We do take positive criticism Hendrik but if you had mentioned something to the manager on the day, we would have pointed out that you were given a brochure by our rep who came to see you. The brochure clearly states that THERE ARE NO DRINKS SUPPLIED ON THE BUS, also our rep advised you to carry a bottle of water with you if necessary. The pick up time from Southern Palms is 7.15a.m and it takes about 50 minutes to get to Shimoni, not the hottest time of the day. We state in the brochure that you will have a welcome tea/coffee on the dhow and later soft drinks, water, our home baked pizza bread and fruit. None of the dhow operators give fresh juice and we do not say we do. We always keep soda water on the dhow and our water comes from Nature's Cool, a reputable mineral water supply company, there is nothing funny abount the taste. We give plastic cups on the dhow for safety reasons and will continue to do so, since glasses tend to break if dropped and people tread on the glass.
We do NOT sell ourselves as all inclusive as this leaves us open to all sorts of claims, we simply state what the trip does include.
PRICE: 20 Euros would cover the cost of Kenya Wildlife Services marine park entrance fee of 15 Euros and tea or coffee. It would not cover the cost of marine park entrance for our crew even and definitely no fuel. If you went on a trip in Egypt for 20 euros it must have been off the beach travelling not far from your hotel with no marine park fees and no lunch. I doubt if you got fresh juice for that amount, definitely not South African wine or Kenya beer. The cost of transport alone from Southern Palms to Shimoni and sailing to Kisite Marine Park and return is prohibitive but we like to take people there as it offers the best snorkelling in Kenya. Lunch is an exclusive Swahili style lunch with freshly caught fish and crab. We do not serve lobster or prawns.
Everything in Kenya costs more than it does in Egypt or Europe. Snorkelling equipment, boat spares, numerous licences duplicated by different government bodies, such as boat licences from 3 different departments, office licences paid to Kwale council and Ministry of Tourism, etc etc. 2% Catering levy, the list of insurances is endless, boat and vehicle repairs.
It would not be possible to sell this trip any cheaper than what it is now. We are very proud of our service and if you check another person's Trip Advisor comment of the day in German language ' ein Traum fur uns Schnorchler!!!! around the same day, 17th November 2012, you will see that is says they were treated like Royalty on the island. They were extremely happy with the snorkelling which is the focus for the day, and our crew are fantastic with clients.
We are sorry to hear that the vegetarian did not get the soup as intended, it is unfortunate that other clients took it. The soup is usually set on the main table and we only catered for one vegetarian that day.
Thank goodness others still have a brilliant day out ad enjoy the marine park. Clients did see dolphins on 17th November also.
Pilli Pipa Office