Day 9 Mafia to Arusha

All good things must come to an end and so my week on Mafia Island is over and I must pack my bags and leave for the 20 minute drive to the airstrip. My flight is not until 12.45 so I have a leisurely morning chatting and supping beer.

I have a fairly uneventful trip to Dar Es Salaam, the flight was on time and is a brief half hour hop. On arrival at Dar, I collect my bag, put it through the screening machine and head outside to find the Auric Air check-in. A very enterprising taxi driver assures me I am heading the wrong way and need the International Terminal. I am pretty sure I am in the right place and can save myself grief by not taking a taxi to a destination that I do not need to be in! I double check with a policeman and he points me to the check-in – a 10 yard walk. This is a fortunately short distance as it is hot and my bag is heavy and has no wheels.

I now have a 3 hour wait for my flight to Arusha which I use wisely uploading and editing photos. Time passes fairly quickly and I board my next 12 seater plane for the 1hr 45 minutes flight to Arusha. I have a difficult first half of the flight as my teeth start hurting. I take some painkillers which finally kick in after 20 minutes or so. In hindsight I think it was not my teeth but pressure in my sinuses triggering nerves. Still the good news is I seem fine now.

I am whisked out of Arusha airport in about 5 seconds flat. Fastest transfer to a vehicle ever! The drive through Arusha is interesting as it is market day but this also means it is very busy so it takes an hour to reach my hotel for the night. I am staying at a lodge called Rivertrees. It is a great overnight stop off. It has a super ambience, lovely garden location and exceptionally warm and friendly staff. I stayed here with my daughter Rachel in September and it does not disappoint.

I had dinner with a Canadian lady who is also travelling on her own. We shared some interesting conversation and I am now rushing to post today’s thoughts as I am up at 05.00 tomorrow and am not sure whether I shall have WiFi now for a while.

My apologies for no photos – just no time today….