Anyone for a C-Brat Gathering on Kenya's Northern Coast?

Otter-BelleHavenMarina

Hey fellow C-Brats,
Am writing from Kenya, where I've been for the past couple weeks. Had a magnificent trip to Lamu on Kenya's north coast last week, where I tried out a locally available 31-foot center cockpit boat that we might use for maritime interdiction operations in that region. See pictures in my photo album here:
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Otter&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

I think El and Bill should put this place on their to-do list. It is absolutely beautiful.

Hope you all are enjoying that cold weather.

All the best,

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 9:07 am Post subject:

Tom, what a great looking spot. Can't believe they're paying you for it either, got any vacancies? As for the 31 footer, I hope there are some plans to put some sort of personnel protection on it, the folks they interdict may have hostile intent and it's awfully open.

Have a safe trip, give our best to Kathy, Kids and Kritters...

Charlie and Sally

TyBoo · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 9:29 am Post subject:

Oh no! If Red Fox sees that boat, we'll lose him from the Pub for sure. It's got Yamaha written all over it!

Tom - thanks so much for posting those pictures. That's a fascinating career you chose. You look like you are working hard for your new boss.

El and Bill · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 1:13 pm Post subject:

Tom --
Great pics -- but we might prefer the white sands down near Mombasa -- fewer interdictions, perhaps. Looking forward to cruising with you and the family in Chesapeake this spring, if you're home long enough to do another picnic and cruise dinner together. Best wishes to you all.

Otter-BelleHavenMarina · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 7:29 am Post subject:

Absolutely looking forward to a Chesapeake cruise with you this summer, El and Bill. All along the coast here is beautiful cruising, but there are none of the usual amenities, such as marinas or gas docks. Fuel is obtained by pulling up on a beach and hitching a ride with your jerry cans to a local gas station. Locals often arrange with suppliers to bring 55-gallon drums with hand cranks down to the beach, but sometimes the fuel is iffy.

Regarding the banditos, its not like the caribbean drug running scene. Smugglers here use slow moving dhows and just blend in with the crowd. Armed resisitance is rare - of course, that could always change.

The luxury dhow Tusitiri often takes people up north, almost all the way to the Somali border, where there the beaches are truly isolated and unspoiled. The operators say that there are warrens of estuaries that are filled with wildlife and waterfowl, and dinner every night is fresh seafood pulled from the sea just hours before. Would love to come back here someday with the family in vacation mode.

Cheers,

Aiviq · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:43 am Post subject:

I lived in Nairobi for 3 years, and made it down to the coast a couple of times. Beautiful area. Really makes you wish you could bring your C-Dory! I must have just taken I ride on the "ordinary dhow", though. I remember paying considerably less than $1,500 a day.

Jim

Otter-BelleHavenMarina · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 10:10 am Post subject:

Exactly what I was thinking, Jim. If I ever come out here for a long tour, I would be tempted to pack the Otter into a container and take her along. Unfortunately, the word on four-stroke engines here is not good -- the fuel quality gives them fits, and there are no certified mechanics. I revisited your photo album and love the look of your unique Aiviq.
Cheers,