THIS IS ALL ABOUT TRAVEL

So travel is above all a stimulant for the brain. A mind tonic. A soul revitaliser
Travel offers a repite from serious life citizenship....forget the mortgage, weeding the garden, feeding the cat and how much fibre you have in your diet. Just go. Free at last, if only for three weeks.
Travel also provides soul food for those who journey. The image we have are given of the world by the media is often of despair and destruction. But to travel is to stumble across scene after scene of such rugged splendour and timeless magnificence that your emotions overwhelm your senses. If this place exists then there is hope yet for the world.
To travel is to explore the many shadows of your psyche, for different people find beauty in different things....soul food comes in different packages.
The magic of travel is everywhere. The tragedy, the drama, the pathos of past human life haunts every grand ruin, and you feel the haunted or triumphant ghosts echoing in your every step.
Travel renews your sense of childlike wonder because the world indeed has many wonders. Sometimes wonder can be found on a small scale, a universe reflected on a drop of dew. Sometimes wonder is seen on a spectacular scale. To stand and absorb the massive prehistoric form of a mountain, is to feel for a moment like a mere speck of existence in the infinite continuum of the universe. To be humbled.
And to travel is to experience irony. The boredom on the face of the gondolier in Venice. A cleaner yawning as they sweep the floor of the Louvre.

From Highlands, Coast to Island(Cycling Expedition)

In he morning Monday 9th Feb., 11:05am me and my friend Jacob we left Arusha town ready to explore Northern & Southern Pare mountains, Mkomazi national park, West & East Usambara mountains, Tanga city, Pangani, Saadani national park, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar and Dar-es-salaam.

We had rough arrangement two day before including fix the bicycles, get a map, here camping gear, etc.

The cycling between Arusha- Moshi road 80km it was confidently because both of us we are familiar with the road. We had several stop for birds identification as it was a time when farmers preparer the farms for planting as they disturb and cult down the weeds they disturb the amphibians and other invertebrate which are the food to birds, we stop for 1 hour in Sanya when it was rain, we reached Moshi town 5:15pm.
We continue with our journey cycle through Moshi- Dar es Salaam road we had the closest view of white caped mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro. After 24km we reached Himo junction here we turn off right then we stopped and have a dinner from the women who sell the food during the night. After dinner we cycled for 15km in the dark by using our headlight but this isn’t safe to cycle during the night, we reach at the Kifaru village where we camp in somebody back yard.

In the next day we woke up 4:45am we made a coffee and start cycling 5:45am, 2km from where we overnight we turn left cycled towards north-east then east-south through the dirty road and Challenge Mountains. We passed through cultivated fields (Ma-Shamba) in Masiwa, Unyasa, Kwakoa and Gitingeni villages before joined the high way again at Gitengani. We cycled towards eat-south. After 25km we reached Same town ship. We had our dinner at Same then after our rice and beans dinner we cycled for 1km out of town and camp at the field.

We wake up early in the morning after having a cup of coffee we start cycling. In this day we cycled through the mountains of Southern Pare, cultivated valleys then after 30km we reached Kisiwani. Kisiwani village is boarded with the newest Mkomazi National Park formal Mkomazi Game Reserve situated in the acacia savannah between Southern Pare Mountains and Usambara Mountains, stretch north wards and share eco-system with Tsavo National Park in Kenya.

We kept on cycling through this beautiful and fascinating landscape with the reward of Flora and Fauna. As we cycled in the plains we was able to see clearly Shengena peak (2462m) and Hemwera (2137m)

The southern and Northern Pare Mountains named after the Pare people the inhabitants who believed to be the descendant of between Chagga/Maasai or Taita ethnics groups, migrate and made the home in these mountains. Both Northern & southern Pare mountains have the established culture tourism which organize and arrange different activities such as hiking, culture tour, natural work, etc.

We finished our day by cycled south-east through Mkomazi valley then North-east and camp at Mnazi village in Tanga region, northern slopes of Usambara Mountains.

In the following day we wakeup early after having a cup of coffee we broke down the tent and start cycling through the mountains and lush green forest of Usambara. In this dirt road we had the view of Lake Kalimawe and Mkomazi National Park. The Usambara slopes support a rich bird life as well as many species of colorful butterfly.

Cycling through shamba, forest and valleys passed villages we reached Msalaka village where we overnight.

Early in the morning in the next day after have the cup of coffee we start to cycle through the path in the forest. After 6 hours of cycling in the forest we reached Amani Natural Reserve Headquarter. We overnight here.

On Sunday of 14th Feb early in the morning we left Amani Natural Reserve descend for 35km in the dirt road where we passed the vehicles which have to go slowly due to the holes in the road. After 1 ½ hour, we reached the lowland at Muheza junction. We had the breakfast here then we take on another 37km to Tanga. In the late after noon we was cycling around Tanga city looking for somewhere to camp, after tried several places finally we find the Pamori Hotel which situated 5minuts walk to the shower of Indian ocean nearby the Tanga harbor. Actually they didn’t have the camping service but after long conversation with the man in the reception (Augustino Safe tinosafe@yahoo.com) he offers us the free camping ground with breakfast.

TANGA: The ruined mosques on Toten Island in the Tanga harbor indicate the presence of small trading center in the Omani and Shiraz eras as do similar ruins at several other sites within a 20km radius of the modern city. But, while it seems reasonable to assume that some sort of fishing settlement has existed on harbor main land for millennia there is no written or archaeological evidence of more substantial settlement prior to early 19th century. The city’s name which means “Sail” in Swahili is most probably derived from Mtangani; in the contemporary name for the nearby Tongini Ruins. It could well be that the foundation of the modern Tanga was linked to the decline and eventually abandonment of Mtangani.

By the mid 19th century, Tanga was an established and substantial center of the ivory trade neither as renowned as Pangani, nor as architecturally distinguished, but nevertheless sufficiently profitable to be governed by an agent of Sultan of Zanzibar.

Next day we spent to fix our bicycle in Tanga then in the evening we tried them for 15km to Amboni Caves. Amboni Caves probably the most extensive caves system in east Africa, and certain the most accessible and impressive.

After a finishing fixing our bicycle on 16th Feb. mid afternoon we left Tanga city. We Cycle towards east-south through the coast dirty road. We visit Tongoni Ruins 20km from Tanga. We continuo cycling heading pangani passed through the coastal forest, 35km from Tanga we reached Peponi Campsite in late evening. We camp at Peponi campsite which locates in the beach of Indian Ocean.

In the next day we spent the morning at the beautiful beach and boat trip for snookering. 01:16pm we left Peponi and cycle for short time, about 20km to Pangani. We overnight at Tinga Tinga lodge and Campsite.

Pangani in common with Bagamoyo further south that has been pivotal 19th century trade central that has been largely passed by 20th century development. Endowed with a number of crumbling old buildings, dating from earliest years of its existence through to the colonial era, Pangani retains the most traditional Swahili character of any port on the north coast. It also has a superb location, on the north bank of the mouth of the forest-fringed Pangani river where a gorgeous beach stretches northward as far as the can see.

In the morning of 18th Feb after having a breakfast in this ancient town we went to the ferry which was few meter from where we was sitting. As we was waiting the ferry to come in our side we met a Canadian(Otto Cootes www.mytb.org/otto-masher )who started cycling from Kenya then Uganda, Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania he planned to cycle up to India. After cross the Pangani River we cycle together for 93km then we stopped for lunch at Mkwaja village after having the lunch we continue to this sand road. After 20km from Mkwaja we reach Mbuyuni where there is an entrance gate for the recent established Saadani National Park.

We stopped at the gate for a while negotiating with game rangers who wanted us to pay the entrance fees, finally they let us pass.

We kept on cycling through the national park in the sand road, after 30km we reached Matipwili village just outside of the perk. From the village we take on 9km to Kisampa Lodge and Campsite where we had an invitation from Dk. Robby the own.

We spent two night at Kisampa be we crossed Wami river which hasn’t the connected bridge or ferry. Then we embark on 70km to Bagamoyo, we reached Bagamoyo ancient town 1:43pm after lunch we made tour around the town and visit the historical features such as Shiraz and German harbor, Arabs and Germans grave yard, the place where they used to lock up the slaves before ship them to Zanzibar market.

In the next day after breakfast we visit Kaole ruins and Museum the Back to Bagamoyo for lunch. After lunch Jacob who wanted to get back to Arusha to participate in Kili marathon left to Dar es Salaam with a Canadian man who will cross to Zanzibar.

Late evening I took a Dhow to Zanzibar, I spent the whole night at the ocean before reach stone town 9:40am. I had breakfast at stone town then I made a tour around visit the slave market, etc. In the mid after noon I cycled towards south for 90km passed through cloves and palms plantations I reached ras kasim mkazi in the late evening where I overnight.

In the following day I cycled back to stone town then took a boat to Dar es Salaam where I finished my cycling feasibility study.

I would like to say thanks Korogwe White Parrot Motel, Pamori Hotel, The student of Bagamoyo Art College, Kisampa Lodge & Campsite, Tinga Tinga Lodge & Campsite and all who support me in this cycling expedition.

Rock Painting

Central Tanzania is part of tectonically, isolated granite hills and rocks formed by remnants of the Precambrian basement that extended north to Lake Victoria.

The region have been habited by different ethnics group include Wasi, Wa-Rangi, Wa-Sandawe, Wa-Gogo, Wa-Mbugwe, Wa-Nyiramba, Baribaigi(Wa Mang’ati), Hadzabe(Wa-Habesh or Wa-Tindiga) and Wa-Nyaturu.

Their culture is noted in long history of the region since Stone Age period.
Today, the region is characterized by diverse culture that has evolved through interactions between Khoisan, Bantu and Nito-Hamite.

It is not quite clear which group was the first in the region. What we know is our ancestors occupied the region since middle Stone Age time 2,000 to 3,000 years ago. People have been adopting for many years to the changing condition by adopting at different technology and tradition.

The region is well known for it finest rock paintings, thought to have been the work of ancestors of today’s Sandawe people.

The rock art of Central Tanzania is the most extensive in East Africa and rank the 2rd in the prehistoric art of Africa.

The Stone Age painters recreated the world around them in scenes. The painting extended from Kondoa district to Iramba and northern parts of Singida districts.

Since 2006 Kondoa rock art painting were declared a world Heritage.

VALUE AND FUTURE OF ROCK ART.
Much of the early rock art predates writing and even oral remembered history. It is all that is now left to tell us of our ancestor’s views of their world, the visions of realty, their values and beliefs. The art is in fact a form of early visually communication.

These paintings are not merely symbols; many often portray great skill in their form and determination and demonstrate the artist’s goals and talents of our ancestors.

In spite sun, wind and rain, many of these works have survived for about seven thousand years on the exposed rocks. Almost certainly, the large red and cream colored animal paintings found in central Tanzania represent the oldest existing art in East Africa. How longer will they last, depend very large on us. The art will only survive if the environment is conserved and valued by all who counter it.

WHAT MEANS THE ART
As difficult it is to determine why artist paint it is even more difficult to ascertain what was the purpose of this rock art. Most researchers have suggested symbolic values that expressed the artist’s deepest religious feelings and conceptions of reality. This, it is argued it was shamanic in nature involving control of the elements and community hilling.

However, other underlying purposes of rock art are more obscure, but they may well symbolize objects of reference. If ancient Egyptians used pictorial presentations as a system of writing and keeping records, can’t we say that these also were our ancestor’s form of writing and object of reference?

WHO MADE THE PAITINGS?
The identity of the artists and the date of their work are not clear. However, several scholars have attributed them to Khoisan hunter-gatherers, the ancestors of today Sandawe and Hadzabe population of the region. In the Kaokaveld of northern Namibia mountain “Omukuruwaro” “mountain of Gods” (as known by indigenous), today “Brandberg”(2574m highest in Namibia). There Meek’s cave which it had long been known to Sun as the “Cave of Memory” The cave is thought to have been a ceremonial place. It hosts a giant rock frieze 16ft long and 8ft. high which had been painted on by many generations of artists. The rock painting at Twyfelfontein in Namibia in 2007 was also declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

What is known is that over many millennia, a great diversity of people has come together in East Africa. It is after 3,000 years ago, when we had the earliest cultivating and animal keeping community in the region. Interaction between these people and the hunter-gatherers remain speculative.
HOW OLD ARE THE PAINTINGS?
More than 6,000 years old. The Brandberg at Maack’s shelter rock paintings (famous as “White lady”) in Namibia are estimated be between 2,000 to 4,000 years old.
RAPIDY CHANGE
When Dr. Leakey visited Kondoa 1929 the plains were still rich in games including giraffe, eland, roan antelope, kudu, zebra, etc. But six years later, even dik dik had disappeared; mostly due to the British Admiration tse tse fly campaign. Today, the animals population had bit recovered. This can be seen as one driving from Maasai steppe towards Kondoa and from Kondoa towards East to Manyoni. Although animal’s population faces several circumstances due to the expansion of the human activities in the region.

Brids watching and........

In this part of the world, way of life changing very fast perhaps to match with every where in the world. I couldn’t help myself to think about that in those days when I was living with my grand mother. She was and still complains that I don’t behave like African youth according to traditional and customs. For me that claim was merely her way to hinder me to “achieve pleasure and avoiding pain”. Chasing girls, drug and substance abuse, disobedient and some other like habits were and still are alternative and not choice for the most youths. We went to school, despite the efforts of our teachers who tried to change our motive by endeavor us with most Africans literature's books such as those from Ngongi Wathiong, Chinua Achebe and so much more. Unfortunately our brains were and in some extent are blunt and blinded with our impulse and common aide of matching with developing country of the western. I’m not contrary about that as long as we will be able to differentiate fact and logic. This will make as stop feeling backward for our being. Our favorite studies which I hope if we had been given an exam we would perform well were and still are Hollywood subjects. Here we are learning in the very simple way how to behave: What should we desire; how can we wearer; how should we look like, etc, etc.

Bird watching and several other things I’m doing and some other few friends do too. Two years ago me and some other friends whom I met at the tourism training college. In these colleges our parents for the money they earn from selling the fortune maize or the grains sent us to be trained for unavailable jobs. This is due to our failure to carry hoe, panga (machete) and calabash full of water. Clear the remain forest to enlarge the field and search for more fertile land. Then till it under the burning sun. After all blood work we sore seed and in great anxious we have to look on the sky every day for unpredictable rain.

After training college which make little deference with the farm, unpredictable rain and unpredictable jobs are alike. Luckily few of us had little enlightenment which course us embarrass unconventional way. The “Less traveled way”. While majority keep on in the in “Popular traveled”.

In non conventional we keep on develop our skills, searching for knowledge and understand as we found out we can’t live to day with the old understand. In this way we are able to abolish frustration and anxious. In that point my own philosophy of life is close to this;

The best moments in our lives are not passive, receptive, relaxing times…the best moments usually occur when person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult end worthwhile”.
Mihaly Csikszentmihaly.

Carl Peters

Carl Peters was a German explorer, journalist and philosopher, instrumental in the founding of German East Africa and helped create the European "Scramble for Africa". Despite being vilified for cruelty to Africans and removed from office, he was later praised by Kaiser Wilhelm II and was considered a German hero by Hitler.

Ernegy Vampires

Have you ever noticed that there are certain people - co-workers, relatives, friends - who are like happiness leeches, sucking you dry of your energy with their bad vibes and, in turn, showering you with their own negativity? You know the types, they consistently bring you down with their dark outlook and petty grievances, using their own lack of self-assurance to knock down everyone else in sight, and speaking only of what's wrong, instead of what's right.

These are the ones for whom the proverbial glass is always half empty. Moreover, they are the ones who are so toxic, they not only miss the rainbow after a rainy day, but they also miss the beauty of the rainy day itself. And then they leave you covered with the detritus of their own misery.

There's no need to fall victim, however. Even though you can't always avoid such energy vampires, you can protect yourself from absorbing their bleak worldview and negativity so you can continue to embrace life without depressive interruptions.

Definition: positive energy
First, imagine positive energy as a perfect alignment of emotions, thoughts and behavior. An example would be a dinner party, surrounded by like-minded people whose intellect and conversation match your own. You feel buoyed by such connections and can let your guard down. There is no danger of being pulled into the undercurrent of jealousy, anger or resentment - only the uplifting feeling of positivity. Imagine yourself as having a protective shield surrounding you. The shield is always on, but at this moment it is on a dimmer switch and doesn't need to be activated to optimal brilliance.

In a negative energy situation - a meeting at work with lots of blame-laying and hurt feelings, or an outing with a friend who never ceases to gripe - your shield should be up, full force. This energy force of golden vibes and protective love is what you tap into when you feel the need. You may not see this protective light, but you can sense it. This also applies to your own negative "voices" - the ones that say you're not good enough, smart enough, talented enough to get the job, promotion or good life that you want. If you can't ignore those voices of self-doubt, just tell them to "be quiet." You're in control, not them - because if you give in to them, your creativity is out the window.

Bad vibe protection
You must protect yourself from drowning in the bad vibes of others so that your own subtle energy doesn't become stagnant and weigh you down. Aside from the energy shield, there are other techniques you can follow. In yoga, the word "Satnam" means "the truth within you." By surrendering to your truth, you will follow your proper life path. Repeat this word as you breathe out negativity and inhale positivity.

Absorb the loving energy instead: the unconditional love of your pet as it nestles up to you, the sweet caress of a lover, the sound of voices joining in unison in a spiritual gathering… these are all good and should be embraced. Like energy "candies" they fortify you with their joyous purity to better handle toxic encounters that may arise.

Deactivation
Use humor to alleviate dark emotions and remember to vanquish your own by freeing yourself of resentment. Identify your fears, face them, embrace them and then say goodbye to them. Trust your gut about danger and choose your actions wisely. Keep a journal that lists both the good things you've done and the amends you need to make. Then act on them.

Besides all this "feel good" advice, use common sense: Drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, commune with nature and don't spend so much time with electronic gadgets that you forget to live life for real. You'll feel centered and re-energized.

Remember, energy begets energy. This is a reflection of physiology but also describes emotions. What you put out is what you'll receive - if you're sending off enough positivity, you may then force it through the negative person's shield and wind up helping them as well. Now wouldn't that be great?

Trees planting at Rivers Songota valley

The map shows that 83% of the land surface is influenced by the one or more of the following; human population density greater than 10km square, agricultural land use, built-up areas, access with 15km of road, major rivers or coast, and nighttime light bright enough to be picked up by satellite sensors.

Most of the human activities on the earth affect the environment which is based on balance ecology.

Songota River it among the small rivers flow from the volcanic mountain, Mount Meru (4565m). The river rejoined another river as it flows towards the Maasai plains and latter turns to the Indian Ocean. South -West, South, and South –East of Mt. Meru as well as most of the mountain in East Africa which receives the wind from the Indian Ocean experience enough rainfall. The rainfall makes a crucial contribution to supporting the lush green forest the source of the catchment and several rivers.

The distribution of the people in East Africa up to 20th century was (and still is to the great extent) determined by the variables such as elevation, distribution of lakes and rivers, vegetation, and climate. For stance; the farmer communities were consecrated and still are, in the fertile soil in the high land. These communities went trough fast-growing population because the region is free from Malaria and other contagious.

The utilization of natural resource in these areas was high and still are. They to have to clear the forest to extend farms in order to increase the production for substance and for exchange, get more space for building space and building material, and for energy (firewood).

Due to these limit consideration activities, areas such as the Songota rivers valley started to erode because of trees cutting and unplanned farming systems. According to local people around the valley was characterized by unpetrateble riverine forest. Slowly people start to exploit it. Today there are no trees and grasses used to stabilize the soil such as bamboo or fig. trees.

Songota Falls Lodge is ecolodge established nearby in the valley and make the use of the falls. The management conserves and protects a small area of the valley. The conservation of this area gives an example.

The first time when I was doing bird watching in this and went down to rest at the waterfalls I was excited with the conserved area. I have been disappointed by the bare areas which started to react by eroding. I went to the lodge we discuss the matter with the owner Joyce Kimaro, the owner decides that we will arrange the trees planting in the valley.

As we were still working on the tree planting the lodge receives three clients. Brian Canadian man with his two children. Mike who is now doing research on agroforest in Kenya. And Shana a postgraduate student in Canada. Mike admires our ideal as he says he would like to participate in this event.

We decide to plant trees on 14th May 2019. Songota Falls Lodge contributes 100 trees and organizes the participation of the villagers, I myself I contribute 30 trees, Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST) 20 trees, and villagers apart of participating the contribute a lot of grasses which also can be used to feed their livestock on the future.

A total of 150 trees and lots of grasses were planted. The villagers promise to make a follow up of the progress of the trees.