Mnemba Island is located off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar in Tanzania. The island is surrounded by coral reefs protected within a Marine Conservation Area and offers the best snorkeling in Zanzibar. You can watch whales, see dolphins and swim with whale sharks. You can also watch turtles laying their eggs on the island’s beaches; turtle season occurs mainly between April and August. With its warm white sands and clear turquoise seas, Mnemba Island is without doubt an ideal exotic holiday destination and is a beach dreamer’s ultimate paradise experience.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The Treetops Hotel
The Treetops Hotel is located in the Aberdare National park. Aberdare is also home to the second largest herd of endangered black rhinos. The lodge rises straight out of the ground on stilts and has four decks, a rooftop viewing platform and vantage viewing platforms on each floor with open balconies that are ideal points for viewing and photography. There is an optional buzzer in the rooms to alert of arrival of animals at the floodlit water hole. The emphasis is on making as little noise as possible so as not to scare away the animals at the water hole. Animals that are known to frequent the watering hole are African elephants, lions, rhinos, black leopard and the elusive bongo antelope. Prices rang anywhere from $120 in the low season to $326 us dollars per night in the high season.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Nine Random Fun Facts About Kenya.
1.) The dowry for marriage starts at 10 cows.
2.) Everyone wants to know what you think about Obama.
3.) Corn is the top commodity.
4.) Kenyans' are very well dressed people.
5.) There is no such thing as personal space.
6.) Kenyans' drink lots of chai tea and not very much coffee.
7.) They usually drink their beverages either room temperature or hot never cold.
8.) Kenyan men can have multiple wives.
9.) Driving the kenyan way means fitting 19 people into a 9 passenger van.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Etiquette and Customs in Kenya
Meeting and Greeting
The most common greeting is the handshake.
When greeting someone with whom you have a personal relationship, the handshake is more prolonged than the one given to a casual acquaintance.
Close female friends may hug and kiss once on each cheek instead of shaking hands.
When greeting an elder or someone of higher status, grasp the right wrist with the left hand while shaking hands to demonstrate respect.
After the handshake it is the norm to ask questions about the health, their family, business and anything else you know about the person.
To skip or rush this element in the greeting process is the height of poor manners.
People are generally addressed by their academic, professional or honorific title followed by their surname.
Women over the age of 21 are often addressed as “Mama” and men over the age of 35 are often addressed as “Mzee”. Children generally refer to adults as Aunt or Uncle, even if there is not a familial relationship.
Gift Giving
In general, Kenyans give gifts for events of significance in a person’s life or days of religious significance.
If invited to dinner at a Kenyan’s home, bring pastries, flowers, or sweets for the hostess. In rural areas, gifts of sugar or tea are quite common
Gifts should be nicely wrapped, although there are no prohibitions concerning the color of paper.
Do not bring alcohol unless you know that for a fact that your host drinks
Dining Etiquette
Kenyans table manners are relatively formal.
The best course of action is to behave formally. When is doubt, watch what others are doing and follow their lead
Except for formal functions, there is generally not a seating plan. However, there may be a special place for the most honored guest.
Guests are expected to wash their hands before and after the meal. In some homes, a washing basin will be brought to the table. If so, hold your hands over the basin while water is poured over them.
The honored guest is usually served first, followed by the men, children, and women
Servants often bring the courses to individual guests who are expected to take what they want
Do not begin eating until the eldest male has been served and started eating
It is a good idea to take a small amount the first time the platters are brought so that you may take second helpings when urged
Beverages are not generally served with meals since Kenyans think it is impolite to eat and drink at the same time. They are generally served at the completion of the meal
It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate, although it is not mandatory.
The most common greeting is the handshake.
When greeting someone with whom you have a personal relationship, the handshake is more prolonged than the one given to a casual acquaintance.
Close female friends may hug and kiss once on each cheek instead of shaking hands.
When greeting an elder or someone of higher status, grasp the right wrist with the left hand while shaking hands to demonstrate respect.
After the handshake it is the norm to ask questions about the health, their family, business and anything else you know about the person.
To skip or rush this element in the greeting process is the height of poor manners.
People are generally addressed by their academic, professional or honorific title followed by their surname.
Women over the age of 21 are often addressed as “Mama” and men over the age of 35 are often addressed as “Mzee”. Children generally refer to adults as Aunt or Uncle, even if there is not a familial relationship.
Gift Giving
In general, Kenyans give gifts for events of significance in a person’s life or days of religious significance.
If invited to dinner at a Kenyan’s home, bring pastries, flowers, or sweets for the hostess. In rural areas, gifts of sugar or tea are quite common
Gifts should be nicely wrapped, although there are no prohibitions concerning the color of paper.
Do not bring alcohol unless you know that for a fact that your host drinks
Dining Etiquette
Kenyans table manners are relatively formal.
The best course of action is to behave formally. When is doubt, watch what others are doing and follow their lead
Except for formal functions, there is generally not a seating plan. However, there may be a special place for the most honored guest.
Guests are expected to wash their hands before and after the meal. In some homes, a washing basin will be brought to the table. If so, hold your hands over the basin while water is poured over them.
The honored guest is usually served first, followed by the men, children, and women
Servants often bring the courses to individual guests who are expected to take what they want
Do not begin eating until the eldest male has been served and started eating
It is a good idea to take a small amount the first time the platters are brought so that you may take second helpings when urged
Beverages are not generally served with meals since Kenyans think it is impolite to eat and drink at the same time. They are generally served at the completion of the meal
It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate, although it is not mandatory.
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