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Some random photos

Wednesday, January 31st, 2007

The internet connection is rather quick here in Zanzibar so I thought it would be a good opportunity to get a few pics up. But don’t forget to check below because I have updated!

Sunset on Lake Kivu – Gisenyi, Rwanda

We’re not in Rwanda anymore: Standing in front of the sign for the park entrance of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Me getting into a sci-fi book on a Daladala in Zanzibar

There’s a monkey under my bed!

Wednesday, January 31st, 2007

As you can see in these 2 photos I have been too busy to blog the last few days. I mean, I had several different hammocks to choose from and I’m telling you… choosing the right one takes some time. Some were too hot, some caught too much of a breeze… some were just dirty. But there were a few good ones.

I have decided to take up an interest in Sci-Fi books and took one from the shelf of the “lobby” of Santa Maria Coral Park. Ok, it isn’t a lobby it is just a hut with a shelf with a few chairs. The rooms were simple. Electrity and water were a guessing game but who needs to shower when you have the Indian Ocean at your disposal.

Daisy and I have spent the last 3 days on Pongwe Beach situated at the east coast of Zanzibar Island which is off the coast of Tanzania. It is known for diving, eating and… well, relaxing. We did plenty of relaxing and eating but no diving this time around. We chowed down on some lobster the 2nd night and I had a huge crab the 3rd night. I really wish I had more to update but really, it has been nothing but lounging around in hammocks, walking along the beach, and eating seafood. The staff was really friendly and I think the waitress was hitting on me when she asked me if I was Christian or Muslim. She was, surprisingly for Zanzibar which is prodominantly muslim, a Christian. The staff which was mostly made up of females would struggle between playing traditional Taarab music and terribly lame American country music. I preferred the traditional.

The only real source of excitement came from following crabs around on the beach and the incident in the middle of the night last night that woke both myself and Daisy in a fit a terror. It was about 12:40a. An hour or so after falling asleep to my Ipod. I am not sure what I was dreaming about or what state of sleep I was actually in but I was suddenly jerked awake by the squawk of an evil beast. Aaaaaaaaaaaarchhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I jumped up fast as if I was waking from a TV nightmare. “What the (expletive) was that?!!!” I was in a sweat. Not a cold sweat but an actual heat induced sweat. The rooms don’t breathe well. Back to the squawk. It was a horrifying sound but I had heard it before on the island. This time it was only a few meters away. I immediately assumed the monkey was in the room with me on the ceiling. I battled with myself on whether or not to grab the flashlight which was tucked securely away next to my pillow. I was too nervous. I’m not afraid of monkeys but just like I’m not afraid of giraffes, I don’t want one in my bed with me.

A few seconds after I heard the first noise I heard a thump underneath my bed. Still confinced the monkey was in the room with me I started to panic. I reached for my flashlight and wondered if I should lean over the side of the bed and take a look. I imagined as I did it slowly, that once I got my light under the bed and had a good look the monkey would shred my face. Luckily, it didn’t happen. I was releaved but then I saw Daisy’s flashlight in the bungalow next to mine. I thought she had heard the same thing. She asked me why I was still awake and I told her about the monkey. You could yell across the bungalows since they weren’t that far. It was really like being on a camping trip.

So, the ending to this story is anti-climactic since the monkey apparently was never actually IN my room or UNDER my bed but for a short while I had thought maybe it would have been a good idea to get a few more shots before I left.

Rwanda Review

Saturday, January 27th, 2007
Best Experience: Children smiling & yelling "MZUNGU!!!!" at us. Mzungu=white. Worst Experience: Arriving in Kigali and the money situation being difficult. Best Acommodation: Paradise Malhide Motel in Gisenyi Worst Accomodation: Castel Hotel (although it wasn't really that bad) Best Food: Fried Tilapia & goat ... [Continue reading this entry]

Ethiopia Review

Saturday, January 27th, 2007
Best Experience: Night out with the Aussies, Mick & Craig Worst Experience: Day in Lalibela Best Accommodation: McMartin's Cozy Place Worst Accommodation: Hotel Baro Best Food: Pizza at Tuscany in Gondar Worst Food: Shiro w/ butter at Hotel Ghion in Bahir Dar Scariest Moment: Fight in ... [Continue reading this entry]

Happy Birthday Bro!

Friday, January 26th, 2007
Ok, so sometimes when we travel we miss things at home. I am missing the party of the century tonight. My brother, Vinny... some of you know some of you don't, is turning 30 years old. ... [Continue reading this entry]

DR Congo and Goma

Thursday, January 25th, 2007
Well, this will be the first time I have ignored U.S. travel warnings and decided to try out something a little off the beaten path. Daisy and I hired a guide from Goma to take us around town. ... [Continue reading this entry]

The trek

Wednesday, January 24th, 2007
Another photo of the trek. This is before entering the dense rainforest prior to visiting the gorillas.

Mzungi in the Mist

Wednesday, January 24th, 2007
Mzungi is another African term for foreigner. After 3 days of worrying about whether or not we would have finances figured out for the gorilla permits we finally purchased them and headed off to Ruhengeri where I currently am. It ... [Continue reading this entry]

Rwanda and the genocide

Monday, January 22nd, 2007
It has been a few days. Up until yesterday there wasn't much to write about. Daisy and I have spent the last couple of days trying to get our stuff straight for the rest of the trip in Rwanda. ... [Continue reading this entry]

Hakuna Matata

Thursday, January 18th, 2007
Jambo! I have arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Home of Mt. Kilimanjaro, home of the Serengeti National Park, home of the Ngororongoro Crater, home of... well a lot of things that I am actually NOT seeing this time ... [Continue reading this entry]