The town of Bagamoyo, Tanzania, was founded at the end of the 18th century. It was the original capital of German East Africa and was one of the most important trading ports along the East African coast. Today the town has about 30,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the District of Bagamoyo, recently being considered as a world heritage site.
Its the quiet season on the East African Coast. Its almost like we are all waiting for something to happen. And we are. The rain. The build up to the rainy season is almost tangible. The humidity and heat lie heavily day after day. Then the black clouds appear and dissipate again.
Bagamoyo
The Kaskazi (the winds) are still blowing so its like nature is trying to get it to rain but no luck yet. And at our new little hotel The Bagamoyo Country Club we are praying. We have planted hundreds of plants who now desperately need this to survive.
Last night we had some friends around, dug a hole in the sand and had a makeshift BBQ. It was spring tide and sitting in the restaurant it was almost like sitting on the bows of the Titanic. The wind was blowing which was great. No aircons needed here. And indeed the area looked like the aftermath of the Titanic. We have the whole area full of furniture being renovated and made ready for the opening. So it looks a bit wild. But we are so happy with this beautiful little spot on the ocean and will keep you all updated as to opening dates.
Bagamoyo is goat country. There are hundreds of them all over the place. They make driving hazardous at the best of times. I have decided that they are arguably one of the dumbest animal species on the planet. And cows. And chickens. All of whom own the place and wander freely on the roads and down the beach.
Bagamoyo Goat
I believe I also saw a camel the other day. But Im beginning to wonder if I was just having a bad morning after the night before and that it was a mirage. A while back and herd of goat and cattle who were walking along the beach were spooked by a high tide and decided to come into the hotel that I am presently running and by the time I arrived they had taken over the restaurant. And whether it was just the excitement of the moment or the high price of the beer, they made the most phenomenol mess everywhere. I went home and left the rest to my loyal staff to sort out. I mean there is just so much a person can take in one day. But then, just down the road from BCC there is a Mamba Shamba (a crocodile farm) which by our standards is a pretty disgusting place. What the rastas do with them I do not know nor care to ask. But they have a horse. And oddly enough a really really lovely one. And no-one rides her because they dont have a saddle. So after much talk they agreed to let me ride whenever I want to. She has a broad back so saddle not needed anyway. So now the visions of becoming an original Ernistine Hemmingway is coming to fruition. Just imagine, I can now ride from the stable down onto the beach, hair streaming out as I gallop along the sand, and land up right in front of BCC. Where I will have a gin and tonic and then ride her back again to her home. What a find.