We are having a lovely time spending the day at the hotel. The tropical setting is just gorgeous –
I woke up to my wake up call at 8 this morning and started the day with 20 minutes of Power Yoga! YogaDownload’s tagline is “Take Yoga Anywhere” and I suppose taking it to Africa is an appropriate use! I put a big towel down and had a nice stretching flow.
Kelly and I met for breakfast at 9. The restaurant area is open and airy and very tropical.
The buffet had a huge variety of items:
- A huuuge table of breads (I wanted to try them all)
- Fresh tropical fruits
- A whole line of FRESH fruit juices and purees, such as sweet melon, mango and cucumber juice!
- A full hot buffet with oat porridge, eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans (for the Brits!), vegetables, crepes and waffles, hash potatoes
- Cereals with milk and yogurt
- Toppings such as pistachios, fennel seeds, dried fruit + nuts
- A whole spread of cured meats, smoked fish, olives and cheeses!
I chose a slice of dark bread with preserves, a banana, some OATS topped with macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, prunes, raisins and fennel seeds, a crepe with chocolate syrup (gotta have it!) and a piece of bacon and smoked salmon eggs for a little protein.
Plus a coffee. It was very interesting in flavor – kind of burnt with almost a floral aroma.
The Food Of The Day is definitely the MANGO JUICE!! It’s really just like a pureed mango. SO DELICIOUS!! I had a small glass to finish off breakfast
Kelly and I went to the gift shop, which had some really cool items! I got a few things for friends and family 😉
Cool decor in the lounge!!
Then we got a tour of the spa, which is HUGE and very nice!! The workout room is awesome and they have aerobics and YOGA classes that are free!! I’m hoping to maybe do yoga on Friday when we return.
Then we spent the morning poolside and did some swimming! I did about 20 laps back and forth in the pool. I would have stayed in longer had the sun night been so bright on my delicate skin.
I am actually typing this post by the pool thanks to wireless internet!! Technology is amazing.
Around 1:30 we changed and went to the buffet lunch.
To drink, I had to have more of that mango paradise!
This glass was huge and is probably to blame for my fullness right now. I drank about 75% and couldn’t fit any more.
The buffet featured a large variety of choices, including a lot of Indian dishes. To try. It was heavy for lunch but I’m staying away from raw veggies + salads and dairy as advised by seasoned travelers.
Cauliflower, okra (which was spicy and divine), breads, an Indian vegetable medley in a masala saucre (also really good and I put peanuts on top), a piece of fish, 2 tiny roll halves (the lighter brown one was amazing!)…
Mutton (!), chicken, jasmine rice with chutney and chiles
And naan, a chip-like bread and a breadstick
I ate about 75% of this and left most of the naan, rice and fish and a roll
They had TONS of cute little desserts. I wanted to try them all, but I knew I wouldn’t feel so great if I did. So I chose this Mocha Panna Cotta for the cute blog-friendly cup! I only had a few small bites and didn’t eat the whipped cream 🙁
We’re poolside again after lunch and might change back into our suits for more swimming. I’ve been in the shade except for my short swim and can tell my arms got some sun. I’d love to swim some more. but I don’t think even SPF 30 would save me.
Kelly and I are planning to go to the health club for some exercise after we digest for a while. I hope we get to meet some more of our group later! We should by dinnertime.
Karibu!
zestycook says
So glad you are having a great time! Food looks wonderful… I am slightly jealous to say the least.
zest!
polly says
Hi Kath!!
Thank you for blogging while in Africa! You are just too cute in your hat and I love hearing about all your travel experiences and EATS! Wowza yummy things! You enjoy every single minute. Love and big HUGS! XOXO
Aimee says
I am loving reading about your amazing trip!! Looks like the hotel is wonderful and the food delish!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
Glad you are having a good time so far!
thepinkpeppercorn says
It really looks like heaven on earth! Mango juice and all!!! Extraordinary!
Joanne says
I can’t get over the beautiful pictures! You MUST be having such a good time. Enjoy it to the max and be safe.
lauren says
wow the place looks wonderful and it sounds like your having a great time 🙂
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday says
Amazing!! Glad you are having a good time thus far!
Erica says
Oh my gosh- I’m so jealous. Enjoy every minute!!
VeggieGirl says
BEYOND PARADISE!!
Mmm, mango juice.
jen hadamer says
I LOVE your bikini!!!
Where did you get it? I must have it!!!
Thanks!
Oh She Glows says
I loved getting caught up on your travels Kath!
What an experience so far. I still can’t get over the wonderful FOOD on your flights! I have never seen plane food like that before…haha!
K says
Absolutely STUNNING! Thank you for posting the pictures 🙂 I love your new KERF pic on the side!!
Danielle says
What a beautiful hotel! thanks so much for sharing your trip, it looks so exciting!
Lisa says
How amazing! The umbrella decor is super cute. I’m so glad you’re blogging this adventure!
Alyssa says
Wow, it looks amazing there! I’m so jealous you get to be in such a tropical atmosphere, it will be interesting to see what it looks like “beyond” the hotel walls and around the area. I hope there will be more nature photos 🙂
Marilyn says
Looks like you are having a great time so far… it’s gorgeous and I love the umbrellas! Can’t wait for the rest. 🙂
Haleigh says
It looks like your having an amazing time! The food looks wonderful!
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
It looks like you’re having a fantastic time!!! Enjoy!
HangryPants says
I’m with Zesty – definitely jealous, but also so excited and happy for you! You look like you’re having a great time. I would have to SPF up every 5 minutes. 😀
Joanne says
This really does look like paradise! I’m so glad to see you’re having a good time and I liked your google status last night (about the mosquito..made me laugh, and worry for you at the same time). Keep having fun and eat good food for us!
brandi says
I am loving these posts – I was wondering what the internet access would be like there.
Everything looks beautiful!
Sarah (Tales of Expansion) says
what a lovely relaxing start to your adventure … and the food continued to astound me!
Alison says
Sooo cool, I feel like we’re really there with you! It’s so weird how your day is half over and we’re just getting started here in the US!
greenbean says
kath, you are awesome! thanks for taking us with you on this trip and keeping up with such thorough blog postings. i wish i had a plane ride in the near future. at least one with all the mixed nuts and amazing food!
Angie says
I’m loving the updates. Kinda feels like we are there with you. That resort sounds amazing.
Anna Keller says
Your hotel sounds amazing! The food, the pool, the exercise facilities…damn, I want to go to Africa!
Sharon says
Oh wow, what a paradise for sure!
Bec says
Love the flower pictures!
Sarah says
How exciting!
Everything looks beautiful, and the food looks delicious.
Glad you’re having fun!
Sarah
life coach jen says
Thank goodness they have such a great spread of food! That place looks amazing, enjoy your trip.
seelee live (for the love of peanut butter) says
wooooo-hooooo, looks amazing kath! thanks for keeping us posted-i am so hapy for ya!!
Nicole says
Wow! It looks amazing over! I’m glad you are having a great time!
Christy says
It’s fantastic to read about your adventures every day! Mango juice sounds heavenly. As does your hotel!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) says
What an amazing time you are having! That mango juice looks WONDERFUL! I can taste it now =)
Kristin says
How exciting! I feel like I’m in Africa! Thank you for sharing your trip with us! Have a fantastic trip and keep the posts coming!
sonia says
I never realized that mango juice would be something new to you. This is a staple juice for us back home in the summer. Interesting 🙂
The chip-like bread is called papadum and is made from lentils. Goes really great with chutneys and yogurt.
Glad you are having fun. Enjoy.
JENNA says
WHAT A FUN TIME!! That juice looks so thick and good!
Trina says
Your pictures look phenomenal! The food looks so appetizing and yummy. What type of camera do you use?
Hallie says
Wow looks like you’re having a great time! That hotel looks lovely.
Sara says
why don’t you spend the afternoon venturing beyond your hotel? surely there is more to see in nairobi that a hotel gym!
June says
Have a great time.
A shame you aren’t out and about exploring with such little time there.It seems the trip sponsors aren’t really giving you a true taste of Africa ,more of a luxury journey than a real look at Africa.(just my personal opinion!)
But to each their own and I certainly hope you will make it back again someday to see beyond hotel and tea estate 🙂
Safe travels and glad you are enjoying it all.Best wishes 🙂
Joanie says
What a wonderful time! Hope you don’t mind that I’m vicariously living through your vacation pics 🙂
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
Fabulous! I am warm all over just reading you!
The flowers, poolside drinks, and buffets remind me of my honeymoon!!! Hope you love the one you are with 😉
sue says
wow the pictures are gorgeous- it looks like an amazing trip so far! thanks for keeping us updated!
Jess says
For some reason I pictured you “roughing it” in Africa. Nope. 😉
Marissa says
Great photos!
Runeatrepeat says
I am loving all these pictures and eats from Africa! I want to go there now! Have fun 🙂
Maggie says
Enjoy that beautiful hotel and watch out for the sun. I spent two weeks in South Africa last year and the sun was definitely completely unlike it is here in N America. My fair-skinned husband and myself got quite the tans by the end but we used a LOT Of sunscreen. Slather it on!
Kara says
Nothing better about vacay than the food 🙂
Kori says
It’s so great that you met up with a fellow blogger and you guys can keep each other company! I hear ya with the sun sensitivity- mine gets worse the further into my 20’s I get! Sad, but PALE is the new TAN! Your bikini is very cute and you are looking very fit Kath! Must be all the oats!
ositarose says
Wow, everything looks so amazing. Enjoy the trip!
Biz says
Very brave of you to try new foods! Everything looks amazing – never thought about how hot the sun would be there – apply lots of sunscreen!
Glad you got there safely too! 😀
Alyssa says
I love the new pic at the top of your blog!
Lisa D says
wow! I want to go to Africa!! Your food looks delicious and I hope it inspires you to create some African-style meals once you’re back at home so I can copy you! Everything looks so splendid and sounds like you are enjoying your time there. did I mention I want to go to Africa?
Caitlin says
Kath, that picture of you under the umbrella is such a great picture!
becks says
Wow, skip the gym and go exploring…you are in africa on a once in a lifetime trip…why are hanging out at the hotel all day???
Natalie says
Wow..you are on my dream vacation! I can’t wait to hear more 🙂
Jenn (eating bender) says
Wow, Kath! Everything looks fantastic – truly a tropical paradise 🙂 Enjoy that fresh juice! I’m glad you’re having such a great time so far!
Lauren says
Ok, Kath… I gotta admit to my jealousy about your trip! Sounds & looks like you’re having so much fun – thanks for keeping us in the loop by blogging abroad 🙂
Meaghen says
The pictures of the flowers are so beautiful!!!
And that sky is gorgeous!! Glad you’re having so much fun and eating so much great food!
Brooke says
I can’t figure out why you in Africa. For Lipton tea? That is so cool!
Kruti says
Hey Kath!
Must be dreaming in paradise as we are enjoying an afternnon of sunshine after 4, YES, FOUR days of rain!
I have to tell you the name of “chip-like bread” !! Its call “PAPAD”. Its made from Urad Dal Flour. You can season the dough in many ways. The most popular are black pepper and garlic. It can be roasted over the flame or be fried in oil (the one on your plate looks fried!).
PS: Matt is having lots of FUN.
Take Care – Kruti
Kathleen says
Everything looks amazing, the food, the scenery, you…the whole works. Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip with us – looking forward to your next post. Matt’s posts are hilarious, you are both very lucky to have each other, too cute. :o)