The Coast and FEAST V

Like last year we headed down to the coast this Easter.  We took a few more days off to really enjoy the sun, sand and water as well as play in the annual FEAST (Frisbee East Africa Sand Tournament) V.  We landed in Mombasa and headed north to enjoy Bamburi Beach.  Our plan was to soak up some sun here before heading south to Diani for the tournament.

Our hotel was really nice.  The room looked out over the ocean and had an enormous pool.  The first night we just settled in and enjoyed the delicious food.  Next door to the hotel there was this resturant that was famous for its gelato.  Best ice cream I've had in Kenya by far!

The next day we headed out in the afternoon for a little snorkling in a glass bottom boat.  Even though the tide was coming in we had a great time.  I was surprised at how many fish there was on the reef.  We saw parrot fish, a trumpet fish, clown fish and even a box fish.  Josh spotted a large eel after diving down to explore a coral formation.  I wish we could have gone diving but alas you aren't allowed while pregnant!

The next day we headed down to Diani bright and early to get settled into our cottage.  We stayed at a beautiful villa with four large bedrooms and a private pool.  I loved the open air lay out of the living space and we definitly took advantage of this in the evenings.  After a few hours the rest of our team showed up and we headed to the beach!

The beach in Diani is much nicer than in Mombasa.  The sand is almost pure white and the seaweed is less prevelent.  The coast was a bit rocky making swimming a chore but we did have a blast throwing the frisbee around on the sand.  It was hilarious to see the rest of our team's reaction to the strong winds on the beach.  We warned them that its not the same as Kisumu but I don't think it really registered till we started playing.

The team ready to play

Saturday marked the first day of the tournament.  Luckily the weather was a little rainy.  This made for more compact sand and less wind; both huge pluses for the sport.  We were set to play four matches; Nairobi, Tanzania, One Acre Fund, and the Nairobi Teacher's College.  Having not really played together as an unit before, we weren't expecting much coming into the tournament.  Our main goal was to get some experience and have a blast doing so.

Josh gets in a bit of a warm up

The first game against Nairobi was a real wake up call with the final score being 11-0 them.  Again I think we were just struggling to get our barrings and get used to playing in the sand.  Against One Acre Fund we managed to put up 5 points as we started to complete passes and figure out what we were doing.  Tanzania was another hard match but we didn't get shut out this time.  Despite the wind starting to pick up we had a couple of amazing long passes to players streaking into the endzone.  Our final game of the day against Nairobi Teacher's college was honestly one we probably should have won but the long day and hot sun really started to wear us down.  We kept it close but ended up loosing in the end.

Action from the final

On Sunday we had one more game in the round robin against Uganda before reseeding.  Uganda has won the tournament three years in a row and we were just happy to put up 2 points to their 11.  Everyone of those points felt like a victory won.  In the round robin we faced Ethopia and gave them a real run for their money.  Like last year, we ended up playing much better the second day than the first.  We really started to figure out our strentghs and weakness and were adjusting for them.  In the end though, Ethopia ended up taking the match by two points.  Our last game of the tournament was for 11th place and we were up against the Tanzania B team.  Even though the teams were ranked last, I'd say it was our most competitive game of the tournament.  We weren't going home without a win!

Our team!

All in all we had a blast at the tournament.  I think it sparked a passion in a few of our Kenyan teammates to continue on and hopefully will only generate more interest as years go on.  Although we really only play for fun in Kisumu, its nice to get out and compete against some of the better teams in East Africa.

That night we headed to a beautiful resturant located in an old coral cave.  Last year we ate here for Easter dinner and were excited to come back.  I ordered a delicious chicken dish and Josh got a seafood pasta.  It was great to sit around with the rest of the team and reminis about the tournament.  I am so proud of all the players many of which this was one of their first real exposures to the sport.

The next day Josh and I headed back up to Mombasa.  We had an early flight out the following day and wanted to enjoy our last day on the beach.  We went back to the same hotel we had stayed at earlier and enjoyed a quiet walk on the beach.

It was kind of sureal to take that final look at the Indian Ocean because who knows when, if ever, we'll see it again.  As our time here in Kenya ends, every moment seems more and more precious.  I'm so glad that we were able to take this last trip to the coast with our friends.  Its definitly one we won't forget!