Mombasa

[Fun And Sun]

Not sure why the discussion on this thread keeps drifting onto crime, diseases, and other hazards. I feel that the Bamburi area is comparatively safe relative to other places in Africa or in South America and the Carribean.

Mombasa / Bamburi is a lot of fun and has some really great girls.

On matatus, it is fine to ride them at night, but pay close attention to who is inside before you get in. If it is only young men, do not get in at night, period.

Generally I totally agree, that you can feel very safe everywhere around Mombasa, Bamburi and Mtwapa on daytime. I never had a bad feeling, even on areas that are a bit afield of the tourist spots. So I wouldn't worry about that. Despite that, the matatus are really great to get around very cheap! But I really, really strongly recommend to take taxis at night, although they are a bit more expensive of course!

I stayed at Kahama in September and on my first night one of the waitresses of the Kahama bar was attacked by 3 men, when she walked from the bar to the street where you can find matatus (maybe 50m!). The 3 men were waiting for a victim very close to the street, they beated her up and one of them threatened her with some kind of machete. After that they took all her belongings of course.

At the end of my two week stay I had the chance to see the waitress at Kahama again, she showed me some of her marks from the incident and told me the whole story. Believe me guys, that's nothing you want to experience! Just take a taxi at night and enjoy yourself!

[Expat Kenya]

It is the pregnancy crap from unprotected sex, not catching AIDS, that worries me the most. These desperate African women will do everything to get pregnant and then use it against you to suck your money and they have the legal grounds, not to mention your conscience of being an unexpected 'father', to do it.

Thats the point why malayas wand to have unprotected sex, getting pregnant and have a mzungu financially and emotional attached to the child and its mom.

But again I rather live my life to the fullest, have (sexual) fun and die with a smile on my face thinking about all the sweet memories, than to die from cancer, car accident, natural disaste, heart attack and have lived a life being paranoia and missing sweet moments.

Protected or unprotected is your own choice. However, I think its morally not very correct because the ladies wand to get pregnant, there're desperate, and you might be spreading a cause of death which other don't choose for. Its possible for an infected women to give birth without the baby being infected. Are we going to Kenya for fun or producing orphans?

Iti.

Over all HIV / AIDS is decreasing because of education, free condoms and free tests. In the scene of prostitution it is still high and something to consider. For yourself, and what you leave behind.

Cheers

[Willyboy]

It is the pregnancy crap from unprotected sex, not catching AIDS, that worries me the most. These desperate African women will do everything to get pregnant and then use it against you to suck your money and they have the legal grounds, not to mention your conscience of being an unexpected 'father', to do it.

But again I rather live my life to the fullest, have (sexual) fun and die with a smile on my face thinking about all the sweet memories, than to die from cancer, car accident, natural disaste, heart attack and have lived a life being paranoia and missing sweet moments.

[/QUOTE]Everyone has their opinion. But if I could choose death from AIDS or car accidents or heart attacks. Then I have my preference. And this is not AIDS. And there are other sexually transmitted diseases is not your death but pretty painful. I am not favor of unsafe sex. But can every sexual relationship is not to put my hand in between to stabbing

[Member #4379]

It is the pregnancy crap from unprotected sex, not catching AIDS, that worries me the most. These desperate African women will do everything to get pregnant and then use it against you to suck your money and they have the legal grounds, not to mention your conscience of being an unexpected 'father', to do it.

But again I rather live my life to the fullest, have (sexual) fun and die with a smile on my face thinking about all the sweet memories, than to die from cancer, car accident, natural disaste, heart attack and have lived a life being paranoia and missing sweet moments. [/QUOTE]

[Woef Woef]

I must say I'm an agnostic regarding HIV and its relationship with AIDS. I do not know if HIV exists, what is AIDS and if HIV is the cause of AIDS. It's possible, but I don't know.

The reason why I do not know, is that every person I ask what is HIV / AIDS and it's relationship gives me a different answer. Even the scientific community is not clear on it, definitions have change so many times over the years. And if definitions change, then HIV tests also change, and the number of people impacted by HIV changes as well. There are currently more than 10 definitions worldwide. Yeah sure there are a lot of HIV / AIDS affected people in Kenya than in the west. But they might use a different definition. That's not comparing apples to apples.

The biggest change happened in the beginning of the 90ties, HIV cases were dropping globally, next the biggest change to the definition happened stating that if you are not ill but if you have a t cell count lower than 200. Next the estimates increased by 100. Even if it's true that HIV exists, and that HIV can be diagnosed by a t cell body count lower than 200, it does not mean that the reverse is true. It has never been proven that a t cell body count lower than 200 can ONLY be caused by HIV.

The last time I did an HIV test was several years ago, and it was negative so good news. Still next I decided never again in my life to undergo an HIV-test. For the reasons mentioned above. And also because if you are HIV positive, you are doomed in this society. You are doomed to take life long expensive drugs, doomed to AIDS, and next doomed to Death.

Now I do believe that infections and diseases exist, also sexual infections and diseases. Therefore I do think it's safer to have protected sex. Do I take calculated risks? Yes.

But again I rather live my life to the fullest, have (sexual) fun and die with a smile on my face thinking about all the sweet memories, than to die from cancer, car accident, natural disaste, heart attack and have lived a life being paranoia and missing sweet moments.

[Cunning Stunt]

The way I play it is to assume that they are infected unless I definitely know otherwise. As partners of the infected will attest, it is a very difficult disease to catch provided that you take necessary precautions. But the risk is always there. As it is crossing any busy street.

However I like to keep the odds well stacked in my favour and would never consider BBFS whilst in Kenya. That would be too much like playing Russian roulette with five chambers loaded.

[Willyboy]

On the lonely planet guide says 85% aids rate!

Kenya is home to one of the world's worst of the HIV and AIDS epidemics. An estimated 1. 5 million people living with HIV, approximately 1. 2 million children orphaned by AIDS in 2009, 80,000 people deceased from AIDS-related illnesses.

[Sabai2]

On the lonely planet guide says 85% aids rate!

The own risk is one thing. But having not protected sex, you can infect a person, who don't have AIDS. In this way, you help spreading. Remember, you can go in jail for that.

[Guyt2007]

I am amazed how stiff risks being taken are in Kenya on unprotected sex. Knowing that 28 percent infected in the world of prostitution.

The own risk is one thing. But having not protected sex, you can infect a person, who don't have AIDS. In this way, you help spreading. Remember, you can go in jail for that.

[Willyboy]

Was in Bamburi at January and always feeled save. There's no need to drive Taxi. Just drived with Matatus even at night. From Hotel to Casaurina or to Tembo only 20 KHS. Back to the Hotel with the Malaya by Taxi 300KSH.

For shopping to the Nakumat Bamburi payed 20KSH and from Bamburi to Mombasa 40KSH.

Avoid dark paths and spots at night and your save.

Info. Transport prices that you mentioned here are history. They have increased by 50 percent in a few months.

[Willyboy]

I am amazed how stiff risks being taken are in Kenya on unprotected sex. Knowing that 28 percent infected in the world of prostitution.

[Hesekiels]

...They accused you to have her infected with any disease. Just a trick to tie you up to them and to get money out of you.

Wow, that's really scary! Thanks for the information!

Cheers!

Hesekiels

[Dulce Marco]

Was in Bamburi at January and always feeled save. There's no need to drive Taxi. Just drived with Matatus even at night. From Hotel to Casaurina or to Tembo only 20 KHS. Back to the Hotel with the Malaya by Taxi 300KSH.

For shopping to the Nakumat Bamburi payed 20KSH and from Bamburi to Mombasa 40KSH.

Avoid dark paths and spots at night and your save.

Generally I totally agree, that you can feel very safe everywhere around Mombasa, Bamburi and Mtwapa on daytime. I never had a bad feeling, even on areas that are a bit afield of the tourist spots. So I wouldn't worry about that. Despite that, the matatus are really great to get around very cheap! But I really, really strongly recommend to take taxis at night, although they are a bit more expensive of course!

I stayed at Kahama in September and on my first night one of the waitresses of the Kahama bar was attacked by 3 men, when she walked from the bar to the street where you can find matatus (maybe 50m!). The 3 men were waiting for a victim very close to the street, they beated her up and one of them threatened her with some kind of machete. After that they took all her belongings of course.

At the end of my two week stay I had the chance to see the waitress at Kahama again, she showed me some of her marks from the incident and told me the whole story. Believe me guys, that's nothing you want to experience! Just take a taxi at night and enjoy yourself!

[Wenzman]

For me too is first time in Kenya and and I'm afraid of crime and diseases like malaria and AIDS.

Malaria is the last thing I would be worried in Africa. How about Ebola. Only joking. But I found something for you:

[LustyHombre]

This question is going around my mind for months now:

How safe and fun is going to Mombasa on your own?

I went to Thailand 5 times now, one time to the Dominican Republic and one time Cuba. In my opinion Thailand is very safe and probably not comparable.

Does going Kenia means taking cabs all the time or are there still more relaxed areas in Mombasa where one can walk back to the hotel?

I really would love going Mombasa, Malindi and see some wildlife but am a bit of a chicken.

I live here 10 months out of 12 and would have no hesitation going anywhere in and around MBA on foot by myself. Nairobi is a different story, except in the CityCenter and Westlands / Lavington / Hurlingham residential areas. (there's lots of uniformed private security guys everywhere. Mind you, they are being paid to protect businesses or people's residences but their omni-presence extends a pretty big umbrella over the general population as well)

Use common sense precautions like you would in any big city at home (be aware of what's going on around you / don't flash wads of cash or wear ostentatious jewellry / act self-assured and smile and have a friendly demeanor / avoid places where groups of adolescents congregate) and you should be ok.

Haven't been to Thailand since '79 and therefore can't comment (from what I remember the Sois were pretty rough then) , but I would say that I feel safer in MBA than in Santo Domingo or Caracas and about as safe and comfortable as in Havana.

In general : no risk. No reward!

Malaria : I never use prophylaxis and have never caught it, even though I have been bitten by mosquitoes every now and then. Maybe it's just sheer luck, but I suspect it's got a lot to do with the quantity and quality of red wine constantly present in my blood stream.

AIDS and VD's : determine what your risk tolerance is and use protection accordingly. For what it's worth : I do BBFS quite frequently with 2nd or 3rd time repeaters and have always been lucky during my last 12 years of promiscuity inspite of having multiple partners at any time, but I know it's a big crap shot.