Last year around this time, I wrote about the sad state of affairs regarding the coastal town of Mombasa. While I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Diani Beach on the southern coastal area, I decried about the poor state of the area.
This time round we decided postpone our travel to Kenya and instead vacation in Hilton Head Island situated off the eastern seaboard of America in the Carolina's. I didn't know what to expect but I was looking forward to compare the vacation to the one we took last year.
The few days that we stayed in this Island has certainly left me with a lasting impression. And it's not just me. Although the Island is much smaller than Lamu or Mombasa, approximately 2 million visitors bring with them $1.5 billion per year.
So what is the secret to the Island's success?
Tranquility - Unlike Mombasa where you are accosted every minute by cab drivers, curio vendors and beach boys, I am yet to receive a solicitation. From the airport and along the beaches, there is no one hustling visitors.
Cleanliness - It's amazing that most, if not all the beaches are open to members of the public yet they are spotlessly clean. If you think this is no big deal, try Mama Ngina Drive beach in Mombasa. I'm not sure who is responsible for cleaning up the beaches cause even ocean front hotels don't control the beaches adjoining their properties.
Transport - I know this is America but I haven't seen a single taxi over here except those at the airport. Without a rental car, you either rent a bicycle or it's bust. Adjoining all the roads are walkways for pedestrians or cyclists.
Food - My biggest beef with Kenyan coastal tourism is the lack of restaurants. Because of this, most vacationers are forced to eat where they are staying. As they say, you can't beat Americans when it comes to dining eating. There are countless of restaurants on this Island. In fact, on checking in at the hotel, we were given a booklet containing menus from over 130 restaurants.
Activities - Ever tried the activities offered in Mombasa? They are way over-priced and you don't get a choice of vendors. Here you will find numerous places offering motorized water sports, dolphin tours, deep sea fishing and golf, just to name a few. You could easily spend two weeks over here and not get bored. And if you are not into activities, you can choose to attend the events being held on the Island.
Shopping - Although we've only been to the Wal-mart to buy beach accessories, there are a couple of strip malls available for people to indulge in the favorite American past time. Try shopping in Mombasa.
Security - Although I've never been attacked or robbed in Kenya, security and theft in particular can be an issue in Mombasa. On the other hand, I have not yet seen a single policeman or patrol car. May be it's because most people here drive very slowly as they are going no where and therefore there is no need for traffic police.
Price - While good beach vacations are not cheap, the price is comparable to that which we paid to holiday in Mombasa. Add the airfare to Kenya, and you have the Mombasa vacation costing an arm and a leg. Fortunately, our travels to Kenya are to visit family and friends. Because the beaches are all accessible to the public, you have a greater choice of accommodation and thus can save a lot on hotel costs.
Overall, I am impressed by the place and if I was an American, I would think hard if I wanted to go on a beach vacation in Kenya. We are definitely going to come back here again and it would not surprise me if we became repeat visitors.