With Covid, I, like everyone else wished to begin traveling as soon as possible. We had to cancel a long planned, awesome, family holiday to Bali. There was no way it would last beyond May. But May came. Then we needed to cancel having our much loved grandchildren for an extensive summer visit.

Our disappointments were nothing compared to so many. Missy and I were content to stay home. Hoped to go to Jordon in the Fall but that got cancelled too. So did working as a Census worker on fear of too much exposure.

 I read on Facebook that Moderna was looking for volunteers to be in the Phase 3 trial. I applied and was accepted. I received the first dose – at that point not knowing if it was the vaccine or the placebo – in August. I was fatigued and had flu like symptoms after the first poke. I had the second vaccination in September. Same thing, fatigue and flu like symptoms. I was confident that I was vaccinated. In October my curiosity got the better of me, I got the antibody test. NEGATIVE!!! Hmmm . Ok! It really wasn’t going to change my life anyway. 

Later it was rumored that Moderna would be approved by FDA. I started planning. Where in the world could I go without too many restrictions. There are a few places, but not many. Tanzania is one of the few places. I had been to Zanzibar before and it was fine. It has beautiful beaches and it is warm. I started making plans. We had a voucher for a previously canceled trip. Free (?) trip from Washington DC to Dar Es Salaam Tanzania. Cool :).

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I had United Airlines points. I hate flying United. But it was free.There was still the distinct possibility of needing to cancel as I didn’t want to become a carrier. In the meantime I was contacted by Moderna testing site that I could get unblinded (which meant that they would tell me if I had gotten the vaccine or the placebo?  I went in. Filled out paperwork, got a simple exam, gave blood. Results:VACCINATED:):):)

But Missy wasn’t vaccinated. Luckily she got on the list, got poked in mid-January and her second dose was scheduled for a month later. Ok!! My plans worked as I would return two weeks after Missy’s second poke. So no worries about giving her Covid. 

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My travel planning was really very simple. Tickets, travel insurance, sunscreen, travel notification, credit cards and a debit card. First three nights hotel in Dar Es Salaam. Oh and some clothes and toiletries but I didn’t really need them. 

Three weeks holiday in Tanzania, in Zanzibar. All told about 38 hours from Cary, NC to Dar. Dar is what the locals call Dar Es Salaam. 

I arrived at Dar airport, newly built by the Chinese, on Feb 13. Smoothly got my visa and went through Customs. The airport was deserted, just like DC, just like Raliegh. The hotel, a Best Western, had a van waiting for me. I arrived, checked in and fell asleep. Awoke in the evening and took an Uber ($2) to a nice Oceanside restaurant. Good food, went back to the hotel,  Uber, and slept. I was in Tanzania. 

Day 2- I planned to see Dar but there isn’t much to see.  I did need to go to the ferry to buy my next days ticket. Uber to the ferry office at the port. Asked the Uber driver to wait and take me back to the hotel after I got my ticket. A mass of people. Got my ticket in business class. Then back to the hotel. My next days ferry was at 9:30. Arranged for the Uber driver to pick me up. Good for both of us. He doesn’t pay Uber fees and I have a confirmed driver and price. I had him come early.

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I did have to change my accommodations a couple of time but I am found a dream like spot. A BIG (4000 sf plus) villa with just me in it. The villa is old and in decent shape. It must hard to maintain. Two full time staff. Husband for outside and the wife for inside. There is also a hotel chef who comes to cook for guests, even just one. Some items really good 🙂 Two BIG friendly guard dogs. The benefits of making no plans ahead of time. Sometimes you score.

This is exactly what I was hoping for. Me and beach. Watching the waves come in all day long.  A man stopped and asked if I wanted to take a tour. I said no. I want to watch the waves come in. What about tomorrow. Same.  The day after. Same. He didn’t understand. Haha 

Here is a link to some of the photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/p8pd2MLS8m8fEUMcA

And this is the Villa: https://photos.app.goo.gl/a6nrxDqxeeuNEXxR9