All my pre-flight fears have come true. We arrived In Dar Es Salaam around 7am. My seat close to the front gave me a clear advantage in the soon to be passport scrum but I was confident. Oh dear how easy it is to forget. Paper work and Africa just do not go together and it took over 2 hours to clear customs and collect bags.
Leaving the airport presented the next challenge fending off the, would be best friend, taxi drivers and not having allowed myself to get my bearings I knew this could all go horribly wrong. In a whirlwind of banter and oppressive heat I took my chances and jumped the least threatening taxi and requested the port.
80,000shillings later (which I am still not sure how much this is) I purchased my ticket and then had another 2 hour wait. Me and several thousand locals (one of whom was in a coffin) set sail for Zanzibar.
The arrival was as chaotic as the departure but my hotel was nearby and a refuge from the mayhem that is Africa.
After relaxing for a couple of hours I ventured into Stone Town where I managed to take in the site of the last slave market, the fish market and the retail quarter. Very interesting and a fantastic history. The town is, as expected, in need of massive refurbishment and a good clean up but so does everywhere else you go here. The hygiene though is even worse than even I expected having seen all the fish including a large stingray just dragged over the filthy ground before they are auctioned off. Having said all that a good diner in the hotel has put it all into perspective and tomorrow is another day.
I am being collected at 11 and head south.
Leaving the airport presented the next challenge fending off the, would be best friend, taxi drivers and not having allowed myself to get my bearings I knew this could all go horribly wrong. In a whirlwind of banter and oppressive heat I took my chances and jumped the least threatening taxi and requested the port.
80,000shillings later (which I am still not sure how much this is) I purchased my ticket and then had another 2 hour wait. Me and several thousand locals (one of whom was in a coffin) set sail for Zanzibar.
The arrival was as chaotic as the departure but my hotel was nearby and a refuge from the mayhem that is Africa.
After relaxing for a couple of hours I ventured into Stone Town where I managed to take in the site of the last slave market, the fish market and the retail quarter. Very interesting and a fantastic history. The town is, as expected, in need of massive refurbishment and a good clean up but so does everywhere else you go here. The hygiene though is even worse than even I expected having seen all the fish including a large stingray just dragged over the filthy ground before they are auctioned off. Having said all that a good diner in the hotel has put it all into perspective and tomorrow is another day.
I am being collected at 11 and head south.
I don’t know what it is but for all of this continent’s problems and chaos there really is a magic to this place and happiness in the children that really makes you feel very humble and privileged to experience it. I cannot wait t reach jambiani.
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