Mohammed's, heat stroke and paradise

GPS
S 05 51.458
E 039 21.322

The day started early as usual. Had a lovely breakfast mangoes, bananas and eggs at pearl guest house.
Having arranged the motorbike the day before was all set to explore the island. The more I read the more I wanted to see all parts of this exotic place. Is like time has stood still. Many buildings are far newer than you would think. Many larger buildings were built in the 50's but you look a them and would think they were two hundred years old.

Ran into the man who runs the motorcycle shop and we had lunch together. Ok one complaint still the lack of vegetables. All they had was fish fried bread and hmmm fish. The fruit is great so that helps a lot.


At noon packed up my gear and drove out on the direction of the blue bay resort. Jami is staying there with his friend Bado. It is a incredible resort on the water swimming pools two bars, restaurants. The only thing wrong with it was it could have been the tropics anywhere the world. It was full of Europeans. We had a beer together 6000 shillings per beer. The beer had in Dar was 1500 tzs

It was very hot and the middle of the day I had been driving about one hour before arriving. Then off to find Mohammed's restaurant and bungalows .


Mohammed his son Hussein and his wife. They have 4 children.

It is located in the furthest north east section of the island in a small fishing village. The ocean was dotted with Ngalawas (outrigger canoes) The water was shallow the tide was just coming up. The reef is 500 meters off shore. Wind was high and the local kids playing in the sea were covered in the white sand that sticks to everything.


Now finding this bungalow was a treat. The road went from paved to hard sand to deep loose sand. Navigating the Honda was no easy task. After asking 4 locals in broken Swahili they were happy to offer directions regardless if they actually know where it was . Grabbed my cell phone and called Mohammed. He drove out to meet me. Turns out there are no signs.


Once arriving I was hot and tired. My body started to ache head was starting to pound. Drank 2 liters of water. Decided to walk on the beach and meet the local kids. they wanted my pen or anything. If i wanted pictures that would cost me. So I had an idea. One more soccer ball was hanging off my bag. Speaking to mohammed we discussed the possible issues with this. 8 kids who thinks that the ball is theirs So he made a deal with them. They had to return it to him every day after playing. This after 15 minutes of discussion and many cheeky grins was acceptable.


Well after an hour the heat stroke set in. Heavy flu like symptoms Driving the motorcycle was like driving straight at a hair dryer. Sucking the moisture out of my body bit by bit. Breathing was labored and everything ached. Retiring to my room at 4:30 pm waking a few times wanting to take pictures of the full moon over the beach but not having enough energy to stand.

Sometimes forcing yourself to stop moving may not be a bad thing. As hot as it was I had chills all night. The plan is to drive around the island today. This may not happen.

It's now late day on the 20th
Over 36 hours in bed. Have no appetite and my bed soaked with sweat. Am starting to think this was a bug not heat stroke. It did have all the symptoms of malaria but having only encountered very few Mosquitos and taking the pills. The odds it is a nasty flu bug are pretty high. Anyhow if it was malaria after 24 hours I would go into a coma. It has been way more hours plus and no coma. Everything still hurts but I have now managed to sit out front of my bungalow. Have ordered pileu and fruit for dinner. Need food to get my energy back.




If you get sick this is the place.

Location:Matemwe Village, north east Zanzibar island