Lamu Island, KENYA
Airing Date: Jan 1st, 2002
Lamu is the name given to both the town and the island and you will soon find that nothing much happens here in a hurry. There are no cars - only boats and donkeys.
Founded in the fourteenth century, Lamu is the oldest surviving Swahili town in Kenya, which explains why the streets are only wide enough for donkeys and pedestrians.
The best way to get to know this place is to take a two-hour guided walking tour. This will take you past some of the many shops in town that sell intricate handicrafts - from small wooden boxes to traditional Swahili doors made only in Lamu, which take two months to complete.
When you have had enough of walking, a great way to see the rest of the island is on the back of one of the 3,000 donkeys on the island. Alternatively, you could take a Dhow, which is a small boat easily identified by its triangular sail and single mast. If you are into water sports, sailboards can also be hired from Shela Beach in Lamu township.
If you find yourself a bit peckish, the waterfront in Lamu is littered with cafes and restaurants, each selling the catch of the day. To wash it all down, the best place to find cold beer is at Petley's Inn, the oldest hotel in Kenya.
The facts
South African Airways fly to Nairobi via Johannesburg and prices start from $2301 from Sydney and $2112 from Perth.
South African Airways
Tel: 1800 221 699 or 1800 099 281
The United Touring Company in Kenya has two night packages to Lamu, which include return flights from Nairobi with Air Kenya, airport-to-island transfers and overnight accommodation at Petley's Inn. Prices start from $740 per person twin share.
United Touring Company
Tel: 0011 254 2 331960 (international)
