Shela Lamu Lamu 
Shela is a small village near Lamu. I lived there during my stay on the Kenyan coast. A friend had recommended the MSF or a house I could rent cheaply a nice room with a bathroom and a large balcony overlooking the sea 
In fact
Hamid, the owner, rents 3 rooms on two floors and lives below. Like most of the time I was alone (the tourist season just starting), I could enjoy both floors and a small kitchen (under the makuti). A very nice location, right in the village.
Shela was originally a traditional fishing village or Swahili dhows were built. 
His character has changed somewhat with the arrival of wealthy foreign tourists (mostly European) who have purchased or built homes.
However the place has retained a certain charm with its labyrinthine streets, cats and donkeys, its carved doors and architecture that respects actually quite well the character of the place.
The mosques are numerous and one of them has a unique domed minaret. He recalled m'ad'ailleurs I photographed a mosque in Yemen.
The repair and construction of dhows are still part of local activities. We can observe several artisans at work on the beach.
The great attraction of Shela probably lies in its deserted beach about 12 km long, bordered by sand dunes. You can walk freely without almost never see a soul.
Only donkeys from time to time (loaded with sand), cows (yes) and even a few camels. And even turtles that were brought from the nearby island for the purpose of marking and identification.
At the beginning of the beach you can observe a kind of medieval fort, which I soon learn, is actually the private residence of a wealthy Kenyan who (despite appearances) has been built recently. A rather surreal!
Opposite Shela (on Manda Island) you can see several homes imposing architecture rather eclectic.
Some will say that these are houses built for wealthy foreigners, French industrialists, bankers, English or Italian directors. These houses have a private beach practically. In closing here is a picture of Shela but seen from inside the island.
The dhows (or dhows in French) are traditional boats from the east coast Africa. These wooden ships, more or less tonnage, and rigged with one or two masts, each carrying a sail trapezoidal called Latin. These boats have been popularized by the Arab sailors in the Indian Ocean. They are found in East Africa, from Somalia to Mozambique. The best known are probably those of Zanzibar. A 
Lamu dhows are generally quite small and have only one mate. The crew consists mostly of two or three people only. They are built (and repaired - above activities caulking) locally in Lamu and Shela same. 
They are used for fishing, transporting goods and construction materials (sand, coral blocks, cement and other items) but also passengers. Traditionally sail, they now often use a booster engine. The Lamu dhow 
generally has a square stern (or table) while that of Mozambique, much larger, has a tapered stern. 
It seems much more elegant. For several years he was imported to Lamu and is now manufactured locally. It is used mainly for weddings and rides for tourists. 
A dhow cruise is also Part of the activities required of any good visitor to this island. 
It is particularly pleasant to drift gently in the evening by watching the mangrove plants tailors coral or sunset on Lamu. 
We thus arrive by sea at Lamu airport is located on the neighboring island, Manda Island, just opposite. The crossing takes about 15 minutes, a little more for the nearby village of Shela, where I lived. 
The city (or village I do not know) is classified as world heritage by UNESCO. Because of its architecture and also its cultural importance on the Swahili coast (like Zanzibar and Pemba). The people are generally of African descent and mixed Arabic. For example, my landlord told me that his family was of Yemeni origin. The predominant religion is Islam (rather strict adherence) and there are mosques everywhere. More often used in conversation in Arabic expressions (as salam alekoum, Choukran, etc..). 
Much of the houses are built in Lamu coral blocks (mined and cut at Manda) and date from the 18th century. 
The floors are supported by pieces of wood from the nearby mangroves and is often observed on the walls of the elaborately decorated plaster. Many of these houses courtyards with fountains in the Arab mind. 
A particular feature of the architecture of Lamu is makuti, a sort of open room 
And the entrance of the old houses often has a kind of masonry porch with benches. Moreover, we find these called baraza benches around the city. We often see the men take the air and comment on news of the day. 
Another important feature of Lamu is the lack of cars. In fact the streets are too narrow to allow this kind of traffic (the city dating back over two centuries). 
Transportation is rather with donkeys which are used all over the island for people and goods. There are about 3,000 donkeys on the island. We see them everywhere. It exists even in Lamu a "donkey sanctuary" or collected the sick or injured animals (sanctuary funded by a foundation course UK). 
transport of heavier loads and over a greater distance, is done with dhows, the traditional sailing Latin Swahili coast. One can observe a continuous traffic of ships in the channel between Lamu Manda. 
In closing here is a picture of the local cemetery, located on the outskirts Lamu, with charming waterers for birds. 
