Our Tales From Tanzania: Usambara Mountains and Tanga (Beach)

We just got back from a week on the road. First we went to the Usambara Mountains and spent two nights just outside of Lushota at Muller’s Mountain Lodge. It was very cool and wet there, but the mountains were beautiful and lush. We got to go on a cool, easy hike to a waterfall where we stopped and had lunch. Our guide was great and made sticks for the girls that they could use as ‘slashers’ to break our trail. He showed them how to whip the stick to clear the leaves out of our path. We also got to see a couple of very cool chameleons.

Matt and the kids all bundled up at Muller’s Mountain Lodge

We still aren’t used to 7:30 or later dinners, so this is the snack that they could give us for the kids. I have no idea what it was, but they sure seemed to like it.

Bike parked near the start of our hike

Hillside farming in the lush mountains

Tin roof of house made from old oil cans (very resourceful)

Very cool, very spiky leaf we saw a lot on our hike

Waterfall lunch stop

Chameleon found by local kids

Tierney was very curious, but not so sure when he opened his mouth and hissed at her

Local kids were watching us watch the chameleon

Hike across a long log

Our cabin (?) at Muller’s

Gorgeous views

After the Usambaras we continued east all the way to the coast. A friend of ours from Arusha parents run a lodge at the coast, so that is where we stayed (Peponi Resort). When we got there it was cloudy and we were a little disappointed since we really were really (REALLY) looking for some hot and sunny weather. It did get much sunnier and warmer as the week went on, so we were all happy. It took us a few days to get into a rhythm, but finally got it all figured out…a nice mix and hand-off of working and relaxing. We had a great banda with a separate room for the kids – we ate all meals at the resort and the food was good. We were finally able to eat lots of seafood which was a great change for us. The kids had a blast exploring the beach, making sandcastles and going for a boat ride (and beginner snorkel). We got to see some men shimmy up the coconut trees and cut the coconuts down (done about every 3 months, so they don’t start falling on patrons heads). We heard bush baby screams at night and saw vervet monkey’s playing around Peponi. I even saw some striped mongoose stealing some garbage from the compost pile. I think we’ll definitely be heading back to the beach sometime. We also met a group of 3 students from University of Virginia and ended up spending a lot of time with them over the 5 days we were there. Two of them ended up staying with us in Arusha for a few days. Matt left for a week long trip the day after we got home and Emily was a champ at helping with the kids and they loved her. They were sad that she had to leave today (she was headed to work for a month at Lewa in Kenya – big TNC project and where we went on our spring break…small world).

Someone is sure happy to be at the beach (she wasn’t the only one)

Trying to fit in a little work before breakfast

Swimming makes you tired.

Heading out to the boat for the trip to sand island

Anderson fell asleep on the ride out and was asleep for ~5 minutes when a wave crashed over the side directly onto him…poor kid was shocked and then said “that was funny”.