Missing the Drop

(Don't love me, don't love you)

So, we finally made it back to the mainland from Zanzibar last Sunday. Needless to say this journey wasn't conducted without points of interest. The 2 and a half hour ferry ride somehow became 6, primarily due to the boat almost coming to a standstill half way across. This was preceded by a bus ride across the island that should have taken 60 mintues, but turned into 3 hours due to the fact we swung by someone's house to pick up her bedroom furniture suite, which was loaded on to the roof in its entirety.

As previously suggested, Dar es Salaam ain't the best of places to be stuck in, and we were looking at a three night stay while waiting for visas. (In fact, on further inspection, Dar really is pony). Sunday night was spent in the centre, so that we could make an early appearance the next morning at the Zambian High Commission. (Incidentally, us Brits get charged twice as much as anyone else for a visa, and they even let the Convicts in for free - fgs.) There would then be a 24 hour turn around on the paperwork, and then we'd need to wait until early doors Wednesday to get the bus we needed down to southern Africa. Anyway, desperate times, desperate measures. First up was an attempt to get the visas turned around within the same day, which involved some sweet talk to the broad on the desk. And later that day they were duly ready - probably because the receptionist was impressed with the fact that Luce's occupation reads 'Nurse'. Second, we decided the budget needed to go west as we couldn't face another night downtown in a cheap hotel, so we headed north of the city and stayed in something that resembled a good western hotel with full amenities - and we also had our first decent meal of the trip - knockout.


I think it was the fact that 'the broad on the desk' wanted to take William under her wing (his 'Mama Sarah' no less)...

The 'blow-the-budget day was definitely worth it. Mind you, it made the next night's accommodation look even worse than the worst hell hole hotel ever...

And so Tuesday came round with a 4am wake call and we ventured down to the bus station for the 24 hour bus ride...........