It might seem like a quirk, but when the first Arab fishermen a few centuries ago called the small village near Malindi, "Watu Tamu", or "Place of Sweet People" (then contracted in Watamu), they could not imagine that sweetness which it referred to would become a trademark of the future tourist resort.
Just as it is equally difficult to imagine a vacation paradise on the shores of the Indian Ocean just below the African equator, where you can enjoy a better ice cream than the western one and a tasty white art to envy the best Italian pastries.
If the professionalism and the craft are entrusted to the hands of a girl of ours, sweetness is also in the smile with which for 11 years welcomes the customers, greedy and not.
That's why he became one of Watamu's most famous and appreciated characters.
She is called Anna Leali and is of Brescia origin, but now she can be considered Kenyan half: here she married her Andrew and here their daughter Lucrezia grows.
Watamu has his many friends, between the English, the local and the Italian communities.
Here, having opened and launched the first Watamu pastry shop and ice cream parlor in the center, it has become present, through its homemade products, in almost all birthdays, weddings, celebrations and dinners at the end of the evening A fantastic millefoglie, a special cheese cake or other types of cakes, if not a loaf of pastries or a mere "italian icecream" solid and delicious. Not to mention the special orders, the wedding with dozens of dozens of guests and as many "short cakes" or ice creams and so on.
Five years ago the "Not Just Ice Cream" shop was born, which in a short time has become the mecca of those who love the sweet things and the pleasure of sharing them.
There are really few residents and regulars of Watamu and Malindi, as well as Nairobi Kenyans who are on holiday at the sea, not having tasted a cream cannellon, ice cream biscuit, icicle or another specialty born out of its sugary creativity.
And it is just behind the desk of his Artisans boutique that he realizes that the sweetness of his inventions is one with his ever-positive verve and with the predisposition to joviality.
Anna is a tireless worker, during the high season she knocks, bakes and keeps at dawn and ends late in the evening without a day of rest.
To drag her, the great passion with which she makes her profession and love for Africa and the family.
"This place for me is special - confirms the sweetest girl in Watamu - the light, nature and tranquility of living here give me the joy of doing my job better and integrating it with my mother's role" .
Today Anna is known throughout Kenya, but has not lost the simplicity and spontaneity of when she came to Watamu with the intent of improving her quality with the certainty of knowing how to do her job well and the desire to live in one place Warm, welcoming and wonderful.
The Capital's high class often orders its inimitable pies and sends them by plane from Malindi, many are the restaurants and hotels that sell their products but she does not fit her head.
On the other hand, this has always been the reason for its success: doing things well, with joy and passion.
The secret of the sweetness of Watamu is all there!