The dawn of a New Year

On the 31^st, we shifted north to the happening town of Nungwi.  The beach there dropped off much more steeply into the sea so swimming was much easier than at Bwejuu.  After a dip in the ocean, we all enjoyed the last sunset of 2010 sprawled out on the beach watching local boys making an aquatic jungle gym out of a small boat in the foreground.  New Year's dinner was a fun affair at tables set out on the beach, although the service was rather poor.  Oh well – something had to be imperfect.

Daladala #116 to Nungwi - a tight squeeze (28 people) but a cheap ($1) lift to the north.

Daladalas are basically pickup trucks with covered benches in the back.

We attended a beach party at a neighbouring resort, where we enjoyed fireworks and a bonfire on the beach.  I had unfortunately hurt my foot a few days earlier and consequently was not in shape to do much more than hobble around on the dance floor.  (Jan. 9 update: foot is still slightly sore but I can now walk properly).  Christiane and I had a great chat on the beach which was essentially a farewell, as her placement has ended.  It's a little unreal to send people off to different continents perhaps not to be seen again.  I certainly hope not.

The ultimate New Year's Eve activity

Waiting for dinner with Christiane.

 

New Year's Eve festivities.

More New Year's festivities.

Having fun!

At any rate, it was the warmest New Year's Eve I can ever remember – it lies in stark contrast with outdoor concerts at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto or Place D'Youville in Quebec City!

New Year's Day was a relaxed affair; each of us seemed to want to do own own thing. I met up with  my friend Wendy, with whom I'd trained at the CUSO offices in Ottawa.  In a twist of luck, her placement is actually on Zanzibar, though it sounds even more challenging than my own placement from a professional standpoint.

The next day, several of us went snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll, where the waters took on utterly impossible hues of blue and green.  The marvels under the water lived up to expectations and then some; the waters teemed with fish of every colour and size.  The SCUBA divers on our trip came back with pictures of large sea turtles and other creatures.  I wished I'd gone diving, but since it had been eight years since my last dive, I figured it was safer to stay nearer the surface.  As part of our  package, the crew prepared a delicious feast of grilled tuna and vegetables, with mouth watering mangoes and pineapples for dessert.

The final sunset of 2010.