Comments on: Get to Know Nairobi http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2010/01/get-to-know-nairobi/ Live where you want to live... Live how you want to live... And make money doing it! Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:29:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Mary Atieno http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2010/01/get-to-know-nairobi/comment-page-1/#comment-5200 Mary Atieno Fri, 07 Jan 2011 10:34:49 +0000 http://www.escapefromamerica.com/?p=1570#comment-5200 I agree that one has to be open-minded when travelling, otherwise it is better to stay at home. I am a Kenyan living abroad and frequently return to visit with friends, most of who loved the 3-4 days in Nairobi. One of the highlights for a group I took this last October was the food. They (Chinese, Korean and American) ate the local food like there was no tomorrow (Kenyan expression). At the nicer restaurants we went to, they were also wonderfully surprised at the service and cuisine. As for the real estate, expatriates and other high income earners live in beautiful homes, but if one is on a tight budget they should not expect the Ritz, in Nairobi or anywhere else in the world. Thank you for your article Greg, I found it a positive tale of your positive experience in an African city. It ain't a perfect place, but it does have a lot going for it. I agree that one has to be open-minded when travelling, otherwise it is better to stay at home. I am a Kenyan living abroad and frequently return to visit with friends, most of who loved the 3-4 days in Nairobi. One of the highlights for a group I took this last October was the food. They (Chinese, Korean and American) ate the local food like there was no tomorrow (Kenyan expression). At the nicer restaurants we went to, they were also wonderfully surprised at the service and cuisine. As for the real estate, expatriates and other high income earners live in beautiful homes, but if one is on a tight budget they should not expect the Ritz, in Nairobi or anywhere else in the world.

Thank you for your article Greg, I found it a positive tale of your positive experience in an African city. It ain’t a perfect place, but it does have a lot going for it.

]]> By: Greg Kruse http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2010/01/get-to-know-nairobi/comment-page-1/#comment-2128 Greg Kruse Wed, 26 May 2010 16:26:16 +0000 http://www.escapefromamerica.com/?p=1570#comment-2128 Hey, Jay, you missed the point. The article gives a long list of interesting things for tourists to do. I know. I live here, and I take people around town all the time. They love it. I would never recommend staying near Mombasa, either south, at Diani, or north. These are not at all the best beaches in Kenya. Try Watamu. Stay at Turtle Bay. I find your comments disingenuous. If you really knew Nairobi, you would not compare it to Europe or the Far East. I've traveled in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, and I spend a lot of time in the EU, and its not the same as Africa. Surprise! Value for money is hard to get here. But I think my recommendations are relevant and interesting to anyone who, as I clearly indicate, might spend a day or two relaxing and enjoying the city. The Nairobi restaurant scene has evolved since you were here. There are some interesting places, such as those indicated in the article, and since publication, several more (Indigo Spice, Medusa, and others) have opened up. You could do fine dining every night for several weeks in this town, at a different place every night. And the article is only speaking to people who might spend one or two nights. Save the cheap shots for places you know better. Perhaps La Vie en Rose in Amsterdam red light district is more your style? Hey, Jay, you missed the point. The article gives a long list of interesting things for tourists to do. I know. I live here, and I take people around town all the time. They love it. I would never recommend staying near Mombasa, either south, at Diani, or north. These are not at all the best beaches in Kenya. Try Watamu. Stay at Turtle Bay.

I find your comments disingenuous. If you really knew Nairobi, you would not compare it to Europe or the Far East. I’ve traveled in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, and I spend a lot of time in the EU, and its not the same as Africa. Surprise! Value for money is hard to get here. But I think my recommendations are relevant and interesting to anyone who, as I clearly indicate, might spend a day or two relaxing and enjoying the city. The Nairobi restaurant scene has evolved since you were here. There are some interesting places, such as those indicated in the article, and since publication, several more (Indigo Spice, Medusa, and others) have opened up. You could do fine dining every night for several weeks in this town, at a different place every night. And the article is only speaking to people who might spend one or two nights.

Save the cheap shots for places you know better. Perhaps La Vie en Rose in Amsterdam red light district is more your style?

]]> By: Jay http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2010/01/get-to-know-nairobi/comment-page-1/#comment-1222 Jay Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:36:22 +0000 http://www.escapefromamerica.com/?p=1570#comment-1222 I've been to Nairobi a number of times. In truth, apart from the elephant orphanage there is very little to see or do in this city for tourists. Most visitors to Kenya bypass it or use the city/airport only for transfers to Mombasa on the coast or for safari tours. In my opinion Nairobi hotels are way overpriced for what they offer. If you're used to North American and European standards and hotels, you're likely to be disappointed for the equivalent of what you'll pay in Nairobi. The Hilton although centrally located is showing its age although the Fairview, being European-run, is clean and quiet being out of the city center. It's near to the Israeli Embassy so your taxi will have to pass roadblock security checks. Regarding restaurants, I lived in Asia for many years where the choice of restaurants is frankly much, much better. I can recommend Mediterraneo as the author mentioned. However, for someone who's going to be in Nairobi for a while, you might find yourself running out of quality alternatives after you've sampled the ten or so well-known best options. Real estate prices for foreigners in this city are a joke in terms of what you get. The traffic (especially on the main road linking the airport to the city) is horrendous at times and in certain spots, and the pollution belched from old, diesel buses can have you gasping for air. The nightlife options listed by the author in my opinion are tame. For something much more colorful and if the reader is adventurous (and male) try the New Florida Club on Koinange Street after 11 pm or midnight. On Friday and Saturday nights it's so packed it's impossible to move. I’ve been to Nairobi a number of times. In truth, apart from the elephant orphanage there is very little to see or do in this city for tourists. Most visitors to Kenya bypass it or use the city/airport only for transfers to Mombasa on the coast or for safari tours. In my opinion Nairobi hotels are way overpriced for what they offer. If you’re used to North American and European standards and hotels, you’re likely to be disappointed for the equivalent of what you’ll pay in Nairobi. The Hilton although centrally located is showing its age although the Fairview, being European-run, is clean and quiet being out of the city center. It’s near to the Israeli Embassy so your taxi will have to pass roadblock security checks. Regarding restaurants, I lived in Asia for many years where the choice of restaurants is frankly much, much better. I can recommend Mediterraneo as the author mentioned. However, for someone who’s going to be in Nairobi for a while, you might find yourself running out of quality alternatives after you’ve sampled the ten or so well-known best options. Real estate prices for foreigners in this city are a joke in terms of what you get. The traffic (especially on the main road linking the airport to the city) is horrendous at times and in certain spots, and the pollution belched from old, diesel buses can have you gasping for air. The nightlife options listed by the author in my opinion are tame. For something much more colorful and if the reader is adventurous (and male) try the New Florida Club on Koinange Street after 11 pm or midnight. On Friday and Saturday nights it’s so packed it’s impossible to move.

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