Tanzania
Africa stats
In just under two months in Africa, I’ve been on… 1 flight (1:15), 17 buses (87:40), 1 ferry (2:20), and had 1 private driver (13:30). I’ve stayed in… 2 tents over 11 nights, 21 hotels and 28 different hotel beds, 1 bus station, and 1 airport. I’ve visited… 16 different towns and cities … Continue reading
Goodbye Tanzania
I spent a little over a month in Tanzania. I did a good amount but there were a few places I didn't get to so we'll see what happens in the future. I just know next time I want to take more flights in Tanzania–no more buses!
In transit
It took about six days and several bus rides to travel from Matema in southwest Tanzania to Bujumbura, Burundi. Sorry there aren't many photos to accompany this post but as you read, I'm sure you'll understand why I wasn't snapping pictures. Matema to Mbeya I was planning to get up around 4am in order … Continue reading
Matema
Figuring I'd been in the dusty mountains long enough, I spent a Saturday morning riding three crowded buses and cramped dala dalas before walking for thirty long, hot, sandy minutes to reach a secluded guest house on Matema Beach. I stayed in a simple but comfortable bamboo banda. There was an outdoor shower which … Continue reading
Bridge of God
Tukuyu is just a couple of hours south of Mbeya so I hopped a bus one morning and headed down there where I found a guide to take me to see the Bridge of God. I hadn’t seen any pictures of the bridge beforehand, so I didn’t know what to expect. It is quite a … Continue reading
Ngozi crater lake
I wanted to come to Mbeya because the area is known for its mountains and beaches, so I found a guide and arranged a hike up Ngozi Peak and check out its crater lake. Mbeya doesn’t get a ton of tourists so I had to take the only guide I could find: his name was … Continue reading
Dar to Mbeya: a really crappy bus trip–or–the kindness of strangers
4:45am: alarm goes off 5:30am: in a taxi to Dar Es Salaam's Ubungo bus terminal 5:55am: help a jet lagged and overwhelmed German couple find their bus company 6:05am: buses bolt out of the station like lightning and almost run over a young girl. Passersby chastise the girl 6:15am: find my … Continue reading
Zanzibar to Dar
I knew I'd have to leave my quiet beach sooner or later, so when the time came, I caught a dala dala to Stone Town. Dala dalas are local buses and there seems to be a few different vehicles types. In Zanzibar the dala dalas are like pick up trucks with an extended bed where … Continue reading
Stay tuned!
Hello out there! Mini Bear and I have had little to no internet access for the past ten days or so but it looks like we’ll be able to put up some new posts this weekend, including what may have been the worst bus journey of my life (I can laugh about it now…!). Thanks … Continue reading
The beach, Zanzibar
My three travel companions have now returned to the states so I returned to the beach in Bwejuu, on the island’s east coast. Here I’ve been swimming in the Indian ocean, eaten my share of fresh tropical fruits (mangos!), watched the Maasai security guards play soccer on the white sand beach in their bright red … Continue reading