The next day we had a good tourist-style souvenirs shop back in Stone Town and admittedly, most of us spent pretty much all of our money! :P but I know I personally managed to get some bargains ;) Afterwards we caught the ferry back (where I recieved my final and fourth marriage proposal! haha, Neil found it all hilarious :P).
Back in Dar we travelled to a beach called Kipepeo (I think?) where we spent Dan's birthday evening. He might explain at some other time in more detail what the night was like but basically, it was amazing and the best night to finish the whole trip off :D We ate dinner (a BBQ that the restaurant prepared for us) on the beach lit by candlelight, and we sang happy birthday to him and got some of the staff to join in although it confused us slightly when they started singing different lyrics!! haha. But yeah, then we all went round the table and did a reflection over the past month, the leaders all made little speeches and it was quite emotional!! ;) Me and Shannon then decided by impulse that wed run into the sea, something which we later regretted as the waves were a lot bigger than they seemed! So I got SOAKING... yay? :P Haha, that night we slept under little leaf shelters to the sound of the waves crashing and to the light given to us by the moon and stars - it was actually immense to be honest :)
The next morning we woke up, sandy and tired only to go on a tour around Dar to see the fish market and the place where the locals make all their ebony souvenirs which was interesting... we also visited a huge shop selling TingaTinga art which was awesome, the whole shop was simply crammed with colour and it was all so good, it was ace :) Then with our Tanzanian football shirts on and bags packed we made our way to the airport and began our journey home :( I think everyone would agree that we've had the most immense time in Tanzania but we were all ready to see our families again :)
As the coach pulled up into ABK we all had our shirts facing all the parents in number order for them to see, then we all ran out and exchanged a fair few tight hugs from our parents and siblings :D
When I arrived back to the house I had my marmite sandwich and red rosy apple and i savoured every mouthful... I know you all thought I was weird for craving it but it was SO good :P Then came the shower (shampooooooo!!!!!) and the spreading out and giving of souvenirs :)
Overall the whole trip has been amazing and I don't hold any regrets for all the bag packs and failed discos its taken us to actually get to Tanzania. Its surreal that the whole thing is over and the idea that we'll never have to be silenced by Neil in a meeting because we're talking over each other (hes got that to look forwards to from the Borneo team! ;) lucky him!) but I can honestly say Ive enjoyed every minute of the expedition and Ill definatley be keeping in contact with all of the other challengers
- NAKUPENDA GUYS! :D
Elle xxxxx
Well Elle, thank you for the write up of your tour,it sounds like you all had an amazing time! Pete is still coming out with bits that you had all done. I as a parent am so proud for what you have all achieved. I hope the memories of your adventure stay with you all forever.
ReplyDeleteAnnmarie xx