LAKE VICTORIA

Papa's along side Lake Victoria will be our over night.  A well maintained Restaurant and gardens bordering the Lake met our eyes. 

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee welcomed us. A cup of coffee in the hand we could admire Lake Victoria once again. Being a source of life to Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, these countries shouldn't have a water problem at all. The depth is 80m at some places.

Here we rent a bungalow to use as a ablution facility. We enjoyed a colonial moment. Our chairs placed on the grass under umbrella trees, cheese and fish out of tins served. We could just as well be Livingston ( Hans is not called Livingston junior with no reason) 

              

                                                          Each of us catching up on our reading.

Elisme couldn't wait to get her teeth in to "THE AFRICA HOUSE" by Christina Lamb a gift from Wimcar. This is the story of SHIWA NGANDU  (Kapisha hot springs). Our favorite place to visit in Zambia. 

Nellie spoiled Wimcar with a pedicure. Just what the doctor prescribed for stressed-out feet.

Supper was a light meal on the terrace, mosquito's were our main guests. Thanks to repellents . Wimcar got his fish, rice and veggies when our meals was done. Africa???

7:00 Friday morning 28 August - we left. Hans morning praise was all about LOVE.

Mwanza the second biggest city in Tanzania were buzzing with activities.

Once again the traffic etiquette  of Africa leaves  you in astonishment. Pass any vehicle when you want, doesn't matter if there is a car coming from the front, THEY'VE BRAKES!!!!

Then follows TRAFFIC TICKET after TRAFFIC TICKET. 50 km. But never a sign canceling it. First Wimcar then Hans twice, pay 30,000 shillings and of you go. Hans as the negotiator got away with 20,000 and then the second time with 10,000. Wimcar said: " next time they catch you on 54 km.  you'll pay nothing?" To drive 50 kmh for this distance is impossible not to over speed. 50 is the speed 51 is a ticket. Or 100kmh STILL 30,000 shillings. ?????

Chris call them the ICE CREAM BOYS ( with their white uniforms) They jump out of every bush with their cameras.

Corruption is everywhere, if you settle for no receipt. The money disappear in a pocket, a friendly wave and off we go.????

I must say this is the most tiring 450km. With no warning the tare ends, road workers the worst I have ever seen. Dust clouds and trucks.  No vision. This is a recipe for an accident. 

We left 7:00 and now 16:00 still 70 km from our destination. By now everybody was tired and totally strained out.

Singida offer a Catholic Guest house as a rest place to us. We were even  allowed to make a fire. Soon our fire with the help of Chris and diesel was burning high. Fresh veggies from Papa's the home setup and kept by the American for 70 abused, molested and orphan girls. Were tonight a welcome as a ONE POT DISH. Everybody enjoyed the pot added mince and fresh herbs. 

 Friday evenings the Catholic choir sings hymns till late night. That was like lulu-bye songs to us, soon we all were in-dreamland. Just to be gruel awake by the Moslem morning prayer by 3 microphones, each cracking and squeaking.  

 At 5:00am Wimcar and Nellie was the least impressed. 
We left at 6:00 and not as usual time 7:00.

Iringa our next stop 580km away at 50km/per h. Tonight we'll sleep with Annie a South African girl her parents is staying at Bateleur in Nelspruit. Hans got her detail from Hans and Mariette. She has been very helpful. 

Ordering supplies of meat and veggies from the OLD FARM HOUSE. That is normally our overnight stop.  They'll join us tonight for a South African braai.

Hans now getting road clever, 50km per hour, he used a big bus or truck as a shield. So they caught the bus and we were of the hook. Chris and Wimcar then follows knowing there is no  danger.

Dodoma a clean town, usual  Saturday month end queues all lined up at the ATM'S. We gave it up as a bad job, to try and draw money. No garage accepts cards, although there signs show, Visa cards welcome???? 10,000km now on the clock. As Chris puts it, he is never going to touch a cars steering wheel again in South Africa!!!

Annie waited on the road, she attended a birthday party with here 3 lovely children. That made it so easy for us just to follow.

Quentin and Annie are very successful mushroom and vegetable farmers. They've an extra guest house on their farm. We spent 2 nights there. Their hospitality as a deep Christian family has no ends. She made us a lovely beef stew. ( can you think 7 extra total strangers). Her friendliness  and spontaneous personality, just make you feel so welcome. Quentin soon join in and with his knowledge of Tanzania got our attention.

They had 15 Christian family for a picnic on their lawn Sunday.

Nellie was spoiling Elisme with a Foot massage. Elisme had a rough night struggling with cramps. Nellie was an Angle. No more cramps, she took away all the tension.

We were so privilege to have them as our guest at our table.
 A late Sunday lunch of oxtail and pudding. 

Elisme and Nellie enjoyed the coal stove with no shortage of wood. The pudding was Nellie's baby in the oven. Once she got it to 300 Celsius it was baking. The oxtail was 8 hours simmering happily on the  coal stove.

Chris and Hans took the time to clean and check their vehicles. Reading was high up on the menu with Wimcar, Elisme, Hans and Julia. Deck chairs out on the deck was just the way to go.

After an enjoyable and lots of laughter meal at a lovely laid table by Nellie and Julia. Quentin said a farewell prayer to GOD to protect our families on our way. 

We left at 7:00 the next morning. Mbeya is 300 km at 50 km/per hour again. We'll need lots of patience.

Hans got behind a truck doing 90 km per hour that made the distance much shorter. Until an Ice cream man pulled the truck over for speeding.

There was no difference to Mbeya's traffic. Chris needed a new battery, as Hans took it from the bonnet it burst when it got on the ground. Luckily it didn't explode  in the car. 

Wimcar took the 3 girls to supermarket to do the shopping. Our pantries were now on a low.

Blue Water bay with its stretched out shore and bordered on the East side by the Livingston Mountain, little lanterns burning, a picture of tranquility.

 Thomas prepared us a lovely dinner, under the rising moon and a beach fire burning.

Here we can stay for a week, this was the feeling of everybody.