March Break

Ava enjoying the spectacular beauty of Kenya's coastline.

It is March break week for our children and we decided to make one last visit to the Indian Ocean as a family. We are staying in a beautiful holiday home in Watamu, North of Mombasa. It has been such a joy to unwind and play with our kids along this sunny coast.

Watamu and Malindi are relaxed coastal towns with great fishing and snorkeling. We have bumped into other families from our Nairobi church family that have also retreated to this beautiful part of Kenya, but, for the most part, we have been soaking in time with our kids. 

Ava and Tristan hanging out in the pool

The Gede Ruins, Watamu, Kenya

Yesterday, we took some time to visit the ruins of Gede, a Swahili/Oromo coral town that was built in the thirteenth century or earlier but abandoned in the seventeenth century. The 45-acre site was lost to the dense coastal forest until it was discovered in the 1920s and excavated by a British archeologist. 

Along with the incredible coral and plaster ruins, a small museum now sits on the road leading into the forest where artifacts of pottery, Muslim art, and jewelry are on display.

It was beautiful to see how the indigenous baobab, tamarin, and other flowering trees have taken over Gede. Along with holding the history of this once thriving walled port town, Gede is home to hundreds of Sykes monkeys and countless birds. Walking through the remains of the city, we were very aware that we were constantly being watched.

Emma and Aaron riding a tuk tuk on our adventure to Gede

The ghost trees of Gede

These ancient fig trees had once grown around tall trees in Gede. The original tree has long since died and has left the fig tree structure a hollow column that soars into the forest canopy. 

At the entrance to the central structure of Gede

Islamic writing still visible in the plaster on the inner walled section of Gede.

A giant fig tree towering over the ruins of a mosque outside the outer wall of Gede

Tristan serving us pizza back at our beach house

Tonight's feast!

We feel incredibly blessed to have been able to share these experiences with our family and to have so many wonderful memories to treasure. We continue to be grateful to God for his mercy and grace. 

Sunset over Mangrove-fringed waterways of Mida Creek