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Sandy Beaches:
Malindi has 155 kilometres of coastline with idyllic silver
beaches fringed with swaying palm trees, Casuarinas and
frangipani. The beaches are extensive and provide panoramic views
of the ocean. The beaches are a paradise of sun and sand and
protected from the sea marauders by wall of fringing reef.
Watamu and Malindi Marine Parks:
These parks were established in 1968 and are the first of
their kind in Africa. The ocean blue waters here host a wide
variety of corals. Within the coral kingdoms that abound herein,
multi-coloured fishes can be seen ducking in and out of this
extensive reef. The coral gardens offer spectacular areas for
goggling. In these gardens you are bound to see different species
of coral fish like the Angelfish, Butterfly fish, Triggerfish and
even have an opportunity of watching the Surgeonfish at work.
Many glass-bottomed boats to take you for tours in the coral
gardens are available. Scuba diving can also be arranged within
the hotels.
Gede Ruins
The Gede Ruins are located in Gede off the Malindi-Mombasa
Road along the road to Watamu. It dates back to the late 13th
century and was abandoned in the early 17th century. The exact
reason as to why the town was abandoned is not actually known
though it is assumed that the town was plundered and destroyed by
unknown invaders in the 17th century. Another school of thought
alleges that the inhabitants of the town abandoned it after
receding ocean waters depleted the available water from their
wells. In 1927, the Gede ruins were declared a historic monument
and much excavation and preservation work was carried out such
that large areas of this ancient town are now revealed, including
the pillar tombs, the palace and a great mosque. A Nature Trail
of deciduous forests dominates the inner and outer walls of the
ruins bearing testimony to the vegetation that used to exist in
this place before colonisation by humans. A small museum has
been set up to exhibit ancient Arab, Chinese and Phoenician
porcelain excavated from the ruins. Guided walks can also be
arranged. |
