Valentine's Day Getaway Ideas; Kenya

Valentine's day is around the corner with only a few weeks left before the day. Some year's back I never used to understand why people would fuss about it, after all - It's just a normal day! The truth is that as I grew older,  I slowly got sucked into the world of romance and family ....and I think I even became the mushy romantic type! Hahaha...

This Valentine's day falls on a Friday, thus making it a perfect opportunity for a weekend getaway! As a result, I thought it would be nice to have some ideas of where you could go!

Self -Drive; Rift Valley Lakes

Kenya is blessed to have many lakes; Naivasha, Nakuru, Elementaita, Bogoria and Baringo that are not far from reach especially if you live in or around Nairobi. Most of the lodges currently have great offers valid over that period some even extending  the offers up until 22nd of February,2014!

Advantage: Driving to your destination gives you a chance to bond with you partner through talking.

Beach Getaway

Beach holidays are always romantic! Maybe it is because of the sunset by the beach, while sipping on a cold fruit cocktail as the warm breeze brushes your skin and the soft Caribbean bands play music in the background, I just adore the beach! I love it! Currently, I know of places such as Leopard Beach in Diani and Hemingways in Watamu who have sweet valentine's deal packages and those would be great for a weekend away!

Advantage: Candle lit dinner by the beach is one that you need to experience a thousand and one times!

Safari Getaway

Here is a little secret that people tend not to know or they just assume, immediately we go off the Christmas holidays, the rates of safari lodges drop on the spot. This means that if you have always wanted to go for a safari and enjoy some game viewing or sun-downers in the Masai Mara but the prices always seemed impeccable... Here's your chance!

Her Lifestyle: Meet Maryanne Waweru - Wanyama from Mummy Tales

I had a chat with Maryanne of Mummy Tales Blog, which is one of my all time favourite blog because of all the stuff you learn about motherhood. For most women this is a chapter in life which is ..... (I have no words to describe it)!! So here at Her world, it is time we got to know a little bit more about the lady who has become a source of advice for many women....

1. Tell us more about your blog and why you decided to write about motherhood?  

My blog is about my day to day experiences as a mom – both good and bad. I decided to write about motherhood because there are so many experiences to narrate about this journey and being a writer, this is the best way that I could capture them. Mummy Tales is my diary, a journal that I will look back on together with my family in future years and reminisce those moments.

But besides sharing my experiences, I also hope to educate and inform other moms on different issues that affect us. I hope they can learn from my experiences and from the resources that I use in my posts. I have also learnt a lot from other moms who give me feedback and guide me on different issues as I build my family.

So my blog is not just about me – it’s a community. 

Maryanne 4 months pregnant... aint this just sweet.:)

2. Which is the best destination you have ever visited? Why?

It’s got to be Mauritius.

I loved it because I found the beaches so pristine and inviting and the country so relaxed and easy. We (hubby and I) also had a good experience driving through the entire country on smooth roads while sampling the various tourist attractions. I was four months pregnant then and I totally enjoyed our weeklong stay there. 

3. Which is your favorite restaurant in Kenya? Why?

Indigo Spice in Westlands. I love its alluring ambience and their lovely food. I also enjoy the warm hospitality given each time I’m there.

4. Which / where is your dream holiday destination? Why?

Somewhere in the Caribbean islands. I think being in a different continent and taking in the scenery while enjoying the experience of a different culture will be a surreal moment for me.

5. What do you like most about traveling? What do you dislike most about traveling?

Being to a different place with new experiences is always welcome for me as in this rat race, life can be routine and sometimes dreary. So it is the experiencing new things from my everyday environment that gives me so much satisfaction.

What I dislike – the travel itself! I don’t like the journey much –whether by road or by air and I’m always very impatient as I just can’t wait to get there already so that I can start enjoying myself. I find travelling so confining, tiring and endless and I don’t like that at all.

6. What / which gadgets do you NEVER miss to pack in your travel bag?

My camera, a notebook and a pen. Because anything can happen at anytime. I’m a journalist.

7. What is more of a romantic getaway for you, Beach or Safari?

Beach definitely. So that I can laze around in the sun all day.

8. Tell us 3 things about you that your blog doesn't?

 I hate travel by water. But if I really must, I’ll sit somewhere where I’ll stay fixated until we get to our destination, all the while praying hard and afraid of looking into the water.

-       I’m just not a movie person. I find it hard to stay still and watch a movie till the end. On the times that I find myself watching one (once in five years), I prefer fast forwarding and quickly seeing what will happen next.

-       I love writing. I could write forever.

9. What travel tips do you have for "Her World" as she trots around Kenya and globe?

Enjoy the moments and capture them all.

Seychelles is part of Africa

When I was growing up, I was convinced that Africa was only the countries found within the continent Africa. Confusing as that statement is, I was a rather an inquisitive child who had questions after questions and with every answer a whole new chapter of questions would be formed. I remember my grandfather had a world map on a globe mostly found in geography classrooms or libraries and he would explain to me using the globe every time he traveled and during these times i would always enquire about the small tiny maps on the globe which he would tell me were known as  islands.

I used to think how lonely those people on the islands would feel with all the water surrounding them as opposed to we "the lucky ones" who had other countries surrounding us! These thoughts recently had an occurrence thus the inspiration to write this post. I was browsing the net and i came across a football conversation discussing Kenya's next footie match against Seychelles and someone in the conversation was asking why we would be facing Seychelles in the world cup qualifier group stages, yet Seychelles are not an African country!

I was bewildered that there were people who thought like the six years old me! How ignorant could one get,  I thought to myself! Trying to control my mind not to judge, I promised to write at least some pointers about Seychelles, one of the lonely perceived land, by the six year old me.

Facts about Seychelles Islands 

• The Republic of Seychelles comprises 115 islands, an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.4 km² in the western Indian Ocean. It represents an archipelago of legendary beauty that extends from between 4 and 10 degrees south of the equator and which lies between 480km and 1,600km from the east coast of Africa. Of these 115 islands, 41 constitute the oldest mid-oceanic granite islands on earth while a further 74 form the low-lying coral atolls and reef islands of the Outer Islands. 

• The granitic islands of the Seychelles archipelago cluster around the main island of Mahé, home to the international airport and the capital, Victoria, and its satellites Praslin and La Digue.  Together, these Inner Islands form the cultural and economic hub of the nation and contain the majority of Seychelles’ tourism facilities as well as its most stunning beaches. 

• The Islands heavily depend on tourism and have built their economy around the pillar of tourism, with economic strong holds being felt from sectors such as fishing and sea food exports.

• It is a great holiday getaway, especially for honeymoon or romantic getaways!
• Last but not least, it is considered as part of Africa, especially because of it's georaphical proximity to the African continent.

So don't you think this should be your next holiday destination? 

Images courtesy of  http://www.seychelles.travel.net

Top World Health Retreats and Programs : Why they are becoming a No 1 holiday choice

These days all people talk about is how they need to loose weight or build their muscles or keep fit both mentally and physically! This is one of the driving points as to why many people are opting for a health retreat holiday, other than the normal holiday getaway. Resorts, hotels and lodges have come to the realization that people no-longer want just the ordinary spa treatments but want and crave for more!This in-turn has led to an increase of health retreats, yoga and meditation programs being offered in the resorts and according to  http://www.gayot.com/ the below are the top 5 health retreats in the world!

 1. California Health & Longevity Institute, USA

2. Canyon Ranch Miami Beach, USA 

3. Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa, Australia 

4. Zamani Zanzibar (Kempinski), Tanzania

5. Les Sources de Caudalie, France 

With this list i thought of which would be termed as the top health retreats in Kenya, and this is what i came up with;

1. Diani Reef Beach and Spa, Diani Beach

2. Samburu Saruni (Well being space), Samburu Game Reserve

3. Suyian Soul, Suyian Ranch - Laikipia

According to you, which resort,hotel or lodge, do you feel has the best health retreat, spa, meditation, yoga or well being treatments?