We all love to travel, to get away from something, to escape the hustles and bustles of daily life or simply to find ourselves. I loved travelling alone, going to the unknown, just packing a bag and getting away fast without a care in the world. That was a few years ago, when the only responsibility I had, was browsing through magazines, figuring which celebrity wore it best, but now with work, trying to make ends meet and a landlord expecting his rent at the end of the month, travelling and exploring Kenya has not been on top of my list. But why do we assume that we always need to have a lot of money to travel? I have explored Mombasa and other parts of this country without having to break an arm and a leg. Travelling is not always about how much you’re going to spend, rather about absorbing the beauty in nature, allowing it to leave you speechless and let it turn you into a storyteller; here are a few places that have given me some peace of mind when I was really searching for it:
Lamu Island
This enchanting island has a way of always taking you back into time; the endless white sandy beaches, the simple way of life makes you feel like you have escaped back into time and landed in a hypnotic, exotic island! I got absorbed in the architecture of the old buildings, the beautiful people and the amazing culture in Lamu. Soak up the sun, walk down the narrow streets and get let the tide lead you to this unique paradise!
Kisumu City
I’m a sucker for sunsets, as much as I love my Mombasa, sometimes I need to get away from it. Kisumu always has a way of giving me the adventure, peace and relaxation I need. Not to mention the breathtaking sunsets that are always so captivating to capture in this beautiful but hot city.
Nyahururu
The cool weather, the scenic landscape and the simple way of life, that’s what makes this place a favorite for me. It’s not always about the beaches and wildlife, sometimes it’s just about the trees, the waterfalls and feeling free. That’s the experience I always get when I visit this town.
Diani
There’s something about Diani that one can never quite explain. Diani always has a way of calming you, helping you find yourself and bring out the wild side in you all at the same time! This place always holds a special place in my heart, the white sandy beaches and the lovely restaurants that it has to offer!
Malindi
A big umbrella casting shade over an empty chair, palm trees all around you, the warm breeze blowing on your face, idyllic shores and a feeling of being in Rome, that’s the feeling you get in Malindi! The vibrant nightlife and easy way of life in this city can get quite addictive!
Voi
I’m not a cliché always going on safari kind of person, but being out in the wild in any of the game parks in Voi, enjoying the beauty that nature has to offer is always an experience worth doing over and over again!
I travel not to escape life, as much as I always do it trying to, but I travel so that life can’t escape from me. There’s nothing quite satisfying as getting to travel and see life in a different point of view, whenever you have the chance, travel and get to know your beautiful country, it’s a big world out there, it would be a shame if you didn’t experience it!
This post was written by Marion Vionna. She is a natural hairstylist, writer, introvert who has open conversations with the voices in her head, beautifully human inside and out, trying to figure the knots and tangles that life brings her way. Check out her work on her blog.