Day 16 (Mon, 23 July) - Mtoi Andei

Got up early to a warm but overcast day.

Left Tsavo East and headed off to Mtoi Andei. Mtoi Andei is a town about halfway between Mombasa and Nairobi on the main road that links the two cities. It's basically a truck stop; complete with large petrol stations and small hotels.

Joshua suggested that since we had about 4 nights worth of camping ahead of us we might appreciate staying in a hotel for the night. We readily agreed and so checked into a rather large roadside hotel.

Not exactly comfortable but we managed to have strip washes and washed some clothes.

This is also the time that the Goatee first appeared. Sarb's top lib was quite blistered by this stage and his beard was beginning to entertain some of the local wildlife. So he decided the best thing to do would be to shave his beard into a Goatee. Jo was not impressed. However Sarb rather liked the effect.

Lazed around and went for lunch at the place Joshua and Issa were staying at. They were lodging in the market area of the town in a small guest house that allowed people to use their kitchens for a fee.

Issa cooked a fab spag bol and meatball pasta.

Afterwards we talked about Kenyan politics before Joshua walked us back to our hotel. On the way, he disappeared into a shop and came out clutching two cans of Redd's which he gave to us. This is the only alcoholic drink he now consumes and he swears by it. Very nice it is too. Redd's is a cider that is quite refreshing and about 5% alcohol, so not too bad on the buzz scale.

We lazed around for the rest of the afternoon until Joshua picked us up for dinner. Issa made the best meal we've had. Chapatis with a beef stew. Lovely.

After dinner Jo and I picked up some more Redd's and turned in to a very good nights kip.