•
• All applicants to launch their visas in person
• Any other gazetted entry point.
• Passport must be valid for at least six month and presented on submission of application
• From Tanzania High Commissions or embassies abroad.
• Two recent colour passport-size photos
For more information on Tanzanian diplomatic missions visit: www.tanzania.go.tz/tanzaniaembassiesabroad.htm
• Yellow fever vaccination card
Entry points to the United Republic of Tanzania: principally Namanga, Tunduma, Sirari, Horohoro, Kigoma Port, Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar Harbour and Zanzibar Airport.
• Letter of invitation and intent Standard Visa fees payable by bank transfer to: Government of South Sudan Special Permit Account Bank: Kenya Commercial Bank; Sarit Centre Branch A/C No. 402004247
HEALTH
Fees: • Multiple entry: US$250 (six months)/US$400 (one year)
Vaccination requirements for international travellers
• Single entry for countries with common boarder with South Sudan: US$50
• No cholera vaccination certificates are required of travellers coming from all over the world.
• Single entry for other African countries: US$100 • Single entry for European and US citizens: US$100
•
ACCINATIO V 0
N ORMAT INF IO
N
FLY 54
Processing period: Two working days
Africa’s low cost airline
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Only valid yellow fever vaccination certificates are required of all travellers over one year old, arriving from yellow fever infected countries mainly in central and West Africa, South and Central America South East Asia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh.
• Vaccination for international travellers are obtainable from all international air and sea ports, city and major municipal councils NB: Make sure you get your yellow fever shot in good time since the yellow fever certificate is valid for travel use 10 days after vaccination.
www.fly540.com
KidsCorner
KIDS’
CORNER JOKE TIME! Q. Who held the baby octopus to ransom? A. Squidnappers!
Q. What do you find on a small beach? A. Micro-waves!
Q. What does a shark eat for dinner? A. Fish and ships!
Q. How do oysters call their friends? A. On shell phones!
THE SEASIDE
S U N H A T U S
WORDSEARCH Can you find the words listed below in the letter grid? Tip: Some words are going backwards!
BEACH SAND OCEAN STARFISH SUNHAT PALM KITE FISH DHOW FISHING RESORT SUN
T R O S
E R A N
A E T
K R N A
I
R S B F X M S S H
I
E
F
I
N G C
I
P A L M P S O
S U N H C A E B H Q D H O W Y U Q. What did the Indian Ocean say to the Atlantic Ocean? A. Nothing, it just waved!
Q. What did Cinderella wear when she went swimming in the ocean? A. Glass flippers!
Q. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A. F sh!
Q. What did the boy octopus say to the girl octopus? A. I wanna hold your hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand. 56