My 35 day African Overland Truck Adventure was nearing the end. Day 29 was an 11 hour driving day (not including an hour time change and an hour crossing the border from Malawi into Tanzania). We left our campsite at Lake Malawi by 6am and arrived to the border of Tanzania at 8am. One hour later and we were on the road again (that was a big theme of the trip…on the road again…ha ha! A few of the other travelers weren’t prepared for the challenges of all the driving and camping. I added up how many hours of driving there were before I booked the trip and knew what I was getting myself into.)
We arrived at the Kisolanza Restcamp, nicknamed the “Old Farmhouse” at 5:30pm. Because we were leaving in the morning by 5am, I decided to upgrade one last time to a room. It was in an old horse stall (that had been renovated) and cost $30. That’s one of the downsides of traveling solo – you don’t have someone to split the cost with (but there are plenty of upsides). There was a down comforter on the bed..oouu…ahh! And fresh flowers! Here’s the room…
The next morning we didn’t even eat breakfast until we had been traveling for three hours. We stopped at 8am – had our quick breakfast and made a sandwich to eat on the truck. I rode up front with the driver, James, for a while and played music from my I-Pod. He would take the intercom walkie-talkie and have it next to the speaker so the passengers in the back could hear the music. I played everything from 50’s to current music. I’m sure some of the 20 somethings loved my older music!
We were stopped twice within one hour by the police for allegedly speeding and James had to give them money…that they just pocketed. Another time he was stopped and the officer said he was hungry! James told him, “Sorry man, I don’t have anything”!
We passed a pineapple field…
As we entered the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam, there were lots of people, shacks, and markets for miles and miles…
Thirteen hours later, we arrived at Makadi Beach Resort (campground) at 6pm. After setting up my tent, having a drink, dinner and a quick swim in the pool…it was time to prepare for bed. We were told not to swim in the ocean there because it was polluted from sewage, etc. Even though you don’t do much while you’re in the Overland Truck, you still seem to be tired.
Before coming to Africa, I didn’t know what to expect. I was in the middle of reading some books about Africa while driving through it, so I was learning more. I wasn’t aware that there was so much corruption within the government and military in Tanzania and some of the other countries!
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Sherry Lachelle Travels 
Pingback: Hapana Sante–Stone Town, Zanzibar | Fabulous 50's
beautiful sunset pics.
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Thanks Vic!
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Corruption is all over the world … in bigger or smaller scale, of course in poor countries it’s more oviaste – and more open and accepted. When we went to Alger to heat test cars …. They brought 15 TVs for the custom staff … to let everything through for spare parts for the cars and measuring instruments. They didn’t even know if the TVs worked in Alger. Sad but corruption is a part of their everyday life and it always come from the top. If the government is corrupted the people will be too. Stunning photo’s – the sunset ones specially, but I love the pineapple field.
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Thanks Viveka!
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Sherry, I’m glad you are sharing some of the not so pleasant sides of this adventure with us. It is easy to appreciate all the beauty you have shared with us from afar and dream of our own adventure. The reality check you keep giving us will keep things in perspective for people that aren’t cut out for this type of adventure. I think I am one who will have to live vicariously through you. 🙂
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Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope you get the chance to talk to some locals – they will give you the day to day view of living in Africa – with the corruption!
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Actually, I’m back home now. But, one of the locals said “Africa is rich in so many things! Our problem is corruption!”.
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I love the sunset photos 🙂 lovely!
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Thank you!!
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gorgeous photos. Corruption is everywhere, a cost of doing business.
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Thanks very much!
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Hi,
Great photos. I should imagine a lot of “swimming” places are polluted over there, the powers that be would not dream of spending money for any modern equipment that could keep pollution down unfortunately in some places I imagine.
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Thanks Mags…it was beautiful there!
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Wonderful . . . so many places are like that, where the officials at the bottom don’t get paid enough so they take “mordidas” (bribes) in order to pay their bills at home.
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It’s just so sad that it happens in a place where so many of the people live in poverty!
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And in our country, the USA, where police officers in my old town of Los Lunas, New Mexico, made $11,000 a year in 1996. Or teachers. etc.
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Yes…good point!
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Extraordinary story, I like how you describe everything, it seems to be there in that place. Thank you for your gift today.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it Carlos!!
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Interesting read and LOVELY photographs…..well done!!!
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Thanks Kirsten!
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Corruption at the higher levels makes it hard for any progress to happen for the ordinary citizen. It’s probably easier to join that way of life than to fight it. So what do you think happens to our donations to needy countries?
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From the books I’m reading and what I’ve been told, most of it goes into the pockets of the government officials.
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Very bad situation.
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Yes…I’m just used to America where policemen don’t do that.
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yeah sounds familiar. I got caught speeding, although I think I was speeding on our way to Dar, paid my “fine” my brother spoke a bit of swahili to them and on our way. But worth it hey?
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Yes…the alternative (perhaps going to jail) would be unthinkable!!
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