Mon 16th. We had breakfast, then after 8:00 Lizzie drove Natasha and I to Kenya Kesho School for Girls. It was great to see it fully functioning and all the bushes/trees/veggie garden fully established. Then Daniel drove me and Lizzie to the Lunga Lunga border only about half an hour away, but saved us a lot of time.
We passed through border control very easily; it helped that we were between two bus arrival/departure from Msa & Dar.
I think the trip between Horohoro and Tanga took over 2 hours instead of just over 1 hour. It took a while to get going, then lots of stopping and starting. The dala dala was crammed most of the way. And we still had to get a bajaj to Ocean Breeze. At least it was a low cost journey and Lizzie didn’t seem to mind.
After checking in we basically walked to and from Mkonge for a coffee and to enjoy the view of the harbour. Just prior to that we stopped for a tea snack somewhere. Lizzie got herself a Tz sim card, and I put some credit on mine. Apart from a quick pass through the old Market and popping into the Tanga Institute, we then went to SeaView for a curry dinner. Delicious. As a result of giving some incorrect money for the meal. Deo came chasing after us down the street..!! No problem …it was rectified fully the next day.
Tues 17th. Rubbish breakfast…which I’d warned Lizzie about !! She went to Hashtag Café hoping for a decent coffee, but it was closed. On the way to sort out bus tickets to Dar we stopped at another café, but no luck either as there was a power cut in Tanga. We went across the rail tracks, checked at Tawakal, drew money from DTB bank, and bought our tickets from Ratco on the way back. This was better as the bus departed from within town and just over a 5 minute walk from the hotel.
We had a light snack somewhere then Lizzie retired to her room as she had a stomach ache. I was on my own for the day. I walked to and from Mkonge (for coffee of course). On the way back I just walked through the open gate at the hospital, whereas earlier I’d asked politely but was denied entry. Thus I was able to get close to the old Bombo Hospital where my bros Alan and Mike were born. I took a few pics quickly and left; I didn’t want to push my luck.
I went to my room briefly. I called in at Splendid View but Adolf wasn’t there; I had a couple of beers anyway. I showered, changed and walked around the Library and Museum before going to SeaView to meet up with Lizzie at around 6:30 for dinner. She had chips and I had Jeera chicken. A nice evening and the short walk back to Ocean Breeze. By the evening the power returned thank goodness; the room needed the fan to be working. Tanga was basically very hot.
Wed 18th. 5 minutes walk to Ratco for the 05:45 departure. Usual brief stops at Kange, Pongwe, Muheza bus stands. A smooth journey as the seats were very comfortable. And we even got a couple of cake snacks and a small bottle of water. Before Mbezi we turned off onto a big detour. I thought it was because it was a route with much less traffic, but it was to take us to the new Magufuli Bus Terminus which is over 20 kms from the City centre. So, we transferred to a smaller bus at no extra cost which took us to the Ratco booking office on Morogoro road. We still had a 10 minute bajaj ride to Riki Hill. I took it as a compliment when the bajaj driver said I was cunning/clever in negotiating a 7,000tsh (just over £2) fare.
The hotel lift was broken, the room wasn’t ready, and Lizzie decided she didn’t like the area. She booked herself a hostel on the Masaki peninsular and went off. I went to the Airtel office in the CBD to top up my sim card. Had to wait half an hour whilst the cashier was on her lunch break. Went to A T Room; I was feeling peckish, so with my tea I had a samosa and a bajia. Of course I saw Happy. Returned to the hotel; my room was ready. Settled in. Bought some chevda down the road. Then went to the Congolese pub. After the pub, there was no food that I fancied in the surrounding streets so after a Kvant at 24/7 I munched on potato sticks and chevda in my room. At least the BBC News channel was working so I could be updated on World news…
Thurs 19th. After breakfast…which is okay…filling fruit, sausage, omelete, 2 slices of bread and lots of coffee…I went to the port and booked my 98,000tsh to Zanzibar for the next day.
But before that I messaged Lizzie and that’s when I found out that she felt uneasy with some of the comments I’d been making and didn’t want to continue travelling with me. It didn’t come as a total surprise as I sensed something wasn’t quite right; she wasn’t very communicative and seemed uncomfortable with me, but I couldn’t figure out why.
Popped into Central café for a tea and to use their WiFi. Went on to A T Room for another tea. On the way back to my room I stopped for a no. 2. haircut for 3,000. So, I’ve been scalped, but it feels good in this heat. Relaxed on my balcony before going to the Congolese bar.
On the way to 24/7 I was stopped in the street by an immigration guy (well, he showed me a badge) who said he saw me at the Congolese bar and wanted to see my passport. That’s why I keep it on me because you never know…. I got a bit angry and climbed up a couple of steps and said to a couple of ladies in their shop to be prepared to call the police if this turned out to be a scam. My passport / visa were checked and I went into 24/7 next door. Was a little rattled , but a Kvant calmed me down..!! and I had a quick chat with Edgar. And so to my room. An eventful 4 days. My touring assignment started on Monday and ended on Wednesday…!!! At least I was going to visit Zanzibar again.