December is usually the time of the short rains in Kenya. I say usually because these days the tropics are especially affected by climate change so nothing is certain when it comes to weather. It is also the hottest time of the year, and in the upcountry regions, the season for planting. Here on Lamu Island (above) it is also tourist time, although the year we spent Christmas there it was scarcely crowded. ThisĀ photo was taken on Christmas Eve as the sun was setting. There were about six other people on the beach. Earlier that day we had arrived in a sudden squall which made the dhow crossing to Lamu from the air field on Manda Island a touch exciting. We visitors all huddled under the awning while the stalwart captain kept us on course across a choppy, foggy strait.
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Most of our Christmases were spent on Tiwi beach south of Mombasa. Not a busy place either. Hereās the sunrise over the lagoon at Maweni one Christmas morning long ago.
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And some ageing views of the lagoon in head-on sunshine:
Thursdayās Special ~ please visit Paula to see her colour prompts. As you might conclude, they include aquamarine, cyan and golden.
Tish Farrell 
What lovely places to spend Christmas.
They were!
What beautiful memories of Christmas.
Thanks, Leya. We were very lucky to have so much time there.
I really love your Africa pictures and the stories that go with them. I always wanted to go to Africa, although oddly, Garry wasn’t really interested. HE wanted to go to Scotland and Ireland. Hot places are beautiful in the cold months!
Very nice photos–thank you for sharing!
Oh, what marvellous memories, Tish!
Thanks, Sue. We did have some very good times. Seems a bit dreamlike now though. In fact even back then it did.
In another universe, almost…
Exactly. Once when my well-travelled sister came to stay for Christmas and we went to Tiwi and were sitting on the beach, she asked in very serious if not perplexed tones if I thought it was real. I think it probably was a parallel universe.
To an extent, you get out of yourself, and out of the world….
That is very well put š
Thanks, Tish!
Yes, it’s very lovely. Do you have any more thoughts on how climate change is affecting the weather there?
I can see it’s not just now that we should be taking fantasy vacations to live as Tish Farrell. This was always the case!
Hi there, Swarn. For most of my life I went to very few places. Then I met an entomologist and struck lucky š š
He helped you get out of your cocoon? š
Nicely put, sir.
You must have had great times, Tish
We did. Kenya and Kenyans very kind to us.
This is good to hear. I think I have said it before, you do more work in one post than Kenya tourism board does in 3 months
That is a very big compliment. Cheers, Mak.
Lovely memories. Oh, how I wish I was spending Christmas in the summer sunshine instead of this interminable wetness!!
Me too. Wenlock is one slithery, claggy swamp. All day drizzle here today too.
How beautiful and what a wonderful way to spend Christmas
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Wow, lovely sunset scenery. And that lone photo of a man on the boat, so beautiful.
He was a nice little gift wasn’t he, poised so beautifully. Thanks, Arlene.
Yes š
What a beautiful little adventure for the shortest day of the year! Thank you for sharing, Tish. Those colours are so lovely to see in complete contrast to all the warm colours of Christmas.
Glad you liked this little trip, Ali.
So lovely Tish what a memorable Christmas it must have been there, I bet you dream of this place all the time š
It does sneak into much of my writing, Athena. And in case I don’t get another chance, wishing you lots of festive cheer and bright horizons in 2019.
Lovely images Tish. We have had incredible extremes of weather this past week down in South Africa. Not at all serene as in your past Christmases. All the best to you for this Christmas.
And all the very best to you too, Carol, and may you have quieter weather.
Thanks Tish.
Beautiful memories you had there, Tish. It was too bad, I had no chance to visit the coastal area of Kenya…
Maybe you’ll get there one day, Nurul. Happy festive season to you.
Thank you, Tish. Same to you…
Wonderful colors and I especially like the boatman silhouette. Merry Christmas Tish.
All good wishes to you too, Ruth.
Thanks Tish
Precious memories. ā¤
Indeed! Happy New Year Fab Four.
Such a privilege that you shared these for my challenge, Tish. I love your oldies, and this new header is amazing!!! Best wishes for 2019!
Lovely to hear from you, Paula. Happy New Year to you. And thank you for liking my pix and new header š