What a change a few days make. After the weekends adventure on the Tazara Railway I find myself a matter of meters from the gentle waves of the Indian Ocean which lap the pristine white sandy beaches of Tanzania.
After our night at the YMCA, Laura, Will depart for Zanzibar and I get the short Kigaboni ferry across the harbour then a 5minute ride on the back of a motorbike to Mikadi Beach Camp. The only sign that the big port of Dar es Salaam is just round the corner are the large cargo vessels on the horizon, the only noise I hear is the gentle crashing of the waves. A definite improvement from the weekend.
The camp is pretty small, there's about 12 bands (huts) and a camping area which surround a stunning pool and bar with a thatched roof. Toilets are European style rather than an ever moving hole in the floor and the showers are open and clean. The biggest decision I've got to make here is just what time to have breakfast and when to eventually leave. My Kilimanjaro trek starts on Saturday so I have to leave here Thursday or Friday. We shall see.
My day here starts with a morning swim at high tide before hitting the beach front bar for some breakfast. After some tanning, more swimming and reading, dinner eventually pops round accompanied by a local beer watching the sun set and waves lap the shore. The following day simply repeats.
On a change from the taxing schedule I take a morning trip into Dar to get some more money for my Kili trip. Getting on the ferry I see a lady with a large screen TV balanced on her head (no box or protection) and a bicycle with 2 (yes 2!) three piece suites balanced on the back. Then there's a tuc tuc with a 6ft house door hanging out the side and then the usual gaggle and overloading of people trying to cram on. In downtime Dar I can't resist another milkshake (make that 2 more) at the Holiday Inn. There just so good, I think this trip has given me cravings for milkshakes and ice cream. Whilst walking towards the bus station to get a ticket to Moshi I decide actually I'm going to fly there. I don't want to lose this relaxed feeling on a sweaty 10hr bus ride across Tanzania so will book the short 1 1/2 hr flight later back at the camp. Ciao for now folks
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