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Wednesday 2 July 2008

Jambu

Hi folkes....
I finally got here, what an adventure that was ! ... Firstly, plane at Gatwick... 3 hours late, which wasnt a good start, next got to Dubai and had to run like mad though the terminal... duty free ??? what and where was that? not a clue, and no chance to find out... I literally only made the connecting flight with seconds to spare... then... got to Dar Es Salaam and met by man with placard with my name on... felt like a VIP lol... Visa had to be sorted...and hundreds in queue waiting to get theres... lots of hot smelly bodies in very small confined space, not good, however nice man.... ushered me through all of this, with a form and proceeded to sort it all out for me, thank goodness... then passed onto another chappy.... who drove me to hotel for the night.... being met there by Mausi warrior... decided not safe out alone, so had early night ready to be picked up next morning at silly o clock to go back on 45 minute journey to airport...
I was deposited at the domestic airport.. and with seconds... a man come up and spoke to me... panic set in a tad, and as I dont speak Swahili ! was a bit concered but only once did I nearly end up going to Zanzibar with the man who said he would show me around ! and if I wanted to cut my holiday short in Pemba.... alarm bells started ringing when his 80 year old father asked where my huband was.... not sure what they had in mind, but decided to continue on my journey to Pemba and not detour with them ! ..
When they said small plane, I didnt quite expect to haved to climb on wing to get in and be co pilot in a 6 seater (4 passengers, pilot and me !!)... if that wasnt worrying enough... when the pilot was checking throu a list and writing stuff down, whilst meant to be flying plane, i really felt the need to be doing something ie.... getting hold of the control and praying seemed like a good idea at the time...
Landed safely one hour later in Pemba.... next step of journey... another 45 mins driving through villages and mud huts, cows and chickens !! lol..
Then for last leg... get on small boat.... when they said speed boat, this not quite what had in mind, (again)., lol felt at any minute, i would be given an oar and told to paddle like fury... (nearly fell straight out the boat, as it rocked as i was attempting to get in)... only saved by another passenger grabbing hold of me quickly !!!
fast sped to other side of island to be met by son and dil..... well I think it was them, as couldnt see a thing for spray at that time "! Mission accomplished..., arrival on jetty !
tomorrow folkes round two ! lol...
ohh had hard day today.... as had to have massage, manicure and pedicure... now off to have yet another cocktail !!! lol its a hard life in paradise.. but someone has got to do it xxx

12 comments:

Liz said...

Brilliant Jackie, sounds an adventure on it's own just getting there. So glad you arrived safe and sound, enjoy your holiday and will keep looking out for your updates. x

Karen J said...

Good grief J ... I'm shattered just reading that, never mind having to go through it. Well you got there in one piece ... now enjoy it all ... and yeah I am missing ya!!!

Lynn said...

Flipping heck Jackie, what a story so far! You'll be writing a book when you get back. It was great to hear about your adventure and I bet you feel really good about getting through it.

Debs said...

OMG I need to lay down now, I`m knackered lol
What an adventure and thats just getting there.
I`m gonna look forward to your antics, just make them less stressful than the journey can ya? lol

Greta said...

Omg what a trip!!! & you have to do it all again coming back. Watch out for the guy from Zanzibar lol.
Looking forward to hearing the rest of your adventures x

Anonymous said...

Well Jackie its all been said............you have to do this in reverse in a couple of weeks, you should write a book.........well at least a scrap book!!! loving hearing all about paradise.....will look in from day to day to catch up

Sue said...

Wow, that was certainly some journey, glad you arrived in one piece, and just think, you only have to do it all in reverse to get home again. lol Have a super holiday.

Sue H

Anonymous said...

sounds great fun Jackie who was the pilot lndiana Jones lolol.......luv Dimps xxxx

Toni said...

oh wow you made it in one piece and not married to a warrior great news cant wait for the next chapter hun Have a fab time

Margaret A said...

Woohoo...I've remembered how to sign in.LOL. Now all I need to do is work out how to design a blog. Enjoy your epic holiday....it makes riveting reading love.xx

Cazz said...

so glad to hear you arrived safely - if not uneventful - but then you wouldn't be our Jazz if everything went smoothly xx

Anonymous said...

Think you mean Jambo Jackie unless it has changed since I was in Africa lol:)Glad your travel arrangements worked out Ok for you and you are now in Paradise enjoy your holiday and I look forward to any updates you manage to make.
Cocktails permitting.:)
Myrax