The Mombasa Ferry

A quick tale here about the Mombasa Ferry.

Mombasa is on an island, and in order to get anywhere south of the city, you have to get on a big ferry to take you back to the mainland.

Today, we're returning from the southern side, and trying to get back into Mombasa. Even the short trip to the ferry is difficult, as the alleyways are too busy for our tuk-tuk to navigate. We have to get out on foot and push our way through. At one corner, a lorry is trying to squeeze its way through the crowds of people, goats, motorbikes and cattle. The lorry swings around the corner just as we're passing, and pushes Chris off-balance. Fighting against the push of the massive vehicle, the tent bag rips- all things considered, we got off lightly.

On the ferry, we sit down on the top deck. The ferry is slow to depart, then stops in the middle of the channel. We spot a military boat passing the front of our ship, making its way out to sea. Then, out of nowhere, there's a massive explosion. The sound is deafening, and everyone's first reaction is one of terror. We've seen the ship fire the cannon, but to everyone, it will have seemed like a bomb, especially in light of the recent attacks.

But it doesn't stop there, an entire fleet of military ships follows the first, firing cannons seemingly at random, filling the air with huge bangs. We then see fighter jets scream across the harbour, out to sea.

When we finally disembark the ferry at the other side, there are dozens of busses, fully laden with soldiers. We literally have no idea what is going on, and nor does anyone else. We would never find out what happened.Read more