Sat 14. Crossed border. Even easier this time. Bought phone credit. Walked to the stage. Took nearly half an hour before we left at 9:30. 15 mins to Himo. Straight into a Tarakea dala. Fast one which was good. Had to switch transport ( another dala) at Mwika. Thought we’d be badly delayed by being behind a wedding vehicle procession but our driver did good job of overtaking. Just over 3 hrs altogether to Tarakea. Had very nice ginger tea at the junction. Message confusion and I nearly left without going to Emil’s house. But luckily I communicated with James and it was sorted. I made the 10 minutes walk to the house and paid my respects and saw what I think was my Guava tree. It has grown a lot and looks very healthy.
Back to the stage. Dala to Mwika. Change to dala to Marangu..I had the front seat. Arrived nearly 14:00.
Maneno was waiting for me with his boda; James gave me the contact. Boda to Kilema and down to the Sabas homestead and Emil’s grave. Long, long way down on rough dirt roads; I would never have found it. I was given a snack of peanuts, mangoes and oranges then Maneno took me to Devota lodging near Kilasiya falls. 10,000tsh. No shower. Cold water. I knew what to expect as I stayed there a couple of years ago. Hot water if you pay 20,000 I think. Had a drink up the road. Met Joseph…a local cultural guide…so, had a very interesting chat. Discovered my phone was hacked. Went to the Fundi wa simu who seemed to fix it ( don’t actually know what he did). Joseph took to a Mbege joint. Had a very amusing time with a group of Mbege drinking ladies. I struggled with the Chagga language, which they found hilarious. Ordered kiti moto at Devota. Ate it watching football. Then bed about 9. Eventful day.
Sun 15th. Next morning paid 3,000tsh for mtori, chapati n tea. Nice see mtori traditionally cooked…bananas mashed, then with a wooden something..stirred vigorously. Caught boda to Marangu mtoni. Found the coffee cafe that I like but it was closed. Short walk down the road and into a dala to Moshi. Cost 2000. Moshi straight to bus stand and a few seats remaining at the back of the bus to Arusha. Cost 4,000. 2 hrs to Arusha. After 10 mins Steve met me. He had a car. Went looking for somewhere to stay. 1st place too expensive..back to Green Garden where I stayed last year. Price drop 35 to 30,000. Happy with that. Still early so reacquainted myself with the area. Late afternoon had delicious chicken curry at Hot Plate. Drinks across the road as Hot Plate no longer has a bar. Back to Green Garden ; a night cap and then bed.
Mon 16th. Walkabout Arusha. Did much needed washing, esp jeans. Nice pics of Green Garden incl misspelling on new door..EXIST !! Met Edgar after 2:00. Tried a couple of places but decided to head for bar opp Hot Plate…ot was closed. Went to what was Babylon but now Black and White Lounge. Boring..Babylon mural/poster more fun. It read “No guns allowed Ref entrance club”. Pic of a gun. Nice time tho. Went to Uzunguni near Green Garden had cheap 3,000 chapati and veg. Back to hostel for night cap.
Tues 17th. Leg very sore so walked slowly into town. Did some walking around. Monuments. Leg seemed to improve. Back to the hostel then back to the Bar opp Hot Plate. Back to Uzunguni for cheap dinner..then to GG. Night cap.
Wed 18th. B’fast 07:30. Walk to bus stand. Leg not great but a bit better. Left 9:30 eventually for Moshi. Coaster…bigger than a dala but smaller than a bus..sat near the front so had a good view .. thought it would be a fast trip but still took just over 2 hours. Quite a good view of Mt Meru.Only small bit of Kili visible.
From Moshi bus stand I went in the opposite direction to usual. Settled on Buffalo htl in single small room at 25000. Hot water and saved 5000 . Checked Zebra and Leopard but they wanted to be paid in usd as a non resident at a rate converted to 84,000. No contest, Buffalo much better. Walked passed the Railway station. Went Walkabout and checked prices of Kilimanjaro htl and Basecha Lodge where I’ve stayed previously but they were 40000 & 35000 respectively. Police Mess for a couple of drinks. Then Kaka’s. Same old aquaintances. Delicious tandoori of course.
Thurs 19th. Bfast was adequate. Went to the supermarket for chevda. Checked out Sikh sports bar for alternative food. 3,000 per dish more than Kaka’s but probably worth trying once. Sat on the Hotel balcony. Took it easy. Internet cafe for 30 mins. Usual coffee at Fresh. Kaka’s for dinner of course. Got Extra chicken for being a regular customer. Popped into Africa(n) Bar, just around the corner from Buffalo. Annoying guy said a beer cost 5000 when actually it’s 2000. Told him he was a shit and a thief. Drank my beer then back to the hotel.
Fri 20th No rush as Moshi to Holili is only about an hour’s journey. B’fast….was cheeky and asked for some jam to put on the tasty pancakes. Took Pics of Kibo. Front seat in the dala dala but no view of Kili after we left Moshi. Only 1 hour to Holili. Dala dala switch but into a faster one. Had a tea then crossed the border. Was in Taveta before midday. Chilled. Did some washing. Dar es Salaam for pojo dinner. A visit to L Challa hotel. Went to Rockland for a Triple Ace which lasted me all evening. Great visit to Tz. I achieved everything I wanted. The travels were smooth. And Emil’s brother James in Arusha and daughter Amy in Dar were really happy/pleased that I made the effort to pay my respects to Emil.