Beach time

After breakfast, we checked out. Kim went down the road to search for a taxi at the right price. The hotel here had quoted USD40 to get to Kiwengwa and the hotel at the destination had quoted a similar price of EUR35. We had been offered TZS50000 (USD25) by a random driver yesterday and this was our target price.

Kim succeeded and we set off at 1015 in a comfy and smooth but old Toyota Cresta. The road was sealed all the way and we arrived less than an hour later. It was another WTF moment pulling into the village. Someone opened the big wooden doors for us and we stepped into what appeared to be staff quarters and a service yard.

Chantal, the Italian woman running the place, greeted us and ushered us to our room. It was another oasis like our last place but this time it faced the Indian Ocean. Utterly delightful. The room was clean and comfy, decorated by local paintings painted onto the wall.

The sand was bright white and very fine like powder.  It was nice and compacted and locals could cycle on it.  The sea was turqouise; the surf was nice for bobbing in the water.  It was rather tidal which meant that it was only good for swimming in the afternoons during the period of our visit.  There was a little of seaweed being stirred up but it was still heavenly.

We had lunch and dinner in-house out of convenience, with swims and walks in between. The whole coast appeared heavily Italian by patronage. We noticed many masai men around in traditional costumes. What are these highlanders doing on the island? We thought they dress up to pose for photo with tourist and get paid that way.  It was pointed out to us discreetly that they are here “for the women”. Careful observation somewhat confirmed a little cottage industry here but it is so unusual to see male prostitution ahead of female prostitution!