The Brilliance, The Tears, The End, The Next Beginning

Greetings Peeps

Finally managed to find a decent interent connection, to be able to write my next blog. Apologies for the lateness, and this is going to be a big one as there's 3 whole weeks to catch up on and fill you in on :) Enjoy!


We finished the last blog just before we all headed off to Zanzibar. The last few days of camp life was hectic and quite sad, altho we had a last night out in La Liga which was pretty epic, as the infamous Sarah Cowan broke her drinking ban in 3 months, and got wasted which led to many occurences, but it was a good night in the end as we saw live performances from Tanzaaaaaaaaaaania's biggest stars, which was pretty cool, and a Michael Jackson dancer :D

The last night in camp was a very sad occassion. We all gathered round the fire to say goodbye to Anderson and Elifas who had looked after us from the first day, so fantastically. We all recieved certificates of our time in Tanzania, and the night was made even more sad, but lovely when some of the guys, made some really touching speeches about their time in  Tanzania with everyone, which set most of the girls off crying, and some of the guys to. We then had a chilled last night in camp around the fire, and then half of us went off to bed as we had to be up at 6 the next day to catch the bus down to Dar Es Salaam. This meant I had to finish packing before bed, which was pretty tough as, although I left some stuff behind, I ended up having more stuff in my bag than when I arrived, but I finally managed to get everything into my bag with my shoes, sleeping, bag, and waterproof jacket hanging off my backpack.

So we awoke early on Tuesday morning, very sad about leaving the place that had been our home for the last 3 months, and had been the location of some epic adventures. After saying a very sad goodbye to the other half of the group (who would be joining us in 2 days) as it was still very hard to leave them even for a short time such as 2 days, we went through the gate for the final time, and had a final look at the place that had been our home in Africa. We then trekked down to the end of the road, with all our suitcases, and then said an emotional final farewell to Anderson and Elifas. We also gave them some money from each of us to say thank you for looking after us so well. After this we finally got onto the bus that would take us to Dar, and waved goodbye to Moshi. As we drove away, an awesome sight awaited us. Kilimanjaro, in all her glory, standing bold as brass above us, with not a cloud to block our view of her. It really felt as if she had come to say goodbye to us.

We then journeyed down to Dar with a couple of stops, and a switch to a bus that wouldn't break down, we made it to Dar within about 8 hours. Then we had to find our contact that would take us to our B & B for the night from the bus station, which was quite a challenge whilst having an argument with porters about who had the right to carry our own bags, but eventually we made it to our hotel, and had an awesome shower (still cold but by now your used to it, and it was lovely after being on a sweltering bus for 8 hours). Then we decided to find a place to eat, and it was Hannah who, looking through the Tanzanian version of the Yellow Pages, found somewhere that was perfect to start our trip to Zanzibar, and congratulate ourselves on 3 months of hard work, and a job well done. The place was called the East African Hotel, and it was a 5 star hotel. It was the most luxury we had seen in 3 months. Me, Ellie, Hannah and Emily, pulled up in a battered old taxi, amongst all these swanky cars, and then walked up to the bar, in our cotton trousers, and flip flops, surrounded by businessmen, and didn't care at all. We then went to the casino, where I won 30 000 Tsh without even touching a machine, as a veteran gambler pressed max bet for me and I won, so dinner was free that night for me. The restaurant itself was a Thai restaurant, overlooking the harbour of Dar, and looking out to sea. It was only us in the restaurant, and felt like we were treated like royalty. It was perfect. I had never even had Thai food before and was quite anxious about what it would taste like, however it turned out to be one of the nicest meals I've ever had in a restaurant. It was the perfect end to our time in mainland Tanzania. We then wondered back to our hotel, excited about our arrival in Zanzibar the next day.

We awoke at about 9, and I went on a quick hunt for flip flops, as mine our falling apart, but I think they might last until I get home now : ) We then went to the port, to catch our ferry, and got served free pizzas, and drinks, and then lugged our baggage down a wooden ramp to the boat, where our belongings were launched over the side, much to our horror, but we were assured that the bags were safe. We then settled down on the boat, which looked a little like something from Indiana Jones, with everyone yelling, and shouting, and bustling, but it all quietened down soon, and we were on our way across the wet to Zanzibar. On the way we were treated to an Arnold Schwarzenagger movie, and then Ellie and Hannah started quoting Madagascar quotes, God help us all : D It wasn't a choppy journey,although it did rain on the way, which upset us as we wanted a sunny welcome to Zanzibar, but we didn't mind as soon we saw Stone Town, slide into view. We then retrieved our bags, and then proceeded to immigration, and filled in alot of VISA forms, as we had been told we needed them. However, it turned out we didn't as we already had a Class C Visa, which was quite lucky, as a bird had taken spectacular aim, and crapped on my form. After this, we managed to find our transport quite easily, and began our journey across Zanzibar (Unguja, in Swahili) towards our destination: Paje.

Paje, turned out to be a tiny fishing village, and from the road as you enter looks nothing spectacular. However, once your into the village and nearer the sea, it reveals itself to you as a tropical paradise. Our accomodation in Arabian Nights, was amazing as well. We had the entire place to ourselves, all pools, and the beach itself was all ours as well. It was perfect. To show how happy we were, the first thing we all did upon arrival was dump our bags, and then sprint to the sea, and threw ourselves into the water. It was like a bath, it was so warm, and clear, and calm. We all already knew that this would be the perfect end to our trip to Tanzania. We spent the evening relaxing, and unpacking and then went to find somewhere to eat. We found a small, shack along the beach, they seemed to be perfect, however upon ordering our seafood e.g. calamari, crab, octopus etc we were told they didn't have any seafood at all! But it turned out ok, as they managed to grab some food from somewhere else for us.

The next day we had to get up really early to go on our Dolphin Tour. We drove about 20 minutes down the road to the Dive Centre, and there had the best, first, and only breakfast I have had whilst I've been away. Then we chose our, snorkles, flippers and masks and set off on our boat to find some dolphins. Soon enough, we found them leaping out of the water, and showing off. Our captain yelled 'GO, GO, GO!!' and we threw ourselves into the water. Unfortunately, us guys were on the wrong side of the boat than the dolphins, and we had forgotten that they can swim better than us under water, so we never actually got the chance to see any in the water, unlike the girls who got to swim with them really close. Jealousy was big that day. On the other hand, me and Hannah, swam into shore, fell over about a million rocks, then commandeered a boat, which we consequently almost capsized, to take us back to our main boat out at sea. After this, I went and got my first bit of henna from the Mamas on the beach, on my hand, and whilst this was happening, the rest of the group turned up and, exactly as we had done, sprinted into the sea. It was fantastic being together again with everyone : )

That night, me, Sarah, Ailsa, Ella, Tim, Fiona, Lena, and Alex, went to the place we had eaten last night as this time they had food. We had great fun teasing Sarah with fish, and squid and things with tentacles that she hated, because we're lovely people. We also used my ancient film, rewind camera A LOT so I'm very excited to see what horrendous pictures will be developed upon my return. After this, we all went for our first stroll along the beach. It was absolute bliss. Paradise. Although, we aka Tim did end up breaking a random hotel's hammock, which meant we then all had to run for it : )

The next day, our PADI Scuba Diver course began. Me, Ailsa, Ella, Alex, Johnny, and Jenny were doing the PADI course, whilst Sarah, Tom, Alex, Fiona, and Sam did the fun dive, but we had to watch some of the videos together, and then when the Fun Divers went off to get into the pool, we had to watch another 2 videos! But it was all ok because we got to laugh at the others in the pool, having their first scuba lesson. After that we chilled on the beach all day, and got even more henna tattoos, adn then the drinking games began that night. Ring of Fire, and Touch the Cup going on at the same time, was awesome! It was a great night out, after having a pool party all too ourselves as well : ) More beach strolls ensued, and it was brilliant.

Sunday, the PADI divers had our first confined dive (in a pool) which was awesome! We first learnt how to, put all our scuba gear together, and then we took our first descent being able to breathe underwater. Its the coolest thing I've ever done! It was great fun, doing all the exercises underwater with your mates, trying to take off your mask, and put it back on, use someones else's regulator, whilst having all the fun divers, divebombing us in the pool, and swimming with us, and trying to steal our regulators!! It was great fun! We then got even MORE henna tattoos, one which the girls (Sarah, Ailsa, and Ellie) said made me look slightly more feminine, however I disagreed, and thought it made me look much more manly, and macho. We spent the evening across the road, in a place called Paje By Night, where we were able to watch the Top Gear Vietnam Special, which ended up being a great night in, as it was raining (or storming that night).

Monday, ( I think I may have put things down as happening on the wrong day, but they all happened) we went on a Spice Tour, where tried many of the spices that made Zanzibar so famous. We got told all about the spices, and how they are grown, and got treated with lots of hats, and necklaces made of leaves, which was cool, and then a man ( who was clearly crazy) climbed a 60 foot palm tree, and started hurling coconuts down for us too eat, which actually tasted really nice, as they were slightly different to the coconuts you eat in England. After this, some people went back to Paje, and some of us agreed to go on the tour organised for us. It started off well, being shown the location of the old Slave Market in Zanzibar, which was the last slave market to be closed down in the world. After that it went a little downhill, as we were shown the only traffic lights cross-roads in Ston Town, and alos the bus station where there are 2 different kinds of bus: Long distance, and short distance. However, after that, we went down lots of little alleyways, where we bought a few rings, and bracelets, and then we went to the House of Wonders at the port, which had an awesome view of the harbour. After this we then went back to our hotel and spent another awesome night at the beach, watching a massive storm out at sea slowly coming towards us, before we had to scarper back to our hotel in thunderous conditions.

Tuesday, all the lads went out for our deep sea fishing trip. It was the only time in my life so far, where I've been scared for my life at sea. In this tiny boat, we went out 2 miles off shore, going over some massive waves. It got better when we actually started fishing, and we ended being the boat that caught the fish. We caught a Wa-Hu (I think thats how you spell it) or actually Alex caught the fish, we just celebrated. After being out on the water from 7 till 10, we started heading back, but got caught in a massive storm, and consequently got soaked as our boat had no roof, and we had to trek the last 1000 metres back to shore as the tide was out. Although it sounds a bit rotten, it turned out to be great fun. After fishing we had our first of 2 dives in the sea to become PADI scuba divers. It was awesome! We threw ourselves off the back off the boat backwards, and my legs were too long so I consequently booted the roof of the boat. We then swam along the reef, seeing seting rays, trigger fish, and parrot fish, before settling on the bottom to continue with our exercises, which stang alot as you got salt water in your eyes but obviously couldn't rub them because of our masks. But it was still really cool, watching eachother underwater, and mucking around with eachother and the dive instructors, Polar, and Abdallah. Then we went back to the Dive Centre and watched some more videos for the PADI course. That night we found the most random bar, and most brilliant bar in Zanzibar. Hidden off the beach on a small path, after walking for about 2 minutes you found a ladder going up over a wall. After climbing this, you went down the otherside, and found Teddy's Bar, where they barbequed our dinner for us, which tasted amazing.

Wednesday was our last day all together in Tanzania/Zanzibar before we all departed off to our seperate destinations. It was a great day as we all passed our PADI course, (so I am now a qualified scuba diver WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO) got to do 2 more dives, with the fun divers which was quality, as we had great fun in the sea with everyone, got into the O.C with Sarah and Ailsa, after they convinced me to watch it, got even more henna, convinced a Masai I was gay, had to wait 2 hours for a meal that was cold, had a pool party, hung out on the beach with some awesome mates, and then crashed to bed, 2 hours before the others had to be up to leave.

That morning was horrible. We had to say goodbye to people we had been with everyday for the last 3 months, and who had become very close. We said our goodbyes and watched them drive away, knowing we would see them again, but still aching inside for them to stay. The rest of the morning was very sad, as everyone started to miss the others already even after they had been gone just 2 hours. The rest of the day was spent packing, and lazing around in the pool, or on the beach. That night we ate over at Paje By Night, together, and Sarah had learnt to sit far away from me and Ailsa when we had a sea food platter in front of us. Then we went to bed ready to be up early the next morning, to depart and eventually say goodbye to each other, if only for a while.

Friday morning, was hard. We got onto the coach to take us to the port at Stone Town, and then had to wait another hour for the next ferry as there wasnt enough space on our original one. The trip itself was rough. Hardcore rain, lashed in through the open doors, and being nearest to them I got soaked closing them. It was actually the roughest sea journey I had been on, the boat getting some serious air on our travels, and Ailsa not feeling too good, along with along with a lovely Indian chap, who chundered right next to where we were all sitting. After arriving at Dar Es Salaam, we knew that this was going to be the hardest part of the trip. Saying goodbye to nearly everyone, except Sarah, Ella, and Ailsa. It was truly horrible saying goodbye to the lads: Dunk, Tim, Sean, Stef, Alex, and Tom, who had been brilliant the entire trip, and then saying goodbye to the girls: Katy, Jo, Fiona, and Lena. People who had really made the trip happen for me. After promising to meet up again in England, they drove off in the rain to the airport, whilst me, Sarah, Ailsa, and Ella went to the Econolodge to dump our things. We spent the day wondering around Dar, until we had to get ready to go out for a meal. We decided to go and eat in the East African Hotel again, which did not fail to dissapoint at all, and to top it off, Sarah tried some squid, and I tried some ice cream, and I also had an argument with the 3 of them about Yorkshire puddings, and toad in the hole, which was probably a bad move as they're from the north, thus knowing more on the topic of Yorkshire puddings, and what not.
That night, me and Sarah, had a mission to get my bed down from my room, to the girls room without being caught, which turned out to be fine, although it tricky getting the mattress into the tiny lift. After that we all dozed off listening to Ross Noble, and, too soon, I had to be up at 5 to catch the bus to Kenya. I had to say goodbye to the final 3 people from Tanzania, who had been brilliant throughout the trip. It was fine whilst I was saying goodbye, but once on that bus to Kenya, and my thoughts could wonder, I already began to miss people. It was very difficult. To add to my blues, I got left behind at the border crossing, as I had to buy a new VISA after the Kenyan Embassy cocked up, issuing my original VISA, and then had to catch another bus, to catch up with my original bus with all my stuff on it! Was not a good day. I then got dropped off at Ukunda, and was picked up by the Camps International coach with the new people who I would be spending the next month with. We then journeyed to my new camp, which is MASSIVE compared to Tanzania, and feels empty without 35 people in it. That night, and the rest of the week was tough. I did not want to meet, and get to know new people. I wanted the Tanzania crowd back. I missed them so much, more than I missed home, as I had become used to not hearing from home, whereas I had been with these wonderful, amazing people for 3 months. They had become my family, and I know I have friends for life amongst them.

This week we have begun work on another school called Muhaka, where we are building some foundations. Its hard work, pushing wheelbarrows full of water, cement, or bricks over sand, in the baking, more humid heat of Kenya. We went to see the bush-doctor the other day as part of a cultural tour, and tried my hand at climbing a palm tree. I got half way and then stopped as there was a 75 year old man up the tree with me, who said you've done good go back down, but I realised that going down is much harder than going back up, but eventually I made my way down. Yesterday, we also went to Mombasa, which is a very cool city, with lots to do, and see, such as a Hindu Temple (the first I've ever been too) a nature walk with giraffe, buffalo, hippo, and antelope, and we also started feeding the masses from our bus with our packed lunch, which then got us told off by the police : D We had a great night out at 40 Thieves last night, and we are going on safari again in 2 days, so things have begun looking up again.

I would just like to say thank you to my Mum, and Dad and Tom, and for everyone else for getting me through this week, by calling me, texting me, and this was all orchestrated by my Mum, so thank you Mum, I don't know what I would do without you. Also to the lot from Tanzania, thank you for an awesome, amazing, brilliantly fantasmagorical time, and I feel like the luckiest man alive, to have been with the group of people, and the people I have met on this trip. You don't know how important, and wonderful you all are. Thank you

The next blog will be up next Saturday, until then folks

Much love, Hakuna Matata

Josh