Our flight home leaves at 8:30am and we land in England at 3:45pm, just in time for a cup of tea.
I think it is going to be cold and very strange!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Day 323 – Thursday 16th December 2010
Today we leave Zanzibar at lunchtime and frantically travel around Dar, picking up our bags and doing last minute shopping trips.
And then we will try and get some sleep!
Day 322 – Wednesday 15th December 2010
We planned to get an early start but got sidetracked with breakfast overlooking the city.
We did however get going on our cultural tour and shopping spree, and had great success, not getting lost and finding most of what we wanted. Everything is very small, apart from some of the fish in the market, but it is busy and fun.
However, it was over 36 degrees by 11am and we were exhausted.
We made a detour to the Cathedral, which has a rich and troubled history, to meet up with a friend of a friend from Tabora. The cathedral was built on the former slave market.
After a short break for lunch and little sleep we ventured out into the 
This evening we went to watch the sunset, but missed it, and enjoyed the sea view as the darkness roll in instead, and then had a high quality traditional meal.
We are feeling very sad that this holiday, and this adventure are soon but over.
Day 321 – Tuesday 14th December 2010
We woke nice and early and embarked on a large, leisurely breakfast. We are going to miss the plates of fresh tropical fruit.
Packing didn’t take too long and we had time for a quick dip in the ocean and some sun bathing pool side.
Just after 12pm our taxi arrived and we headed to Stone Town, Zanzibar’s capital.
Awesome!
Our first impressions are a place full of life, rich cultures and adventure opportunities everywhere. This is exciting.
We got dropped a 5 minute walk from the hotel and made our way down tiny alleys and streets until we found our home for the next two nights, The Zanzibar Coffee House. It is a tiny coffee shop with 8 rooms above, full of character and charm.
We were treated to a wonderful iced coffee before we headed out to explore the town. I can’t think of words to describe it, and the photos can’t give you the smells and sounds as you weave in and out of narrow streets, but stunning comes close.
We spent most of the afternoon just pottering and getting lost before arriving back at our hotel for an evening drink on its roof terrace.
We had heard of some local music and dancing going on, and decided we would head along. Maybe we have been treated to exceptional standards in Tabora, but this was poor. We soon made our escape.
Our restaurant for dinner was wonderful; a small roof terrace overlooking the sea and the city, where we sat surrounded by 
It really is not tourist season.
Day 320 – Monday 13th December 2010
Today is our last full day at the beach and we intend to take full advantage of it by doing very little.
We had success in the morning.
We ventured along for breakfast, but then back to the room and sat outside in the sun reading our books.
Hot and getting peckish we wandered along for some lunch before another session of reading and doing nothing by the pool.
Armorel did however visit the spa at 4pm for a pedicure. I stayed by the pool drinking tea and eating cake.
For our last night we were given a treat.
The staff wanted to say a special thank you to us and so we had a private dinner outside our room overlooking the sea. We had our own chef, Andrew, cook us fresh lobster, kings prawns, calamari, octopus and a couple of fish. Delightful!
A perfect way to end!
Day 319 – Sunday 12th December 2010
I think it is even hotter today.
After another large breakfast we packed up a day bag and went for a short walk around to the next cove.
Again we seemed to have found a private beach, just us, the sun and hundreds of crabs skittering along.
We got caught up in our books and the beautiful surroundings and before we knew it the afternoon had arrived. My stomach needed some food.
With the tide now out we walked out to find the sea. The sand was too hot to walk on, and the sea was like a bath. How are we going to cope in a week’s time?
It is too hot to do anything, so after a small bite we sat by the pool until the sun started to set.
For dinner tonight the waiters placed us on the beach, with the stars and fireflies.
It is stunning!
Day 318 – Saturday 11th December 2010
The sky is clear this morning, not a cloud to be seen. That is good news as we are off for a day trip snorkelling and a picnic.
A hearty breakfast was had before we embarked upon a traditional dhow boat at 10am.
After a 30 minute motor against the tide we arrived at a small Indian Ocean reef. Just us, our guide and our boat.
WOW!
There are so many fish, and so many colours. As a nature geek I was fascinated by the different swimming techniques of the fish, Armorel not so much.
The next two hours we spent floating around this tropical oasis. Truly jaw dropping.
Exhausted but wanting to stay down for ever we climbed back into our boat and headed off for a picnic lunch.
We have our own private island with a huge spread of food, and china plates. (Armorel was very excited by this)
The afternoon soon disappeared as we slept, read and swam, before we left for the hotel, but this time sailing across the seas with a peaceful southerly wind.
And to finish off our majestic day we were treated to a private dinner on a deck above the ocean, where we enjoyed 4 courses of exquisite food.
A magnificent day!
Day 317 – Friday 10th December 2010
The sun has properly arrived. This is wonderful.
We spent the morning outside our room overlooking the sea, and doing very little, waiting for the tide to come back so we didn’t have to walk miles to go for a swim. 
With the extreme tides now on the change we were able to hit the sea in the early afternoon. We had a lovely little snorkel just off the beach in what felt like the bath.
To cool off you had to leave the sea and jump into the pool.
The day has just disappeared and we find ourselves enjoying an ocean view for dinner. Each night the waiters rearrange the tables and seat you somewhere different. You arrive for dinner; they consult their list and lead you to your table. Today we are poolside.
Day 316 – Thursday 9th December 2010
The sun has arrived!
We spent the morning by the pool. It is so hot that you can only cope with about 15 minutes before you need to submerse yourself.
After an early lunch we headed off for an adventure.
Canoe, snorkel and fins, and the Indian Ocean.
With these extreme tides we struggled to find some deep water. After 20 minutes paddling straight out to sea the water still only just covered Armorel’s waist.
We headed to a small island to explore. The water is so warm. After a complete trip around the island, we headed back with the tide to the hotel, stopping for the occasional fish or bird.
Tomorrow will be another day for snorkelling adventures.
Day 315 – Wednesday 8th December 2010
Unfortunately the sun has yet to realise that we are on holiday and has not yet arrived.
After a lovely, but large breakfast, we went for a little walk to the next cove. It is a new moon at the moment and so we are having extreme tides, with changes of about 200m. This meant you could in theory walk around the whole island. We settled just for one cove.
On our trek we did find an animal which has stumped me, a cross between a large rat and an anteater. I have no idea what it is?
We spent the rest of the day immersed in our books, and taking in the surroundings, with a quick afternoon swim in the Indian Ocean.
It was like a bath!
The sun is trying its best.
Day 314 – Tuesday 7th December 2010
We didn’t need the alarm as we were both awake. Maybe it was the rain that woke us or the 35 degree heat or maybe the fact that we needed to shed 18kg from our luggage for our flight to Zanzibar.
Luckily the hotel is going to look after a bag, so all non-essentials were re-packed.
We arrived at the small domestic terminal and had a very easy check in. We had managed to shed more than we thought and came in 8kg underweight. “More shopping” was Armorel’s immediate reaction.
Our tiny plane was a new experience for us both, and although cramped, was great fun. You get a truly wonderful view, though we can’t seem to see the sun.
Thirty minutes later and we are already there and getting picked up and taken onto the hotel.
It is stunning!
With the clouds still above we decided to explore the plot and the beach, with shell gathering already beginning. I have given Armorel a limit of 10!
We have spent the rest of the day swimming and reading before a wonderful candlelit dinner for two. However, we did struggle to see all the food as the candle was pretty dim.
Armorel was too scared to eat the octopus. It didn’t taste of too much.
Day 313 – Monday 6th December 2010
And there is still no power, so I am afraid all of you waiting for the blog will be waiting a while. Probably until we are back in the UK.
Our last day in Tabora.
It is a sad day, and we feel really strange. It isn’t helped by the downpours and grey skies. We spent the morning finishing off the packing, checking the weight and trying to give away lots of our things.
We had a slight panic when a rumour hit us that the plane had been cancelled. After a quick phone call to the boss the heart rates could descend. We have to check in at 2pm.
Wait....now its 1:30pm!
We load the car and head to the clinic to drop off the last of the gifts and hand the car back.
It really is hard to say goodbye. (Monika, our house lady and friend with Arms)
Armed with our small goodbye party of 2, the clinic is its busiest on Monday afternoons, we headed to the airport, where we met a few more friends wishing us a goodbye.
Our luggage was under the limit and we waited. Strangely they announced the plane would be early.
So at 3:30pm, half an hour early, we boarded. The tears had passed and we were filled with a strange emotion of ‘not knowing’. Not knowing the future, the next ste p, when we would return, what are we going to do?
And then we found out our plane was now taking a detour to Kigoma. Our 2 hours flight would now be 4 hours at the least.
Luckily we had managed to nab front row seats and had acres of leg room.
We arrived in Dar to an intense humidty and a power cut. Our hotel room was hotter than most saunas. We attempted to cool ourselves with a drink in the hotels car park and prayed for the power to return and the fans to work.
At about 9pm the power returned and we enjoyed hamburgers and chips. Amazing value at £1.30 each, and tasty too.
The alarm is set for 7am.
Day 312 – Sunday 5th December 2010
Our last service this morning and we will miss our quirky small church family. We treated them all to sodas and snacks after the service to say thank you. They have been a great support to us.
After a quick lunch, Armorel visited the clinic with Ruth to do her official handover, and we then visited our friends Emmanuel, Eliza and Gaby for a goodbye drink. It was a very sweet and kind goodbye, and yes it did involve apple juice.
They wanted us to do a short communion before we left and had bought expensive posh juice, which happened to be apple. I didn’t have a choice, though did pray the taste would be taken away.
On the way home we said goodbye to the shamba, which is looking impressive, and then home. There is still no power!
This evening we headed out for a goodbye meal at the Orion, which was very strange. Saying goodbye to people we don’t really know. There are very few expats left, and the longest serving apart from Ruth is 5 weeks. Very strange!
We are going to bed with very mixed feelings. How do we actually feel?
The thunder is rumbling.
Day 311 – Saturday 4th December 2010
This is going to be a long day!
Luckily we have power and it is not raining, though there are some very dark clouds.
8am sharp the ladies arrived armed with huge pans and food and were soon organised and on their way to creating a feast.
Armorel then disappeared to Noelina’s to help get her speech translated.
I then disappeared to my last football. As a goodbye we had bought them all a football shirt, which they wore with pride. It was a hot day and the football wasn’t much good, and my team got hammered. I will miss these boys!
We both got home around 12pm and set to work on decorations and being ready for 2pm.
What......Tanzanian’s arriving early? It is only 1:30pm.
We had a wonderful time, full of fun, laughter and emotional goodbyes. The staff organised dances, songs and even a sketch. It was just awesome.
For the rest of the day we did very little but drink tea in the dark. The power is off again!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Day 310 – Friday 3rd November 2010
The last day of work for Armorel.
We arrived to no power but luckily none was needed to announce and award the first nurse of the month. The initiative has really worked and all the nurses have got on board. We hope that it continues. Well Done Eliza!
I then jumped in the car and headed off to buy some stones. We spent the morning driving around to find the right ones and then shipped them back to the Shamba. These stones are the final pieces for the dam. It is such a shame that I won’t be here to see it finished, but it will be so exciting if it all works.
Armorel’s quiet morning was taken over by having to run the cardiac clinic as there was a bit of a doctor shortage.
Luckily after that interlude she was just able to enjoy herself, relax and be with the staff, which also included peeling over 100 potatoes. We also had to pop into the market to buy 100kg of rice and beans!
This evening Ruth came over for some dinner and we have been preparing for our leaving party tomorrow. We are having a joint leaving / Christmas party for the clinic staff.
The cooking team arrive at 8am tomorrow morning.
Day 309 – Thursday 2nd November 2010
Armorel started the day with her last training session for the nurses. This included a walking tour of the ward and its cupboards, so that all nurses now know where things are and how to use them. So if you need oxygen this is the place to come!
I spent the first few hours in the office but the power was soon gone. So I headed into town and bought 20 bags of cement, and then we headed up to the farm. The house now has completed windows and doors, and they are starting with the flooring. The next big project is finishing the water tank, which is why we need the cement.
The rest of the day was filled with doing bits and pieces.
We then rushed home and finished packing.
Most of our luggage has now been dropped off and is being shipped to Dar. It is both a relief to not have to worry, but a worry that it is our off our hands.
Tonight we had a wonderful dinner, full of laughter and fun with Lucas and Noelina. We are going to miss them so much. They have become really close, good friends. The reality of leaving is starting to hit home.
Me and my health insurance forms
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Day 308 – Wednesday 1st December 2010
And still no power, but at least water is being delivered this morning. However, we can’t pump it up from the well without power!
I went to the clinic this morning and did all the paperwork I could. The power was still off so I popped into town to do my list of jobs. The town was so busy. It is the first of the month so everyone has some money to spend.
The power eventually came on at 6pm!
This evening we had a goodbye meal with John, Joha and the kids. It was wonderful. They went to a lot of effort to host us at their house, and we had great fun. Especially when we introduced the kids to bubbles!
We will miss them!
Packing is nearly finished. A large amount of our stuff is being shipped to Dar tomorrow. It is getting very close now!
Day 307 – Tuesday 30th November 2010
It is still not on!
Bread and butter are losing its appeal.
Today is the last day of school. I arrive early to help finish off the student reports. It is so unorganised and the head is not the most gifted leader. He struggles to make any decision. Finally he decides that we will start the assembly at 11am.
The head talks for 1hr30 straight. All the students and staff stopped listening and drifted off. No mention of thanks for me. I don’t do it for that, but some acknowledgement would have been nice. Definitely been an experience.
After doing some more bits and bobs and a venture into town we headed home.
Still no power!
That is it; we are heading out for dinner!
Day 306 – Monday 29th November 2010
Our final week of work begins.
School continues to amuse me. Today the staff are having to write out class reports for all students in duplicate. I asked why they weren’t using a photocopy for the duplicates.
“We didn’t think of that!”
I then spent the rest of my school day waiting for them to finish so that I could add my comments. I shouldn’t have waited. I will try again tomorrow.
Armorel continued to hand over her work and preparing her new policy / guidelines folder. It is very impressive; we just hope it gets used.
Armorel then headed into town with Mama Ndugu to the internet cafe to help her on her course, and I went back to school to referee the final football game of our tournament. It was a hot and long game, needing extra time and penalties, which were won 1-0.
We have returned home to no power and no water. I really need a shower!
We have tried to pack in the dark and have given up with dinner. Who knows when power will return!
Day 305 – Sunday 28th November 2010
I am speaking this morning at church. Armorel is actually down on the rota but I have kindly stepped in. I have decided to move away from the title, in fact suggesting the title is wrong. Those wanting to have a theological argument, the title was ‘The hope of the lord is coming’. I argued it was and is here.
We spent the rest of the day trying to get organised and to continue the packing. We are making slow progress.
This evening we headed down to Jim and Margaret’s for dinner, though not with them as they left earlier today. Instead we were welcoming a new volunteer from Ireland.
It is now late and we both need some sleep.
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