Wednesday 1st Tanzania here I come!

I got up at half four this morning to finish packing. I gave up last night just after eleven, no where near finished. I don't know why but I felt the need to take everything I owned with me, just in case I'd need it. I took about 20 outfits for a six day trip, which is ridiculous and of course I didn't wear them wear them all, but such is life.

The taxi arrived at 5.30 am and took us to the airport, where we grabbed at quick breakfast at Bourbon. Sadly, it being so early, they hadn't restocked the shelves and we were presented with yesterday's cold, unappetising leftovers. This wouldn't have happened at Tesco.

We flew via Kilimanjaro, although sadly we couldn't see the majestic mountain for which it is famed. Immediately as you step off the plane a wall of muggy heat slaps you in the face. The climate in Tanzania is so different to Rwanda. While we were there the temperature hovered around 32 degrees, there was no rain and very few clouds to offer the relief of shade. I burnt just thinking about the sun. Rwanda is much more temperate; usually hot in the morning, about 27 degrees, and overcast/raining in the afternoon, cooling to about 22 degrees. You can cope with the sun because you know the rain is coming, and vice versa. In comparison Tanzania was crazy hot. As soon as we entered Tanzanian airspace you noticed the affect this has on the land. Everywhere was barren and dry, with dust storms plaguing the landscape.

Back on the plane it was just a short journey to Dar es Salaam, where we were met by Dora's colleague who showed us around. To our delight, he took us to a shopping centre for lunch. It felt massive, although in all honesty it was only the size of Hempsted Valley Shopping Centre, but it was still much bigger than what you can find in Kigali. It was called millipilli or something. I wasn't paying that much attention. The shops were really expensive, way out of my price range, but the clothes were so beautiful and well crafted; it was a real feast for my eyes. I’m gonna have a field day in SA I tell you.

We then moved on to our hotel (above). It was an hour and a half from the airport, right by the beach. If possible, it was even hotter here than in the town centre. The heat was uncomfortable, very sweaty and completely draining. And smelly. The combine

d smell of the sea, chlorinated swimming pool and sweaty bodies made for quite a powerful stench. Our room was nice, except for the double bed. Neither us us were keen on sharing, as Dora cuddles and I kick people that disturb my sleep. Eventually they moved us to a room with two singles, and there we stayed for the rest of the afternoon. It was too hot to sit outside, although I tried for a while. After twenty minutes I had to seek shelter in our air conditioned room which by comparison was freezing. That evening we went out to dinner with Dora's friend Nixon. He is a Kenyan working in Dar with the same company that Dora works for. We sat on the beach eating and talking until midnight, enjoying the smelly sea breeze. By this time the wind had picked up quite a bit making it rather cool. Dora and I went back to the hotel and slept soundly all night.