Bweju

I just got back to Stone Town after spending a few days over on the east coast of the island in a little village known as Bweju. The sand was as white as you can imagine. The water bluer than I have ever seen and the reefs we went snorkeling on were spectacular. We had some of the best food I have ever eaten in my life. It was hard to leave such a wonderful place but we are headed up to the Nungwi on the north coast for New Years. Should be fun.

Zimmie's First Christmas

Little Zimster had his first Christmas this year. Wish I had been there for it but I was stuck in a tropical paradise. I'm sure I'll have plenty of good ones with him soon enough.

Stonetown

So I arrived in Zanzibar a bit over a day ago and it's great. It's really tropical, has lots of white sand, teal water, friendly people and really good food. I just spent Christmas day siting on a beach enjoying a local beer and watching the tide come in.

Tonight we are headed to the fish market for what I can only describe as a veritable seafood buffet. There are tons of stands selling tuna, mackerel, lobster, prawns and tons of other fresh caught food. You pick what you want and they cook it right in front of you.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas.

The Train Ride

So we decided to take the Tazara train from Zambia to Tanzania. It starts in Kapiri Mposhi and ends in Dar es Salaam. It took about 48 hours to get there. We had a good time and did a pretty good job of keeping ourselves occupied. It's nothing like the comforts of the Eurail but it got us from point to point and we got to see a good bit of the Zambian and Tanzanian country side.

Brett Rhi Chavis

As most of you know now, my brother Brett passed away last June. I've been wanting to put something up here in remembrance of him but didn't quite know how to approach it.

Me and Brett were not the closest of brothers growing up, but as the years passed on and I became less and less of a twerp, we became best of friends. He took me in after I graduated from collage and had no idea what I wanted to do with myself. He was my biggest fan through my marathon running and exploits across the world starting my Peace Corps experience. It wasn't rare for me to be talking to some one and have them tell me that my brother had been going on about me just the other day. I'd like to think he's still telling people about me even though they have no clue who I am.

Brett will be greatly missed by many and it is definitely different with him gone.

...and 2007 is behind us.

Well folks, 2007 has passed us by and, at least for me, it has gone by in a whirlwind. It has been an exciting year of ups and downs, but I seem to have survived it. At times I never thought 2008 would get here and I have to admit that I'm glad it is.

I want to wish you all happy holidays and the best in the new year.