Back to the Beginning: Brisbane to Diani Beach
I’ve been a bit slack with starting this blog, so let’s go back to the beginning of this adventure.
Leaving Brisbane was pretty uneventful—except for the small hit to my wallet thanks to my overweight luggage. Thankfully, it wasn’t a bank-breaker. With time to spare at the gate, I made some last-minute calls to reassure everyone that I hadn’t gotten lost between Belinda’s house and the terminal.
The flight with Airways was surprisingly lovely. We were served a full meal shortly after takeoff, which helped settle me in before I dozed off. With good movie options and a comfy seat, I managed a solid seven or eight hours of sleep during the 14-hour flight. Win!
We landed in Doha a little early, giving me time to grab breakfast before checking into a pod hotel for a well-deserved nap and a much-needed hot shower. Having five hours in a non-moving chair was a blessing. Afterwards, I explored the airport—home to glamorous shops filled with things I couldn’t afford, but oh-so-pretty to look at. I had lunch in one of the most beautiful cafés I’ve ever seen (photos to come!).
I arrived at the tour desk about 90 minutes early—thankfully—because people began arriving late. Customs was smooth, passports stamped, and soon we were on the bus heading to the next leg.
The flight from Doha to Nairobi was about six and a half hours, plus an extra thirty minutes of circling due to fog. Once we landed, I checked into my hotel, had another shower, and met my driver, Ken. He helped me get a local SIM card, exchange some currency, and even squeezed in a business meeting with a plastic recycling company making eco-friendly pavers. I had hoped to visit the giraffe sanctuary, but exhaustion won. My “quick nap” turned into a full night’s sleep, and I woke up ravenous. Thankfully, the hotel’s buffet breakfast hit the spot—with both Western and local dishes to try.
The next morning, I headed to the airport early for my 10am flight to Mombasa. Yes, more excess baggage charges. The short flight zipped by with breakfast or morning tea in the air. Nicky’s partner Safari met me at Mombasa airport, and after getting a little lost (thanks, Google Maps), we made our way to Diani Beach.
And for the record—I haven’t lost a thing, gotten into the wrong car, or gone missing once!
