London, ho!

On the return flight. It's about 95% empty, so I'm lying across 3 seats, re-sult. 1.5 hours to Amsterdam, then very short transfer time, then HOME! Good thing as I'm feeling pretty damn awful now, am hoovering anti-nausea tablets which are making me feel hammered.

Blackberry started working again in Nairobi, long enough for me to book a cab, and get an email from Marmie to say she's staying in my flat tonight, what a pleasant surprise. I hope I don't give her freaky Zanzibar sickness.

Final holiday observations! Can't believe this is last blog entry, I have become used to submitting a running commentary on my life, and will miss it.

* how many people use the phrase 'I slept like a baby'? I heard it many times on holiday. I still do not understand the appeal of waking up screaming after soiling yourself.

* Tangawizi. Stoneys Tangawizi - a very very bitey, gingery ginger ale - goes very well with vodka. We discovered the joy of Vodka Tangawizi late in the holiday. If you ever go to Kenya/Tanzania, note well.

* when snorkelling, you burn your butt. This is most painful, and you don't get any warning signs in the cool water. I never stop learning.

* I like mis-spelled signs. Aside from the cocktail list offering a 'Suppery Nipple', (and another I cannot mention here), I really liked the school teaching English, with the sign reading 'Learning Is Fan'.

* the plane from Zanzibar to Nairobi was a code-share with Precision Air. They had a magazine with a sudoku puzzle, which Lorna attempted for about 10 seconds before noticing 2 7's printed in one row.

Last night, Lorna and I went to Africa House again, watched the aftermath of the sunset, and had the obligatory Tusker. She is very good value, and has an uncanny knowledge of musicals. Earlier in the holiday I had 'Tomorrow' from Annie wedged in my head, and she launched into a (full) rendition, with encored of 'it's a hard knock life' and 'Little Girls' - complete with facial expressions and gestures. The girl is GOOD. It was fun being out with her last night, helped me to stop lamenting the loss of TB. TB took a shine to Bricab before leaving, I'm sure she was plotting to half-inch him on her last night. Raccoon-napping. Serious offense. I told her that she is welcome to visit him in London any time.

Alarm went off at 4.45 this morning. The cab came at 5.30am, and on the trip to the airport we could see the smokey pink beginnings of sunrise, with the sharp silhouettes of inky palm trees. The reverie and sadness was broken by wrestling my gigantic and super-heavy bag from the hoards trying to carry it the 10 yards to the open-air check in desk, and the opportunistic mosquitos making a last-ditch attempt to give me malaria. I am a huge fan of Africa, but next holiday is going to be on a different continent, as I truly believe that it's contrasts that make you appreciate life.

Thanks for reading my ramblings, and if anyone fancies a 2-weeker to the Amazon/Galapagos or maybe Timbuctu or Benin, or possibly Tibet, or Borneo, or Paddington-bear-country, or maybe Trans-Siberian railroad.... I'm planning a new adventure for February 2008.

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