Sun 7th. So, my pcr test had come negative and I had to leave Kenya within 96 hours. I was in no particular hurry on Sunday as I was only going a few kms up the road and over the border to Holili for a couple of days. Dropped my room keys off at Mercy’s and Isaac gave me a lift on his motorbike to the border. No rush, no serious questions. Paid my visa cost but had to go back in the afternoon to get my receipt as the computer was functioning.
An easy day. Had chai and mandazi once through immigration. Walked up to the White House and got the same room as last year. Nice to see old faces. Kibosho , mama Robert, Anastasia. Went to my usual spit on ‘snake’ hill. Back down, showered, and had a mbege at Nipepe. Then, finished off a wonderful day with a fantastic kiti moto at Mamka’s. Very busy compared to last year,as the border being open the Kenyans are flocking to Dubai again. Eddie has extended and expanded and the place is looking great. Mamka very pleased to see me and I’m sure I got a bigger portion of food than usual !!
The next day I found where my Kamba friends had moved to and went to their place just down from the hotel for breakfast. Spent more time on ‘snake’ hill. Had one drink at Kings Palace, but decided I didn’t like the place since it became a club. And still very noisy.
Old friend Ernest came over from Marangu and I treated him to a kiti moto. I had a couple of beers. Then back to the White House. Kasembe came over later…he had helped me with tz visa renewals last year…and I had way too much to drink. Probably a dozen bottles of beer…the people are very hospitable but they don’t know when to stop. Went to bed about 1 a.m. I think !!
Tues 9th. Was only going about 60kms to Tarakea to stay with Emil, so again there was no need to rush. Took advantage of being up early to go and take some nice Kili photos in the clear early morning skies. Had breakfast and wandered over to the matatu stand. It took 3 hours to get to Tarakea..a bit frustrating. First I had to get off at the Mwika junction. Eventually I crammed into a matatu to get up to Mwika where I had to change vehicle again.
Emil’s directions were a bit confusing and I found myself at the wrong school and wrong matatu stage. But it was only a shortish walk to his house. He gave me his room/little house to sleep in. Then we went out. I had a mbege along the way…a very drunk lady was throwing herself all over me. Then we went the LM Bar for a few beers. Then, with a bit of advance notice that we were coming, we had a nice kiti moto out in the sticks. I bought us both one nightcap just close to his home.
Wed 10th. I took some early morning Kili photos from the house before the clouds came across. Had breakfast nearby…a very tasty banana porridge with a little meat in it and a nice tang to it. I walked down..only 15 minutes…to the border checkpoint to ask/confirm if I needed another pcr to get back into Kenya. The answer was unfortunately that I did another one. I stopped for a tea in Tarakea town. Emil cooked a nice dinner and we went out for a few beers. It had been a great couple of days and really good to see him again. Last time I saw him was in Dar in July last year before I flew back to England. Had a comfortable sleep and semi packed for my trip to Moshi the next day.