The Young Man and the Sea

Ernest Hemingway, among other stodgy old men, once visited Malindi so on Saturday night, we ate a delicious seafood dinner at a restaurant called “The Old Man and the Sea”.

Sunday dawned and more coffee was consumed before we retired to the Driftwood club for a day of sunning and swimming. We paid the daily rate ($9 for both of us) and that granted us access to their pool and lounge chairs right on the beach. Our view:



This gave us a unique vantage point on the beach since we were set up about 10 ft from the beach but could clearly see everything that was going on. It was the first time we’ve been to the beach and not had to flee annoying beach boys. The people watching on a beach in Kenya is absolutely fascinating.

There are a lot of people in bathing suits but there are also a lot of women in bui bui’s:



Also, mangoes can be procured and eaten immediately which pleased Max immensely:



Fruit hawkers move up and down selling cut fruit:



I absolutely adore the babies feet dangling out of the kanga on her back!! You see it everywhere here and it’s so sweet.

Men hunt for octopi and crabs on the reef:



Yes, they pull them directly off the reef even though it’s a protected area. They can’t enforce the laws on the road so beach enforcement is unsurprisingly lax (or non-existent).

And the Maasai warriors show off their traditional attire to tourists:



Anyway, after a relaxing day of people watching, we got back in the car to drive home. Driving is always hilarious in Kenya because many of the signs are so funny. Case in point:



Also, anyone want to stay at a hotel which will sink the first night you stay there?



Anyway, we made it back safely and had a great week in the lab. We hope you all have a nice weekend.