Dar es Salaam
Wed 21st May
Woke up earlier than planned but it meant that by 08:00 I was washed and packed and had eaten breakfast. By 08:15 I was at the bus. Bus to Bunju Sokoni 08:45 – 09:30.
Bus to Makambusho 09:45 – 11:15. Hour and a half but moving all the time, even if only slowly at times.From Makambusho to Kariakoo 45 mins. Not the usual prolonged stop at the Mwenge traffic lights.
Roadworks from a long way out due to the extension of the BRT. So, it took a few hours but certainly cheap…1,500 + 1,000 + 600 + a few hundred to the lady who helped me…so, about 1Gbp total !!
Plus the walk across Kariakoo to a find hotel. I tried Concord, Copper Belt and Tropical; either there were no rooms available or there was no Wi-Fi or no DSTv to show the UEFA Europa League final between Spurs and Man Utd later that night.
Anyway, I didn’t like the area as the streets are too crowded and there’s lots of puddles of water after any rain showers. I ended up back at Keys in an AC room at 40,000.
I immediately went to A T room to say Hi to Happy, and I had 2 samosas with my tea. Back to my room for a shower and to wash my green shirt, then just around the corner to Kipata restaurant for beans and rice and greens. From there it was over to the Congolese bar.
I really took my time…a couple of hours. A live band convened on the street below; it was a big shame that initially they were competing with a very loud entertainer on the next corner. Interesting to watch and listen to, but that was enough for me. I got 10,000 Internet bundles top up and I checked that 24/7 were showing the Spurs vs Man Utd game at 10pm.
24/7 hadn’t paid the subscription so weren’t able to televise any English football. Mango were only showing local matches. Success at Sapphire hotel but technically only for hotel guests. I sweet talked the manager into letting me watch at Sapphire.
However it was a Muslim hotel and didn’t sell alcohol. I was over half an hour early so I went to the Congolese bar for 2 quick Castles. I found that they were showing the Cup final as well. I went back to Sapphire for the first half, saw the goal, then back to Congolese for the second half. I managed to stay awake…well, it was a very exciting second half…as staying up to midnight, for me, never happens. Brilliant that Spurs won the Europa League Cup; I reached my room after 12:30.
Thurs 22nd May
Not the best sleep. The AC seemed to be stuck on 17° and I felt a bit cold even with a sheet over me. I would’ve switched to a fan had there been one. The shower temperature also seems to be fixed at a minimum amount of hot water passing through..!!!
After breakfast and phone charging and paying for my room, I walked across the city to the Ethiopian Airlines office just to confirm all was well with my flight. About 10 minutes further on was the Greek Cathedral where I took a few pics of the outside.
On the way back into the city I stopped for a coffee. Then I stopped at A T Room but Happy was on leave. I’ll send her a goodbye WhatsApp message.
I relaxed in my room before searching out dinner options. The first place didn’t have maharage. The second place quoted a rip-off price for rice and beans so I just walked out…saying “I don’t like being cheated “. So, back to Kipata, but this time I had rice, dagaa (small fish) and beans for 3,500 ( 1pound).
I had drawn out 200,000 earlier…about 60 pounds…which I hope will last me until I leave. Then over to the Congolese bar for the last time. I drank 2 beers. There was a lovely breeze up there. I went over to 24/7 for my last beers while listening to very good music and dealing with very sporadic hooking up with the Riki wifi.
Then over to my room. No stress as I had an easy journey to Segerea the next day.
Segerea
Fri 23rd May
In the early hours I switched off the AC and the temperature was much better. I thought it would be too hot, but even without a fan it was fine. An 08:30 breakfast was followed by a quick shopping trip for toothpaste and washing powder.
I checked out of Key’s and was at Mnazi Mmoja by 09:00. I was soon on the Kinyerezi bus which went through Segerea. Initially slow getting out of Kariakoo, going around lots of side streets. Then we speeded up, with the roads being less busy; the journey took an hour and 20 minutes.
I fancied a milk tea but there was none to be had. I went straight to BS Lodge to check in. The room is fine for 20,000 (£6), with shower, fan and sit down toilet.
I went across the stand and had a coffee. I then went to the menders and had my kikoi, jeans and mini back pack stiched up. Then back to the room to wash a shirt and socks.
I saw KP briefly and he recommended a barbers at the petrol station. I didn’t like the way they started at 10,000 and dropped to 5,000. I went somewhere else where they started at 5,000 and that was their final offer. I stuck with them and had a no. 2. Certainly shaved all my hair off, but it should last me for a while..!!
I met up with KP after 3pm and we had a good catch-up. I bought a large bottle of Konyagi. At 18:30 I met up with Amy at Pork Point to treat her to kiti moto and generally catch up with Emil related family news.
I think it was about 9pm when I got to my room. A good first day in Segerea.
Sat 24th May.
The room was fine. Unusually, I dozed until about 09:00. I went to a Café near the stand because I was told they had wifi. I had tea and a couple of samosas, and although the wifi did connect, the signal was weak and I didn’t achieve much.
I was keeping an eye out for a shop selling flip flops. I went to visit Beata…Emil’s ex wife…who shared the same plot with Emil, but lived in different houses. That was 5.5 years ago when I stayed with Emil for 3 months. I was there for over an hour drinking coffee and having a nice chat.
Back at BS Motel I lay out in the sun for over an hour, taking advantage of the first totally clear blue sky in weeks. The last bit of sunbathing I did was in Lindi. I showered then went to meet the ‘guys’ for 13:30. Chief was there and KP passed by very briefly. I treated them to a large bottle of Konyagi…again !!
After a couple of hours I went to Pork Point for an earlyish dinner. I was there a little while before the sun started going down around 6pm. I chose to have the pork ribs this time as they are less messy to eat. Very tasty and washed down with a couple of beers. A nice place to eat…getting more popular, and much cheaper than Kazimoto just up the road.
Then to my BS room. Of course it’s their job, but annoying for whoever is on duty that when the gate bell rings, they have to let a person in, no matter what time of the night/morning.
Sun 25th May
No hurry; I had all day, but was waiting for Alkanjello to reply about a meet up. I went to Mocha café for a coffee. The wifi was much stronger this time and I was even able to do a FB post.
I was also on the lookout for a new pair of flip flops. One shop had what I wanted but not in my size. I bought a pair eventually, although the straps look a bit flimsy, and at 8,000 they are nearly double the Kenya cost.
I had already packed, but it was after 10:00 so I took my rucksack outside and sat in the sun in the courtyard for a while. I then went to Kingdom, and because they didn’t sell tea, I had a small beer. The cost was 2,000 whereas last year they charged me 2,500; I remember thinking then that I was being overcharged.
I went back to Mocha café for a tea and 2 samosas. I did a bit of catching up on sending pics to Tor as the wifi was good. I also checked the no. 400 timetable from Gatwick to EG which showed there being an hourly one. Good news as I’ll be able to use my Bus Pass to get all the way to Frow.
I’d received a message from Alkanjello to say he couldn’t meet me as he had to go away on business.
I took my time, then before 13:30 I negotiated a bajaj to the airport. The initial asking price was 15,000 but I couldn’t get below 10,000..(£3). It was only about 15 minutes, but absolutely vindicates my decision to stay at Segerea…near the airport…no stress.
I hoped to have a drink at the same bar I went to with Alkanjello last year, but I couldn’t find it; I think it had been demolished to make way for the road expansion. At the back there was Darajani pub which was away from the noisy activies near the main road, and I relaxed there.
Before 15:30 I made the 10-15 minute walk to terminal 3. By 16:45 I’d completed the check in process. I went to departures and had 2 beers before the 18:45 flight. I had an aisle seat next to a Rwandan guy. The chicken meal was nice enough, and 3 hours later we reached Bole International.
Monday 26th
UK..Forest Row
Because my flight was a bit later than last year, I had a shorter stopover in Addis. But then because we had to wait for some passengers from Jo’burg, we were an hour late leaving Addis. Had a great chat with a guy who lived just outside Arusha; I couldn’t remember the name of Mark’s friends initially. Then suddenly I said ..Morson…and my fellow passenger said…”he’s my landlord” !! And Mark had met his wife….small world.
Good flight. I don’t know how much sleep I got. At Gatwick we weren’t far from the gate, so I was through passport control in minutes. But had to wait about 20 minutes for my rucksack. Onto the shuttle to S terminal, and after waiting 50 minutes I was on the 400 bus to EG using my Bus Pass. It was great not to incur a taxi fare.
I stopped off at Spoons for their inexpensive coffee..!! Then to Forest Row to check into Judith’s. I did some Coop shopping before going to the Village club to catch up with old friends. Rob reminded me that my bike was still there..!!!
The weather was awful…absolutely freezing. Dinner was sausages, potato, onions…I really had a craving for sausages. A strange feeling being back and having to adjust to the UK again. It helped seeing people I knew/know.