Morangu and the Usambara mountains: 2nd Aug 09

Spent the morning walking around the hills to see the village and a local project which helps the schools and gives the local people internet access. We had lunch, again cooked by the locals and then walked down the hills to the main village – it was a good 3 hours walk all in all, which was great – we all needed the exercise after sitting in jeeps in the Serengeti for the last few days.

One weird thing at the school was that they had a big stone circle in the playground. We tried to work out what it was. It was a roundabout! Apparently all schools in Tanzania have been instructed by the government to build a roundabout in their playgrounds so the school children know what it is...nice to see they focus on the important things when most of the schools don’t even have roofs or proper floors - tres bizarre. The hills were stunning with ravines, waterfalls, rivers, lush vegetation, loads of flowers – a great place for kids to grow up as long as they have enough food, care and love. And not a real roundabout in sight! (not too many roads either come to think of it!).

Our guide on the walk was a 22 year old local called Goodchance – cool name. We also met a kid called Godbless – cooler name!

In the afternoon we drove to the Usambara mountains which are also stunning but different, not equatorial forest but still loads of vegetation, the views from the road were magnificent, with loads of houses and farms on the very steep mountain slopes – The local kids love waving at the bus and when you wave back the cheeky ones give you the middle finger, charming! We’re going to have a good walk around tomorrow, including a visit to Lushota town.

We had the opportunity to upgrade to a room today so it’s the first time in a week not sleeping in the tent – the room is basic but it’s nice to have a bed and our own bathroom. The camping is actually fine but it’s a major pain in the arse having to put the tent up and down, especially when it’s dark – the sun sets at around 6:30 in the evening and it’s pitch black five minutes later, head torches are essential -thanks Henriette for buying them for us.

We were on cooking duties again, having peeled about a million potatoes we are now chilling in the room and have finally scrubbed off the Serengeti dust. Clean again – phew!