Mombasa: Where Digital Nomads Go to Get Lost in the Spice Trade
so i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 19.13 degrees, feels like 19.37, which is basically perfect if you're trying to avoid both sweating and shivering while you work. the humidity's at 87%, so yeah, bring your dehumidifier or just embrace the tropical sauna vibe. pressure's 1012, sea level, which means the ocean's basically breathing on your face. grnd level's 877, which is way lower than my motivation on monday mornings. anyway, this is why i'm writing this from a cafe with a view of dhow boats instead of my actual desk in nairobi.
*here's the thing about mombasa: it's not just a city, it's a sensory overload wrapped in a spice market. the air smells like cloves and desperation (the good kind, for tourists). if you get bored, lamu island is just a short drive away, but honestly, who drives when you can sail? someone told me that the old fort has ghosts who only speak swahili, but i think they're just really into their phones.
gear list:
- one laptop that's seen better days
- a power bank that charges slower than a tortoise on vacation
- a hat that's more for shade than style
- a notebook filled with half-baked ideas and coffee stains
pro-tip: if you're looking for a coworking space, avoid the one near the mosque on friday afternoons. someone told me that the wifi cuts out when the call to prayer starts, which is...ironic.
reviews: i heard that the jomo kenyatta beach hotel has wifi that works better than my ex's promises, but the breakfast buffet is a free-for-all. someone also mentioned that the mombasa marine park is great for snorkeling, but bring your own mask because theirs are...questionable.
local gossip: the sultan's palace is closed for renovations, but the guards still stand there looking majestic. someone said they saw a monkey stealing a banana from a tourist, which is basically the highlight reel of mombasa life.
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tags:* travel, mombasa, digital nomad, chaos, spice trade