The days are taken up doing chores , planning for time in the bush , tracking down a place to do a full service on Victoria and the nights are full of home cooking , conversation and live music courtesy of Janelle on guitar and Gabby on vocals, just fantastic to be in the heart of a home . One thing that I think is true for all travellers , is that when you come across a washing machine it is like finding the pot at the end of the rainbow. Before you have even put the washing in you start fantasising about that clean fresh smell as you pull the shirt over your head , the smell of softener and soap fills your senses , so thank you Janelle , staff and machine for being so kind and helping remove the road scent from my clothing.
Tim and Craig sorted out the safari for me and Tim found a motorcycle expert to help with Victoria. Dates booked all sorted out in two days , I felt much better for getting the admin stuff out of the way. The next day Victoria and I following Tim in a taxi finally arrived at Per’s place who owns the service centre were I was welcomed with spice cake , cookies and tea and met Gifty who was going to service Victoria. ( Vespa Wynberg please take note )
We started just after 10h00 and finished just after 15h00 having done a major service and health check. We put the spare on the rear , changed belt and rollers , checked the brake pads , changed oil and all the filters , checked the clutch , the shocks , changed the spark plug and so the list goes on and on . Gifty was incredible and if ever anybody has bike issues in and around Arusha or anywhere in this great country this is the only place to take your loved ones.
www.tecnixbike.wordpress.com .
Gifty and the art of scooter maintenance
The major service
I was hoping to do the service at 10 000 but I felt that when you find a great facility and very capable workmanship grab it with both hands . We have travelled just over 8500 km to get here , If I had travelled the most direct route to Arusha from Johannesburg it would have been a smidgen over 3600km , the beauty of been lost in Africa. Thank you Gifty we both appreciate your meticulous and thorough work , I really enjoyed our hours together with chats and tunes playing over the speakers , while we tinkered and torqued the time away
All done and all that was left was to get ready for my safari. What is really cool about Tanzanians is that anything that involves a getaway or a weekend break , not necessarily to the bush is referred to as a safari. When people ask about our journey , the comment is wow that is a long safari you are doing or what a great safari . I love being on safari. The other very cool thing about being in Arusha are the people that I have had the pleasure of meeting and being welcomed with open arms into their homes. Thank you Arushans see after safari.
Until we meet again.
