Kigoma – Manswa - Arusha
What a nice hotel Lake Tanganyika Hotel, sleep was great, did still toss and turned. Difference is that when woke up in the early hours, just picked up the remote and was fully occupied. Not to say that is what I came on this road trip for, but some of our home luxuries are tempting. I was in half mind to spend more time in Kigoma, but by the time I got out of bed I was ready for action. Moving was the initial plan and that was going to happen. Mailed Anyfa who I met in Chombe National Park and told her I was on my way and not going to spend any more days in Kigomo, and hopefully meet up soon again.
I was helped pack my car by hotel staff members, they just so grateful for some interaction, makes me feel we take all the opportunities of life for granted.
Rolling out of town thinking that my journey is along Burundi Boarder and not long ago, there were a lot of bandits making their trade on the road. The terrain was changing so much, getting a lot more exited, as I mention one of the beauties I care for is the change of terrain of the beautifully earth we live on. Crossed over with ferry, got slotted on quickly with lots of smiles and appreciation. I made my accommodations decision to stay at a lodge and put my feet up before some serious travels into the Serengeti Park.
Was not long before I got pulled over by the first traffic cops since I have been out of SA and when I stopped first question I was asked where I came from. Soon after my reply, I asked were Tunza Lodge was situated, and soon then I was joined by anther traffic cop, and was so happy to help. They gave me their blessing and I was on my way, but the first cop said with a smile wena you, and carried on smiling and walked away. This was the friendliest pull over I have ever had.
Jan a local boerkie, owner/dreamer - this lodge, nice guy, plenty SA living in this part of the world. Yesterday spent the day chilling and working on my Step Work. Had some good sleep the past two nights, and feeling better for it. I am going head into to get my spare tyre and stock up for the Serengeti. I’m looking forward for this part of my trip; they say the animals are gathering for the big move, so I will be seeing some spectacular migration if all is good.
Susana this mate I made before leaving home traveling alone would give me time to reflect on my life dreams, must say in some ways it the best thing I’ve done, soul searching. I had promised Mr. Rod a brother like father friend, you know what I mean: to accompany me, maybe on the leg back home I will get him to join me on my road trip. The weather is great no rain since leaving Kigoma, but some clouds in the sky. Soon it will be muddy and cool living.
Manzwa I ok, I happening place, but you tend to see the same thing almost on every street, similar as pose like back home. The lake is not really good to swim in, got some beaches but they reckon dirty. So missed on the swimming I was don on Lake Tanganyika. Got some rest in a bed, but in some ways don’t really like sleeping in just any bed, better off in my tent. There are allot of South Africans living up north, they reckon they dig this life style, funny they still complain about South Africa going backwards, living in these real third world counties, get what I am saying. I still don’t get to understand this minds set. But they are helpful in some ways.
Enjoyed the past few days, got my things sorted and had to leave, as nice as this town is, it’s just another rat race. Did my last shopping and on my way to the Serengeti National Park, for the real deal. My rim broke in half, but managed to save the tyre but still pushed on to the gate, spending tonight just outside the Park and tomorrow I move in for the time of my life. The next time you read this you will be given some picture of note to enjoy.
Hurt my back a little from changing the wheal, but will continue with my yoga in the morning, on week to with it and it making me feel good spiritually and physically relaxed. My reading has improved so much, and really enjoying this new world of mine, substance free, who would have thought I would be clean for so long. – Love it ---
Getting up early in the morning, and starting my journey into the Serengeti the world largest hoofed migration.
What a great day, my dreams have come true, moving peacefully into the Serengeti, amazing how these animal just live her without fences. Rained well last night even got stuck a little on the side of the road, locked wheels and was out of the bother. Slipping and sliding away, with smiles all over my face and sole. Checked lots of game, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, loads of zebra, some water buck, springbok type buck and the elephant we looking so good.
Had a nice ride into the Seronera are, filled my car for the journey up and made my way to the campsite. I got given a cool site just a few of us. The guys who helped me at the gate asked me if I wanted a quite campsite, without a hesitation I agreed and feel so lucky. I met Michael who is a guide, and mentioned that the wildebeests and zebra’s are moving over the river, can you believe my timing has been perfect, just get some photos over the next few days.
Also realized bout the bird book of Southern Africa cocked it up, but will get one of East Africa soon.
Cooked a mean stew with some sausage, tasted good, and keeping the rest for lunch today. Loving life and so grateful, they say at the NA, just for today that all we have to worry about. When we were brought up my mom always longed for the days of Brazil, use to tell us that they had a saying, if one had enough money, they would take off the next day and enjoy life whist it was good. I don’t know why I did not click this years ago, I will try to remember it from now on.
Eaten well and going to jump into the tent and do some reading, it night chill is steeling in, tomorrow the big migration.
Up and on the road as the sun was getting up, all excitement for the migration, all going well got the cord nits into the Garmin and heading for the Mara River that runs along the Tanzanian and Kenya Boarder. I was told they have started crossing. Tried shorter rout that was suggested by the Garmin, but soon turned back once finding myself looking at this river crossing, that doing it by myself felt rather naughty so I back tracked and followed the suggested root. There were animal Kills the whole way, along that river, adding to the excitement. The vast space of this area is so overwhelming, little mountain tops with huge plains, just makes you fall in love with it.
Was not long on the new road heard a hissing, my back right - flat again, it the shit onto my last spare, and bad rims left on my car. Got my air jack connected and onto the tyre to keep it up, hopping that it was not a serious problem so I could repair it on the car, with a tube less plug. Could not find the whole, so got water onto over the tyre and rim and saw the rim was leaking. Shit hit the fan, no more spares, on my last four rims, with tyres to fit but not rims.
Heading back out the park with regret, but lots of appreciation because I have seen what the area looks like, and telling myself it could have be worse.
Just as I crossed left the Serengeti, got hit by the Crater’s roads, blew a tyre, know in the shit. Had the first cruiser stop, told that they would of helped me but only had one spare. Second cruiser stopped and offered me their only spare, thank God I was out of the JAM. Got out of the park he went to drop his guests off at their lodge, and I made got my tyre change over to one of the rims damaged wheels. Back in the mix, found a campsite, and chilled for the evening.
That morning saw some hyenas’ fighting, amazing they real get stuck into each other, could not really tell if it was over food or territory/love making. Its feel weird to express yourself when your little bubble of dreams has popped, heading for Arusha at the moment. Will try to give you a little break down on how I got her today the 21 September. All going good till know, when tried to the Serengeti, I found out I was entering the famous Cratore National Park, more dollars loads of heavy driving. Shit this place is just vast and beautiful, had a feeling and views of Eastern Free State along, the Berg Mountains, but I had the dryness of the Karoo and the once out of this crater, it was like a jungle on the other side of the mountain range, and animals every were, living with humans hand in hand. From buffalo to elephant, amazing, and that is what I saw on the drive thru. Will see once I have made running repairs to my car, if I am going to be man enough to tackle those rough roads again, only bought rims and tomorrow is the shocks, draw system and back door lock.
Missed out on my yoga for the past 4 days, hurt my side with a tyre change after a blow out but will be back in full swing in the morning. Arusha Is this buzzing town based on tourism and mining. Been eating healthy and reading whenever I get a chance, and I must say that is one of my really highs of this trip, makes taking drugs looks like starting stages.
Today had such a pleasant day, booked out the campsite after my yoga, moved into this lodge, nice and peaceful, going to get better rest than the night before and most important free my car up so I can do the back door lock and draw system, it started to fall apart and move so that I cannot close the back door.
Things are went so well, got door and draw system welded and blotted, and lots of love with it and the shock fitted and frontleft bearings tightened. These guys can really make a plane to get things fixed, what a pleasure having skilled folk all over the continent, and better they are so grateful to do the job.
Boni the gentleman that bailed me out of the Serengeti with his spare tyre continued his wonderful help by showing me all these guys to get my car repaired. I have got of good life back into me after the running repairs, and must just drive slower and sweeter to avoid further damages. The strange things is if you drive to slow, the car seems to take more hammering threw the corrugated roads, so really sometimes your foot has to easy the accelerator.
I would like to mix and match my story, but have their nice things to do than prepare are work of art with the English language.
In the morning Kenya, get the view of Kilimanjaro and head for Maasai Mara National Park to full fill my dream of the migration, think I still have time.
Lots of love and take care because I loving my road trip,
Later
