Hot pursuit!

Post snorkel, enjoying some freshly squeezed mango juice on the patio of the Msemo, our favourite local seaside restaurant, we hear a motorcycle from the wrong direction.  We turn and low and behold, here comes a local on one of the very common Chinese 125 cc. road bikes, but to our amusement, he is actually driving over the reef at low tide.  We watch in wonder as his bike rattles and bounces and he struggles to maintain control, at far too fast a speed for such a bizarre choice of routes.  We shake our heads in wonder as he eventually makes the beach and fishtails up the embankment and disappears into the woods.  Our curiosity is soon satisfied as a second motorcycle, carrying an angry looking Policeman, blasts past bouncing along the same route.  Hot pursuit in Mtwara!

Christmas dinner was a disappointment.  Being a farm boy, I wasn't overly put off by the Christmas goat's pleas for mercy as he was led behind the hotel by the cook, and we had two turkeys flown in from Dar es Salaam for the holiday feast as well, but try to find a mouthful of meat out of any of the food laid out after our cook finished practicing his tradecraft.  It was seriously overcooked, whatever meat that could be found, but at least the rice was good.  I had a granola bar back in my room afterwards.

I was invited to a local birthday party the next evening, using my iPhone flashlight to check for snakes on the path through the woods to the small house.  Everyone crowded into the tiny living room for a few nervous speeches from various relatives, smart phone cameras flashed capturing the happiness.  Beer, juice, bottled water and Amarula was offered to all.  Birthday cake was cut and everyone was fed a piece by the birthday girl, her husband smiling proudly and plates were then passed out by the children in attendance, the Moms all dressed in shiny colourful satin dresses. The spread was as impressive as anything I've seen, North America or anywhere else, and the meat was succulent, far and away the best I've had in Mtwara, putting our big mzungu holiday feast to shame.  I really enjoyed myself, and was soon clowning for the kids, all watching the smiling white guy nervously.  I got the impression mzungus don't often attend these local functions.  The evening put the holidays back on track.

I'm presently the only SAR Captain onsite, so I'm relegated to SAR standby everyday, watching in envy as the line bird blasts off into the wild blue yonder.  I can't complain, it's been a good tour thus far, and we are soon off to Mombasa, Kenya.  Despite the security concerns, everyone is excited about living in a high-end beach side resort for at least a little while.  I've eaten some of thee best meals I've ever had in Mombasa's many fine restaurants, so I'm looking forward to returning.