Thurs 11th. As I was up relatively early, and the skies were clear, I got some pictures of Kilimanjaro as I wandered around. Then Emil and I had the tasty Chagga banana porridge before walking slowly to the dala dala stage. Originally he was going with me to Moshi, but his eye doctor wasn’t available at the last minute and it wasn’t worth the trip for Emil.

I got myself a front seat next to the driver…so, nice views. Only 80kms but the journey took over 2 hours. The last stretch was painfully slow due to traffic checks and speed traps. On arrival in Moshi I went for a coffee. Then I checked the Kilimanjaro Hotel for their room prices; the reception area had moved to downstairs and looked really smart…even the front door had been changed.

But I thought I’d check Basecha Lodge for their prices as that’s my preferred place to stay. Basecha matched the 30,000tsh and I checked in. Although the breakfast is very basic..egg and toast..the garden is nice and makes for a relaxing environment. Only problem was that they no longer had WiFi. However, Aroma Coffee just around the corner had WiFi.

The three days in Moshi followed a similar pattern. Aroma was a nice place to hang out but the WiFi went in and out badly….frustrating. One day I discovered Union Cafe with good WiFi but expensive tea/coffee. On my last day I was told about Easycom just down the road, which provided another alternative. Otherwise, in the late afternoon I would go to the police mess for a couple of beers. I went for short walks…passed the Greek Church; to the railway station which had been repainted. And of course every evening I went to Kakas for a delicious chicken tikka. Kili looked magnificent as always.

Sun 14th. I left Moshi on the 8:30 Kapricon bus bound for Tanga. I had tried to book Tahmeed but they weren’t running on Sunday and a few of buses were having repairs done anyway. Kapricon had sentimental memories as I travelled with them once with Dad. A good journey. The roads were good. Went through my birth town, Korogwe. The trip took 7 hours to Kange, from where you have to get other transport to Tanga…either a cheap dala dala at 400tsh or expensive tuk tuk or taxi in the many thousands. I got off the dala dala just before the railway crossing and walked the 15 mins to the SeaView motel.

No Splendid View this time, thought to pay more and have WiFi. Well, there was no WiFi but I got the room at a good rate of 30,000. Splendid would’ve been 10,000. Lovely to be Tanga again. Wide avenues virtually devoid of cars. A very sleepy, laid back town.

I went to the Mkonge Hotel which I knew would have good WiFi . Again, I had my routines. Went a couple of times to the Swimming club where there is a cheap daily charge of 2,000. Some of the renovation had been finished since I was last there 2 years ago. I went once to the Yacht club, and that place really never changes; just the same as when I was a kid in the 60s. I used Nyumbani hotel for WiFi as well as it was much closer to SeaView.

Apart from that, I had a delicious curry dinner at SeaView every night. I had octopus one evening. I went a couple of times to the cemetery and was pleased to see that much of the tall grass/bushes had been cleared; you couldn’t get inside at all a couple of years ago. I used a photo that Roger sent me of him leaning over G’pa’s to try to pinpoint the exact location. I used a window in the house across the road to try to line things up. I think I was very close.. .a choice of two sites, but no cross of course to confirm my findings. I’ll do some clearing up next time.

My walks took me to the library, museum,Greek Church, Splendid View, our old house. Luckily the Church caretaker was passing and let me into the church. Was able to take nice photos of our house. Chatted with Adolf ar Splendid. Didn’t see Grace as she’d had a fall and was confused to a wheelchair.

I had to arrange for another PCR test to get back into Kenya. After some initial difficulty and then with the help of a cyber lady I submitted my registration on line. I received an email with my reference code and told to go to an NMB bank outlet and pay my 115,500tsh…about 50usd. After much toing and frying, I got to the Bombo hospital by about 11:00 and had my swabs done. All very efficient actually. 2 days they said, and they were spot on because I got my negative result and certificate on Wed and went to a cyber to print it off. So that meant I needed to leave for Mombasa the next day ,Thurs. I went to Ngamiani on Wed and decided my best option was the Tawarkal bus. So my little TZ adventure was coming to an end….Great fun and a Great success.