It’s hard not to stop staring out to sea and watch the dhow boats sails or being punted past. When the sun goes down and I am at Waterside Bar with my friends, the sight is beautiful.
The wood from old and broken dhows is valuable as a source of wood to make craft items and furniture.
A friend bought a most beautiful sofa made from an old dhow. She paid a good amount for it but when she came to leave Tanzania for Sudan she found she could not export it because the wood was protected from export. She had to find a new buying and her losing money on the deal. I have made a mental note!
I suppose the smaller pieces of wood turned in souvenirs, such as chopping boards and spoons, are allowed to leave the country though.
Silhouetted against the skyline, especially in the evening is one of my most favourite images of this city. I am pretty sure the boats are nicer to look at than to be in. Like many things, the idea is quite romantic but the reality is very different.
When I leave Tanzania, I am sure that will be one of my abiding images.