Voluntary work – any assistance needed?

We visited a few places such as meeting with the organiser of a Hindu charity organisation, where they feed the homeless among others everyday which was very insightful and really brought the community together however our role in this, would be to assist with cleaning... and we know how Jason is with that..!! LOL

The next project we visited was in Bahari where we met and chatted with another voluntary org an NGO (non-governmental organisation) that mostly deals with teaching in primary and secondary schools – we were fortunate enough to visit Barhari Beach (which is beautiful), where one volunteer was taking his class for an afternoon session although it was more relaxed, where they played football on the beach. Jason was edging to get involved but couldn’t ‘cos he claims his feet are too delicate to kick the ball barefoot and he says he can’t compete with African tough foot…LMAO

Jason and his sensitive feet - after we left the beach, his feet were hurting cos of the sand so we had to stop while he put his socks and trainers back on!!
Ah my poor babe!!

We also visited Kurinsini where Nathan gave us a contact to the Salvation Army. We met a lady there who showed us around the compound, where they have a school for disabled children and a tour of the place, where we got to engage with the children while seeing their school classrooms, physio suites and workshop where they make their prosthetic limbs..it was all very moving, the children’s disabilities range from missing limbs to disfigurement however all of them were so beautiful, they each shone from the inside and were full of happiness and energy! And although this would be a real challenge for us, we feel this is why we are here - to really help, get involved and to step out of our comfort zone…

Us with Joy Paxton, from the Salvation Army, who showed us around the compound and school.

Accommodation – what are hair straightners again??

Since living in Dar we have moved three times from hotels to hostels. Our mate Fiona kindly sorted us with our first night’s accommodation in the New Africa Hotel – very upmarket, built in the new part of Dar city, very nice.

Then our friend Arkid sorted us with 2 nights in the Tamoureh Hotel, which had unlimited internet access, score!! – hence the creation of the blog!! And where Jason enjoyed the best meal he’s had so far – steak, medium done! However although this stay was at a brilliant discounted rate, it was still too much for 2 trepid explorers..!!

 Me in Tamoureh Hotel..

So…. on another recommendation from a new friend – Eddie from the American Peace Corps, we found ourselves in the Econo Lodge, slap, bang in the heart of the city! Ok, so the shower is slightly questionable - a trickle of water rather then a stream but at least its hot water – which is a lot to be said!! LOL

 In the Econo Lodge.

The toilet was abit scary - missing the bathroom of bliss already!!!

Overview – what’s been gwaning!

Since being in Dar city centre we have primarily been setting up various voluntary projects that will incorporate varied experiences and a bit of travel for us. This in itself has almost been work!! As we have basically lived in the internet café and been on the phone to numerous people. However again as our encounters in Zanzibar were - it is the same here in Tanzania, everyone is very friendly and more then happy to help or point you in the right direction.

Jason busy at the internet cafe! Almost felt like a second home at one stage!!

Just the other day one Tanzanian dude, Lucas actually walked with us for a good 10mins just to show us where to get the bus (dalla, dalla) from! Riding the dalla, dalla is an experience in itself!! – They’re buses are basically mini vans where they will squeeze as many people onto as possible. They are out to make as much money as they can so once your on – you’d better hold on, to anything you can, as the driver then speeds ahead to the next stop racing other buses so to pick up more people!!

This picture of the dalla, dalla was taken at speed, we just about caught it fly by!! LOL

Our 1st Week.. Review of Zanzibar

Zanzibar to us came across as a very peaceful and laid back country where Muslims and Christians live side by side with respect for each other.


It definitely has that East African feel, where everyone takes life “poli poli” (slowly, slowly) but put them on a motorbike or behind the wheel of a car and they turn into possessed Formula 1 drivers!! Ha-ha but seriously frightening!!

The hustle and bustle of Stown Town will always stay with us as the walk ways were so narrow and it felt people were walking in all different directions, even carts, bikes and mopeds trying to squeeze through, with none of them stopping unless completely necessary. Some people would even gently push people out of their way; with no reactions in the slightest by those being pushed! Put these Zanzibians in Brixton market and there would be an all out riot!

Apart from Stone Town, we just relaxed on the beach and by the pool for the whole week reading our guide books, which are soon becoming our lifelines…!

Next stop Dar Es Salaam.....

Friends so far...

We have been blessed to have come across some lovely people - from those that live here, to tourists alike.

Arki and family, a nice Indian family that are currently living in Dar es Salaam. Arki was very interested in our trip and said we must join him in Dar for some good Indian food and he could introduce us to his friend who is Chairman of a charity organisation that helps feed the poor in Dar. We will definately take him up the offer even for some the good home cooked Indian food.... I thought I saw Sam dribbling when he was talking about it...!

Sean and his lovely wife, were recently married like us.. Sean was American born and went to Germany as a young boy, been there since he was 5 but still has the strongest American accent.. Love it!!! . They were honeymooning in Zanzibar. A very sociable, charismatic guy with a story for every event, we really enjoyed his company.  We exchanged details and will hopefully meet again when he comes to London or we go to Germany…

Stephano – Sam and my ‘brother from another mother’ a young man that took a real shine to us and we definitely took to him. He would give us jokes, like his advice for me, to stop locals over charging us; one of them was to walk around, shopping or on buses but not say anything and people should give me local prices as they would think I was Kenyan!! LOL, definitely going to try that as these Africans are trying to get as much money out of me as possible. - I don’t blame them..

These guys never stopped smiling and accommodated our drinking sessions to the highest of standards.

All the staff in the resort are the same, many of them having a real warm, comforting presence about them.

In conversation though, you would learn the reality about their lives. They work 6 days a week with only two weeks holiday entitlement a year. They get $50 (£32) a month!! Which made me think if I was born into that situation you would not want me serving your food or drinks, as I would be a very angry man!! African patience and tolerance is something to be admired and we will definitely be looking into hotels that are eco and community friendly in the future.

Nice sensible holiday goers...

Meet our drinking buddies and 3 of them are Irish – so this was some serious bar abuse!!!! – Even resulting in Liam (pink t-shirt) jumping into the pool with all his clothes on, one night after the night club… to prove he could do it and keep his cigarette still lit…LOL, (he failed!! )

Rob and Fiona (next to J and me) live in Tanzania near Lake Victoria, they were both really helpful, and gave us some good ideas of where to go in Africa. While Elaine (floral dress) and Liam live in Dublin, we all met on the first night in Zanzibar and hit it off straight away! What a lovely bunch of people – we love ‘em!

We caught so much jokes with them and Fiona sorted us with some nice accommodation on our arrival to Dar.

Liam was legendary at the resort as he would make an effort to talk to everyone in his loud, sometimes blunt but funny Irish humour. For example one night he tried to speak to some Italian people and started the conversation by just saying ‘Pavarotti, Pavarotti..!’ ‘Si, Si, Prago’ to everything they said or another time he was speaking to a group of German tourists and every now and then would just go ‘eins, vice, swice’..they loved him to the point they ended up joining us, to go clubbing!

OK!! Maybe we weren't that sensible that night!!
"Bar man - another JD & lemonade and rum & coke please!!"

(Pictionary)

Guess the movie??

Stone Town and it's history

Meet Elvis, 'uh, ha,ha'..he took us around Stone Town (Zanzibar Town), which is now a world heritage site, famed for it's Arabian/Persian/Indian style with narrow winding corridors and stone buildings and carved doors..

This place was BUSY! Stone Town has many markets including spice, fish, meat among others and because it was coming up to Eid, the markets were heaving as everyone was rushing around to prepare for they're celebrations!

 Jason, weaving his way through the winding corridors - if it weant for Elvis we probably wouldn't have found our way outta there!!

The ornate carved doors - the more elaborate the deisgn of the door is would mean how wealthy the occupant was/is.

Stone Town was also the largest global market for slave trading way back when, with haunting slave chambers where many slaves were held until they were sold/bought, that Jason and me entered. After it ceased trading a priest built a church over the site. This is a memorial built next to the church. The chain used in the memorial is an original one, used from the time - this was serious both of us found it very moving. Elvis also told us how he spoke with Denzil Washington when he came to visit

Getting my education on...in the House of Wonders (Zanzibar museum). Called the House of Wonders as it was the first place to get electricity and an elevator!

Haggling with a Massai Mara Warrior and getting our education on..

This evening was really interesting a large group of Massai Mara tribesmen and women came to the hotel and demonstrated how they dance (the famous jumping up and down on the spot) as well as how they fight and customs - Such as a warrior is only allowed to marry after he has killed a lion! Damn, talk about proving yourself!! LOL

We chatted with them for ages and haggled over bracelets and chains...although didn't haggle to hard 'cos they had spears and swords..!

Neptune Pwani Beach Resort

This was home for a short period in paradise!!

The resort was beautiful, lots of greenery and pools all around

Bathroom of bliss

View from our room's balconey - where we enjoyed a drink and listen to Nas & Damien Marley's album..

Funny enough we spent some time at the bars in the resort and became good friends with the staff - especially these two - Brighton (right) and Stephano (left). Stephano became our 'brother from another mother'..!!

Our story begins with a long journey...We flew from Heathrow to Dubai, to Tanzania then to Zanzibar, which as you can see was very tiring!

However finally arriving in Zanzibar was worth it - light blue waters,  cool ocean breezes, bright stars at night...we were ready to relax and take in some, all inclusivity!!!! 'Bartender cocktail if you please.....'