An informal cocktail party held at the residence of Shabnam and Gurdeep Nayer was in honour of the visit to Mombasa by Norbert Simon, Member of the Conseil d’Administration and Bailli Délégué of Austria, with his charming wife Elisabeth who is an Officier member of the Chaîne.

The early evening commenced with chilled bubbly Le Dolci Collini and an array of canapés that included fresh Indian Ocean oysters on ice, meat balls, jeera potatoes, spring rolls, and samosas all accompanied by a variety of home-made sauces whilst enjoying the spectacular ocean views.

The second part of the party continued on the upper deck under the moonlight beside tropical palm trees. Elegant tables were laid out with crisp starched white linen for members and guests to enjoy the rest of the evening in comfort.

White wine ‘Pasquiers Sauvignon Blanc/Vermentino’ and red wine ‘Finca La Escondida Reserva Shiraz’ was served by traditionally-attired (in white khanzus, gloves and fez caps) service staff.

An incredible variety of canapés was artistically laid out starting with an extensive cheese board, seafood platters, slivers of rare-cooked steak on a bed of rucola, spicy chicken wings, dhal bhajias, sandwich dhokra*, vegetable samosas. The dessert selection held a mouth-watering chocolate cake, lemon cake, walnut and carrot cake, tiramisu, cheesecake with whipped cream and much more.

A surprise awaited members when a ‘Single Malt Whisky Bar’ was unveiled by Fernando Marques, Vice-Chancelier of the Bailliage of Mombasa, who manned the station.

Background music taken to an upbeat level meant some members could not help dancing!

The only downside to this otherwise spectacular evening was that it had to come to an abrupt end due to the current curfew part of the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions here in Kenya.

Shabnam Nayer
Bailli Délégué

* Ed: Savoury steamed lentil and rice cake - a specialty from the state of Gujarat