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Published: February 7th 2011
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Dalla dalla Inside
Local Zanzibar Transport We disembarked the ferry at 7ish and Don and I began our day of missioning without a plan. We started off by trying to find the Karikoo market and spent hours wandering up and down random roads. We were in no rush and I love walking through the streets just watching and being around people. The Karikoo market wasn't quite what we were looking for, so we headed for another place that supposedly had touristy things to buy. Wasn't quite what we were looking for so we headed onto the local ferry with thousands of people who do the 5 min ferry ride (Tsh100) across the entrance to the Dar bay. This ferry just goes back and forth all day long. We met a young girl Sabina (24) and her friends mom Monika (60) and got to talking. They want to stay in one of the Bandas on the beach in Kigamboni. We caught a Tuktuk with them to their place in hopes that we could swim or relax. Mission accomplished. Don wasted no time in hopping in the pool and I headed to the lounging swing with a Slushy (Fanta, Kongaki and crushed ice - Tsh2000 - rip off but
good).
Later, the four of us headed along the beach back to the harbour. Don and I climbed on and headed back to Dar central for sundowners at a fancy hotel. We sat on the 10th floor overlooking the bay with a beer (Don) and a burger (me), with a very rude waitress and a South African pilot. We just chatted for over an hour about all the things people with too much money do and places they go to.
The Don and I missioned off to find him food and to catch our Dalla dalla. We got advice from the restaurant manager on where was best to catch a Dalla dalla and set off. By now it was about 9pm and dark. We stayed there for 10 min not seeing our Dalla dalla - Gimbuto was the one we were looking for. When one did arrive it was overboard packed. These things can probably hold 20-30 people comfortably - there must have been at least double (60 people). There were people in the doorway hanging on. The guy shouted Muzungu ('white man'), a phrase we were very familiar with, and all the guys on the bus got
excited - they were so friendly.
The Dalla dalla helper said he could fit us on in a special place. He walked us around to the drivers seat and opened the door. There were already 7 other people sitting up front with the driver, and we were told to climb in behind the drivers seat in front of the grate that usually separates the driver from the rest of the bus. It was fantastic - we had to squeeze in and stand slightly bend over while being squished from all sides by the mass of people. Don and I were laughing so hard, as were a lot of the locals. They thought we were hilarious and we were laughing at the situation - the trip cost us Tsh350 each - approximately R3.50. I'd pay R3.50 for such an incredible, different, local experience. Definitely one of my best so far.
At the airport we waited for the others with our bags. Inside we camped out on the floor -most of the guys slept, until 12, then we checked in and went through. Goodbye Tanzania.
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