Today, we headed to the coast via Bagamoyo, a new world heritage site we heard about. As we got closer, we started seeing palm trees everywhere and temperature and humidity started rising.
Our first stop was Bagamoyo ... founded in the 18th century and one of the most important trading ports in East Africa for Arabs, Europeans, and Africans. Apparently, also the last stop for slaves bound for Zanzibar and beyond. Great town, lots of history, and now with the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, hopefully, it will begin to be rebuilt.
I also discovered that Swahili and Spanish actually have many words in common because of the Arab influence (e.g., familia, historia, bandera).
We had a nice Tanzanian Taco on the roof terrace at a cafe in a very old building and met our friend Alieza and some great artists at a local art shop. Richard could not resist and finally succumbed to the need to acquire some true African art from the inner bowels of the continent : )
Riding into Dar es Salam was interesting ... lots of traffic ... Richard's bike acting up ... and, wow, what a big city ... hard to believe this is Africa ... tall skyscrapers, nice avenues, nice hotels and shopping centers, yachts ... yes, yachts.
We had lunch by the cliffs overlooking the sea and at night ventured into the city, and in good Larrave Family tradition, went to a see a movie with the locals : )
Tomorrow, we take the ferry to Stone Town in Zanzibar for a couple of days of relaxation with no riding.
Our first stop was Bagamoyo ... founded in the 18th century and one of the most important trading ports in East Africa for Arabs, Europeans, and Africans. Apparently, also the last stop for slaves bound for Zanzibar and beyond. Great town, lots of history, and now with the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, hopefully, it will begin to be rebuilt.
I also discovered that Swahili and Spanish actually have many words in common because of the Arab influence (e.g., familia, historia, bandera).
Riding into Dar es Salam was interesting ... lots of traffic ... Richard's bike acting up ... and, wow, what a big city ... hard to believe this is Africa ... tall skyscrapers, nice avenues, nice hotels and shopping centers, yachts ... yes, yachts.
We had lunch by the cliffs overlooking the sea and at night ventured into the city, and in good Larrave Family tradition, went to a see a movie with the locals : )
Tomorrow, we take the ferry to Stone Town in Zanzibar for a couple of days of relaxation with no riding.
Typical street in the old town in Bagamoyo across the ocean from Zanzibar
(A recently selected World Heritage Site)
The old school (18th Century) in Bagamoyo
(1st floor for Africans, 2nd floor for Arabs, 3rd floor for Europeans)
A Tanzanian Taco
Our friend Elieza Baelejanya in Bagamoyo
Fish for sale at the beach in Bagamoyo
The typical seafaring Dhows from these parts
A typical day at the beach
The fish market in Bagamoyo
At the art store
Richard made a lot of people happy by buying one of their paintings
A nice outdoor shopping area in Dar es Salaam
The view from our hotel in Dar es Salaam
Lots of cargo ships passing by in front of Dar es Salaam
The movie multiplex in Dar es Salaam
Thanks for passing by Nashe's Cafe'.Good luck!
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