Arusha

We are in the shadow of Mt Kilimanjaro. Yesterday when we arrived it was misty and covered with cloud, but when dawn broke today it was clear and sunny, and we got some great shots of sunrise on the snow covered top of the mountain. Had breakfast in the campground gazing at the view.

Another short game drive - more elephants - until we arrived at a Masai village, for the new arrivals to visit. The Masai are experts at demanding money from visitors. You have to pay to visit their village. You have to pay to take their photos. And if you don't, they stone your vehicle. Today we asked to visit a school so we could donate some materials to them that we'd brought, and we had to pay to do that too!

Lunch was at Namaga, the border town, still on the Kenyan side, and then straight to the border crossing. One of the better border crossings I've been through, and we moved swiftly through, even though we had to apply for visas. It helped that we were the only group waiting, but that was probably because they were efficient. They even took time to flirt with the blondes in the group - it's fairly universal regardless of the country we are in. Strangely, those who already had visas were fingerprinted (all 10 fingers too), whereas those applying for visas weren't asked.

Tanzania looks far more prosperous than Kenya. The statistics don't agree, so maybe it was just the part of the country we were in, but the roads, houses and other infrastructure seems much better. The highway to Arusha was newish and in good condition, so we were making great time till this big wooshing noise and burning smell. We'd blown a tyre and seized the bearings. 15 minutes later the crew were still pouring cold water on the hub and tyre, and it was still disappearing in a cloud of steam. 

Not knowing how long we'd be, Amos called for a bus, and about an hour later we took everything out of our truck and loaded it onto the replacement bus which had arrived. Actually the bus was far more comfortable than the truck, but Patrick was already re-attaching the hub when it arrived. The bus took us into the town so we could get some money. 1600 Tanzanian shillings to an Australian dollar, so doing a quick conversion is daunting.

By the time we got to the campsite, Patrick was there with the truck and a beer. Nice campsite. Bar, restaurant, and all facilities. It's the only toilets I've been to with a huge sign on the door showing a picture of a gun and saying 'No Weapons'.

Talking of weird signs, at the border there was a vision statement for the immigration service displayed prominently on the wall. Their vision - 'To be the leading provider of immigration services.' Good grief! Has nobody told them that they are the ONLY provider of immigration services? Or maybe there is an alternative Tanzanian government somewhere.

Tea wasn't till 7:30, and then Amos talked and talked, so it was after 9:30 before we had any free time.