Lake District / LANDAN / Instagram

So I've had a rather fun filled Easter break (with a worryingly little amount of revision) which included going to a very chilly Lake District and then London to meet up with my Tanzania chums for a couple of days.

Loweswater · Africa Trousers · Cruising · Dipping and Dyeing · Training it

Me and my friend Meghan travelled as independent women to London to meet Sophie, a fellow expeditioner, who is the most comical person I know. Although we hadn't seen each other for over eight months, it was like we'd never left the expedition and got straight in catching up...although with considerably cleaner appearances. However, we still made the conscious effort to pull out the ol' African trousers.

On Tuesday we went shopping in Brick Lane and Oxford Street; I hadn't been to Brick Lane before but I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of vintage items I liked the look of. We were going to go to Camden but didn't have much time as we had reservations for Cosmo's AKA all you can eat buffet AKA my idea of paradise. We also attempted a spot of dip-dying in the evening which turned out pretty damn well for a bunch of amateurs and some kitchen foil.

Overall the trip was a good 'un; me and Meghan transitioned from girls into women by managing to navigate ourselves into, around and back out of London, I lost my Cosmo's virginity and I also discovered that Sophie is possibly the funniest driver on the planet. Imagine a 19 year old sat so close to the wheel she could almost lick the windscreen careering around corners whilst shouting 'tossers' every so often at other road users. Brilliant.

I also got Instagram! Well, I've had it for about three months but I've started using it more now. So if you would like to follow me here I will happily return the favour!

Henna Appreciation Post

I got one done in Tanzania and now I want some more.

Jambo, Jambo Bwana

When: 14th July - 10th August

Where: Tanga, Ndarakwai, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Meru, Moshi

What: Tanzania Expedition with Camps International

The most amazing experience of my life.

Tanzania is now my favourite place in the whole entire world. I met wonderful people, both from England and in Tanzania, whose memories I shall hold onto tightly as they are irreplaceable. Here are a few of my photos and words to describe the time I had, although it really can't be put into words.

Project Work

The main purpose of our trip was to lend a helping hand to the local communities we visited. Our work involved wildlife conservation, building a house for a mama and renovating classrooms. At the three different schools we visited, we managed to build new doors and windows, cement a floor and build seven benches for the new dining hall. It was really rewarding to see the impact that our work had, particularly with the school, as we got to meet the children that our work would benefit. I met one little girl called Irene in Moshi who couldn't remember my name throughout the whole afternoon as we worked. The second day she got so excited when she saw me, shouting out "MOLLIE!".

Safari

Elephants, giraffes, a cheetah, a lion and flamingos are just a few of the animals we saw on safari. Our driver Julius was so good, he managed to get us magnificent sights of a cheetah chasing impalas in an attack, a lion that was literally within arms reach and a huge elephant shaking a tree. When I saw the giraffe chewing the leaves in the funny way that giraffes do, I had a hard time containing my laughter as it reminded me of Marty from Madagascar. I also have an urge to plaster my walls with images of elephants now too. During the two days of safari we visited Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, which was the most beautiful landscape that I've ever seen.

Tanga

Although I loved everywhere we visited within Tanzania, Tanga just holds a special place in my heart. Our camp was located right above the Indian Ocean and the village of Mbuni was full of such friendly and happy people. Each time we walked to our project work the children would come running to shout "Hiii", "Byyeee" and "Jambo". I also adored the camp staff at Tanga: Balla is the one who always sang and kept spirits high, Eliphas is the coolest person in camp who owns a happy hat, Anderson is just a big teddy bear that is constantly smiling, and Benson is the love of my life. I'm not kidding, he dances and holds everyones hands whilst maintaining the cutest smile. Oh, and let's not forget about the kitchen staff, William and Jambo Jambo Guy. Everytime I would walk past the kitchen Jambo Jambo Guy would say "JAMBO JAMBO" in a high pitched voice (of which me and my friend Meghan would imitate excitedly) and William would wave frantically after seeing me get so excited to see him. Awh, I cried when I left that camp. We miss only those who we never want to lose.

So if you see a person walking down the street saying "JAMBO" to everyone they pass, it's probably me. People in this country need to cheer up anyway.

If you have any questions about the country or what I did, I'd love to talk about it with you in more depth. I'm already planning on going again after my A-Levels. Maybe Benson could hook me up with a cheaper deal seen as we've already had a whole two conversations on Facebook.

Tanzania, Nakupenda Kwa Moyo Wote♡

Dougou Badia

I discovered this song when I was returning from my expedition. I was listening to the 'Africa Now' playlist on the little aeroplane tv to soak up the last ounce of Tanzanian culture I could and found this. By Amadou and Mariam, a blind duo from Mali, and featuring an urban injection from Santigold, this song is a brilliant fusion of musical style. I love the intro, especially when the voices enter.

Also, I haven't been able to stop singing the Jambo song. I even taught my friend this song from Tanzania and she can't get it out of her head either. Awh, it's just so happy.

Nakupenda Tanzania

I have returned from the most amazing experience of my life. Tanzania is now my favourite place in the whole entire world. I met wonderful people, both from England and in Tanzania, that I have memories with and shall hold onto tightly as they are irreplacable. I can't wait to see all the photos and get started on my scrapbook. Here are a few of my photos and words to describe the time I had, although it really can't be put into words.

Photos with Eliphas, William and Benson in Tanga · Snapshots from our safari · Playing with the lovely children from the village of Umbuni · Project work which involved getting rather dirty socks

Project Work
The main purpose of our trip was to lend a helping hand to the local communities we visited. Our work involved wildlife conservation, building a house for a mama and renovating classrooms. It was really rewarding to see the impact that our work had, particularly with the school as we got to meet the children that our work would benefit.

Safari
Elephants, giraffes, a cheetah, a lion and flamingos are just a few of the animals we saw on safari. Our driver Julius was so good, he managed to get us magnificent sights of a cheetah chasing impalas in an attack, a lion that was literally within arms reach and a huge elephant shaking a tree. We visited Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater which was the most beautiful landscape that I've ever seen.

Tanga
Although I loved everywhere we visited within Tanzania, Tanga just holds a special place in my heart. Our camp was located right above the Indian Ocean and the village of Umbuni was full of such friendly and happy people. Each time we walked to our project work the children would come running to shout "Hiii", "Byyeee" and "Jambo"; their happiness just resonated throughout the whole team. I also adored the camp staff at Tanga: Balla is the one who always sang and kept spirits high, Eliphas is the coolest person in camp with a happy hat, Anderson is just a big teddy bear that is constantly smiling, and Benson is the love of my life. I'm not kidding, he dances and holds everyones hands whilst maintaining the cutest smile. Oh, and let's not forget about the kitchen staff, William and Jambo Jambo Guy. Everytime I would walk past the kitchen Jambo Jambo Guy would say "JAMBO JAMBO" in a high pitched voice (of which me and my friend Meghan would imitate) and William would wave frantically after seeing me get so excited to see him. Awh, I cried when I left that camp.

So if you see a person walking down the street saying "JAMBO" to everyone they pass, it's probably me. People in this country need to cheer up anyway.

If you have any questions about the country or what I did, I'd love to talk about it with you in more depth. This post is merely scratching the surface.

Nakupenda Tanzania♡

Mbali Na Tanzania

I'M SO EXCITED. Tomorrow I shall be embarking on a month long expedition to Tanzania with Camps International in which I will have the opportunity to go scuba diving, go on a safari and, most importantly, help with community work...albeit if I have to arise at 3am, but it's obviously worth it. This calls for a Tanzania Playlist. I've only just started using 8tracks; it's such  good way to create playlists for every occasion. Imagining I'm travelling through African plains in a little safari Jeep, I was going for a chilled sunset vibe...but being my usual unpredictable self, I had to add a few dance bangers in there in case I feel  like raving. So, really, it's a random playlist of songs I like at the minute. Enjoy!

Tanzania Playlist from stereospecs on 8tracks.

I Want You - Summer Camp

Morning Sun - Rock Mafia ft. Miley Cyrus

Who Knows Who Cares - Local Natives (Botaniks Remix)

Hanging On - Ellie Goulding ft. Tinie Tempah

Never Never - SBTRKT

California Sunrise - Dirty Gold

My  False - Matt Corby

Bad Girls - M.I.A

Levels - Avicii

I didn't want to schedule any posts while I'm away (what if there's a grammatical error that won't be corrected for four weeks?!) so I'll see you, my precious little blog, when I return.

Kwaheri!