Day 4 and Day 5

Day 4
Today was Saturday so we had no need for an alarm and had a relaxing start to the day. There was no rush to get up and we could enjoy a leisurely breakfast. The weather in Mwanza has been quite overcast since we arrived but this morning the sun came out and it was really hot. Up until now our views of Lake Victoria had been very hazy but this morning it did seem clearer. We even had a decent view of Saanane  Island.

We had coffee on the hotel terrace in the sunshine before returning to our room to do some “work” on our balcony which was in the shade. I spent some time sorting through our photos and updating the blog while Peter set up a spreadsheet to record our expenditure at the schools so we can make sure we keep to our budget.

Once we were both finished we went down to the bar for a drink and some lunch. We also managed a little more bird watching. Lovely to see this Hadada Ibis and Grey headed Kingfisher around the hotel.

This afternoon we did some sorting out and packing as we are off to Geita tomorrow.

Late afternoon Robert picked us up and we drove to the hospital in Mwanza where Bugando University is situated, to meet up with Diana, Robert’s daughter who has just started studying for a bachelor degree in medical imaging and radiotherapy. We have known Diana since she was about 12 years old and have always thought she was an intelligent and very hard working girl so it is lovely to see her fulfilling her potential.

We weren’t actually allowed into the university but got a view of the hospital while we waited for Diana to come and meet us.

We then spent a lovely evening with Diana, hearing all about her new life at University. She clearly loves being at there and is enjoying her course although it is very hard work. She lives in the basic university accommodation, in a pretty small room that she shares with a friend in order to keep the cost down. During the evening we discussed the cost of going to university in Tanzania compared to the UK. It is very expensive in both countries but in the UK all students are eligible for a loan from the government which they then pay back when working, in Tanzania very few students get loans meaning that the parents, like Robert have to foot the bill, something that will clearly be a drain on his finances for the next few years.

We visited a couple of bars down by the lake and got a meal at a place called Charcoal Ribs. The food was fine but not as good as the pork the previous evening. However we had a great evening spending time with Diana, hopefully something we will be able to repeat on future trips to Mwanza as she is on a 4 year course.

Day 5
Today we left Mwanza and travelled to Geita. We had a fairly leisurely morning as we didn’t have to be out of our room until 11. We then sat on the terrace and did some preparation for the schools we will be visiting tomorrow. Pete also managed to get some more photos of the birds around the hotel including this pied kingfisher and speckled mousebird.

We had  lunch and then Robert and Shabani picked us up about 2pm. In order to get to Geita we needed to catch a ferry across a section of Lake Victoria.  The road to the ferry terminal was good and so it only took about an hour.

However when we got to the ferry terminal there were a lot of cars already in the queue ahead of us. Only the driver of the car is allowed to stay in the car and drive onto the ferry, everyone else walks. There was no chance of Shabani and the car getting on the next ferry but Robert decided we should go anyway and wait for Shabani and the car on the other side.

As you walk down to the ferry you pass lots of stall holders trying to sell you drinks and snacks. Luckily we didn’t have to wait long to board the ferry. The fare for a foot passenger is TSH 400 ( about 13p).

The crossing takes about 30 minutes. As previously we were the only white faces on board. In fact there weren’t that many passengers at all. Once we got about half way we  passed the ferry going the other way.

So it wasn’t long before we were approaching the other side.

Once we were off the ferry we then went in search of a bar where we could get a drink and sit and wait for Shabani. However it seemed that many of the bars had been knocked down in the last few months, in preparation for the road being widened. So you will see below where we ended up. ......you always get to see the best places with Robert!!

And soon we had some company......

 And this was our view!!

One beer each and about an hour later, Shabani and the car joined us and we were on our way again. After about half an hour we drove through this town (can’t remember it’s name) but it seemed like a busy place. These market stalls went on for about half a mile.

By about 6.15pm we arrived in Geita, at the Lenny Hotel which will be our home for the next 3 nights. Our room is fine and we have just met up with Robert and Shabani for dinner.