Dar es Salaam

One day in Dar es Salaam, which is the biggest city in Tanzania, though not the capital. It’s not really a tourist destination but interesting enough for a day recovering from the rough ferry trip from Zanzibar and the stress of contacting people to let them know we are OK after hearing about the ferry disaster. Lots of local colour today, and it was all free.

Highlights:

1.       The Kivukoni Fish Market – fisherman bringing up their catch and selling it, huge blocks of ice chipped and sold to fish buyers, cooking, selling the fish. We chickens didn’t eat. Then over the road – fish being smoked, more cooking, some illicit (in Australia) goods for sale, like shark fins, jaws, dried puffer fish, shells.

2.       Seeing the original fossil skulls found by David Leakey at Olduvai gorge in the National Museum, especially the fine Zinjanthropus skull.

Observations:

1.       From watching on the ferry and at the port, I have learned how to tie a baby on my back, if I ever need to.

2.       At the port, a woman balancing a suitcase on her head, with a baby strapped to her back, bending to tend to her two small children, without the case wobbling at all – impressive.

Local colour at the fish market

The catch - put out on benches for buyers to come and choose from

Proud of his catch

 Smoking and cooking the catch

Local brew