On to Dar

There was a poignancy about the final day at the resort. We all knew that we were here for an educational trip, but leaving the ocean was tough. It had been a needed respite from a pretty tough trip, and we were heading to the big city (Dar is about 4 million people, and growing; all of the island of Zanzibar has about 500,000).

But after a lovely day hanging around the resort, not doing too much, and having a final swim in the ocean, we packed and were ready to go early on the morning of the 27th. In the bus, and on the hour drive into Zanzibar Town. And down to the ferry terminal. This is a busy place, and a favourite for touts as well as tourists (or because of). It had the feel of India, or what I imagine India to be. We were required to show our passports again and fill out forms, since the Island is part of, but different from, the mainland state. We were escorted into the business class lounge to await our departure.

The ferry itself was a modern ship, catamaran-style, with good seating for those of us in First Class. Doris bravely ventured up to see what was involved in "cattle class", and found bare metal chairs, totally occupied and with people on the floor without chairs!). The view back over the harbour to the town was lovely.












Fortunately the sea was calm. One of the taxi drivers had said it cold be very rough on the transit, which takes over an hour. But we sailed through calm seas down to the Port of Dar es Salaam.

On this side, the human activity was even more crushing and hectic than in Zanzibar. Lots of people offering everything from CDs to drinks to t-shirts to services of various kinds. We found our bus and went for a short drive to the hotel. A standard hotel, with some differences. The reception in on the 11th floor, and my room is on the 15th. There are offices and a shopping mall below us. I look out onto the city, and can see some new office buildings, the mosque, a bit of the harbour, and the streets of traffic. And it is stifling hot out there, with air pollution as an added bonus.

We walked to a nearby Lebanese restaurant for a lovely supper.

Yesterday, we had a fair schedule. The morning was spent at the Canadian High Commission (there is no Embassy in this part of Africa). We met with the High Commissioner, who happens to be a friend of Kevin (our leader and the CEO of Farm Radio), and were given a good run-down of the ways in which Canada relates to both the country, and to Farm Radio. We had several questions, and he answered them diplomatically, as expected. We took the morning there.

As an aside, the Commission is in a neighbourhood of other embassies and High Commissions. Ours is, like others, heavily guarded. We could not take phones, computers, cameras, etc. Into the compound. And we had to go through the same type of security that you wold get at airports. But once in, it was quite congenial. And pleasant to see other Canadians.

Then to lunch, at a high (23rd story) revolving restaurant, overlooking the city. The views, as you would expect, were quite stunning, and the food was also quite good. Since this is all pre-paid, we ate, and then just walked out, which feels very strange.












From here, we were to go to the Ministry of Agriculture for Tanzania. We were told that this would take an hour, and it did. Although only a few kilometres, the traffic was horrible, with long stops (when you got surrounded both by people selling things and children begging), followed by short bursts of movement. In the end, we got out and walked to the compound of the Ministry. I didn't take a photo of the building, but should have: it reminded me of Cuba. There was no power, at least evident. It seemed to be in quite bad repair. And the halls were long and dingy.

We were met finally by one of the senior folks, who took us a longs ways to a board room in another building. We were going to have a question-and-answer session. Unfortunately for us, he was a stutterer, and talked very slowly. His companion talked fast and with a strong accent. So comprehension for me was poor. And he talked politically, by which I mean superficially, and somewhat vaguely.

Eventually, it was over, and we got back on the bus for the excruciating long ride back to the city centre. Some time to rest, and then out to supper at the Badminton Institute, a quite lovely Indian food restaurant close by. But early to bed for most of us.

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Location:Morogoro Road,Dar es Salaam,Tanzania