Jan 1st 2024. Thought I heard 2 or 3 gunshots in the early hours..but no screams. Possibly just warning shots as there had been vandalism over the new year celebrations.
After tea with Mercy, it was a matter of walking around town greeting people. The main activity was preparing to meet Joseph for lunch. He was to buy the 70cl bottle of County and I was to pay for the food. I checked the chicken place around the corner from Jodean Bar and asked if the bar would cook vegetables for us.

The plan came together nicely. We met up after 2pm. Joseph paid the 850 for the County. I paid the 850 for a whole chicken that was deep fried. We skipped the cooked vegs idea and I rushed to the market to buy tomatoes, onions, lemons and chillies and prepared our own kachumbari at the bar. Maria cooked some ugali for us and we invited her to have some chicken with us. The chicken was cooked very well and we had a really fun afternoon and early evening, listening to our own choice of music and finishing off the big bottle of spirit between us.

I probably went for a tea at Texas before retiring to my room; I’ve been tending to do that after an evening out.

Tues 2nd. Cycled to Cessi and Asali bar. Betty (honey) who I knew from many years ago wasn’t around, so I had a soda and cycled back to Taveta. It takes half an hour to cycle from Taveta to the Cessi junction; it’s further than you think.
After freshening up, I guess it was a choice of Texas or Dar es Salaam for dinner , followed by either Rockland, Matumu or Challa Htl.

Wed 3rd. Was a fun day out. Julius took me to Lake Jipe on his boda. He’s a careful driver and he only charged me 800 return. Am sure anyone else would’ve wanted at least 1,200. We went a shortcut that cut out Cessi, coming out at Rekeke just before Grogans …apparently that section used to be the original road to Jipe. So, passed Grogans, seeing some zebra that were in Basil’s new conservation area. Passed Mata which is part of Pres Ruto’s land portfolio. Approached 4 Masai in the road herding their livestock…so I stopped filming as I was concerned they might take offence.
We saw one elephant. Went straight to the KWS base on the lake shore, which has been rebuilt/expanded…including a small infinity pool facing Lake Jipe. We left in a hurry when told we’d have to pay 570bob because we were in the Park. Saw warthogs & gazelles. Went to Jipe Safari camp where we had a tea. I decided against a swim in the pool as I wasn’t in the mood and it was slightly overcast. On the return journey we saw the same elephant which had probably walked 2 kms from where we saw him a few hours earlier.
A good trip back despite the road being so bad. I treated Julius to beans and chapatis in Cessi at the Never Give Up Café. Big, fresh chapatis so I was quite full afterwards; then Julius dropped me off in Taveta at about 4:30.

4th – 6th Just mooched around. Cycled a couple of times to a newish bar in California. I cycled to Burneys Inn…only 15 minutes away. I decided to risk going back to Rockland, but am careful to drink straight from the beer bottle; I dont risk using a glass anymore. And John Mruttu is always good company.
All my neighbours had returned from their holidays so the area around my room was noisier than usual.  The workman put cut glass on top of the wall outside my room; apparently there were two occasions when someone managed to climb over…so this was extra security.

So on Saturday I bought my Harambee coaster ticket to Arusha for the following day. I tried to pay 500; someone tried to charge me 600, and in then end I paid 1,000 !!!There seemed to be a lot of confusion …a busy time of the year to travel (school starting)…but was happy just to have a ticket as there is only one coaster a day.

Sun 7th. I got to the stage a bit early but you don’t know what problems might unfold. A bit late, but we left at 12:30. I got through immigration quickly but I think some of the luggage required samples being taken ( checking for smuggling I think). So 01:30 to 02:30 to get to Moshi. I was transferred straight away at no extra cost to a BM coach…not sure why, but I got the impression the coaster wasn’t going on to Arusha; a bit confusing as I hadn’t been forewarned.  2 hrs to travel to Arusha..an unfortunate delay before Usa River because a lorry had fallen off the road..!!
Walked straight to Meru House Inn..got a room on 2nd floor at the back (a bit quieter)…and by 5 was at the Cold Pub. From there I went to Black and White for kiti moto. Then the hotel bar for a night cap, and straight to my room.

Mon 8th. I met Steve at Msumbi Coffees near Shoppers. I told him about the problems I was experiencing in withdrawing money from ATMS. It was a big problem for me because I needed to pay Steve the balance of the money for the Safari. Then it appeared my bank account had been charged for the failed DTB withdrawals. So a slightly stressy day thinking I was nearly £200 out of pocket. Apart from a visit to Fifi’s for tea and WiFi, I didn’t do much.
I had hoped to meet Edgar at Cold Pub to buy him a birthday drink for Tuesday but he was too busy to make it. I went to Black & White for kiti moto again; nice one..slightly better than the day before.

Then back to the hotel for a beer and to bed. It was a shame the day ended on such a stressful note because I was treating myself to a 3 night , 4 day Safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti National Parks, starting the next day.