Monkeys, Ocean Clean-Ups, and a Long Walk Home

We woke to the sound of footsteps above our heads.

For a brief moment, I wasn’t quite sure what was making that loud, fast, unmistakably wild noise. Monkeys.

They were chasing each other across the roof, jumping from one side to the other, their footsteps echoing against the corrugated metal. Sleep was no longer an option.

But as we stepped outside, the early wake-up suddenly didn’t feel so bad at all. The sun was just beginning to rise, the ocean still calm and peaceful, and the world felt quietly awake. Between the movement on the roof and the soft light over the water, it was one of those unexpected moments you don’t plan, but wouldn’t want to miss.

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Later that day, while we were sitting together playing cards, our attention kept drifting back to the ocean. The wind had picked up again, and a few kitesurfers were out, gliding across the water and jumping over the waves. It was hard to focus on the game with such a view in front of us.

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In the late afternoon, we headed down to the beach. We swam, watched the sunset, and enjoyed the soft sand beneath our feet.

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Assunta quickly made new friends, and at one point it looked as though she was teaching them how to swim.

Later she told me, a little surprised,“You know, they all stay in the shallow water because they can’t swim, and they’re between 11 and 16.”

It made her pause and reflect on something we so often take for granted.

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As the evening came to an end, we collected a few bags of flip-flops and plastic bottles, things the OceanSole Mamaz can upcycle or sell. It felt good to contribute, even in a small way.

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This morning, we joined the OceanSole coastal clean-up again, this time together with a group of local fishermen. These are the same fishermen who have been trained not only to keep the beaches clean, but also to protect turtles caught in their nets. Some of them now even work as rangers, patrolling the beaches and monitoring the nests.

We collected rubbish together, sorted it, and learned which materials can be reused and which cannot. One fisherman had made a beautiful bag himself from old flip-flops, an impressive example of creativity and resourcefulness.

At the end, we said our goodbyes to the Ocean Sole team, people who have opened so many doors for us over the past weeks and introduced us to the Mamaz, the turtle project, the children’s home, and the fishermen. https://www.oceansole.org/our-impact With our departure coming closer, we felt especially grateful for everything we were able to experience and learn here.

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On the way home, we decided to walk along the beach. Google Maps suggested about an hour.

It took us nearly two.

The tide was low, the sun was strong, and the distance somehow longer than expected. By the time we spotted a kitesurfer near our house, we knew we were finally close, and we were very ready to arrive.

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The rest of the day unfolded quietly. We enjoyed the house, the beach, and simply being here. In the afternoon, we met friends again, and the children proudly presented their newly learned card tricks. Watching their excitement when a trick worked was the perfect ending to the day.

Tomorrow will be our last full day in Kilifi.

We feel both a little sad to leave, and excited for what lies ahead.

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