Christmas Morning – Baytulkher – Lamu, Kenya – Dec 25, 2009

The Stairway at the Baytulkher - Lamu, Kenya

This is a shot of the stairway outside my room at the Baytulkher. I woke up Christmas morning without that Christmas morning excitement…and it was rather weird.

The night before, after coming home from Shellah, we had supper and then just kicked around the island in little groups or alone. There were quite a few of us going to Midnight Mass at the tiny Catholic church we discovered during our first day on Lamu. We were very surprised to find it…and it was fabulously quaint and Un-Catholic-y. There was singing in the aisles and lots of joy…and steel drums and these instruments made from woven straw and dried beans that people shook over their heads and it made the most fabulous music in the world! We were FAR FAR from home…and the service was in Swahili…but there were ever so vague hints of Christmas. There was even a carol…a few words sung in English that made us grasp out at it and sing along before it fell back into Swahili. And we smiled and we were happy. We had found Christmas on an Islamic island. It was terrific.

And on Christmas morning, I was up and ready for another SLS course day! It was time to have a breakfast of eggs and toast and wonderful fresh fruit and coffee with hot milk. And after that, I was off to the course on the rooftop of the Stone House.

Beach House – Lamu, Kenya – Dec 24, 2009

Beach House - Lamu, Kenya

Unfortunately, I put the camera away for the rest of the Shellah visit. Needless to say, we had fun on the beach…swimming and sunning and drinking funky drinks in the sand. This next photo is a private home on the way back to Lamu Town. No pictures of Shellah during this trip.

Lunch at Shellah – Lamu, Kenya – Dec 24, 2009

Lunch - Shellah Beach - Lamu, Kenya

After the long walk to Shellah, we found a restaurant on the beach and had ourselves a feast. The samosas were incredible!

Walk along the Beach – Lamu, Kenya – Dec 24, 2009

On the way to Shellah Beach - Lamu, Kenya

 Eventually, the beach began to open up. This photo was taken just before we arrived at Shellah. It’s just around the corner from the tip in view at the end of this strip.

Acacia Tree – Lamu, Kenya – Dec 24, 2009

Acacia Tree - Lamu, Kenya

Every paradise retreat should have an acacia tree. Between the doorway and the house in the previous post, there was, of course, a beautiful acacia tree. It wouldn’t be paradise without the world’s most perfect shade tree.

A Doorway to Paradise – Lamu, Kenya – Dec 24, 2009

Sights Along the Way - Lamu, Kenya

This door went up to a private house. On one side of the door, the beautiful ocean…on the other side, a beautiful getaway. What I wouldn’t do to live in that house!

The Sea Wall Walkway to Shellah Beach – Lamu, Kenya – Dec 24, 2009

The Pathway to Shellah - Lamu, Kenya

This is the walkway to Shellah Beach. I guess it’s a sort of a sea wall. We walked it for a while before trading it for beach.

Workin’ at the Car—um—Donkey Wash – Lamu, Kenya – Dec 24, 2009

Workin' at the Donkey Wash - Lamu, Kenya

After our visit to the Masai Market, we made our way south to Shellah Beach. But there was more to see along the way. First stop…these boys washing there donkey. The donkey didn’t seem to mind much, either. He just stood there and took it like a…well, like a donkey.

Masai Dance at the Masai Market – Lamu, Kenya – Dec. 24, 2009

The Masais of the Masai Market on Lamu Island put on a show for a few of the Summer Literary Seminars participants!

Masai Dance – Masai Market – Lamu, Kenya – Dec. 24, 2009

Masai Market - A Break to Dance! - Lamu, Kenya

After shopping, we discovered that, for a price, the Masais would dance for our group. I was in like flint. After seeing the Masais at Masai Mara perform at the Keekorok Hotel, I was ready to see the magic again! I have lots of pictures of this performance, but I’m going to try to post my video in the next post. I have it posted to youtube, and I hope I can put it up here. We shall see…