Late last night we headed out from the cosy bay of Tanga south toward Dar es Salaam. At around 8.30 this morning we arrived at Bagamoyo. In the past this now sleepy port was one of the most important dhow ports along the African coast as well as being the terminus of the trade caravan routes. Slaves, copra, ivory and salt were transported through Bagamoyo before being shipped to Zanzibar and sold. In 1886 French missionaries established a freedom village at Bagamoyo as a shelter and refuge for ransomed slaves. From 1887 to 1891 Bagamoyo was the capital of Germany East Africa, and in 1888 it was the site of the first major uprising against the government. It was in 1891 that the Germans moved the capital to Dar es Salaam, and Bagamoyo slowly faded into obscurity. 

In the tender Michael, Joerg, Reimer and James headed ashore to take a look at the town and explore a little of the German history. Joerg and Reimer remained ashore and plan to travel to Dar es Salaam by bus, meeting with us tomorrow. Now what remains of this once active port are abandoned shacks filling a white sand beach, a lagoon turquoise in colour and extremely shallow. The dhows are still made in the port, it is well worth a visit to the boat yards to see the craftsmanship of these magnificent vessels. Michael and James returned to STARSHIP and we continued on our way to Dar es Salaam.

The crew, a little weary from the night's passage, busied themselves with the general daily bits around the boat. The inside sparkles thanks to Lisa’s magic touch; Diana and I gave STARSHIP a good wash down and DJ cooked us a great lunch while Lasse rested on the couch. You might wonder why ... well late yesterday in all his heroics (he was carrying supplies back to the tender over some slippery algae rocks. In a manner he said must have been impressive to watch) he slipped and rather badly crunched his toe, which is now a little painful and difficult to manoeuvre. Movies and popcorn seem to be returning the smile to his face - send him a get well.

Buildings like Lego on the skyline.

We arrived a little after 4.00pm. The skyline of Dar es Salaam is quite magnificent to the north. It is the secret capital city in east Tanzania on an arm of the Indian Ocean. The country's largest city, chief seaport and principal commercial, manufacturing, and educational centre. Dar es Salaam's exports include coffee, sisal, cotton, and copper (from landlocked Zambia). 

Dar es Salaam (Arabic for “haven of peace”) was founded in the 1860s as a summer residence for the Sultan of Zanzibar. It was developed by German colonial interests after 1885 and came under British control in 1916. Its main growth as a modern city began in the 40s. It became the capital of a newly independent Tanganyika in 1961 and continued as the seat of administration when Tanganyika and Zanzibar were merged to form Tanzania in 1964. In 1974 Dodoma was designated the new capital of Tanzania. It was developed by Germany and Great Britain into a colonial capital.

The picturesque harbour is home to many small yachts rocking in the gentle evening breeze. The setting sun shines on the water like the amber of a candle in a window, the evening coming to a peaceful conclusion. Michael, Lasse and I are off ashore to visit with a doctor to check that his foot is ok. Will let you know about it tomorrow.

Lou