A Robinson Caruso Retreat

Manda Bay Island, Kenya

A Robinson Caruso Adventire

March 14, 2026

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be isolated on a secluded slice of natural paradise Manda Bay Lodge is for you.

To better capture our surroundings, we download Robinson Caruso by Daniel Defoe, published in 1719. It’s a wonderful tale of a ship captain marooned on an island off the coast of Chile after passing down the coast of Africa and over to Brazil. Especially fun was listening to Caruso’s sailing adventures along the coast of Africa, his capture by Moors, forced slavey, escape, continued sail down the coast, run in with friendly Ghanaians, panther attack, hippo encounter and lion chase. It all feels un seemingly familiar.

And fortuitously we were at the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House in Disney World in December with our oh best beloved grandchildren. We listened to the audiobook with Henry on our drive down. With much historical context we’re feeling right at home.

Long Isolated Walks

We wondered if the grey spreads in the sand were oil streaks. Then we were intrigued with the countless piles of thick grey black pasta styled sand mounds. What a surprise to learn it’s worm poop!

This is a worm cast (also called worm “poo” or fecal casting) from a lugworm (genus Arenicola, likely a species similar to the black to lugworm Arenicola defodiens or a tropical relative found in the Indian Ocean region). The worms can get 8” long.