Heading towards Ukerewe Island
Today was a travel day. We left our hotel in Arusha just after 8:00 a.m. and travelled through the busy streets towards Kilimanjaro airport. The traffic was relatively light and we arrived about 9:20 a.m. Too early in fact to check-in our bags. The airport was quiet with just 2 flights leaving and only 1 flight arriving during our 3 hour wait.
Our flight to Mwanza was uneventful. We landed in Mwanza just after 1:00 p.m. As we approached the city we could see rice paddies in terraces and intensive corn agriculture. The airport is a small but has a long runways. We could see both military and civilian planes lined up alone the edge of the facility. There were a number of UN aircraft parked along the edge of the field including 2 very large helicopters and 2 smaller aid planes. The arrivals lounge was a room with a drive up delivery entrance where the baggage handlers passed in the luggage for the passengers to grab of the loading bay. We only waited 2 minutes and we were in taxis to the city centre.
The Midland Hotel is our home for the evening. It is situated in downtown Mwanza near the ferry terminals and the railway station. Mwanza is known as “Rock City”. It is hilly with large prominent rock outcrops. The main streets are in the valleys and the nice homes and buildings on the hilltops and slopes.
Mwanza from the roof top patio
From the patio on top of our hotel we can hear and see the hustle and bustle of the city. Boats coming into the harbour moving goods around Lake Victoria and honking of horns as people move around on the streets below.
Lake Victoria and Mwanza Harbour
We leave tomorrow for Nansio on Ukerewe Island. The ferry leaves at 9:00 a.m. We think we will splurge and get 1st class tickets for the ferry ($6 instead of $5). This way we get a seat for the 3 hour boat ride. This will probably be the last message for a bit…not sure we will have an internet connection on the island. Stay tuned! We will blog again when get back to Mwanza on Wednesday.
The Team
Mwanza looks wonderful!
wish I was there with you. tremendous experience I am sure.