Meditation, Motorbikes, Morris and Me

Morris, Yoga Guru, Image: Lynn Houghton

In the cool morning air of Kenya’s white sand coast, a noisy motorbike is my transport to a 6:15 am meditation class. The session is to be held on the top floor of the seven story Treehouse Hotel about a twenty minute journey away.  I arrive early and so have the bonus of enjoying stellar views out over the surrounding mangrove forest to the Cerulean Blue Indian Ocean just beyond.

View from the top of the Treehouse over Mangrove Forest

Inside the Watamu Treehouse

The organic appearance of the property reminds me of the Sagrada Familia though on a small scale. There is no denying that this structure is acutely distinctive. Except for one or two of the bedrooms, there are no windows in the property just gaps and openings throughout. This organic structure has an otherworldly character as if something from another world has been mysteriously transported to this wild coast.

Soon our leader arrives to take us through a quiet meditation, an opportunity to greet the day.  Morris is a very large man, a local guru who I imagine would be a rugby player if he were living in the UK or anywhere in Europe. However, his size is not a barrier to being incredibly flexible and possessing a calm demeanour and supportive manner.

‘Reach to the sky, breathe deeply then bring your hands together in front of your heart’, Morris is now leading us in the next session, an Ashtanga Yoga class. Our routine starts with the strenuous sun salutations, an ancient greeting to the morning. As we practice our poses, the morning light begins to peer through the morning mist. I am hopeless at yoga but feel energised at starting my day with a fitness session. After completion, I await my motorbike to take me to my next appointment. When he does not appear, Morris himself revs up his bike and takes me back to my hotel.

A 'room' at the Watamu Treehouse

Injured Sea Turtle at the Ocean Watch Turtle Sanctuary

Watamu is known for the incredible Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve, established in 1968 and recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The crystal clear waters here are full of coral reefs and support many species including manta rays, sea turtles, whale sharks, octopus and barracuda. For this reason, the coast here is starting to attract more visitors than ever before. I visit the Ocean Turtle Watch, who monitor 50 -100 turtle nests locally and discover that their project, for raising awareness amongst locals and fisherman to help sea turtles, is a mission that has taken decades to come to fruition. A very worthy project.

Me at the Watamu Turtle Watch

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