The press here has been full of the aftermath of Westgate and sectarian riots in Mombasa, but the reality of life for tourists here in Watamu is very different. It's approaching mid-October, its 0845 and its already hot in the sun. Breakfast has just been brought to us on the patio by Paulina, the house servant, Fadilah will come in shortly to make up our beds and do the washing and ironing and the gardener is clearing frangipani flowers from the swimming pool.
The view from the patio is of the sea breaking on an offshore reef, with a number of game fishing boats bouncing around at anchor inshore of the reef - the arc of their roll at anchor accentuated by the long fishing rods and their elevated tuna towers (crows nest type) seats high above the deck.
Heather and Ryan's house here in Watamu is one of an assortment of villas owned by "up country" Kenyans and Europeans on half acre upwards plots, with hotels like Ocean Sports and Hemingways on the beach catering for the game fishermen.
The fishing boats access the open sea via a mlango (Swahili = door) in the reef. Bill fish (Sail fish and Marlin) are the main sport fish, the majority of which are tagged and released, but yellow fin tuna, wahoo and dorada are also caught (and eaten) - so this is a popular bit of the coast with fishermen from South Africa, "up country" Kenyans, Brits and Italians - and in 10 days time there is the annual Malindi International Fishing Competition with the winners taking the "Herbie Paul Memorial Trophy".