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@Guka/ Mukiha/ SimonKabz/ JKMwatha/ McReggea...question on coast roads
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Djinn
#1 Posted : Friday, March 12, 2010 1:56:03 PM
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Joined: 11/13/2008
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If one wanted to get to Diani WITHOUT going via Mombasa especially not via Likoni Ferry....is there a "good" alternative by branchin off at miritini/mariakani onward to Kinango then Kwale then Ukunda?...

For now my definition of good is...

Good = average 70kph through the section
Good = arriving with all bolts and nuts, lumbar verterbrae, atlas and axis still functioning...

Any details on how many more km/hours this adds? Looking at Google maps it looks like its abt 20% more than via Mombasa-Likoni.

Any advice most appreciated...
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Djinn
#2 Posted : Friday, March 12, 2010 2:07:23 PM
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Failing that, whats the latest on the Likoni Ferry? Crossing time used to be about 15-20 minutes...I hear its about an hour now...I'd rather use that hour driving than sitting in the stifling heat...
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Wa_ithaka
#3 Posted : Friday, March 12, 2010 2:40:48 PM
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Location: nbi
Its 3+ hours on a bad day
The Governor of Nyeri - 2017
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Magigi
#4 Posted : Saturday, March 13, 2010 2:47:11 AM
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Location: Kenya
...if you have to use the ferry, be there at 8.00 am. After two or there trips the engine overheats and thats when it stalls...
... If you are going with family, get them life jackets - Dont take no chances brother...
...the other ferries on the way from Germany are also faulty. They were condemned long time ago
...our woes are not ending any time soon.
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simonkabz
#5 Posted : Saturday, March 13, 2010 6:26:55 AM
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No idea on that one my dear brother. Also curious to know.
TULIA.........UFUNZWE!
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Djinn
#6 Posted : Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:29:29 AM
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Joined: 11/13/2008
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Magigi wrote:
...if you have to use the ferry, be there at 8.00 am. After two or there trips the engine overheats and thats when it stalls...
... If you are going with family, get them life jackets - Dont take no chances brother...
...the other ferries on the way from Germany are also faulty. They were condemned long time ago
...our woes are not ending any time soon.


@Magigi - thanks - that's useful advice about the timing though it might be hard to make it by eight unless we stay overnight on the Island (which is an option). Planned arrival is around midday (leaving at five am). The other option would be to leave is to do some night driving :(

Abt the life jackets - no good. You will recall with Mtongwe, a good number of those who drowned were capable swimmers who got latched on and dragged to the depths by non-swimmers...a very frightening prospect...

Does anyone know if the ferry operates late at night?
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Djinn
#7 Posted : Saturday, March 13, 2010 11:44:17 AM
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From this link http://omba4kenya.blogsp...2008_07_01_archive.html it appears there IS a way aroun but via Mazeras not Mariakani. Search for the words "beat the ferry" on that page
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Njung'e
#8 Posted : Sunday, March 14, 2010 7:46:06 AM
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@Djinn,
I have always used the Likoni route.......but i have heard of Ndongo Kundu blah,blah by-pass (a mirage maybe).....and why?.Do you fear ferries?.They are not that risky.
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
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Djinn
#9 Posted : Monday, March 15, 2010 1:11:51 PM
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@njung'e - no I do not fear ferries and I am sure I am capable enough to swim across the Kilindini channel (having done at least two triathlons in my life - brag, brag....)

What I am unsure about, as I pointed out above, is, whether I can swim halfway across with 5 coastarians clutching on to me while I myself try to save my kids and wife....I think you will agrees it would be a bit tricky even with life jackets....I am sure you know that many of those that went to the dark depths at Mtongwe were dragged down by stupid groups of people who thought floating individuals could save them...

So, I fear not the ferry, rather what would happen to those dear to me...
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Djinn
#10 Posted : Wednesday, March 17, 2010 11:33:03 AM
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Today's (17 March 2010) Daily Nation Page 8 - photo about stalled ferry ....
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mukiha
#11 Posted : Wednesday, March 17, 2010 12:51:07 PM
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I was in Diani last Xmas and the Likoni ferry was not that bad. Average Waiting time was 15 to 30 minutes....but that was 3 months ago.

I've heard of some by-pass routes but have never used them: (1) Miritin - Kinango - Kwale - Diani OR (2) Mazeras - Kinango - Kwale - Diani.

Perhaps you can try them out and let us know
Nothing is real unless it can be named; nothing has value unless it can be sold; money is worthless unless you spend it.
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Djinn
#12 Posted : Wednesday, March 17, 2010 1:08:53 PM
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@Mukiha - I will most certainly do that (last week of April). I may even include pictures if the road is especially bad/good - assuming I can figure out how to insert pictures in this forum.

I am more inclined to try the Mazera's route.

Funny thing, when you ask Google Maps to advise of a route...starting in Nairobi...it directs one to ...(drum roll)....Thika Road!!!...Garissa Road!!!!....etc and somehow ending up in Diani - and it gives the total distance as abt 950 km (which I do not dispute since it calculates the distance via Thika, Garissa...). Google Maps IS useful for navigation (if you have GPS on your mobile). But right now its directions feature is no good. Download free for Windows Mobile 6/Blackberry and I believe some models of Nokia...
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Njung'e
#13 Posted : Wednesday, March 17, 2010 1:28:48 PM
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I have a feeling it's the road that joins Kwale near the southern gate of Mwalughanje elephant sanctuary.
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
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mukiha
#14 Posted : Thursday, March 18, 2010 6:30:06 AM
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@Njung'e; probably, and the last time I visited that area (2006, I think), the section from Shimba Hills to Mwaluganje was not interesting.... but the Elephants made up for the rough ride. TOO MANY of them to the point KWS had to trans-locate some
Nothing is real unless it can be named; nothing has value unless it can be sold; money is worthless unless you spend it.
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Djinn
#15 Posted : Wednesday, April 28, 2010 8:22:03 AM
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I promised to report back - sadly I did not take to road less traveled and went via the island. Arrived at the ferry around 1430 on a Saturday - took abt 1.5 hours - they have to ferry tankers alone so that exacerbated things in terms of the delay.

On return (a Wednesday), I think our timing was pretty good - crossed the ferry in about 8 minutes (the total time from arriving at the ramp, driving on and driving off).

Sadly around Makupa and Changamwe, the roads are pretty bad and very heavy traffic (matatus and 18 wheelers). Also very dusty.
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