88TH DCA - I WAS THERE AND SAW IT ALL!
Getting to the conference venue
The day was Wednesday, 23rd April, and all was set for the grand finale of D9200. My mates for this great occasion were PP Jackie and Rtn Lilliane. We had it all and were very expectant of the Mombasa trip. Indeed the conference events and activities did not disappoint as it turned out later.
The trip with Air Uganda was okay and by 11.30 p.m. We had landed at Moi International Airport, Mombasa. Two hours later at about 3.30 p.m. we were at the hotel and conference venue, Leisure Lodge. We checked in and had settled in by 5.00 p.m ready for three days of fun and fellowship. Rotarians on Kenya Airways flight that departed at 10.00 a.m. however slowly but surely, made it by 3.30 p.m. and a few others by 7.30 p.m. just in time for dinner.
Day 1: Wednesday 23rd
We had the welcome cocktail and dinner dance with a live band. All Rotarians and guests present were evidently thrilled and set for the fun. We danced till 11.00 p.m. and retired for a restful sleep with the soothing breeze of the ocean.
Day 2: Thursday 24th
Was the colorful opening ceremony under a beautifully decorated marquee tent with DG Geeta making her welcome remarks and the flags ceremony thereafter. The weather was quite hot - as expected of Mombasa - but we all braved the heat to listen to the well planned programme splattered with a bit of entertainment and speeches by various Rotarians.
Jackie, Lilliane and I eventually became hosts of a hotel room hospitality to give some members respite from the marquee heat.
The downside to the day was the long wait for the chief Guest H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta confined to the hot marquee tent with no lunch from 1.30 to 4.00 p.m. Which almost ruined the day. However, his final arrival, the special attachment DG Geeta had with him from the past and his apologies and final crowning as PHF made up for all the waiting.
We then retired for an evening of fun and merry-making by the ocean side and those successful PHF mentions and a live band. The view of the ocean with tide at its lowest was most spectacular.
Then of course the grand finale was when a few of us took a ride to the famous Shakatak (probably named after Shark Attacks) Discotheque, where we danced our hearts away like never before. It was evidently a special night for Uganda - the DJ had no choice and played the Ugandan beats and this earned some good dime the following two days.
TO BE CONTINUED