Watamu is a coastal town in the country of Kenya. It has the most beautiful, white, and pristine beaches that I have ever seen throughout my travels in Europe and the USA. It is mostly inhabited by the Swahili locals and the Italians who have settled along the coast of Kenya. It also draws mostly European tourists who flock there especially during the Christmas holidays.
Due to the heavy Italian influence, the local languages spoken are Italian, English, and Swahili. The local culture is Swahili and Italian. The Swahili people are a tribe that was created during the time of the Arab trade, with the first Arabs arriving along the shores of Watamu around 700 AD. The Arabs intermarried with the locals and created the Swahili language which is a mix of Arabic and Bantu languages.
Some places to visit while in Watamu are:
Papa Remo Beach
Photo credit: paparemo.com
The white pristine beaches of Papa Remo are soothing to the soul. Take a walk along the beach during dawn and dusk to watch the most amazing sunrises and sunsets. Also take a dip in the Indian Ocean to cool yourself from the hot daytime sun or relax on the beach with a book, the choices are endless.
Visiwa Beach Resort
Photo credit: my phone camera
View of the swimming pool and the beach at the resort. You can relax by the pool or have a delicious meal at the restaurant. The ambiance of the resort is comparable to none. They also have the loveliest rooms. Be sure to check them out when you visit.
Some foods to eat while in Watamu are:
Swahili Biryani
Photo credit: cookpad.com
Swahili beef biryani is found at restaurants like Swahili Plate in Watamu. Biryani is a dish that has evolved based on its place of origin. Biryani which is originally Indian has been adopted by the Swahili locals due to the influence of the Indians who were brought by the British colonizers to build the railway in 1896. You can visit the Swahili Plate to have a taste of the scrumptious Swahili delicacies such as mahamri (fried dough with spices and coconut milk), Swahili chai (black tea with milk and spices) and many more.
Hosteria Romana Restaurant
Photo credit: Nairobi.com
Napoli Pizza from Hosteria Romana
For the best Italian food cooked with the freshest ingredients that are mostly organic visit Hosteria Romana. You will find the most authentic Italian food cooked by Italians.
Other than visiting the restaurants and the beaches, you can also visit places like:
The Watamu Marine Park - you will see different varieties of fish, turtles, dolphins, and other marine life. You can also go snorkeling, scuba diving, and take boat rides to view the marine life.
Gede Ruins - The Gede Ruins are a historic sight in Watamu which is believed to have been built in the 12th century by the Swahili people. The ruins give you an insight into the lives of the Swahili people during the 12th to the 15th centuries.
This is definitely not an exhaustive list. There are numerous hotels, restaurants, and natural sites to visit.
I highly recommend a visit to Watamu, its rich and diverse culture coupled with the Indian Ocean with its white sandy beaches will leave you with lasting memories and reasons to go back over and over again.
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