Tsavo > Lamu

From our tiny charter plane, we stepped directly onto the tarmac in Lamu and walked to the dock, where a speedboat waited to whisk us across the water to Manda Island, home to our hotel. The transition felt cinematic — bush plane to boat in a matter of minutes — and just like that, we were gliding toward the quiet rhythm of island life.

Before fully settling in, we made a quick detour to Lamu Town, hoping to attend Ash Wednesday service at a Catholic church there. Unfortunately, it was closed, but my mom still took a photo in front of it — a small but meaningful memory from the day.

Lamu Town is part of Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that truly feels like stepping back in time. Dating back to the 16th century, it is one of the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlements in East Africa. Wandering its narrow alleyways, with carved wooden doors and centuries-old coral stone buildings, you can almost feel the layers of history beneath your feet.

But the highlight of our time on Manda Island was, without question, a sunset dhow cruise through the mangroves. It was peaceful in a way that quiets your entire nervous system — no engines, no crowds, just wind and water. We sailed on our very own traditional dhow, snacking on samosas and nuts while sipping wine as the sky shifted from gold to blush to deep indigo.

At one point, our first mate Tito climbed barefoot up the mast with effortless balance to capture incredible overhead photos of us against the glowing horizon.

Glorious.