I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike...

I finally have some fantastic pictures to show you.  This weekend started out great with Koshuma taking me for a welcome drink at the Golden Tulip.  It was wonderful to get to know one of my coworkers outside of the workplace and I enjoyed it thoroughly (especially since it meant I could stay out after dark J I learned from Koshuma that there is a tribe from the Kilimanjaro area that proudly consumes alcohol all the time (his words, not mine).  Men and women are equally taught to drink and look strangely upon those that don’t.  Sounds like an interesting tribe.  I’m pretty sure I know some folks who would claim to be a part of this tribe! 

Koshuma told me about some must-see places while here in Tanzania and the top of his list is to climb Kilimanjaro.  I do have about 8 days at the end of my work placement and could possibly fit it in.  I’m not sure yet, as it will take substantial training and some investment in proper gear.  However, I would really love the challenge and do hope to do it at some point in my life even if not now.  Stay tuned for the outcome of that one.

So Friday I made it an early night as I had big plans to take the bike down to Slipway and hop on a boat to Bongoyo Island early the next day.  The bike ride went well (although there was substantial saddle soreness as the seat was very unforgiving- not sure how Olaf rides it, especially on the dirt/rock roads) and I made it to Slipway in record time.  I was early for the boat which left at 9:30 am so I had time to look around.  I  wandered around the Slipway and finally put my camera to good use until it was time to leave.  There were only about 10 of us and we took a small boat to a larger boat and about 30 minutes later arrived at the island where we hopped back on the little boat and road ashore.  One of our guests was so enthusiastic he tried to get out when it wasn’t his turn.  He was immediately punished for this as the water was much deeper than he had anticipated and with one leg in the water and one leg in the boat you can imagine the look on his face as his future ability to have children may have been impaired.  Side note- I later noticed that this man had no belly button.  Weird.

The island was more beautiful than I can ever describe in words so for your viewing pleasure, I have added a whole bunch of pictures below.  As soon as I arrived I was able to get a hut and a seat and was thrust a lunch menu and asked what time I wanted to eat.  Having learned that you must always ask what is fresh, I did and was happy to hear it was the crab and lobster.  As you can see from my picture below, I ordered the crab.  I was a happy camper for I’m pretty sure Bongoyo Island is close to paradise.  One of my fellow beach bums approached me as I had camera in hand and told me he had the tip of the day.  He informed me that there was no need to snorkel as there was a pool with all types of marine activity just off to the side.  Since I hadn’t brought my snorkel gear, this was indeed the tip of the day.  I was pleasantly surprised and immediately aware of my loose footing when I saw these gigantic eel-looking fish with what appeared to be very sharp teeth and the very distinct look of hunger in their eyes.  I quickly took the pictures and returned to the safety of my hut.  I have now learned that these are Moray Eels.  I look forward to eating one, granted I’m not eaten first.  Not sure I would have won that fight had I fallen in!

I needed a beach read (of course) and was recommended Zanzibar’s Chest by Aiden Hartley.  So far, I am only halfway but it is a great read and I highly recommend it.  It is a bit graphic at times so not for the faint of heart.  It grippingly describes the hardship and torment this continent has had to endure and is certainly an interesting commentary on colonialism and what followed.

After enjoying a relaxing morning and lunch on Bongoyo Island, I returned to Slipway and was happily surprised to see that the bike was still exactly where I left it (having lived in Amsterdam, I know this is not always the case!)  I went to the supermarket where I had parked the bike to buy some basic necessities, bread, water, etc. and off I went on my bicycle back to the house.  On the way back, traffic was a bit heavier and so I had to use my keen maneuvering skills to avoid any accidents.  Near the end of Kimweri where it gets increasingly busier I have to admit I got off the bike and walked (for my own safety and that of others).  The most shocking part of my day was on the way home when some man in a gigantic SUV (polluter) yelled at me out of his window and called me a crazy a$$.  I didn’t even know they used terms like that here.  I guess on the positive side, he didn’t call me Mzungu and so maybe I am starting to fit in!

View from Slipway

fishernen at low tide

the little boat attached to the bigger boat

heavenly

Moray eels

can you see the teeth?

mmmmm....lunch

it's been a hard week

any which way as long as it's here :)

Slipway

On Sunday Olaf returned from Tanga with wild stories of bat caves and his own bicycle adventure and I have now added Tanga (with a stop in Lushoto) on my list of places to see.  We went to dinner at the mall (they actually have some great restaurants there and we went to one which was made of old ships.  Pretty cool.  Even better, they had Sangria.  Yum.  Then off to see “The Other Guys” a film with Will Ferrell and Marky Mark.  Let’s just say that my new favorite quote (besides the one about Gater and Jimmies- see the movie to know what I’m talking about) is “I am going to climb that anger wall and it is going to be glorious.”  Awesome.

So a great end to a great weekend.  I have to admit though that I have missed my daily meal of rice and am looking forward to a delicious lunch of wali na mboga mboga.   Oh, I almost forgot I promised an update on my accomodation situation.  I still have not found any accommodation and so the search continues.  I am motivated to find something but fear that I have been spoiled by my current place.  I am staying on top of it and have started my own search.   Until next time, enjoy a few snap shots of my current 'hood J