Lamu Kenya is a Medieval Stone Town Stuck in Time

The island of Lamu Kenya seems to have stopped in time and is stuck in the 14th century. This 'Robinson Crusoe' island has a quaint charm and laid back way of life and is bound to lull every visitor into its slow rhythm.

Lovely Lamu retains it ancient status thanks to its narrow and winding streets (pathways really) that cannot accommodate vehicles. Your best bet for getting by while in this island town is on foot, by dhow or donkey back.

The dhow - itself an Arabian sailing boat built using wood instead of chrome - and donkey are such an inalienable part of the town's culture that it is often joked that in Lamu, if time moves at all, it does so at the pace of a donkey or dhow.

Lamu Attractions

Every visitor to this ancient city has a full plate of Lamu attractions to savor.

The secluded Shela beach, touted as the best beach on the island, is much loved for its generous stretch of white sands and is a great spot for anyone seeking a romantic getaway.

A simple stroll along the coastline at dusk brings cozy warmth as the setting sun gently cast shadows on the lapping waters of the Indian Ocean. And to complete the fantasy, the balmy salty sea breezes caress you with a gentle spirit.

Because it is a coastal island, Lamu is also great for water sports such as snorkeling, windsurfing, diving and deep sea fishing.

There are also lots of dhows that you can use to launch expeditions to the town's constellation of islands. Pate is home to a couple of ruins, Manda hosts the busy airstrip that you will very probably land on, Kiwaiyu is simply pristine while the main island's key attractions include Old Town and a raft of museums.

If you want to take a trip back in time, head to Old Town, where thousands of donkeys plying the pathways and 'box houses' add a medieval air to Lamu. There are 23 ancient mosques to visit with each reinforcing the belief that Islam is the predominant religion in the island town.

For history enthusiasts, there are several of museums to visit. A preserved German post office symbolizes Germany's futile attempts to colonize Kenya. Lamu Museum was built in 1891 and initially served as the residence of successive British Governors. Lamu Fort was constructed over a 12-year period by the Sultan of Pate. It was completed in 1821 to secure the Sultan's commercial interests in Lamu.

While Lamu Museum is the most rewarding of them all, each museum gives you an interesting peek into the Swahili culture that pervades Lamu.

If you'd like to participate more actively in the island's unique culture that encompasses African, Arab, Turkish and Portuguese influences, the best time to visit Lamu is either during the Maulidi or the cultural festivities. The Maulidi celebrates the birth of Prophet Mohammed and during the cultural festival, you can take part in dhow and donkey racing as well as swimming and dancing competitions.

Flights

The best way to get to Lamu is by an hour's flight from Nairobi's Wilson Airport or from nearby Mombasa or Malindi. All aircraft land at Manda airstrip, which, from the main island, is a 30-minute boat ride across the harbor. If you are on a tight budget, your best bet is a bus ride from either Mombasa or Malindi.

Lamu Hotels

Accommodations on Lamu are relatively easy to locate. While you can get a room in many of the Lamu hotels and guesthouses without a reservation, the town's most popular hotels have to be booked months in advance.

Restaurants
Although the Lamu restaurants cater for a variety of tastes, the seafood here is particularly good. Order dinner in the morning and a fisherman will be sent out to catch the order during the day. There is nothing more fulfilling than tucking into delicious fish or shellfish that was caught only a few hours before dinner.

Most of the restaurants are very romantic - open air and looking out over the vast ocean. Some of the local specialties include lobster, prawns and parrotfish. For a more private dining experience, you can arrange a private fish barbecue on one of the small deserted islands of the Lamu archipelago.

Bottom line? There is no better Shangri-la than Lamu for a serene vacation away from the trappings of modern life.