Lamu, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is Kenya's oldest continually inhabited town located along ancient trade routes between the Middle East and South Asia. Founded by Portuguese sailors looking for a sea route to India in the 12th century, the only traffic jams you find here are donkey jams. The narrow streets make traversing the island by a car impossible, instead, donkeys are used to transport goods and people. These beasts of burden are held in high regard and even have a hospital dedicated solely to them. While sailing between Lamu Island and Manda Island, among the mangroves, one can see traditional dhows sail home. Under a fiery sky set ablaze one last time by the sun with all its dying glory, the ships finally dock after completing its labors for the day.
Another amazing aspect of Lamu is the beautiful homes dotting the town's landscape. These homes showcase the best examples of Swahili architecture—a fusion of South Asian, the Middle Eastern, and the East African styles—where ornately carved exquisite wooden doors are gateways into homes made of local coral limestone.