A Birthday, A Beach and My Little Girl: Why I Flew to Mombasa
Birthdays are meant to be celebrated, and as a Libra, I take mine seriously. 😂
I love celebrating myself, not necessarily with a huge party or anything extravagant, but simply by appreciating the person I have become and the journey that brought me here.
This year, I wanted something different.
I wanted a mini vacation. Just me, my little girl, a flight and the beach.
So, Mombasa it was. Nyali, to be specific.
And Just Like That, We Were Flying
On Thursday, before heading out with my little one to catch our 6pm flight, I received the most beautiful bouquet of flowers from a special girl who always knows how to cheer me up.
Thank you, darling. ❤️
My daughter had been yearning to go to the beach, and honestly, so had I. This felt like the perfect time to finally make it happen.
At the airport, my baby was already in her element. She loved everything about it and was clearly feeling herself. 😂
Then came the questions.
“Mummy, why are some people going and we are being left?”
I had to explain that flights have different timings and that we would have our turn.
And finally, our turn came.
We boarded.
For my little girl, this was a big deal because it was her first flight ever.
She was beyond excited, and watching her experience it for the first time made me realize something: this would be the first of many.
From our whispers to God’s ears.
The Sunset That Started My New Year
Fun fact about me: I absolutely love sunsets.
So imagine my excitement when, somehow, I caught one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen, not from a road trip or somewhere by the ocean, but from a plane.
What a way to start another year of my life.
There was something about watching the sky change colours from above that made the whole trip feel even more special.
We landed at Moi International Airport, and Mombasa welcomed us with beautiful weather.
We were ready for the beach.
We got a cab, made our way to our Airbnb, had some dinner and called it a night.
The next few days were everything I had hoped for.
Beach.
Sunsets.
Jetski rides.
Good food.
And, of course, choma from the famous Charchoma.
But more than anything, I enjoyed simply being present with my daughter.
The Question That Got Me
My baby absolutely loved our stay.
So much so that on our way back, after we landed, she looked at me and asked:
“Mummy, when we close school, will we come back to the beach?”
My answer?
Definitely. 😂
Although, mama has to work hard to make sure those beach trips keep coming.
And honestly, that is one of the beautiful things about motherhood. Sometimes, the biggest motivation to keep going is knowing that you are creating little memories your child will carry with them.
What I Took Home From Mombasa
This trip gave me something I didn’t necessarily know I needed, time to pause and reflect.
Away from the usual routines, responsibilities and noise, I had time to think about life, where I am and where I am going.
And my biggest takeaway was simple:
Be real with yourself.
Do what makes you happy.
Don’t live with regrets.
And always be kind to people.
Life moves so quickly. Sometimes we get so caught up in chasing the next thing that we forget to enjoy where we are.
This birthday reminded me to celebrate the little things too, a beautiful sunset, a first flight, a beach day with my daughter, good food, laughter and simply being alive.
So here’s to another year.
To good health.
To more money. 😂
To more adventures.
To more sunsets.
And, hopefully, many more beach trips with my little girl. ❤️
