False habariinspiration 46 msafiri B& B BOUNCES BACK B y the end of April, 80% of the 18- year- olds due to graduate in 2008 from the International School of Kenya ( ISK) had already secured places at international universities – with 23 acceptances from the United States and 17 from Britain, including the London School of Economics, where President Mwai Kibaki read his own degree. Having sat final examinations for the prestigious International Baccalaureate ( the only international qualification recognised by universities worldwide as a passport to university entrance), the Nairobi- educated students will have taken up their new places by September. “ One of the many pleasures of our mission at ISK is seeing each year group part at the end of Grade 12 to further education and future careers that span the globe,” said ISK Director Areta Williams. In the last three years, the school has seen its graduates off to Cornell University, Penn State University and Stanford University – all Ivy League. Similarly, in the UK, students have secured places at the country’s top universities, including St Andrews, Durham, Exeter and Bristol. Bed and breakfast accommodation is thriving at Fairview’s Country Lodge D espite the huge blow dealt to Kenya’s hospitality industry during the post-election chaos, the Szlapak & Abbema families – who run both the Fairview Hotel ( www. fairviewkenya. com) and the Country Lodge ( www. countrylodge. co. ke) in Nairobi’s thriving Upper Hill – remain optimistic. And they have good reason. Where average occupancies for both the Fairview and Country Lodge dipped to 65% in January 2008, occupancies for their competitors averaged in the 30% range. The Country Lodge – Fairview’s ‘ no frills’ neighbour which opened in 2006 – has been tremendously successful. This new brand was designed to offer affordable accommodation with ‘ limited food and beverage services’ to the $ 70 per- night market. The en suite bedrooms are simple but spacious, and all enjoy a 3MB WiFi connection. Guests also make use of the business centre and gym. Breakfast is excellent with fresh fruit and eggs to order. There are no restaurants or other facilities on- site – hence the low room rate – though Country Lodge guests can enjoy a stroll next door to one of the Fairview’s five high- quality restaurants – including the award- winning Pango Brasserie. The country lodge principle is nothing new. It has been a hit in most industrialized nations. The Szlapak family now plans to open a second country lodge in Nairobi before tapping the public equity markets for a regional expansion. Based on their track record, and their optimism, you can’t help but believe it will succeed. a degree of success Recent figures confirm that cruise holidays are one of the fastest growing sectors in the tourism industry – and it’s not surprising. Cruises offer great value for money, especially when combined with competitive airfares. You get to visit several destinations ( but unpack once). There’s a wide choice of onboard activities, as well as several dining options and world- class entertainment – all included in the price. fly then float case study Q From an article by Washington Akumu in the Nation Business FLY KQ, THEN CRUISE Q Dubai: join a 13- night cruise on Legend of the Seas, visiting Mumbai, Goa, Cochin, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore with Royal Cariibean www. royalcaribbean. com Q Amsterdam: join a 12- night cruise to the Arctic Circle and Norway’s North Cape with Celebrity Cruises www. celebritycruises. com Q North face www. thenorthface. com No longer do athletes stick rigidly to one discipline. Increasingly versatile sportsmen and women are switching from one fast- moving activity to another – and expecting their equipment to do the same. The new Escalada pack is capable of embracing multiple disciplines, such as walking and climbing. Boasting an advanced X- Vent suspension system, which gives a balance of rigidity and breathability, a mesh trampoline with anti-bulge backpanel ensures that the weight and discomfort of even the most bulky load is lifted off the athlete’s back. With a volume of 21 litres, the Escalada also features an insulated hydration compartment, trekking pole lash points, sliding sternum strap and adjustable hipbelt. MSAFIRI TRIED & TESTED North Face Escalada

False Paradise Under African Skies TIWI Beach Resort boosting its own private beach on Kenya’s beautiful South Coast, is an oasis of luxury and entertainment where you can tailor you holiday to your idea of a good time. Our levels of service and hospitality really are second to none. Relax with a stroll along the white sands of the Indian ocean. Take a cooling dip in one of our three inter— connected pools. Enjoy a Sumptuous meal in any of our five restaurants and welcome the sweet African Night with an exotic Cocktail in one of our 6 bars. Enjoy the evenings with live entertainment, be it the local Masaai rituals, African and interna-tional sounds at our beach party or in the hotels own discothèque, Tiwi has something for everyone. With 194 standard rooms, 16 superior rooms, 2 suites, a diving centre, compre-hensive conference, leisure, children’s, health and sports facilities, Tiwi Beach Resort will make your stay a lifelong cherished memory. You’ll leave wanting to come back for more. ‘ KARIBU SANA!’ For further information please contact: Tiwi Beach Resort, PO Box 1877— 80400, Ukunda, South Coast, KENYA Tel: ( 254) 40 - 3300241, Cell: ( 254) 722 - 209462 / 724 - 257105 / 733 - 421200 UK Tel: ( 44) 7966 – 235062 marketing@ tiwibeachresort. com, reservations@ tiwibeachresort. com www. tiwibeachresort. com