Articles and Comments
The Guardian Travel Section, Saturday May 24th 2008.
Manda Island, Lamu, Kenya
Some beach resorts exclude local people, but not Manda Island, in the Lamu archipelago, just 30 minutes by boat from Lamu. Rent a thatched beach hut or treehouse with this resort, which works closely with the local community. It offers islanders a free boat service to Lamu or to nearby Shela village just five minutes across the channel. As few have their own boats, they are now able to shop or visit friends and family. The resort contributes to the school fund and sources a high proportion of food locally, especially fish and seafood.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/may/24/top100beachholidays.greentravel
The Sunday Times, 6th August 2006, Travel Section: Doc Holiday
The Patients:
Sam and Liz Hobble went into the surgery complaining of sore feet. For the past 8 years they’ve tackled a series of walking holidays, hiking in New Zealand, Canada and the mountainous bits of Europe. Now they’re ready to trade in their boots for beach shoes.
Sam says the penny dropped when they were travelling around Australia last winter and spent a few days loafing in the Whitsunday Islands: “It gave us the taste for lazy beach holidays. We loved the simplicity of it.”
They want to recapture that vibe on a weeks break in early December. They’re not looking for lluxury, but somewhere quiet and secluded on a beach, with good food and decent weather.
Prescription: Manda Island, Kenya
If Sam and Liz really want seclusion and simplicity they’ll find it on Manda close to the island of Lamu, off the coast of Kenya. There, the Diamond Beach Village is a delightful little ecoresort, with just 6 traditional thatched bandas – each with en-suite bathroom and shady porch – overlooking a spectacular white sand beach. There are no cars on Manda, you get about by boat; and days are passed lounging on hammocks, eating fresh seafood, watching spectacular sunsets, walking and snorkelling. For a does of culture, Sam and Liz can take a boat trip to historic Lamu town.
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/your_say/article700252.ece
British Airways
High Life Magazine October 2006
A more rustic place, Diamond Beach Village has bandas on the beach and a treehouse in a baobab tree that sleeps six. Perfect for peaceful beach bliss and windsurfing.
BBC Cornwall: January 2005
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/lifestyle/stories/jan_2005/manda.shtml
The Rough Guide to Kenya, Published 2006.
Much more in keeping with local sensibilities is Diamond Beach Village (Websitewww.diamondbeachvillage.com; B&B; closed April– July; 4– 5) on the southern arm of Manda. Simple s/c bandas (and a rather wacky treehouse in a baobab) ecological principles and a superb beachfront location add up to a very fine place to stay. They have evening electricity and pride themselves on great food.
For the Roughguides link click here...
