I only spent a weekend in this city, but one thing that struck me about Mombasa is its mixture of modern age and a timeless Arabic history. On one hand you have the old town with its very old Arabic architecture and on the other, you have a dynamic, bustling city with very new buildings. From the moment one steps into the city however, you are impressed with the strength of the Arabic influence.

The most noticeable of sites is old Fort Jesus, which was built in the 1500s. It was originally built by the Portuguese, but was later taken over by the Arabs. It is built in the shape of a human being with a head, two arms and legs. Very fascinating. The old town is where the Arabs used to live ­ located just next to the fort. I was particularly happy to note that it has been kept in its original form as much as possible, adding all the more to its enchantment. More fascinating is that people still live in these homes which are over 500 years old. They still retain their old shape with the only exception being that they have been renovated.

And then there's the beach - my favorite of all. With its white sands, vibrant blue skies and waters... Pure paradise! I think there is something, my being from a land locked country, that makes me take to the ocean so much. I hope you enjoy these photos of Mombasa as much as I enjoy visiting.