Only days into my trip I was granted the opportunity to make it to the coast. A full moon beach party in Pangani was the occasion and the decision to tag along was not a hard one. We were a diverse group aboard a privately reserved bus and it was as leisure a safari as it could be. With much laughing, tasty munchies, funny drawing games, and continuous joking references to Popobawa(Google it), our journey to the coastal town just south of Tanga was as enjoyable as we could ask for. The location was a privately rented camp ground area right on the beach, a prime training location for all of us to become professionals at chillin' out (as if we needed practice). Each morning was a beautiful reminder of where I actually was, and to wake and see the amazing setting in the morning sunlight was something very calming and serene. At low tide I would look upon beautiful coral rocks structures scattered across the coastline as many local fishermen and boys were out in the mild surf catching what they could in the shallows and the crystal clear tidal pools. One of the days a group of us took the very nice walk up the beach to Mike's place where we had coffee and a few drum sessions, with a didgeridoo included. He owns a lodge and a club in Arusha and has moved to Pangani where he has made a beautiful camp that shall have to be revisited. We also had the chance to get out on the water, and so a boat was hired to drive us out to the sand bar island where we snorkeled around and oddly enough played catch with a baseball and gloves as tons of crabs scurried around at our feet,...well, not tons, but definitely some. (One of the guys in the group was from Texas, so that should explain it) Overall our time in Pangani felt like it was a true vacation with all the appropriate characteristics of pace and setting and I hope to make it to the coast again during my time in East Africa. Our journey back was not quite as exciting as the journey to Pangani, only because we were on the 'wind-down' and we were exhausted from the pleasant but long weekend. The ride was fine without though with no problems and we arrived safely back in Arusha. I have only now had the opportunity to upload images and post some writing because of the quality of internet connection, but in time more posts shall come.
Pangani River Ferry Crossing
The Magic Mushroom creature overlooking the dance party location
Walking to Mike's for coffee as the tide was coming in
Vijana Wavuvi
A happy group chillin' at Mike's camp (somehow Mike wasn't in the photo though)
Roasting cashews at Mike's camp
Kentaro looking upon the island
Ema and the Captain holding down the boat
Roadside scene on the way back to Arusha
