Not a huge amount happened in those 3 days, but before I write about Dar, I forgot to mention that we crossed over the Rufigi River which is the largest and longest in Tanzania. At its delta virtually opposite Mafia Island is the largest mangrove forest along the whole Eastern coast of Africa. And it has 7 species of mangrove. One thing I noticed was how dry the ground/earth was from Masasi as far as the Rufigi River, but very green from then on to Dar.

So Dar. I got a room on the 6th floor of Riki htl this time. Nice thing about Riki is that it has a lift. Monday was mainly going around the local area…usual haunts…the du Lac bar (which has a proper name that I’ve forgotten); the A Tea Shop; 24/7 to watch football. At around midday I headed off to Tabata Segerea to see Emil’s family and Tecla. Saw Tecla first at her shop. Then went next door and had a long chat with his ex wife Beatta. Between them all there was lots of reminiscing about Emil. Then his daughter Amy was able to leave work a bit early and I took her for a couple of drinks at the Kingdom bar at Segerea bus stand. Also saw old drinking buddies Baraka and KP from the time I stayed for 3 months from Oct ’19. Amy saw me onto a dala dala, and although it was dark it was no trouble getting back. Nice to see the place again..brought back lots of memories.

Wed 14th. I went to the waterfront and bought my ferry ticket for the following day to Zanzibar on Azam ferries. Then in the early afternoon, after a 20 minute walk in the heat I boarded a bus to Masaki ( on the peninsular) to meet Joanna. Had done the route before, but when you are standing and can’t see the route you’re taking and can’t track it your phone because you’re squashed in, one starts to get concerned.

Eventually I got a seat. Got off to do the 10 min walk to the Slipway where we were meeting. I arrived a bit early and had a good look around what was a very expensive shopping centre. Joanna, who is an old childhood friend from Tanga ( our fathers worked together at Kibaranga sisal estate) arrived after 4:00 and we had a good chat for a couple of hours. I left in daylight and caught the dala dala going all the way to Kariakoo. Unfortunately about half way it ran out of fuel . We were bundled into another one…at ko extra cost. Kariakoo, where I was dropped off was still about a 10 minute walk from the hotel , but I made it safely. A drink here and a drink there….. Met a very interesting guy from Congo. I could enjoy the late football knowing that my ferry wasn’t until 9:30 with a reporting time of 09:00. Oh, the ticket price for Non Residents was 35Usd, but you pay a converted price of 85,000Tsh. So, I was all set for Zanzibar.