Culture&Art
O
n the morning of 24 August about 100 colourful ladies and gentle-
men will wake up in Malindi with
one thing in mind: winning €50,000. That is the prize in Casino Malindi’s
first-ever Texas Hold’em poker tournament.
Of course it’s a big deal. The hype is already in the air and you could cut it with a knife. Invitations have been sent out to renowned players in Dubai, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya. On that day, these great minds will hold court at the newly refurbished casino and cross swords. It will be an epic.
musical legend
socially. In the 15th century there was
the Taliban, the post-election violence,
Casino Malindi – the only casino in
the Arab connection, influenced by
Al Shabaab. We are all aware of it, we
Malindi – is more than just a place to
trade. Then Vasco da Gama dropped
even prepare for it and there is faith in
gamble, it’s a local landmark and a
anchor in 1498, benefiting from the
the government’s security apparatus.”
mascot of the region. During the day it
relationship with the Portuguese.
Then she summarises her thoughts in
maintains a reserved demeanour along
Later, he was to leave for Mombasa,
a phrase: “We like our peace.”
the seafront. But night falls and the
resulting in the decline of Malindi.
chips call out to the gamblers, promis-
But by 1930 European settlers were
prizes
ing better fortune, you will see a beeline
on the increase in the area, putting
And peace is something the poker
heading to the doors of the casino.
Malindi back on its feet once more. The
players who arrive on 24 August will
first hotel was built in 1931 and now
need if they fail to win the tournament
the coast has about 75 hotels, casting
prize. But even if that prize remains
These tableaux will be soundtracked by soothing piano music wafting from the bar by a pianist who has been around as long as the casino. Francis Njoroge is Casino Malindi’s musical legend, one of its virtuosic treasures. You have to sit at his feet, with a drink in hand, to fully comprehend his genius. Malindi – just like its casino –
‘Of course it’s a big deal. The hype is already in the air and you could cut it with a knife. Invitations have been sent out to renowned players in Dubai, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya’
deserves the vibrancy. It seems to have
it as an ideal holiday resort. It wasn’t
elusive, they will be assured of fun.
done the full circle, economically and
long before the first charter flight
They will have the choice of indulg-
was launched in 1965. Malindi hasn’t
ing in deepsea fishing, Malindi’s most
looked back since.
popular sport, whose past enthusiasts
In Malindi, because of its huge
include Ernest Hemingway in 1934.
momentum in tourism, they seem not
And perhaps, later, they can sit in the
to be losing too much sleep over the
casino’s Shogun sushi bar, the only
latest terrorism cases. “We have been
floating sushi bar of its kind in East
dealing with different forms of terror-
Africa, and fence with chopsticks. Or
ism over time,” says Daniela Cellini,
perhaps just have another shot at the
of Malindi Casino, over a starter of
big time in the Salle Prive, the casino’s
grilled squid at the attractive La
private club, a first-class lounge bar
Griglia restaurant. “There has been
where guests can fix their own drink. The people of Casino Malindi love to
la griglia restaurant The outdoor garden atmosphere sets the mood for an enjoyable dining experience
say: “Go where the sun takes you.” It is more than an invitation to Malindi. It’s an assurance of freedom. So go ahead and follow the sun.
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