East African sailing trip – log 76
November 25, 2004
With sadness in our hearts we bid the now quiet and beautiful beach farewell as we lift our anchor from the sand and gaze lovingly on its pink hues. Seeing it like this, in the early morning sunrise, fills the soul and recharges the spirit with the promise of a new day.
The air is a pleasant, perfect temperature, sandpipers run along the lapping waterline, pecking at the soft sand; gulls and terns glide lazily overhead and palm trees fringe the horizon. There’s nothing quite like this time of day. All these ingredients are a perfect recipe for contentment, reassuring us that there is a higher power who gives without limit, all that we need. His mercies are new every morning.
We sail away from Raz Nungwi as the sun dresses the sky in raiments of gold, copper and scarlet. I sit on the bow staring as this vibrant energetic little town (which is such a contrast to the sleepy hollow of Tanga) slips away becoming smaller and smaller until it is just a speck blending into the landmass along the horizon, and finally disappearing as we round the tiny island of Mwana wa Mwana.
Despite the expected current we managed to find a countercurrent which helped move us with very little help from the wind. We averaged 5kts an hour. We are used to having to motor wherever we go, and have come to accept it as par for the course in this region.
The familiar anchorage of Mtoni Marine comes into view and we feel a sense of home-coming. It is bitter-sweet – knowing that even this place is soon to be a memory, we visit the staff at the beach bar who are now our friends, they are happy to see us and we sit on the couches sipping a beer-shandy before checking for and sending emails. We say sad farewell and dingy out to our yacht.
November 26, 2004
We have been so spoilt – our anchorages have been wonderfully calm since Kasimkazi and sleep has not been lacking. Each night we set our little portable burglar alarm in the cockpit which allows us peace-of-mind; although we have never felt threatened or in any danger in Tanzania – no matter how remote or built-up the town we have visited.
Doctor s guidance would cialis tablets be helpful in case. Being in constant fear of achieving erections by relying on medications such as sildenafil 100mg viagra . These are levitra 10 mg fundamentally life-style changes that one has to endure in front of his partner and in his own virility, but also compromise the quality of his life, while simultaneously doing a hatchet job on just about any relationship he might think of having in the future. Regular massage viagra wholesale uk of the male organ using this herbal oil and apply along the length of the male reproductive system. We wake early taking in the sights and sounds of this lovely place for the last time. I think I mentioned this before, but want to say it again… I find this the most difficult part of cruising… I am not good at saying farewell and it is always heart-wrenching for me. I don’t only feel that way saying good-bye to people, but also to the places. Crazy as it seems I struggle and usually feel teary and sad whenever I have to leave.
Today is no exception. I have to force myself to be cheerful and to thank my maker for the spontaneous and uplifting experiences I was able to share in Zanzibar – the spice Island –certainly added spice to my life!
We head past Stone Town following the coast-line towards Kwale Island where we plan to cross the channel towards DYC.
The sea is like glass; huge puffy cumulus nimbus clouds sit above the waterline reflecting perfectly in the ripple-less ocean. Terns, gulls and boobies work in patches to feed on sprats as smaller tuna jump among them.
A pod of dolphins frolic on our prow, bringing good feelings and bidding us fare sailing. I always feel they bring luck.
Wolf spots a fishing dugout in the distance and tells me he is going to catch them a fish. No sooner did his lure reach the desired distance from the yacht than his reel began screeching – something big is on his line. He plays the fish and lands a good sized pike.
Wolf changes direction and heads for the dugout, he stops and asks them how many fish they have… they show him a few small fish lying on the bottom of their boat. He begins to hand them his big fish – they are both amazed and surprised. Not believe that we were so generous.
I ask if we could trade for one of their paddles. They hand it over eagerly and we all smile thanking each other and shout out “Asante sana!” (Thank you) as we sail merrily apart.
Our trip across to DAR was wonderful we crossed to the mainland and headed towards the safe protected anchorage at Dares Salaam yacht Club.