Caught a matatu (bus that is supposed to hold 12 people max. but we got up to 21 people at one stage) to Diani Beach, which is about an hour south of Mombassa. We stayed in a banda (simple hut with grass roof) in a bush setting, monkeys running around everywhere. This accomodation cost us 500 Kenyan Shillings for the night, which is approx. 5 pounds!
We had an early night and got up early to catch another matatu to the border to Tanzania. We crossed the border easily (luckily Mike persuaded me to catch a taxi between border points - I thought it would be a 5 minute walk - turned out to be 6km!) the got a bus to a town called Tanga.
At Tanga we spoke to some Americans, who recommended we get back on the bus (after the break) and continue to Dar. So we got back on - found we no longer had seats, so paid a bride and ended up witting in the aisle on our bags for the 5 hour trip! Not one to be repeated again shortly, I hope!
We arrived in Dar at 6pm last night and booked into a hotel. Went to the bank and got some money out! We got out the maximum allowed 40,000 shillings, in 1000 shilling notes - so a huge wad. Freaked out at the wad of money, and scampered to a local hotel bar to sort it out. When we got there we realised that somehow we had got out kenyan shillings not tanzanian, and instead of getting out 20 quid, we had 300!
Rather amusing! If not terrifying, carrying around so much cash at night.
We got up a.m , changed it to tanzanian, and we are off to Zanzibar this afternoon.
Till Later
Ngaira
xx
