Kenya!

So there we were in November last year with some lovely leave available and nowhere to go! What a wonderful position to be in! We didn't want to spend too much as we'd had quite a lot of expense with the house during the year, (what's new?!!) so we decided to look for a good "all-in deal" - somewhere to just laze around, swim, walk on the beach, etc (the kind of holiday we actually rarely do!)
We found it at "Papillon Lagoon Reef" at Diani Beach, Kenya!
We went there at the end of November for a week and had an 'all-inclusive package' which meant accommodation, all meals (including afternoon tea!) and both soft and alcoholic drinks!!! wahaaaay!!!!
We were concerned that it would be pretty basic but decided that we'd just have a rage whatever!
Here's the web link for those interested: http://www.rexresorts.com/_africa/_papillon_lagoon_reef/index.html
Overall it was pretty cool, the room was basic but no less than expected and it did have a great view. We had a balcony, with table and chairs, overlooking the garden and beach and we had a fridge in our 'beachfront room' which was very handy as it was sizzling there!
The food was amazing! We could honestly find absolutely nothing to complain about, there was a massive selection at all meals and as fast as dishes were emptied they were replenished - something you don't often see!! And, most importantly, the food was delicious!
The setting was great, the beach was beautiful although there were lots of 'beach boys' who terrorised the merry hell out of many of the tourists there (especially the English! Shame!). We actually chatted to quite a few Brits who admitted to being scared to even walk on the beach as they found the boys too persistent and quite aggressive when they wouldn't buy anything from them, etc.
We went for quite a few walks and runs on the beach and often went in the sea late afternoon (which was like a bath!) and had no real problems from the boys but, of course, we're used to all that!
Finally the drinks...........there was a 'swim-up' bar in the pool and a bar overlooking the beach (drinks served in plastic cups here - not great but good enough!). When you ate, your drinks were served at your table in 'proper glasses'!!
The pool was massive and very nice (very hot too!!) although they did have times when they did entertainment which was a pain, but again, to be expected at a resort like that.
The beach bar was also used for evening entertainment after dinner and after checking it out on our first night we gave it a miss after that! It was mainly a DJ gabbling away loudly into his microphone and playing cheesy music or a band playing cheesy music! But hey! generally people seemed to be enjoying themselves and dancing, etc, so good for them I say!
We got a taxi to the tiny Diani shopping centre on about our second day and bought some wine and beer for our room which we could keep in the fridge and enjoy after dinner, on our balcony, as we watched the shimmering, moonlit waves lapping the shore....................ho hum.....................................................

our room
the shimmering, moonlit waves.....(from our balcony)
sitting in the lunch area
feeling full after an evening meal!
looking gorgeous after an evening meal!

lunch area by pool

CAUTION! MALE PIN-UP BELOW!

early morning run

When we got back to Johannesburg we spent a few nights at The Balalaika Hotel which is our favourite hotel! We were lucky enough to get upgraded to a suite as I have my prokard which guarantees an automatic upgrade subject to availability!

http://www.balalaika.co.za/

We just did the usual Jo'burg stuff for a few days: shopping, eating, drinking and more shopping before flying home to our 'kids' and a quick preparation for my parents arrival about four days later!!