The next highlight of my stay at Voyager Beach Resort was some kind of a scary encounter – depending on how you look at it. One mid-morning we were goofing around in the pool. There was no one around, apart from the life guard who was somewhere, not sure where at that particular time. My friend was in the deep-end of the pool while I was in the shallowest end, considering I am not a good swimmer, or I can’t swim at all. I had my back to the trees. Then I heard something fall. It could have been a log or a leaf, but the sound it made when it hit the ground was just not normal at all, which is why I turned around, something I regretted the moment I did.

My biggest fear became reality, and I was frozen in place for about 30 seconds staring. On the hard hot concrete was a shiny bright green snake coiled there without a care in the world, with its head out and I am sure it was also staring at me; because I could see its little eyes and tongue (do snakes really have tongues that thin?). I think at this point, it would have been nice for Mr Martin to pop out of one of his many bushes, but that never happened. Why is it that some people are just never there when you need them the most?

I think we stared at each other for a few seconds, while I was thinking of what to do, and if the slippery thing can get into the pool. I think the little reptile was also wondering the same thing about this human. I finally came to my senses and started jumping up and down waving to my friend, who not knowing what was going on, also started waving back at me from the other end, smiling and splashing around. Considering I could not swim to the deep end, I felt like I had nowhere to run to. I think I had never been so scared in my life. After a couple of minutes, the poor thing slithered away, never to be seen again. But when I think of that moment in that pool, I still get shivers down my spine.

Soon enough word got around that I had come face to face with what they jokingly referred to as a little tiny snake, but to me it was still a snake nevertheless. Mr. Martin was actually laughing at me, telling me stuff like the snake must have been more scared of you than you were of it, and that it’s not poisonous (I had no plans of finding out) and this and that, just to make me feel at ease, but that was not going to happen. Let’s just say after that day, I never ventured out to that particular pool again. The only time I went there, was to have my gin and tonic, with my feet up.

We met some nice people, and relaxed in the Swahili lounge, which was located on one of the roof tops overlooking the ocean. At one point we met the big Kahuna of the entire Heritage Hotels, of which Voyager is part of – Mr. Mohammed Hersi. If I am not wrong, I think he paid for one of my many Irish coffees on him. We had a lively conversation with him, which was actually nice of him to go around saying hello to the guests on his ship.

At the end of my short vacation, I got what I had bargained for and more. Sun, sand, little snakes, Irish coffee, endless gin and tonic, and ever-flowing wine; and did I mention sea food?

For more information on Voyager Beach Resort – http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com

xoxo