We took the comfortable overnight ferry MV Victoria to Mwanza with Stephan and the girls. We were entertained by watching the dock workers loading tons and tons of bananas until every corner was filled. We then caught a bus from Mwanza and arrived 3 hours later in Musoma.
For Annie this was a voyage of discovery as fifty years ago she had lived here from aged two to six since her father was the district commisioner.
Musoma is a lovely Tanzanian town, small regional centre, tidy and friendly.the dukas (shops) appeared newly painted, were mostly African owned and were selling a greater range (for instance the shoe shops were selling new shoes rather than second hand) than we find in Bukoba.
Tembo Beach Hotel was a lovely place to stay. The ground was sandy but there were a couple of large shade trees busy with weaver birds under which we sat to eat/drink/read in the cool breeze coming off the Lake. The sound of the waves lapping on the shore kindles old memories.
Next morning walking around we found Annie's old family house next to the airstrip. It was still looking good with a carefully tended garden but guarded by an askari with a rifle. Across the airfield was the Musoma Club which Annie remembers as a place for parties and gatherings. She reckoned it looked the same but a little smarter than fifty years ago! Round at the Boma where her father worked it had been repainted and looked very smart. Next to it was the open air courthouse. For Annie it was strange yet familiar, like seeing the adult child of an old friend.
The layout of the town was unchanged but of course many new buildings. The market was excellent, friendly and lots of fruit and vegetables including chinese lettuce and green beans. There was a gentle prosperity with new hotels and a development at the end of the peninsula for a campsite.
We had a lovely couple of days just 'being there' before returning to Mwanza and the ferry home.
