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Issue 00411 |
Mar 18 - 24, 2006 |
issn 0856 - 9135 |
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Tourism |
 Dar
es Salaam: Almost everything is real By Elisha Mayallah Few places in Tanzania stir the popular imagination; Dar es Salaam perhaps, maybe Mwanza, a region in the Lake Victoria 'rock city' , Arusha a 'tourist headquarters' in the North – they are places we know because they carry history, excitement, maybe a frisson of danger, past or present, they have powerful names associated with them. Just when you thought you have seen it all, a visit to Dar es Salaam is always an adventure. Through my extensive travels in many places, never have I been left so speechless about a place of diverse such as Dar es Salaam. It has, I guess, many 'marching guys' popularly known as a machingas, rich people and abject poor people, all together making a total population of nearly four million people. The eco-tourism side in Dar es Salaam is as much about people as opposed to animals in the wilderness: This is the principle of sustainable development in the city, more than many eco-tourism outfits, comes close to fulfilling this ideal. Dar es Salaam lifestyle simply conjures up as an array of emotions, from wonder to excitement, curiosity and eagerness. The creativity, expression and movements of vehicles and people that you see in the grounds are overwhelming. And makes you think this city is like a shopping mall of its kind. It is, surely, a fascinating experience visiting this city and the feeling one may have of the millions of people who flock into the daladala from as early as 4 in the morning. Perhaps the most striking contrast in this city is in the top class hotels, they are almost in one fractional area: New Africa, Kilimanjaro Kempinski, Holiday Inn, Movenpick Royal Palm, Golden Tulip, Courtyard, Protea, Sea Cliff, Bahari Beach, Beachcomber and many others. A keen and enthusiastic resident told me 'Dar' is a place for everybody. All can live in this city depending on varied income levels. Many places in Kinondoni district are considered of high-class community, in particular along the Ali Hassani Mwinyi road which leads up to the 'new' Bagamoyo town. Temeke and Ilala districts are for the 'Wananchi', I am told. While In Dar es Salaam few weeks ago, I took time to get off the stifled city stress and strains, and I chose to visit Kigamboni for a little adventure. Many people have heard of Kigamboni but few ever make a stop at this intriguing little semi-rural island town just off the city centre. Kigamboni can be reached by taking a pontoon ride and there are many new resorts and hotels being developed. As you take a ride in the pontoon, the life cycle of thousands of Kigamboni dwellers who depend on this 'moving house' before trying to make the crossing, day in day out, comes to mind. Many cars with impatient drivers come to grief trying to cross and end spending some few minutes during peak times, at both the Magogoni ferry at Kivukoni front and Kigamboni creek. It is wonderful and emotional to see how Kigamboni's villages spreading in a V shape environment, which is so natural and not just a little artificial island. And when you visit Kigamboni area there are rough gravel roads, so much so to give you the idea of taking it slowly to enjoy the winding valley of the Indian Ocean. Nearer to the roads, you will catch only brief glimpses below where alien vegetation are grown or cleared. Visitors can visit a host of villages in and around the Dar es Salaam city for first-hand impressions of daily life, including stopping at the 'famous' Kariakoo market during its peak hours. This is the noble opportunity to mix with the locals and unwind with various refreshments while getting the share 'feeling' of the city.
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