JN: Yeah. So Lamu, I would say it’s like a very small Zanzibar. So you, it’s on the coast so you have this like Swahili architecture. You know, the history of the Arabs coming down and, um, meshing with East African culture. And it’s, I’m assuming she probably stayed in Shela, because that’s the place where most people stay. It’s actually a village and you really get that feeling. So when I was there, um, I first of all ate everything because the curry was so delicious. It’s the first time I ever had fish samosas. And it’s just, it’s absolutely amazing. But what I love about it is that you get that village feel, people are walking around, everyone’s speaking. Um, everyone is so helpful. You kind of get lost because it’s a bit of a maze. But it was just … I don’t know. Like, there, there’s not a ton to do. You do a sunset dhow cruise. But beyond that, it’s just about meeting people, talking to people, enjoying the beach, enjoying the sunset. And there’s a young woman named Selma there who makes the best samosas.
So I actually went to her house and had her teach me how to make samosas, which is so incredible. Um, I’m hoping to make them at home soon.
LA: I was gonna ask, have you tried to make the fish samosa yet?
JN: Not yet, but today I am making fish curry. And that is a recipe that I also got when I was there. So I’m very excited to make my fish curry today. I adore that.
LA: Jessica, where are you going next?
JN: I’m so excited because I’m going on a trip that is number one on my bucket list. I leave in a few days for Argentina, and from there I’m going to Antarctica.
LA: Oh my god, you’re doing the Antarctica trip.
JN: Yeah, I’m so excited.
LA: Are you going via Drake Passage?
JN: Yes. Yeah. So we fly to Ushuaia, I think it’s called, um, in the south of Argentina. And then we board a ship and we go to Antarctica. I’m so excited and it’s really cool ’cause I’m going with Lindblad and National Geographic. And of course Nat Geo is my publisher so it’s like a full-circle moment and I’m going to the last continent on my list.
LA: How long will you be there for?
JN: Uh, it’s 10 days.
LA: One thing I’ve had about is, um … ’cause, you know, usually you’re on a ship. But often sometimes there is the experience where you get to camp out for a night. Are you gonna do that?
JN: Oh, I, I haven’t heard. So you know what’s so funny? Because I found out about this while I was still [laughs] traveling, I haven’t done all of my research. I have not yet read all of the things that they’ve sent me, which is kind of cool because I want to be surprised.
LA: Yeah.
JN: So I have no idea what’s gonna happen. Um, but I packed lot of very cute sweaters-
LA: Well-
JN: … [inaudible 00:22:20].
LA: … I was gonna say, if you’re wondering what to pack, I’m pretty sure we have a how to pack for Antarctica story on cntraveler.com. So-
JN: Amazing [laughs].
LA: … I’ll send you the link.
JN: Thank you.
LA: Next week another odyssey but of the classical variety. Laura Coffey goes in search of the islands in Homer’s epic poem and finds that the closest real equivalents are not in Greece but off the coasts of Italy, Spain and Croatia. I’m LA and you can find me on Instagram at Lale Hannah. Our engineers are Jake Lummus, Nick Pitman and James Yost. The show is mixed by Amar Lal. Jude Kampfner from Corporation for Independent Media is our producer. Chris Bannon is Conde Nast head of global audio.
