January 31, 2015

January 31, 2015 Day four of five in Nungwi underway and we've settled into our "lazy" lifestyle quite nicely! Gail and Darlene have gone shopping, Lynda is wandering and meeting people, and I've just made an appointment to have a massage this afternoon. Yes...we're working hard at being "lazy". LOL! I've located a local tailor and am having a couple of summer shirts made from local fabric. Fingers crossed that they turn out okay!! The last time I did this (that was in Vietnam) the outcome was not great but the surprise I will get in the end when I pick them up will be part of my African adventure and the memories that go along with it. Spent some time chatting with the food and beverage manager at the hotel this morning. Another great guy. All of the staff here are excellent and the conversation with this guy this morning confirmed what appears to be the case...they all have great attitudes and are willing and at the ready to do whatever is asked of them...always with a natural and sincere smile. The general manager of the Z, Julie, has been here for 5 years now (after 6 years in northern Thailand) and she loves it here too. She also commented on the positive attitude the staff bring to work with them and as a guest I can confirm that it shows in everything they do. Julie is from England, the food and beverage manager is from India (and is also experienced in hotel management at a number of exotic locations) but the vast majority of the staff are local Tanzanians but from the mainland. There are a couple of staff who are from England but thats about it. At breakfast this morning (b'fast is included with our room) we all agreed that this is the perfect way to wind up our adventure in Africa. Having the opportunity to stop and sleep in the same bed for 5 consecutive nights, to have no agenda during the day, to get clean....really clean, and to get lost in our novels or sudoku games for a little while has been a real treat and when the time comes to head for home we'll be rested and ready for the journey. Speaking of getting lost in a novel...mine is calling me so I think I'll spend 1/2 hour doing just that before I seek out my tailor. Till later..... It's later now so we're back. Dinner tonight was at a neighbouring spot where I can confirm the lobster coconut curry is a 10/10. Actually Lynda had it too and she also enjoyed it. Darlene and Gail also liked their food so we're all going to bed well sated AGAIN! It must be a norm for the tropics to have late dinners and early nights and we seem to have ssettled right into the flow of that pattern! Today was more of the same...lounging at poolside, playing in the waves and laughing at Gail and her faux pas. LOL She sure does a good job of keeping up all laughing! The best one today was when she was out in the waves and said, "I'm fun!" and then right behind that she said, "oops, I forgot to say having". OMG Gail....how do you do it?! This morning Gail, Darlene and Lynda all got another new dress and I had some luck with the tailor so by this afternoon we were all sporting something new. How nice to have something to wear that is really really clean and fresh! My massage at the spa also left me feeling pretty darn good. Aromatherapy massage left me slathered in coconut oil and smooth as a babies bum. Yes it was another great lazy lazy day! Hard to believe that We will be home in just a few days and that by this time next week one of us will be basking in the Arizona sunshine while two of us are soaking up some Mexican Rays while the fourth of us holds down the fort at home. Gail and Darlene have gone to bed and Lynda and I decided on just one more drink on the rooftop while getting this blog post finished so...I will sign off for now and enjoy my Mai Tai. Kwahiri for tonight, Darlorlynga