Tranquiliy on the shores of Indian Ocean

By Mwenda Njoka

Mombasa,Kenya; We arrived in Mombasa in the evening for our six-day stay at the Sarova Whitesands Resort and Spa. The children were very excited because this would be their first time at Whitesands.
At the Moi International Airport Mombasa, we found a courtesy van waiting to take us to the hotel. Its air-conditioned interior was a welcome respite from the sweltering heat of the coastal city.
Within a few minutes — thanks to the light nighttime traffic — we were being warmly ushered into the hotel lobby by Hilda Mudamba, the revenue manager. After a glass of fresh juice and mint-smelling wet towels to wipe our faces, we were fresh like the morning dew.
Whitesands is one of the East African coast’s finest resorts, boasting a consistent record of providing a first-rate holiday destination for travellers from all over the world.
The resort is set on a 23-acre plot boasting one of the longest and most pristine sandy beaches in the Coast region.
All 338 rooms are tastefully furnished and have good access to the beach. You do not have to go outside to enjoy the ocean breeze.
Whitesands has two presidential suites — for the very loaded — and six executive suites for the slightly loaded. And, of course, there are the standard rooms for the ordinary holidaymaker who wants to enjoy his or her holiday without having to rob a bank.

Tantalising tastes
There are several specialty restaurants where we treated ourselves to gourmet meals. For the sea-lover, your holiday cannot be complete here without a meal at the Lido Seafood Grill. This is where I had my first taste of lobster.
Children will enjoy snacking at the Mnazi Café while adults can have their favourite tipple or two at Cocos Beach Bar.
The beach bar transforms into a discotheque or acrobatics entertainment ground in the evenings.
There is an occasional karaoke night for those who love to sing and a live band plays at the venue on some special nights.

Water sports
At the Tulia Spa, we spoilt ourselves with full body massages followed by a relaxing session in the jacuzzi. To cap it all, there is an option of Oriental, Ayurdevic or Western massage therapies. This is the place to come if you are looking for somewhere nice and quiet to rejuvenate your body.
But, as they say, all relaxation and no play makes one a lazy holidaymaker. So, the following day, we were all set for a day in the sea.
We started with water sports where we rode Jet Skis, competing amongst ourselves. My eight-year-old son proved very adept at maneouvering the Jet Ski and came tops in the friendly competition.
Of course, a holiday in Mombasa is not complete without a visit to the Mombasa Marine Park. At the park, located about a kilometre from the sea shore, we got to enjoy scuba diving, swimming side-by side with assorted fish and strange-looking sea creatures.
It was an afternoon well spent. And a holiday well enjoyed. We will definitely be revisiting Whitesands for a re-match of the Jet Ski competition!