We visited the beautiful island of Lamu in January 2006 and stayed at the New Lamu Palace Hotel. We flew from Malindi to Lamu and landed at the airstrip at Manda Island where we were met by Mohammed our guide from the hotel who escorted us to the hotel motor boat to cross over the channel to Lamu Island. On arrival at the quayside the Manager Pietro and his wife welcomed us and escorted us along the harbour front to the hotel where we were welcomed with fruit cocktails and shown to our room. Although it was too late for lunch they prepared some hot crusty bread and fresh French Onion Soup and we were then taken on a foot tour of the island by Mohammed who was so knowledgable and showed us everything we could ever wish to see. Think in time of 200 years ago - no vehicles only donkeys, narrow streets, busy harbour, a relic of Arabic culture from the past. Once back at the hotel after two and a half hours walking tour(all free) Pietro asked what we would like for dinner as they don't have a menu but just use all fresh seafood from the boats in the front of the hotel. We decided on lobsters and for a very small amount of money had soup, provencal salad, lobsters in lemon butter with coconut rice and salad and the most delicious home made mango ice cream. We sat in the hotel lounge chatting to Pietro and his wife having our after dinner coffee and drinks listening to the background "tinkling music and just enjoying the ambience with all the subdued lighting etc. The bedrooms had huge 8ft "Lamu wooden Beds" with mosquito nets and we slept really well. Next morning we went to visit the museum and then walked to Shela Beach which was deserted but had the most amazing stretch of sand. We arrived back at the hotel in time for lunch and Pietro showed us the fresh crabs just delivered from the boats so we had a most enjoyable meal of crab thermidor, salad and rice and a bowl of fresh fruits. The Management and staff just couldn't do enough for you. After lunch we were met at the hotel entrance by Mohammed to escort us back to the boat to return to the air strip for our return to Malindi. Lamu is a "step back in time" very relaxing and we had visited 30 years previously and it is still very unspoilt. Please go and enjoy this wonderful island but go for longer. We shall return but will stay there for our main holiday rather than at Malindi. This was paradise!