Rhincodon typus - Whale Sharks to you and me - Sat 02/11/25

Peaceful night,  Clare kipped in with Robys as they had an early start to hopefully see Whale Sharks. Free range day and nothing planned, chummed up with hotel bloke and before you can say pole pole (Swahili for slowly, slowly) we are off on the back on his chariot (125 Honda), he is a good rider and seems to be having fun with me twice his size on the back waving at everyone whilst still on his mobile phone,  we stop for fuel, assume some sort of petrol but there's a huge variety of non pump options in various lemonade bottles.

Further stop at at checkpoint and I have to sign in to enter the coastal area, no change available, no cards accepted so the lady gets a 25p tip and we are all happy.

We get down the sea and it's a great combo of workers/shirkers and chancers. The potential islands tour is quoted at $100 which after a few glares dropped to $50, my local man is now AWOL and turns out family related so I opt for local ferry to Cohle which is 30p. 

The boat is a mixture of people,  both men and women travelling back from Mafia aka big island to here with their daily shop. 10 mins later we've docked at Cohle (main port) and yes there is another 'port' although can't see where and it's off to explore. 

Population 240, one primary school, one football pitch a few nice craft and art huts and one main food place seating six people, didn't book in advance but was made very welcome and the usual conversations about the english premier league with far more knowledge than me and most of UK newspapers.

A lot of abandoned places here which is great , Jail, Town Hall and court house. This Island really is off the main grid but there is a pop style gift shop in the middle of the jungle.

Boat back to mainland and various stops to pick up or drop off goods or just to chat. One thing I have noticed both here and Zanzibar there are no dogs - which for a cynophobe is great but a mystery on why... But i'll just let sleeping dogs lie...

I'm looking forward catching up with the girls at our designated meeting place - still no internet so we have a main and couple of back-up places before reporting each other missing in action or AWOL.

The local Winchester - aka Minder 1980s wtih a reboot

Clare to write their visit up!

I have been assured our Monday flight will eventually be fine.  Time will tell