Having breakfasted in the room we set off at 8:15am expecting a shorter but tougher day. For the first part, the road stayed largely flat, we stopped for a short break in Igurusi and shortly afterwards we passed the 5000mile mark. Two milestones in two days definitely go us!
Unsure of what we were going to find along the road we stopped in Ilongo and had an early lunch. Lunch was a bit of a challenge as we struggled to find out when the food would be ready. The stall holder was trying her best, but two non-Swahili speaking Muzungus (white people) weren't making it easy for her. Eventually we just sat down to wait and were entertained by two young local children who thought our presence was hilarious. Risking getting a camera out, we were surprised when the two children got even more excited and started shouting 'picture, picture'. This was the complete opposite to what we have been used to on the road so far. Normally the reason to get a camera out in Tanzania has been to get rid of the children as fast as possible! A few photos later and it was time to eat.
Variety isn't a strong point of food on the road, it's just a good thing that we don't mind meat and rice. Having finished lunch a few more local children joined the others. They had clearly all heard about two Muzungus waving a camera about. A few photos later and a lengthy shaking of hands session, where most of the kids looked terrified and we were back on the road.
From lunch onwards the climbs started, which is not the best way to work off a full stomach. We have definitely been up steeper roads but at times the heat made it quite unbearable. The strong winds of the last few days seem to have blown themselves out and what remained wasn't particularly cooling. For the first long drag Debs was accompanied by some nice school children, one of which spoke excellent English. She arrived at the top full of smiles, which I would loved to have captured but for the fact that there was a pumping station at the summit, with a sign stating no photography in the area! From then onwards it got tougher though. Debs hip was clearly hurting her and her bike developed a slow puncture in its rear wheel. We didn't stop to repair the inner tube, for the time being at least pumping it back up seemed to work, if only her hip was such a simple fix!
By the time we reached Uyole, via a series of long dragging hills, Debs was well and truly shattered. Spotting the Stockholm Hotel we thought we would go to investigate. It looked a little on the grand side, but we thought if it wasn't too expensive we would treat ourselves. Firstly the room is very nice, it's just a shame that the beautifully fitted bathroom has no running water. We have no idea what is going on in this country; the north has water but no power and the south seems to have power but no water! One of the staff arrived with two buckets for us to have a wash with, but you do begin to wonder what you are paying for. Last night we had a very basic room, in a very basic guest-house and had to wash from a bucket. Today we have a nice room in an expensive looking hotel, with smartly uniformed staff and we have to wash from a bucket! The room may be nicer but the price difference doesn't really make sense. On a plus point, breakfast is included and the staff are really friendly.
Dinner was taken in the restaurant and was accompanied by a couple of beers, well we have earned them! It was just a shame that dinner was also accompanied by a large amount of what looked like small cockroaches crawling up the dining room walls.
We have about 17km of climbing tomorrow and then it should be downhill for the next 35km. It will be one more night in Tanzania and then a long free-wheel down to Malawi.
5000 miles is a long way and really good going. We hope that your hip feels better soon. Love from Mum, Dad and Catkin xx
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