Arusha
Sat 10th May
I finally had a good night’s sleep. I packed and went down for breakfast at 07:30. After 08:45 we caught a bajaj to the airport. Hussein said we shouldn’t show our faces as he went to pay the driver the 15,000..!!
A great bajaj trip to the airport…only 15 – 20 minutes; excellent road. We realaxed before checking in. The plane left just before 11:00 and landed 10 minutes early at 12:05. Too cloudy to see Kili. Arusha airport had expanded a lot; a proper arrivals lounge compared to the ‘tent’ of a year ago. Steve was there to greet us and take us into Arusha.
We were dropped off at Ivory and had to wait a little bit until the rooms were prepared. Robyn had a room for 30,000 and I took the 40,000 ( at 12Gbp a bit expensive, but there again Znz was double that!!), with a view to switching the next day. Mine was extra because of the AC. We then went walkabout.
We walked down to Sokoine Rd where Robyn changed some currency, then we called into Fifis for some light refreshments. I had a nice masala chai. From there to the Clocktower area where I put some phone credit in order to make calls. And then up and around to Slope Garden.
I had 2 beers; bought something for my room; took Robyn back to Ivory; I went out and bought 2 samosas; went across to Mrina for 1 beer; returned to Ivory. A very good day.
Sun 11th May
I was getting used to the AC and I slept well. We had breakfast around 07:30. Then we headed to the Coffee point. But first we went into Shoppers where Robyn bought toothpaste, soap, and…
We met Steve at Msumbies where he kindly bought my tea and Robyn’s mint drink. We lingered there for an hour then went back to the lodge…Robyn to drop off her purchases and me to wait for my 30,000 room with a fan to be prepared. I paid the 60,000 for my last 2 nights in Arusha.
We relaxed a bit then began a different route to Sokoine Rd. I asked at a couple of places about kiti moto, but none was ready yet. We stopped at a pub before going on. We stopped at a Forex where Robyn changed a 100Usd note into a 50 and some smaller Usd notes.
We went upstairs into Black & White and I ordered a kiti moto. When it came we shared it; Robyn had one of the bananas and a few pieces of meat. The meat had more chillies than usual, and perhaps the meat wasn’t quite as tender, but still very tasty. After one drink we made our way back to Ivory.
I left Robyn there and went to PicNic to watch the 14:30 English match. I watched it until half time then they switched to Spanish football. Otherwise, everywhere was showing the Simba game so I went back to my room.
I went out again to watch Liv vs Ars at 18:30. This time I was able to watch the whole game before going back to my room. I had a small amount of Hanson’s left in my water bottle, after which I settled down to sleep. Although the temperature was comfortable, I put the fan on no. 1 to generate a bit of breeze.
Mon 12th May.
A good sleep. Breakfast just after 07:30. Robyn packed her bag and left it in my room. After 09:00 we caught a bajaj to the Natural History Museum of Arusha ; Robyn kindly paid a lot of the entrance of 16,000 each, or under 5Gbp.
What excellent value. Museum is inside the old German boma built in 1900. A great huge section on human evolution, which wasn’t surprising considering most of the evidence / fossils come from Tz and Olduvai and the Leakeys etc. The Leakeys came to Soni school in the late 60s to show us the skull of zinjanthropus.
There were wildlife photos and stuffed wild animals and birds. There is a botanical garden. There was a 160 year old tortoise wandering around. There were souvenirs of course. We were there at least an hour, maybe an hour and a half; great value compaired to the 22,000 Robyn paid for her 5 minute tour of the Freddie museum.
From there it was a short walk to the Clocktower area. We called into a little supermarket and checked out soaps, coffees, spirits etc. Across the road was the bookshop with a small selection of carvings. Then to Arusha Hotel of old…now 4 Points by Sheraton…to see old photos and hotel registers of the 1930s. Robyn bought a nice bracelet.
From there it wasn’t far to Fifis where I had a masala chai and Robyn had a pumpkin soup. Then along Sokoine and back up to Ivory to await Steve. Steve arrived before 14:00 to take Robyn to KIA. We said our goodbyes at the end of a very successful/interesting/fun week. My second ‘tour guiding ‘ experience !!!
I then walked down to Cold Pub for a couple of beers…I was surprised to still be paying 2,500 for a large bottle. Lots of little changes at the Cold Pub …a pool table, outside seating, bushes cut back; anyway , I like the place.
I reached McEllys after 4pm to meet Edgar. He didn’t arrive until well over an hour later. However, we had a good catch-up. It was dark when we left and I made my way to Betty Pork.
Well, I wonder if it’s the best kiti moto I’ve ever had. It’s right up there with Mamka’s. Of course there’s a certain loyalty towards Mamka, but Betty’s was absolutely superb. To clinch top spot it would have to be marked for consistency.
Moshi
Tues 13th May
A good travel day once again. I awoke after 07:00. Was down at breakfast by 07:30. As I was already packed I left the lodge at 07:45. 5 minutes later as I was heading to the bus stand, a bus that was going to Moshi stopped for me, and I ran/scurried and jumped on.
Less than 2.5 hours and we had reached Moshi. Some roadworks around KIA. I was early enough to realise Robyn might still be around. I called into We Travel but Robyn had gone to the Bank. I checked into Kindoroko and I got room 102…my favourite room.
I went across the road and Robyn was there. Her Monday flight had been cancelled so she went to Moshi for an extra night.
We chatted then went nearby to Blossoms where I had my favourite masala chai an shared some nice tortilla chips and dips. I had contacted her taxi driver and he was due to pick her up by 2pm and take her to KIA.
We said goodbye and I went across to Kindoroko to hang my shirt up on the roof, taking advantage of the little bit of sun. I then went to Aroma Coffee to use their WiFi before meeting Catherine at Police Mess.
We had a good chat before I left for Kaka’s. The ‘guys’ were upstairs of course, drinking, smoking, playing loud music !! I managed to get a pic of Kili totally covered in snow…not surprising after all the rain there has been. I was given a couple of shots of Konyagi and I reciprocated by buying them a large bottle of Konyagi !!
I ate a delicious tandoori chicken with rice , and as I was feeling quite tired I returned to the hotel. It was very early for me, but I had a nice room to go back to.
Wed 14th May
I knew what to expect for breakfast…cereals, toast, fruit. A simple day was in store. I went to the bank and drew out 300,000.
From there it was up to Aroma. Someone called out to me because he recognised my voice. It was Coleman who I had met at Splendid View in Tanga in January. He was Adolf’s son in law and I remembered we had a really good chat.
After my masala chai I went via the bus stand and booked a ticket with Raqeeb for the next morning. Then I went to Airtel to top up my bundles with 10,000. As I came out of Airtel, my friend Duncan from Taveta happened to be passing by. He’d come from Kilifi and was only going to be in Moshi for a day…what a coincidence.
I washed my zebra shirt at the hotel and started the drying process on the roof. I met up with Catherine at 15:00 at the Police Mess. At about 16:30 I went to Kaka’s. Kelvin was playing all rock/soft rock/pop from the 70s and 80s.I was happy with his selections.
I made an announcement about my impending departure from Tz and went downstairs for my superb tandoori chicken. Total cost with 2 large beers is 18,000…or just over 5Gbp.
From there I called into Awara, just around the corner from Kindoroko, for a nightcap. The beers were still only 2,000 each. That was it, a good final day in Moshi.