By Wanjiku Thuku

USIU-Africa Dean’s Resident Advisory Board (DRAB) in conjunction with the USIU-Africa Housing took a detour to the Kenyan coast with fellow students for its triannual overnight trip. It was one for the books as aspect was put into consideration like accommodation, food, transportation and drinks provided by the institution. The group stayed at the Jumeirah Beach Front Apartments in Nyali, Mombasa which were quite exquisite with a great ambience, fully furnished luxurious apartment rooms and other necessities, a very interesting well-built swimming pool, great balcony ocean views, boat rides, well lawns and everything in-between.

Some of the activities they did included swimming in the ocean small islands, enjoying ‘madafu’ or rather coconut water (which is quite nutritious), seeing and touching sea creatures in their natural habitat, going on a marine park boat ride with a professional lifeguard and captain to voyager hotel plus to swim and feed the fish with expired bread crusts, going to the Go Kart Amusement arcade to play a few games like Rodeo Bull Riding, mini golf amongst many others.

The group also got to shop around at City Mall Nyali Complex, visit Fort Jesus and learn how the Portuguese warriors battled Arabs during the war with cannons and AK47 guns, plus we also got to walk through the famous Mombasa Old Town and sample some of the favorite Swahili dishes and delicacies like Swahili biryani and achari at the Camel's Joint Restaurant just across the street. It was worth the wait, and we look forward to the next USIU-Africa overnight trip and its other activities as we reminisce about the good times in Mombasa.