Sali

How far will I continue here? Again I will have to return along the same route because all roads are ending (!) south of Mahenge mountains and the only option for a small round trip is blocked by yesterday's fallen tree and, presumably, by a missing bridge.

On my paper map I read "Old Capuchin Mission" in Sali. Glancing at the topography it looks like an interesting ascent into the mountains. That is what I came for!

Oh and what a wonderful ride this is! The remote villages are calm with only a few people working on their fields. With my car squeezing through the narrow paths I feel like an intruding alien, maneuvering a spaceship on the surface of a far and distant planet. Somewhat surreal. Do I have the permission to be here at all? How do the locals perceive me?

Suddenly, where the slope starts to get increasingly steep: traffic signs. Haven't seen any for hours! And the "road" (2 m wide) changes from dirt to tarmac. What? Here? A fantastic scenery follows while I meander up the mountain.

The road ends in Sali and indeed there is an old Roman mission with a primary and secondary school and many curious kids of all ages who are eager to train their English with me. Super strange to find such a noble establishment up here. Teacher Simon tells me that the compound must have been founded around 1911.

I enjoy the fresh mountain breeze and walk around, catching locals with my camera. They are shy at first but then proudly pose for me!

Later I will regret not having stayed here over night because the area would have also been perfect for a day's hike into the nearby pristine forest of which not much is left.Baca selengkapnya