Pumzika Bay: A Sweet Watamu Getaway!

Happy New Month lovely people! 😀 Are you by any chance, craving a beach getaway? Well Pumzika Bay is exactly what the doctor ordered, with some luscious ice-cream on top!

 

I’d been longing to feel the sand between my toes while watching the rise and fall of the ocean waves for months! So this recent visit to Watamu was an answered prayer.

And I could not have asked for better travel companions than the Watamu Crew: Kevin Gitimu, Naomi Mutua, Githinji Mwai, Jack Humphrey and Oscar Magu.

Armed with our best hopes for the trip, we waved Nairobi goodbye at about 9a.m, touching down in Malindi shortly after 10a.m.

You would think by now I’d have gotten accustomed to the laid-back Malindi air… Yet there’s a sweet sense of familiarity and ease that comes with that drive to Watamu, from Malindi.

 

I don’t know if it’s the tuktuks blaring noisily past, or the stolen glimpses of the ocean peeking through the thick Watamu forest, but there’s a nice, calming feeling to it. 🙂

 

Enter Pumzika Bay…

Naomi had graciously taken care of the house booking for us. And though I had a faint idea of what Pumzika Bay looked like, I wanted to save myself the real surprise… 🙂

 

Jimmy and Julius welcomed us warmly, in that sincere African way a mother welcomes her kids back home after a long trip! 😀

We then quickly learned that there had been a slight mix-up, as they were expecting 12 guests. For a minute there, feeling confused, we thought we’d gone to the wrong house!

Thankfully, the mix-up was sorted out, giving us a chance to now explore the rest of the house… And whoa! Nothing could have prepared us for it!

 

Travel Tip:

• Always confirm whether you’ll be charged extra for your Airbnb, depending on the number of people in your group.

 

A Haven Of Rest…

Massive windows gave way to the most glorious views of the Indian Ocean spread out like a turquoise sheet on a King Size bed!

 

My eyes slowly drank in the details of our new abode like a honeyed, tingly mocktail… Right there and then, I understood why the owner had chosen the name: Pumzika Bay.

Pumzika is a Swahili word that means- rest. And trust me, every single moment at Pumzika Bay will put your heart and mind in a state of sweet relaxation!

As Jimmy, Humphrey and Naomi went out to get our supplies, the boys wasted no time in diving into the pool for a swim.

 

I was content to look around and simply be, wanting to soak up each moment. 🙂

Located at the mouth of Mida Creek in Watamu, Pumzika Bay is a 3-storey house with 6 spacious, en-suite bedrooms.

The open-plan living room area is furnished with an expansive dining table, a small-ish library, comfy lounge chairs and a lavish counter-top with high chairs. It maintains an antique coastal feel, even with its modern features.

Moreover, with its proximity to the ocean, the entire house feels breezy all through the day and night.

 

>>A stay at Pumzika Bay costs Kes. 25,000, per night for 6 people, with full access to the premises and Chef services.

>>You’ll need to purchase the food items in advance, for the Chef to prepare.

>>Pets are allowed, though you’ll be responsible for their safety.

 

Like a Coastal Food Bonanza!

Soon enough, Jimmy and Julius went to work preparing our lunch. They’d purchased an enormous Red Snapper that would form the base for most of our meals.

The scent emanating from the kitchen was wildly tantalizing! Jimmy, who’s been a Chef for 23 years makes cooking look like child’s play. He is at great ease in the kitchen, moving around like a Master Chef lost in his own world of recipes. And when he emerges, the result is always a masterpiece!

Julius, on the other hand, is the quieter one of the pair. Soft-spoken, you’ll spot him moving around making sure everything is where it should be. Together, they make a great team!

Our first meal was fish cooked in a thick, creamy coconut paste, accompanied by rice and greens. Though it may sound like a simple meal, it tasted anything but!

 

I can almost taste the richness of the dish as I write this now, a few weeks later. Slurp! 😀

One of my favourite meals from the trip was what Jimmy calls Potato Bologire. I don’t know if it’s the native waru-loving Kikuyu in me, but that dish was a wonder! 🙂

 

When the Ocean Beckons…

Later that evening, we ventured out to the beach, a short walk from Pumzika Bay.

It was mostly covered with seaweed, and since the tide was high we didn’t have much beach left. Even so, just being there felt like a funky treat at Christmas!

Kevin, whose love for water runs deep, had the most fun, running in the water without a care in the world!

 

Feeling the sand on my toes, and that endless motion of the water running back and forth gave me such inexplicable joy. In those moments, my being felt at peace with Mother Nature. 🙂

 

Back at the house, we spent a good chunk of the evening catching up on 2 years’ worth of stories, since our last Watamu escapade.

And when I finally went to bed, I slept soundly through the night. This was a pleasant surprise as I struggle with sleeping in new places. My bed and pillow felt just right. 🙂

The rest of our days at Pumzika Bay flew by…  Unrushed and unscripted, offloading the past and writing new, better memories.

 

***

Travel Tips:

• Remember to bring board games, especially if you have kids to help keep them occupied.
• Plan your meals with the chef in advance, before purchasing the supplies.  Allow him some freedom to surprise you.
• Don’t visit Pumzika Bay when you are on a tight schedule. It’s perfect for when you want to unwind and retreat from the real world.
• If you want to do outdoor activities, ask Jimmy/Julius to recommend affordable options.
• Check out this post on: Things To Do In Watamu

 

***

Many thanks to Jimmy and Julius for hosting us ever so hospitably! And Cheers to my fun travel companions, the Watamu Crew!

---

 

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this post! I would love to read your feedback/questions… So leave a comment down below, and I’ll be certain to respond! 🙂

 

 

<<Stay. Inspired. Always>>